E4H Punjab Senior Technical Specialist

Job Description

Programme Overview

Evidence for Health (E4H) is a Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO)-funded programme aimed at strengthening Pakistan's healthcare system, thereby decreasing the burden of illness and saving lives. E4H (2023-2027) provides technical assistance (TA) to Punjab and also to the Federal and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) governments. The Punjab component is being implemented by Palladium along with Oxford Policy Management (OPM).

Through its flexible, embedded, and demand-driven model, E4H Punjab will support the government to achieve a resilient health system that is prepared for health emergencies, responsive to the latest evidence, and delivers equitable, quality, and efficient healthcare services. Specifically, E4H will deliver TA across three outputs:

Output 1: Strengthened integrated health security, with a focus on preparing and responding to health emergencies, including pandemics.

Output 2: Strengthened evidence-based decision-making to drive health sector performance and accountability.

Output 3: Improved implementation of Universal Health Coverage, with a focus on ending preventable deaths.

Position Summary

The Senior Technical Specialist will work closely with the E4H-Punjab Lead to provide technical support to the E4H Punjab programme.  S/he will develop a thorough understanding of the E4H Theory of Change (TOC) and using the E4H Technical Assistance (TA) sourcing framework and identification tools, analyse the TAs that can be undertaken in E4H Punjab. S/he will support the team in shortlisting TAs, and checking them for synergies with the International Commitments, ongoing work in E4H Federal and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) in close liaison with the technical backstopper and in synergy with the E4H Technical Director. S/he is expected to provide inputs on the three Output areas (1 to 3) stated above for E4H.

The role also includes providing technical assurance of the programme’s TA deliverables developed for the various TA assignments on-going in Punjab. The position is expected to technically review TA TORs and TA deliverables before their submission to FCDO for ensuring that they comply with the E4H key performance indicators of timeliness, quality, accuracy and completeness, efficiency, clarity and readability and professionalism and are technically sound.

The Senior Technical Specialist will report to the E4H-Punjab Lead and will have dotted reporting line to the technical backstopper.  

Responsibilities

• Shortlist TAs from the pool of TAs curated by the Punjab team following international best practices and ongoing work in E4H at the Federal and KP levels, ensuring alignment with the nuanced requirements of the Punjab’s Primary & Secondary Healthcare Department. Ensure that the TA identified by the Punjab E4H team complies with and aligns with the E4H TOC.
• Develop the TA TORs by integrating strong technical knowledge, research, and local insights to align with the E4H TOC.
• Technical Assurance of TA deliverables prior to FCDO submission ensuring they meet quality standards defined for E4H project.
• Develop technical content tailored to the specific demands and needs of E4H Punjab.

Key Skills and Competencies

• 15+ years’ demonstrated expertise in Punjab’s public service/government, with evidence of experience within the public health sector and governance reforms broadly.
• Evidence of up-to-date understanding of Punjab’s political economy, and how to navigate ongoing complexity.
• Evidence of robust networks across key stakeholders in the P&SHD and health-adjacent departments/agencies. Proven ability to interact and meaningfully engage with senior government officials.
• Existing and strong relationships with Punjab development partners, particularly the National Health Support Programme, World Bank, UNICEF, World Health Organisation and UKHSA.
• Proven experience successfully managing teams to achieve intended results.
• Demonstrated understanding of institutional change/reform approaches and methodologies.
• Strong written English capability and proven capacity to complete deliverables to high quality standards.
• Strong communication skills including the ability to succinctly communicate technical information for diverse audiences. 

Level of Effort and Location

This is a full time LTTA position at 18 days per month / 220 days per year based in Lahore.