Background 

The African Health Economics and Policy Association (AfHEA) was set up in March 2009 as a membership-based non-profit association of Africans and non-Africans experts, including students working on Africa-related issues in the fields of health economics, financing and policy. AfHEA aspires to help improve health outcomes in Africa by promoting high quality standards in the generation amd use of policy-relevant evidence from health economics, policy and financing  in Africa. 

AfHEA is governed by a Board of Trustees whose members are drawn from the five sub-regions of Africa: West Africa, East Africa, Central Africa, Southern Africa, and Northern Africa. 

Call for applications

AfHEA is inviting applications from interested individuals to join the Board of Trustees and fill the following positions: 

• Central Africa – 1
• East Africa (Anglophone) – 1
• East Africa (Francophone) – 1 
• Northern Africa – 1
• Southern Africa – 1
• West Africa (Anglophone) – 1 
• West Africa (Francophone) – 1
• Lusophone – 1 

The start date for the new Board membership positions is October 1, 2025. Interested applicants must be AfHEA members with good financial standing (that is, they must have paid their membership dues for the financial year 2024/2025). Additionally, interested applicants must be established experts in health economics, health financing, or health policy with not less than 10 years of experience in the African continent. 

Female candidates are especially encouraged to apply. 

Submission process

Interested applicants should submit:

1. A detailed CV, highlighting experience and achievements in health economics, health financing and/or health policy areas.
2. A cover letter detailing why they should be considered for a position. This should also specify the category they are applying for (e.g. Central Africa, etc.).
3. A vision and mission statement for improving AfHEA.

All applications should be addressed to AfHEA’s Secretary, Grace Njeri, at: afhea08@gmail.com. 

The deadline for submission of applications is: July 4, 2025. 

Nomination process 

All applications will be reviewed by a Nominations Committee. Shortlisted candidates will be voted for by AfHEA’s General Assembly, which consists of all paid-up AfHEA members. Each member will have only one vote per category. Candidates with the majority votes per category will be elected to join the Board. The terms of reference for the Board are appended to this call. 

TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR AfHEA BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Introduction

The Board of Trustees of the African Health Economics and Policy Association (AfHEA) in the conduct of its business must at all times be guided and led by the Mission, Vision and Core Values of the association in the conduct of its business. The Mission, Vision and Core Values are the strategic pillars, framework and identity of the organisation and defines the very existence of the organisation and what we aim to achieve.

The overall mission of AfHEA is to contribute to the promotion and strengthening of the use of health economics and health policy analysis in achieving equitable and efficient African health systems and improved health outcomes for Africans, especially the most vulnerable populations.

Tenure of AfHEA Board Members

The tenure of Board members is 3 years. 

Roles and responsibilities of AfHEA Board

1. The Board of Trustees shall be responsible for oversight of the management of the Association between meetings of the General Assembly;
2. The Board shall review and approve the annual work plans, and receive the auditors’ report and letter to management, submitted by the Executive Committee;
3. The Board of Trustees shall provide strategic policy direction for the Association;
4. The Board of Trustees shall be responsible for identifying and assisting in building strategic partners for the Association;
5. AfHEA Board positions are pro-bono but legitimate expenses incurred in the performance of the duties of a board member shall be reimbursable upon request or by other agreed arrangement.

Board Leadership

The Board shall have a Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson, elected from among and by the Board members. 

The roles and responsibilities of the Board Chairperson are to:

1. Chair all meetings of the Board
2. Orchestrate and approve agenda items
3. Enforce rules of the Board
4. Declare meeting adjournment

The Vice-Chairperson shall assume the responsibilities of the Chairperson in his/her absence or as may be delegated by the Chairperson. 

Conduct of Board Meetings

The Board shall meet four times annually (quarterly) in ordinary sessions, and in extraordinary or ad hoc sessions as may be required to discuss specific issues needing their attention. In order to reduce costs, maximise participation and promote efficiency, the Board meetings may take advantage of modern technology such as virtual meetings including tele- and video- conferencing, etc. 

At least one meeting per annum shall be in-person, if and when resources allow. 

During AfHEA’s scientific conferences, in-person Board meetings shall be held. 

Members of the Executive Committee and staff of the association may attend Board meetings to present reports and discuss aspects of their work as requested by the Executive Director and Board Chair or Vice-Chair.

The Board may conduct business only when a simple majority of Board Members are present. Meetings will generally be conducted by the Board Chair, the Vice-Chair, or such other person as may be delegated or authorised by the Board Chair or Vice-Chair or Board to perform such functions.

Board Committees

AfHEA Board members shall join at least one of the following standing committees:

1. Fundraising, Financial Governance and Audit Committee
2. Programs and Strategy Committee 

Additionally, ad-hoc committees, such as Nominations Committee, will also be set up when need arises. 

Support Staff for Board Business

The Secretary to the Executive Committee of AfHEA, working through the secretariat of the Association, shall act as Board Secretary and provide bilingual services to Board meetings including the taking of minutes of such meetings.

The Secretary shall be responsible for assisting the Board in organizing meetings and activities.

The Secretary shall be responsible for assisting the Board Chair and or the Vice-Chair circulate documentation and information related to the Board meeting as may be directed by the Board Chair and or the Vice-Chair.

The Secretary shall also be responsible for compiling minutes of Board meetings and activities.

The Secretary shall therefore attend Board meetings and perform the functions as assigned.