Consultant, Health Tax Policy – Africa

Resolve to Save Lives (RTSL) is a global health organization that partners locally and globally to create and scale solutions to the world’s deadliest health threats. Millions of people die from preventable health threats. We collaborate to close the gap between proven, life-saving solutions and the people who need them. Since 2017, we’ve worked with governments and other partners in more than 60 countries to save millions of lives. We work toward a future where people live longer, healthier lives, communities flourish, and economies thrive. This is an ambitious vision, and it inspires us and our partners to make progress every day.

Resolve to Save Lives is proud to have excellent staff and partners. We strive to create a fit-for-purpose workplace that is respectful, diverse, inclusive and supportive. Led by Dr. Tom Frieden, we are a team of global health experts who work with governments to help them implement evidence-based strategies that allow their people to lead the healthiest lives possible. 

Position Summary

The Consultant, Health Tax Policy – Africa, will help advance RTSL’s exploration of supporting health tax implementation in Africa. The exploration aims to support countries to adopt or adjust taxes on tobacco, alcohol, sugary beverages, and junk food to deliver increased revenue, improved health, and lower healthcare costs.

The primary focus for the Consultant is to provide strategic and technical assistance to the Office of the President (OTP) and RTSL leadership as the organization scopes the value add that RTSL can bring to this area of work. This includes mapping the current health tax landscape, generating economic analyses, partner assessments, evaluating potential countries RTSL could collaborate with, and advancing collaboration in the selected countries.

The President & CEO will provide technical direction to the Consultant on this exploration, and the Consultant will work with members of the OTP, Nutrition, and Legal Public Health teams. 

Length of Engagement: May-December 2025, with potential for extension

Level of Effort: Up to 150 days, with potential for extension

 

Deliverables

Phase 1

• Develop a comprehensive health tax landscape for Africa. This will include:

• Scoping alignments with priorities of government counterparts

• Capturing evidence-based practices, regional precedents and norms

• Evaluating potential for regional and local industry opposition and mitigants

• Assessing capacities of local and regional CSOs for tax policy advocacy, communications, and coalition-building

• Mapping synergies with international funders’ portfolios

• Lead prioritization of countries in Africa with greatest potential for implementation

• Generate and disseminate economic analyses (revenue, health impact, healthcare savings)

• Provide technical and strategic support toward regional, sub-regional, and national calls to action, possibly including a call to action by heads of state, roundtable discussions at high-level events, and/or editorials on the topic.

• Provide strategic support to identify RTSL’s strategic advantage and help inform the organization’s future role in this area of work.

Phase 2

• Based on results of phase 1, lead the development of a workplan and overall approach of a strategic initiative focused on health taxes in Africa

• Support development of tax policy proposals tailored to local legal and political contexts
• Provide technical assistance for regional and in-country strategy development and implementation

Required Qualifications

Education

• Master’s or other advanced degree in public health, public policy, law, economics, or international development

Experience

• 10+ years of relevant global health or development experience

• At least 8 years working on policy development, advocacy and/or health systems financing in low- and middle-income countries, preferably in Africa

• Proven experience in designing, implementing, and/or evaluating policies related to taxation of products increasing disease risk factors such as food, tobacco, alcohol, etc., preferred

• Demonstrated experience working with government officials, and with regional and global institutions such as the African Union, Africa CDC, African Tax Administration Forum, ECOWAS, OECD, WTO, WHO etc.

Skills & abilities

• Of utmost importance, political savvy: Adept at navigating complex political and institutional landscapes, identifying key entry points for policy change, and fostering coalitions to drive public health priorities forward

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English

• Excellent partner and project management skills

• Ability to conduct landscape and economic analyses and use the results to develop effective advocacy plans and materials

• High degree of initiative, adaptability, problem-solving skills, and creativity

• Time-management skills with the ability to work in a fast-paced, deadline-oriented environment, including the ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks independently

• Knowledge of best practice taxation policies preferred

Other

• A passion for the mission and values of Resolve to Save Lives

• Ability to travel to countries in Africa up to 30% of the time

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree; Juris Doctor or PhD is preferred but not essential

• Ability to speak/work in French or Portuguese language is preferred but not essential

RTSL accepts and reviews applications on an ongoing basis. We are grateful for your interest in our work and for your application. Unfortunately, due to the volume of applications, we are unable to respond to every applicant. Someone from our talent team will contact you if your qualifications match the role.

RTSL believes its programs are strengthened when they are developed and supported by individuals with diverse life experiences whose understanding of social and cultural issues can help make our work and workforce more inclusive. We encourage applications from and provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, ancestry, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, marital status, organ donor status, or status as a veteran. Resolve to Save Lives complies with all applicable US EEO laws.