Transition Advisor

Overview Reports to the Deputy Project Director, the Transition Advisor provides strategic leadership for planning, coordinating, and overseeing the transition of priority maternal, newborn, child health and nutrition (MNCH-N) systems, functions and interventions from project-supported implementation to sustainable ownership and management by the Government of the Republic of Zambia (GRZ). Works under the America First Global Health Strategy (AFGHS) initiative, the incumbent is responsible for driving government ownership, sustainability, co-investment and institutional strengthening to ensure long-term continuity of health services and systems. The role serves as the principal advisor on transition planning and sustainability, leads the development of transition strategies, roadmaps, and financing mechanisms that align with national and provincial health priorities. The incumbent works closely with the Ministry of Health (MOH), provincial and district health structures, donors and development partners to integrate transition priorities into government planning, budgeting and performance management processes. The Transition Advisor provides technical leadership in health financing, resource mobilization, governance, public financial management, and institutional capacity strengthening. The role utilizes evidence from health systems assessments, financing analyses, performance reviews and service delivery data to inform transition decisions, identify risks and opportunities and support government-led implementation. Responsibilities Leads the development and implementation of transition strategies and roadmaps for priority MNCH-N platforms and interventions, defining ownership pathways, responsibilities, timelines, financing requirements, accountability mechanisms, performance indicators and transition milestones. Collaborates with MOH at national, provincial and district level to identify functions, systems and investments suitable for transition to GRZ ownership while addressing barriers to government ownership. Strengthens governance, financial management, accountability, and institutional capacity within MOH structures to ensure the long-term sustainability of transitioned functions and systems. Supports the integration of transition priorities into national and provincial health plans, budgets, performance frameworks and financing commitments to ensure government ownership and sustainability. Monitors progress against transition milestones, identifies risks to sustainability and recommend corrective actions to maintain implementation momentum. Documents and disseminates transition lessons learned, best practices and evidence of government ownership to promote organizational learning and continuous improvement. Leads the generation, analysis, and use of evidence on readiness, functionality, governance, financing, performance, and government commitment to inform transition priorities, sequencing and decision-making. Coordinates assessments and analyses data from health facilities, districts, communities, HMIS, service quality reviews, performance assessments and financial systems to identify transition opportunities, risks and strategic recommendations. Serves as the primary liaison with MOH planning, financing and policy units, representing the project in technical working groups, planning forums, financing discussions and sustainability coordination mechanisms. Leads resource mobilization and health financing efforts by identifying, securing, tracking and documenting domestic financing and government investments, addressing financing gaps, leveraging public and private funding opportunities, while providing technical leadership in health financing, public financial management and investment planning. Required Qualifications Master’s degree or higher in Public Health, Health Economics, Health Financing, Public Administration, Public Policy, Business Administration, Development Studies, or related field. Minimum 10 years of progressively responsible experience in health systems strengthening government systems, health financing, public financial management, institutional transition, sustainability, or health sector governance. Demonstrated experience working with government ministries and public-sector institutions on planning, budgeting, financing and organizational strengthening. Strong understanding of Zambia’s health system, decentralization framework, annual planning cycle, and public financial management processes. Demonstrated experience supporting institutional transition, sustainability planning, localization, government ownership, or system strengthening initiatives. Experience applying evidence and data to inform policy, planning, financing, and strategic decision-making. Proven ability to engage effectively with senior government officials, donors, development partners, and private-sector stakeholders. Demonstrated experience leading complex multi-stakeholder processes and building consensus around strategic priorities.

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