Research Assistant - Consultant

Project Overview and Role:

USAID’s ProtectHealth, based in Manila, Philippines, in collaboration with other USAID projects, supports the Government of the Philippines (GPH) to enhance access and financing to meet key HIV, tuberculosis and family planning outcomes while realizing its goal of achieving universal health care (UHC). USAID’s ProtectHealth will specifically support GPH’s implementation of the UHC Law by addressing policy and institutional bottlenecks within the health financing system.

USAID’s ProtectHealth has plans to provide technical assistance to enable the GPH to rapidly and effectively enact reforms envisioned in new legislation on UHC (Republic Act 11223), which includes the implementation of a comprehensive outpatient benefit package. Specifically, USAID’s ProtectHealth will build GPH capacity by testing the implementation of different health financing reforms in selected Local Government Units (LGUs) to generate evidence and influence policy development at the national and local level. Furthermore, USAID’s ProtectHealth supports GPH through the Department of Health (DOH) and PhilHealth by providing technical assistance to policy and health financing matters.

 Primary Duties and Responsibilities: 

This is a Manila-based consultancy position responsible for assisting USAID’s ProtectHealth PFM Associate in performing research-oriented and administrative tasks related to TB and PhilHealth technical assistance. This consultancy position is for a period of performance of 7 months. The duties of the Research Assistant will include, but are not limited to:

Attending and maintaining detailed records and documentation of meetings attended by ProtectHealth and activities, and meetings, within or outside Manila;
Coordinating with DOH offices, PhilHealth offices, Cebu city LGU offices, and, possibly, healthcare providers on matters related to technical assistance and data collection;
Providing administrative/logistical and documentation support in the conduct of activities such as meetings, travel, focus group discussions, key informant interviews, workshops, and other team activities as needed;
Performing administrative tasks such as internal project management tasks, travel documentation, team budget preparation and documentation, support to staff recruitment and management, logistical and procurement support in support of data team activities, and other administrative tasks as assigned by the HF and HSS Adviser;
Willing to report physically at the office;
Willing to travel outside Metro Manila;
Reporting to the PFM Associate and HF and HSS Adviser, and regularly updating other staff on the progress of implementation of assigned deliverables and activities; and
Performing any other tasks related to data team deliverables, as may be directed by the HF and HSS Adviser and PFM Associate.



Required Qualifications:

 Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in public health, economics/health economics, or any related field;
●Familiarity with and experience in public financial management is an advantage;
●Experience in project implementation or implementation research is an advantage;
●Previous experience in working with LGUs, DOH, and PhilHealth is an advantage;
●Proficiency in MS Office applications;
●Sound written and verbal communication skills in English, proficiency in Cebuano an advantage;
●Strong organizational skills to ensure activities, schedules and progress of work are on schedule;
●Demonstrated sound judgment, problem-solving and decision-making; and
Ability to work with a low level of supervision and as a part of a team when required

Evaluation Criteria:

Technical 40%
Knowledgeable of basic concepts on public financial management
Ability to analyze financial reports and produce reports, as needed
Must be willing to travel, as needed
Must have good listening and transcribing skills in documenting meetings.
Experience 40% (The technical team will better know what they expect in terms of experience, such as how many years and in what specific area.)
Experience working at the local government as local accountant, local budget officer (at least 3 years)
Experience working at DBM/COA/DOF (at least 3 years)
Experience working at DOH-CHDs  (at least 3 years)
Cost 20% The applicants should include their expected daily rate in their applications.

Company Overview:

About Palladium - Palladium is a global leader in the design, development and delivery of Positive Impact – the intentional creation of enduring social and economic value.  We work with governments, businesses, and investors to solve the world's most pressing challenges. With a team of more than 3,000 employees operating in 90 plus countries and a global network of over 35,000 experts, we help improve economies, societies and, most importantly, people's lives.

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion - Palladium is committed to embedding equity, diversity, and inclusion into everything we do. We welcome applications from all sections of society and actively encourage diversity to drive innovation, creativity, success and good practice. We positively welcome and seek to ensure we achieve diversity in our workforce; and that all job applicants and employees receive equal and fair treatment regardless of their background or personal characteristics. These include: (but are not limited to) socio-economic background, age, race, gender identity and expression, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, nationality, veteran, marital or Indigenous status.

Should you require any adjustments or accommodations to be made due to a disability or you are a neurodivergent individual or for any other circumstance, please email our team at accessibility@thepalladiumgroup.com and we will be in touch to discuss.

Safeguarding - We define Safeguarding as “the preventative action taken by Palladium to protect our people, clients and the communities we work with from harm”. We are committed to ensuring that all children and adults who come into contact with Palladium are treated with respect and are free from abuse.  All successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced selection process including safeguarding-focused interviews and a rigorous due diligence process.