EQUINET is inviting expressions of interest of work from individuals or organizations based in east and southern Africa who wish to become involved in a programme of capacity development of capacity in health policy analysis within the region, involving a programme of mentoring support for small scale research studies. Applicants should be able to demonstrate previous experience of health sector analysis or policy analysis, some experience of qualitative research and an enthusiasm for better understanding the forces shaping policy responses to equity concerns in the health sector. EQUINET aims to build, protect and promote publicly-funded comprehensive, people centred equitable and universal health systems. The network has prioritized focus in this on issues of fair financing, valuing and retaining health workers, understanding and organizing people centred and participatory health systems and challenging trade and economic policy encroachment on health. The health policy analysis programme The programme aims to  promote investigation of equity-related topics using policy analysis frameworks;  better understand the forces constraining decision-making on equity issues and shaping the achievement of equity goals in the health sector;  identify levers for equity-oriented advocacy and policy change within the health sector;  build capacity in conducting health policy analyses;  develop a community of practice among those involved in this area of work;  strengthen the networks within EQUINET among those involved in this area of work. EQUINET will support analysis of the forces shaping implementation of equity-oriented health policies. Such policies may • have equity as an explicit objective (such as user fee exemption policies) • address the needs of particularly vulnerable or marginalised groups in society (such as reproductive health policies, or policies targeting provision of care to under-served groups) • broadly support the development of a strong health system as a platform from which to tackle inequity (as with policies strengthening primary care, or the district health system, for example). • address particular areas of priority focus for EQUINET ie fair financing, equitable distribution of health workers; organizing people’s power in health systems and challenging trade and economic policy encroachment on health (see www.equinetafrica.org) Selected policies of focus for this work will also: • be being implemented at present within the health system (i.e. should not have been implemented some time ago, and should not simply be policy proposals), and • involve a range of implementing actors (such as organizations at different levels of the public health system, different organizations within the health system as a whole, various types of facility or various providers and clients of services). Within this programme, analysis of the implementation of these policies will, in moreover, specifically focus on issues of power, using a common framework developed by the programme co-ordinators for this purpose. Finally, these analyses will consider: • The pattern and level of policy implementation relative to initial objectives (including possible impacts on equity, defined as appropriate for the policy) • The ways in which the exercise of power among involved or influential actors influences the extent of implementation and its likely equity impacts • The main actors involved in and influencing implementation • The timeline of implementation • Key other factors influencing implementation Activities Successful applicants for involvement in this programme of work will be required to: • Attend an initial training workshop (in February 2007 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 February 2007); • If approved, implement the study (data collection to be complete by August 2007); • Present a preliminary analysis of their study at an EQUINET workshop (October 2007); • Submit the draft report of their study (by 15 December 2007); • Submit the fully finalised report, responding to reviewers and editors comments (by 15 February 2008). The total funding level available for each approved study will be clarified before applicants prepare and submit their proposals. Submission procedures for expressions of interest Interested applicants should submit a 3 page expression of interest outlining a) their motivation for applying b) the proposed policy topic of their work and a justification for this topic (including clarity on how the policy addresses equity, the current states of implementation of the policy and which actors are involved in implementing it) c) their organisational base and possible support for the work within it d) a brief cv, specifically indicating any past research experience or training (particularly in qualitative research) Applicants should submit this information by 24th November 2006 to admin@equinetafrica.org and to ermin.erasmus@nhls.ac.za Applicants will be informed by mid December 2006 if they have been successful. Successful applicants must be available to attend a 2 week training workshop to be held in Johannesburg in early-mid February 2007 (funded by EQUINET). Participants of existing Equinet programmes are welcome to apply. Co-ordination and queries The programme will be co-ordinated on behalf of EQUINET by Lucy Gilson and Ermin Erasmus of the Centre for Health Policy, University of Witwatersrand. For any queries about the programme please contact ermin.erasmus@nhls.ac.za