Job Opportunity: EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (EOI) EOI #24/2025 position available at CORDAID Ethiopia in Addis Ababa, Central Ethiopia and Somali Region, Not Specified. Research and Development jobs in Ethiopia are in high demand. Apply now through GeezJobs - Ethiopia's leading job portal.

Background and Context 

Performance-Based Financing (PBF) is a prominent health financing reform strategy that has been adopted in various health systems globally, including Ethiopia. To provide context for this implementational research on PBF's, it's essential to define PBF, outline its historical progression in Ethiopia, and acknowledge its place within broader health system dynamics. This section will also discuss the overall achievements, bottlenecks, synergetic effects in the health system and the outcome of PBF in service delivery, quality of care and specific impactful services like medication availability and reduction in referral rates.

1.1 Performance Based Financing 

Results-Based Financing (RBF) serves as the overarching framework, encompassing arrangements that link payments to predetermined and verified results. Performance-Based Financing (PBF) is a specific approach within RBF, focusing on incentivizing health providers to enhance their performance. This "performance" is typically defined by increased service delivery and improved quality of care. PBF operates by providing financial rewards to service providers only if they meet pre-established, verifiable performance goals, often measured through output or process indicators and adjusted by quality metrics.  The core idea is that when compensation is linked to certain targets or results, providers are motivated to perform more effectively.    

Contemporary PBF models have evolved beyond simple provider payments. Current best practices often include several key elements integrated into their design: expanded autonomy for health providers, granting facilities more control over resources to respond effectively to local needs; improved monitoring activities, implementing robust systems to track and verify performance and ensure accountability; community involvement, engaging communities in PBF design and implementation to enhance responsiveness; and separation of functions, distinguishing roles between the purchasers, providers, and verifiers of health services to enhance accountability and reduce conflicts of interest.    

Purpose and objective of the research 

The primary purpose of this implementation research is to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of Ethiopia's ministry led national Performance-Based Financing (PBF) pilot to generate actionable evidence for its refinement and potential scale-up. This study is specifically designed to systematically identify the implementation barriers and success factors encountered across diverse regional contexts. It will rigorously evaluate the effectiveness of PBF in improving tangible aspects of healthcare delivery, with a focused analysis on critical indicators such as medication availability and the reduction in patient referrals. 

Furthermore, the research will assess the intervention's impact on the reliability of health data and examine its broader effect as a catalyst for health financing reforms. The goal is to provide the Ministry of Health with a robust, evidence-based foundation to inform strategic decisions on strengthening and potentially expanding the PBF model nationwide.

Objectives of the implementation research include: 

1. To evaluate the implementation process of Performance-Based Financing (PBF)in Ethiopia

   1. What factors enhance or hinder the long-term sustainability of institutionalized PBF in Ethiopia?

   2. How can this model complement other health financing reforms such as CBHI, and resource pooling?

2. What are the tangible effects on service (especially medication availability and referral rate) and data quality, service coverage and financial autonomy at the facility level? 

3. To develop a policy brief /document based on the findings to inform future interventions. 

Methodology for Research

This implementation research will employ mixed methods to provide a comprehensive assessment of the Performance-Based Financing (PBF) pilot's implementation processes, effectiveness, and contextual factors. This approach integrates quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis to not only measure what outcomes have occurred but also to understand why and how they have occurred, from the perspectives of multiple stakeholders. 

The quantitative component is expected to measure changes, utilizing intervention and comparison groups.  A separate comparison group that is comparable to the intervention group in terms of socio-economic and cultural background will also be selected. The existing pilot sites described in the table below will be used as intervention sites.

Scope of Work 

The research will be conducted across three distinct geographical areas to capture different PBF exposure scenarios: pastoralist setup Somali Region, Agrarian Central Ethiopia and urban Setup Addis Ababa and the comparison group. 

The consultant will be responsible for preparing an inception report (research proposal) detailing the research design, methodology, and work plan. 

The consultant will also be responsible for comprehensive data collection, analysis and report written up in the study area. This includes drafting the data collection tools, quantitative and qualitative data collection from a representative sample of key stakeholders.

Expected Outputs (Deliverables) 

Concept notes 

Upon invitation, after evaluation of the concept note, you may be requested to submit:

1. Full proposal 

2. Inception Report: 

3. Data and Analysis Documentations:  

4. Research Reports: 

5. Manuscripts Suitable for Submission to Peer-Reviewed Journals: 

6. Policy Briefs Summarizing Key Findings and Actionable Recommendations: 

Concept Note Requirements (maximum of 5 pages)

• Title of the proposed research
• Problem statement / justification
• Research questions or hypotheses
• Objectives (general and specific)
• Brief methodology
• Expected outcomes or contributions
• Team composition and roles
• Estimated timeline
• Indicative budget (summary only)

Required Expertise and Qualifications 

The research team is expected to demonstrate a combination of technical expertise and practical experience relevant to the research objectives. The following expertise and qualifications are considered essential: 

• Advanced Degree(s) in Public Health, Health Policy and Planning, Epidemiology, Health (or Behavioral) Economics, Human Resource Management, Social Sciences, or a related field: The team leader should hold a PhD or equivalent doctoral degree, and other key team members should possess at least a master’s degree. 

• Demonstrated Experience in Health Systems Research: 

• Strong Quantitative and Qualitative Research Skills: 

• Experience in Impact Evaluation: 

• In-depth Knowledge of the Ethiopian Health System: . 

• Experience in Performance-Based Financing (PBF): 

• Excellent Communication and Writing Skills: 

• Team Management and Coordination Skills: 

• Ethical Research Conduct 

Evaluation Framework Concept Note Evaluation

Firms scoring ≥70% progress to Stage 2. 

How To Apply

Application Process 

All questions and requests for clarification regarding this Expression of Interest must be submitted to procurementET@cordaid.org   

Interested candidates shall submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to with a maximum of 5 pages, using Calibri 11 font and single spacing with margin of 2 cm, structured to procurementET@cordaid.org   with the subject “EOI #24/2025” before or on 28th of  November 2025 at 05:00pm. 

Please note that 

1. Following the evaluation of EOI submissions, shortlisted firms/Consultants will be invited for full proposal submission.

2. Any Expression of Interest that does not align with the above criteria may be disqualified. Information should be provided about the capacities and qualifications of the proposed team members who will execute the aforementioned consultancy assignment. 

3. A detailed CV of the team members should be annexed to the Expression of Interest and should clearly highlight their technical expertise and experience in similar assignments carried out in the last five years, demonstrating that the Consultant possesses the capacities and qualifications required for the execution of the above-mentioned services.