PHA-Exchange> Call for expressions of interest for work and skills development in health policy analysis

[Firoze Manji]

Southern African Regional Network on Equity in Health (EQUINET)
in co-operation with
Centre for Health Policy, University of Witwatersrand, South Africa

Call for expressions of interest for work and skills development in health
policy analysis
November 2002


Introduction

Equinet is a network of research and advocacy organizations that have a
specific concern for equity in health issues based within the SADC region.
(see www.equinetafrica.org or email admin at equinetafrica.org).   Equinet is
in 2003 supporting the development of capacity in health policy analysis
within the region, including undertaking small-scale studies on policy
issues focused around concern for equity in health and health care.

We are therefore inviting expressions of interest of work from individuals
or organizations based within the region who wish to become involved in this
programme. They should be able to demonstrate previous experience of health
sector analysis or policy analysis and an enthusiasm for better
understanding the forces shaping policy responses to equity concerns in the
health sector.

Objectives of programme

*	To promote investigation of health equity-related topics using policy
analysis frameworks;
*	To better understand the forces constraining decision-making on equity
issues and shaping the achievement of equity goals in the health sector;
*	To identify levers for equity-oriented advocacy and policy change within
the health sector at national/regional/international levels;
*	To build capacity in conducting health policy analyses;
*	To strengthen the networks between those involved in this area of work.

Field of work

Equinet will support analysis of the forces shaping responses to key health
and health system equity problems. These may be micro-level: e.g. the extent
to which different groups have access to anti-retroviral treatment; or
meso-level: e.g. the extent to which antiretroviral drugs are available in
health clinics outside the capital city, or the pattern of participation in
the application process to the Global Fund. Of specific interest is analysis
of the responses of groups such as regional bodies, government officials,
politicians, civil society organizations, trade unions, professional bodies,
consumer groups, and citizens. At the same time, we are particularly
interested in understanding issues such as:
*	the factors shaping the equity impacts of particular policy changes or
explaining the level of achievement of health equity goals within a country;
*	decision-making at various levels (e.g. international to national;
national to sub-national; or national and sub-national separately);
*	the levers for equity-oriented change that exist within countries and the
region, and that could provide a basis for advocacy.

Activities

Successful applicants for involvement in this programme of work will be
required to:
·	Attend an initial training workshop (in February 2003 in South Africa);
·	Develop a protocol for a small-scale study on a topic of the choice for
submission to an Equinet peer review of these protocols (by end March 2003);
·	If successful in the peer review process, implement the study (by February
2004);
·	Present a draft analysis of their study at an Equinet workshop
(March/April 2004);
·	Finalise the report of their study  (by June 2004).

The total funding level available to each successful study will be clarified
before applicants prepare and submit their proposals.

Submission procedures for expressions of interest

Interested applicants should submit a 1-2 page 'expression of interest'
concept note, a personal CV,  and a sample document written by the applicant
on any relevant theme. The concept note should include information on:
·	A potential topic of focus;
·	The applicant's interest in the topic and in the broad field of health
policy analysis;
·	The applicant's key experiences and skills that have relevance to this
work.

Applicants should submit this information by 8th January 2003  to
Ermin Erasmus at ermine at mail.saimr.wits.ac.za or at +27-11-89-9900 (address
attention Ermin Erasmus).

Applicants will be informed by 17th January 2003 if they have been
successful. Successful applicants will be invited to attend a training
workshop to be held in Johannesburg between 10th and 19th February 2003
(with full funding from Equinet). Applicants must, therefore, be available
to attend this workshop.  Participants of existing Equinet programmes are
also welcome to apply.

Co-ordination and queries

The programmne of work will be co-ordinated on behalf of Equinet by Lucy
Gilson of the Centre for Health Policy, University of Witwatersrand. For any
queries about the programme please contact her via Ermin Erasmus at
ermine at mail.saimr.wits.ac.za. For general queries on Equinet please email
the co-ordinator at admin at equinetafrica.org or visit the Equinet website
(www.equinetafrica.org).