Senior Special Advisor to the State Minister – Health System Sourcing and Control Wing Full Time NEW

Purpose of the Position

The Senior Special Advisor to the State Minister provides high-level strategic, technical, and policy advice to support executive decision-making, strengthen health system governance, improve institutional performance, and ensure effective implementation of the Ministry’s priorities.

The position serves as a strategic link between the State Minister’s Office, relevant Ministry directorates, government institutions, regional health bureaus, and development partners to promote coordinated implementation, accountability, and results-oriented health system management.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Advisory and Policy Support
2. • Provide strategic and technical advice to the State Minister on health policy, health system governance, institutional performance, and sector priorities.
   • Review policy documents, strategies, directives, regulations, and executive submissions and provide evidence-based recommendations.
   • Advise on emerging health system challenges and propose practical solutions aligned with national priorities.
3. Strategic Planning and Performance Monitoring
4. • Support the preparation, review, and implementation of strategic plans, annual plans, and priority initiatives under the State Minister’s Office.
   • Monitor implementation progress, identify performance gaps and implementation bottlenecks, and recommend corrective actions.
   • Prepare analytical briefs, performance reports, policy notes, and executive updates to inform decision-making.
5. Health System Governance and Institutional Coordination
6. • Facilitate coordination among Ministry directorates, agencies, regional health bureaus, and other relevant institutions.
   • Support effective implementation of government policies, institutional standards, and applicable regulatory frameworks.
   • Strengthen accountability, transparency, and coordination across institutions involved in health sector implementation.
7. Resource Coordination and Utilization Oversight
8. • Advise on the strategic allocation, coordination, and utilization of health sector resources in line with approved plans and priorities.
   • Review resource utilization and implementation reports and identify issues requiring executive attention.
   • Support coordination of financial, human, pharmaceutical, and other essential health system resources, as relevant to the Wing’s mandate.
9. Regulatory Compliance and Institutional Oversight
10. • Advise the State Minister on regulatory compliance, enforcement of applicable health sector laws and standards, and institutional accountability.
    • Support follow-up on decisions, directives, and recommendations issued through executive and management committees.
    • Identify systemic risks and recommend measures to strengthen compliance, oversight, and institutional performance.
11. Stakeholder Engagement and Partnership Management
12. • Maintain effective working relationships with federal and regional health institutions, regulatory bodies, professional organizations, and development partners.
    • Facilitate interinstitutional collaboration to address strategic health system challenges.
    • Represent the State Minister’s Office in meetings, technical discussions, and committees when delegated.
13. Executive Communication and Decision Follow-up
14. • Prepare briefing notes, speeches, presentations, correspondence, and decision papers for the State Minister.
    • Track the implementation of executive decisions and provide timely updates on progress and outstanding actions.
    • Undertake other duties assigned by the State Minister that are consistent with the position’s mandate.

Educational Background

Mandatory:

• Master of Public Health (MPH) from a recognized and accredited higher education institution.

Preferred:

• Additional qualifications in health policy and management, public administration, health systems management, strategic leadership, governance, or a related field are an advantage.
• Relevant professional training in strategic management, public sector leadership, monitoring and evaluation, change management, or policy analysis is desirable.

Work Experience

A. General Experience

• A minimum of 15 years of progressively responsible professional experience in the health sector, public health administration, health systems management, public sector leadership, policy development, institutional governance, or related fields, with an MPH qualification.

B. Specific Experience

• At least 10 years of relevant experience serving as an advisor to a state minister or in an equivalent senior executive advisory position within a federal government institution.
• Demonstrated experience providing strategic advice to senior government leadership and supporting executive decision-making.
• Proven experience in strategic planning, policy analysis, institutional performance monitoring, and coordination of complex programs or initiatives.
• Demonstrated experience working with government institutions, regulatory bodies, regional administrations, and other key health sector stakeholders.
• Substantial experience in health sector governance, regulatory oversight, resource coordination, and implementation of national policies and strategies.
• Experience participating in senior management committees, executive review forums, or high-level policy and decision-making processes is an advantage.

Core Competencies

Strategic Leadership and Executive Advisory

• Strong strategic thinking, analytical reasoning, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to provide concise, evidence-based advice on complex policy and management issues.
• Sound judgment, discretion, integrity, and the ability to handle confidential matters.

Health Policy and Systems Governance

• In-depth understanding of public health systems, health sector policies, institutional governance, and public administration.
• Ability to analyze policy and regulatory issues and translate them into actionable recommendations.
• Knowledge of health system performance, institutional accountability, and regulatory compliance.

Planning, Monitoring, and Performance Management

• Strong capacity in strategic planning, results-based management, performance monitoring, and evaluation.
• Ability to interpret complex reports and data and identify implementation gaps, risks, and corrective measures.
• Competence in preparing executive briefs, analytical reports, and policy recommendations.

Coordination and Stakeholder Management

• Excellent interdepartmental coordination, negotiation, and partnership-building skills.
• Ability to facilitate collaboration among government institutions, regional health bureaus, regulatory agencies, and development partners.
• Strong skills in managing competing priorities and resolving institutional challenges.

Communication and Representation

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including policy writing, report preparation, and executive presentation.
• Ability to communicate complex technical issues clearly to senior decision-makers.
• Strong interpersonal skills and professional representation in high-level meetings and committees.

Integrity, Accountability, and Professionalism

• Demonstrated commitment to public service, transparency, accountability, and ethical leadership.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound professional judgment.
• Strong organizational skills, initiative, adaptability, and the ability to deliver results under pressure.

Language and Digital Skills                                                                      

• Proficiency in English and Amharic is desirable.
• Competence in standard office applications, digital reporting tools, and information management systems.

ACCOUNTABILITY:

• Both the Civil Service and MoH/RHB rules and regulations will be applied to guide the day-to-day activities and performance of the advisor. As new priorities emerge, the MoH may periodically revise the Terms of Reference (TOR) for this position.