Health Economist

**Main purpose of the job**:

- To advise on, conduct, and contribute to research study design, protocol development, analysis, and publications, with a specific focus on the cost-effectiveness of new maternal vaccines in Africa and Asia

**Location**:

- **VIDA - Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital - Soweto, Johannesburg**
- Vaccination for pregnant women is a promising strategy to prevent neonatal and infant respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and Group B Strep (GBS) disease in countries with a high burden of severe disease, particularly countries in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. _
- Successful uptake of maternal vaccination would be key to reaching the desired improvement in maternal, perinatal, and infant outcomes for these diseases and reducing neonatal and under-5 mortality. _
- This success will be dependent on generating a compelling evidence case for the adoption of maternal immunization in LMICs and developing strong ANC delivery platforms that are well integrated with EPI. _
- This project aims to identify, characterize, and support the platform, policy, and preparedness requirements for the introduction of potential new maternal vaccines to prevent infectious diseases in selected countries in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia._

**Key performance areas**:

- Conduct Vaccine cost-effectiveness work_
- Conduct a review of existing cost-effectiveness data on RSV and Group B Strep vaccines
- Work with an external consultant to conduct cost-effectiveness assessments to inform the introduction of new maternal vaccines in low
- and middle-income countries
- Provide support to partner countries in Africa and Asia in conducting cost-effectiveness reviews and additional analyses
- Synthesise results across partner countries
- Other vaccine cost-effectiveness analyses as required
- Analyse research data_
- Perform data analysis, prepare tables, and write up methodologies used and results
- Contribute to and prepare publications
- Compile relevant reports and research findings to address questions that transpired from meetings, management of funder’s requests
- Support partners with data analysis
- Research development, design, and implementation_
- Conceptualise and design the research
- Conduct a literature review to determine what research has been done and what the gaps in knowledge are
- Write research proposals and funding proposals
- Collaborate closely with other investigators at Wits VIDA and within the Maternal Immunisation Consortium and provide advice or guidance on study design, protocol, research tools, data analysis, and other research-related activities
- Provide expert advice and guidance on research design
- Capacity development (Internal and external)_
- Contribute towards the development of knowledge within Wits VIDA and partner institutions
- Coach and train team and consortium members to ensure the acquisition of knowledge and skills required by the organization
- Effective self-management and performance ownership_
- Take ownership and accountability for tasks and demonstrate effective self-management
- Follow through to ensure that quality and productivity standards of own work are consistently and accurately maintained
- Maintain a positive attitude and respond openly to feedback
- Take ownership of driving your own career development by participating in ongoing training and development activities such as forums, conferences, policy-setting workshops, etc.
- Stakeholder Management (Internal and External)_
- Build and maintain effective relationships with Wits VIDA staff, consortium members, and external collaborators including funders

**Required minimum education and training**:

- **Master’s Degree in Health Economics or Public Health**

**Required minimum work experience**:

- **Minimum of 2 years in Public Health**

**Desirable additional education, work experience, and personal abilities**:

- Practical experience in conducting health economic research using various methodological designs
- Experience in data analysis (longitudinal data sets) and publication writing
- Familiarity with health and economic software
- Systematic and analytical approach to research
- Tactful, respectful, and non-judgmental
- Good administrative skills
- Able to work under pressure and adhere to deadlines
- Self-motivated, able to work independently and work as part of a diverse/multidisciplinary team
- Assertive, confident, and adaptable
- Statistics and Epidemiology knowledge

**Demands of the job**:

- Traveling (national and international) will be required from time to time
- Overtime may be required to meet specific deadlines

**TO APPLY**:

- Only if you do meet the minimum job requirements and experience as mentioned above, you may submit a detailed updated CV.
- Please take note that the applicants who do not adhere to the above criteria will not be considered for the respective position.
- Note AJ Personnel is fully POPI compliant.
- Note WHC, in accordance with their Employment Equit