Health Specialist (GRASP-UHC Project)

Project Background

Plan 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 Purpose

The 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 Responsibilities

Technical 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.

Qualifications

Education

• 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.