Health Specialist (GRASP-UHC Project)

Makati City, Metro Manila
Permanent
Full-time

10 days ago

The OrganisationPlan International Pilipinas is a girl-centered community-focused non-government organization, serving the Philippines for the last 64 years.We are a newly locally registered Foundation, connected to 80+ Plan International offices worldwide.We work with around 7,000 partner communities, or barangays across the country, delivering programs on (PIER) Protection from Violence, Inclusive Health, Education to Economic Empowerment, and Resilience and Humanitarian.We have 30,000 sponsored children and 2.5 million program participants, co-creating lasting impact, especially for girls.Project BackgroundPlan International Pilipinas Foundation, Inc., in partnership with the Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF), the Unité de santé internationale de l'Université de Montréal (USI-UdeM), and local civil society organizations, is implementing a five-year initiative titled Gender-Responsive Systems Approach to Universal Health Care (GRASP-UHC).The project aims to enhance the capacity of local government units (LGUs) to provide affordable, equitable, gender- and adolescent-responsive health services to vulnerable and underserved populations through strengthened Universal Health Care (UHC) implementation.Role PurposeThe Health Specialist will serve as the project’s health technical expert and provide technical oversight to the implementation of the GRASP‑UHC project. The role is responsible for designing evidence-based health systems strengthening strategies, improving local health governance, and guiding partners toward effective, inclusive, and gender-responsive service delivery.The position will work closely with ZFF, regional and provincial government partners, local implementers, and communities to ensure quality implementation, capacity development, and alignment with UHC principles.Dimensions of the Role

Serves as a technical focal point for health systems strengthening and UHC integration.
Provides technical guidance to partner LGUs, CSOs, and project staff.
Leads health-related assessments, program design, documentation, and technical reporting.
Ensures integration of gender, inclusion, and adolescent-responsive approaches in intervention design.
Coordinates with government agencies, networks, technical working groups, and project partners.

Key ResponsibilitiesTechnical Oversight and Health Systems Strengthening

Review and analyze health systems data (administrative capacity, epidemiological trends, service delivery performance, health-seeking behaviors, etc.) to inform technical strategies.
Lead the design of health governance and health systems enhancement interventions aligned with UHC.
Ensure technical soundness, relevance, and evidence-based implementation of project activities.

Documentation, Reporting, and Knowledge Management

Prepare technical papers, briefs, and inputs for communication materials.
Review project reports and provide technical feedback prior to submission.
Document lessons learned and contribute to shared learning across partners.

Partnership Management and Coordination

Collaborate with provincial, regional, and community-level partners to support UHC implementation and strengthen local health governance.
Participate in consultations, learning sessions, and technical network meetings.

Field Support and Capacity Development

Conduct regular field visits to provide technical assistance and monitor implementation progress.
Identify competency gaps of project/partner staff and support capacity-building activities.
Work with SBCC specialists and local partners to design and implement SBCC strategies on UHC awareness, health-seeking behavior, and patient empowerment.

QualificationsEducation

Bachelor’s degree in Public Health, Health Policy, Health Management, or related discipline.
Master’s degree in a relevant field is an advantage.

Training and Knowledge

Solid grounding in SRHR, gender equality, rights-based programming, health governance, project management, and community-based health systems.
Knowledge of government health programs, UHC implementation, and child rights, including prevention of Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (CSEA).

Experience

Minimum 4–5 years of relevant experience in health systems strengthening, ideally in underserved or marginalized areas.
Proven experience in project design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation in health-related programs.
Experience working with LGUs, health institutions, or development partners.
Knowledge of health financing and local health systems is an advantage.

Core Competencies

Digital Literacy: Proficiency in MS Office applications and Canva.
Communication: Strong written and verbal communication; effective in negotiation, coordination, and representation with multiple stakeholders.
People Skills: Able to work independently and collaboratively; capable of supporting and training local staff; comfortable working in community settings using participatory approaches.
Organizational Skills: Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and ensure high-quality technical outputs.

Location: Makati City, with frequent travel to project sitesType of Role: Project-based (until February 2029)Reports to: Project ManagerFlexible working arrangementsCompetitive compensation package (local T&C)Equality, diversity and inclusion is at the very heart of everything that Plan International stands for.We want Plan International to reflect the diversity of the communities we work with, offering equal opportunities to everyone regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.Plan International is based on a culture of inclusivity and we strive to create a workplace environment that ensures every team, in every office, in every country, is rich in diverse people, thoughts, and ideas.We foster an organisational culture that embraces our commitment to racial justice, gender equality, girls’ rights and inclusion.Plan International believes that in a world where children face so many threats of harm, it is our duty to ensure that we, as an organisation, do everything we can to keep children safe. This means that we have particular responsibilities to children that we come into contact with and we must not contribute in any way to harming or placing children at risk.A range of pre-employment checks will be undertaken in conformity with Plan International's Safeguarding Children and Young People policy. Plan International also participates in the In line with this scheme we will request information from applicants previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.Please note that Plan International will never send unsolicited emails requesting payment from candidates.

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