Conditional Grants Support (Business Plans)

Job Information

• Date Opened: 12/11/2024

• Number of Positions: 1

• Industry: USAID

• Job Type: Short Term Technical (consultant)

• City: Pretoria

• State/Province: Gauteng

• Country: South Africa

• Zip/Postal Code: 0002

• Highest Level of Education: Postgraduate in Health Economics, Public Health, Finance, or a related discipline.

• Work Experience: 7-10 years

Job Description

Background to TSS

The Technical Support Services (TSS) Activity helps USAID/Southern Africa address technical priorities and develop creative, innovative solutions to strategically allocate resources, strengthen connections with partners, and replicate best practices and effective program models. Through the TSS contract, Panagora Group augments capacity by providing technical, operational, and administrative support to USAID/Southern Africa’s portfolio. TSS deploys advisors in response to USAID requests for priority work with government stakeholders, implementing partners, and/or other entities. TSS supports USAID staff and teams to integrate creative solutions into routine work. TSS also provides international and local expertise for surge support, as needed, for USAID Program Cycle requirements, planning, development, outreach, communications, and Health Office human resource functions.

Background: Effective business planning is essential for ensuring the strategic allocation of conditional grants to support the delivery of critical health services, including those for HIV, TB, and STIs. This project involves providing technical assistance to the National Department of Health (NDOH) and Provincial Departments of Health (PDoHs) to develop costed, data-driven business plans aligned with South Africa's health priorities. The work also supports the implementation of the National Strategic Plan (NSP) for HIV, TB, and STIs 2023–2028, ensuring that financial projections and operational plans address emerging needs.

Objective: To provide technical assistance and capacity building to NDOH and PDoHs in updating, developing, and aligning business plans to achieve health priorities, including the integration of costed Provincial Strategic Implementation Plans (PSIPs).

The consultant will deliver technical support and capacity building under two primary workstreams:

1. Input into Conditional Grant Business Plans for FY 2026/27
   • Define Target Populations: Identify and quantify target populations using data from Thembisa 4.7, planned updates (version 4.8), and the Naomi model. Ensure estimates inform District Health Grant Business Plans.
   • Estimate Total Costs: Collaborate with PDoHs to calculate program costs (e.g., counselling, testing, treatment, prevention, retention) using unit costs derived from Investment Case results.
   • Allocate Conditional Grants: Incorporate targets and costs into Conditional Grant Business Plans to ensure equitable and effective resource allocation across provinces and program areas.
2. Technical Assistance for Updating FY 2025/26 Business Plan
   • Review and Adjust Business Plans: Partner with PDoHs to align business plans with updated health priorities, targets, and HIV strategic plans, ensuring consistency across districts.
   • Update Financial Projections: Revise financial projections in 2025/26 business plans to account for changes in service delivery costs and population needs.
   • Support PSIP Development: Assist with developing costed PSIPs in collaboration with SANAC-funded teams, ensuring alignment with the NSP for HIV, TB, and STIs. Share the HIV and TB Unit Cost Database to standardize costing.
   • Capacity Building: Provide targeted training to PDoHs on business planning best practices, including budget setting, cost forecasting, and performance metric development.

Deliverables:

1. Updated National and Provincial Business Plans with updated Financial Projections (9 provinces).
2. Provincial Strategic Implementation Plans across 9 provinces (PSIPs).
3. Capacity Building Report by province.
4. Capacity building report- national level.
5. Monthly progress meeting check-ins with USAID BHO.

Requirements

• Postgraduate in Health Economics, Public Health, Finance, or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 7–10 years of experience in health program planning, budgeting, and costing, with a focus on HIV, TB, and STI programs.
• Expertise in working with national and provincial health departments, particularly on Conditional Grant frameworks.
• Familiarity with South Africa’s health systems and data models such as Thembisa and Naomi.
• Proficiency in financial forecasting tools, business planning software, and cost analysis methodologies.
• Strong analytical skills to transform complex data into actionable business plans and financial projections.
• Excellent presentation and facilitation skills for stakeholder collaboration and capacity building.
• Proven ability to coordinate with multi-sectoral teams, including government entities, donor agencies, and development partners.
• High attention to detail with a results-oriented approach.
• Strong organizational and time management skills, capable of managing multiple priorities and tight deadlines.

Reports to: Panagora Project Officer: Talent Acquisition and Onboarding and will collaborate closely with USAID, NdoH and key stakeholders.

Location: This is an activity-based consultancy in Pretoria, South Africa.

To Apply: Fill out the online application. Please include a cover letter and resume. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered. Applicants will be required to complete a skills test.

No telephone inquiries, please. Finalists will be contacted. Only applicants who include the required application components will be considered.

Panagora Group is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Note: Panagora does not offer visa sponsorship at this time.