Malawi Ministry of Health

Planning and Policy Development

PLANNING, BUDGETING, SWAP & ZONAL COORDINATION UNIT

The Planning, Budgeting, SWAP and Zonal Coordination Unit will be responsible for coordinating Health Sector Plans, Budgets, SWAP and Zonal activities coordination. The Unit is headed by the Deputy Director and other staff members include: four Chief Economists, each responsible for the four sections of the Unit, four Principal Economists and eight Economists.

Planning Unit

The Planning Unit is responsible for the overall planning of the Health Sector. The Planning Unit is led by one Chief Economist and supported by one Principal Economist and two Economists. The specific tasks of this Unit include the following:

  1. Develop Annual Implementation
  2. Coordinate and support the development of national, central and distric level  health strategic/implementation plans. 
  3. Develop, and review the health financing strategy and operational and monitoring and evaluation plan.

Budgeting Unit

Sector Wide Approach Unit

The Budgeting Unit is responsible for the overall Budget for the Ministry of Health and provides advice regarding fiscal issues within the Ministry. The Budgeting Unit is led by one Chief Economist and supported by one Principal Economist and two Economists. The specific tasks of this Unit include the following:

  1. Coordinate the budget development and consolidation processes for the Ministry.
  2. In coordination with the Ministry of Finance and other relevant bodies, determine annual funds required for implementing health projects and programs for the health sector.
  3. Coordinate and maintain database for MOUs signed with MOH stakeholders.
  4. Coordinate the development and implementation of PPPs.
  5. Coordinate resource mobilization for the health sector.
  6. Develop a costed national health plan.
  7. Analyze trends in the allocation and disbursement and utilization of funds National Health Accounts exercise, public expenditure review, Public expenditures tracking surveys.
  8. Function as Secretariat of the M&E Technical Working Group.

The SWAp Section is responsible for coordinating the activities and funds of key donors and stakeholders. The SWAp Section is led by one Chief Economist and supported by one Principal Economist and two Economists. The specific tasks of this Unit include the following:

  1. Development and monitoring of mechanisms to ensure partnership and accountability through Technical Working Groups, Sector Working Groups, participation and accountability, VDC monitoring, MOUs and financing arrangements.
  2. Conduct  and evaluate the performance of the health sector at the mid-year point.
  3. Identifying and facilitate potential programs and projects in the sector which are in line with government, regional and international policies such as Malawi Growth Development Strategy (MGDS), Public Sector Investment Programs (PSIP), Millenium Development Goals, SADC, NEPAD.
  4. Ensure  the development and review of proposals for external funding.
  5. Coordination /harmonisation of inputs into the sector (Aid effectiveness harmonisation).
  6. Resource mobilisation facilitation.
  7. Preparation of Annual and mid-year Reports.

Zonal Coordination Unit

The ZC Unit is responsible for coordinating the activities of and communicating with Zonal Officers. The Unit is an integral part of the Ministry of Health to support and coordinate the implementation of health to support and coordinate the implementation of health services at the zonal level. The unit is mandated to provide technical, management and administrative support and coordinate activities in the zones.

The ZC Unit is led by one Chief Economist and supported by one Principal Economist and two Economists. The specific ttasks of this Unit include the following:
  1. Coordination of zonal activities.
  2. Support Zones in Conducting DIP Peer reviews.
  3. Providing advice and guidance to zonal officers.
  1. Communicating messages, policy direction and strategy from Ministry of Health headquarters to the Zones.
  2. Provision of technical and policy support to Zone Health Offices.
  3. Coordinate Zone Health Offices’ reports for distribution to all MOH departments and stakeholders.
  1. Facilitate inter-zone health office coordination meetings to share best practices.
  2. Monitor implementation of review recommendations.
  3. Conducting staff performance appraisal.