Country: Democratic Republic of the Congo
Closing date: 05 Sep 2016
Project Context
Malaria is a major health problem in DRC. It is estimated that 97 percent of the population lives in zones (between 300 and 1,000 meters of altitude) with stable transmission lasting 8-12 months per year. In 2013, 11 363 817 malaria cases were notified in DRC, representing 38% of external consultations, and 955 311 severe malaria cases treated in IPD, causing 30 918 deaths, representing 39% of hospital deaths (PNLP, Annual report 2013).
Implementation of large-scale malaria control activities in DRC faces serious challenges. The country’s health infrastructure is very weak and it is estimated that only about 37% of the population has access to adequate health facilities. Donors such as the Global Fund are heavily involved, but face obstacles to have operational actors implementing care and prevention strategies at local levels.
The large majority of MSF projects in DRC implement malaria care and prevention strategies at primary and secondary healthcare levels, mostly in Province Orientale, South Kivu, North Kivu and Katanga. Malaria care is included in most MSF emergency responses. In 2015, MSF implements or plan to implement some innovative strategies, such as community-based treatment or intermittent preventive treatments.
In the last quarter 2014, a quick review of the malaria situation in MSF projects[1] revealed a worrying major increase of cases notified (from 60% to 350% over jan-sept 2013/2014). No simple cause for this outbreak could be singled out, although a number of ongoing or finished surveys confirm this trend. Probable and improbable causes include: under-notification of cases in 2013, increase in access to health, case definitions/diagnostic, immunity issue, environment and social practice changes (new practice of fishponds near houses)…
MSF has no global and detailed view on the malaria situation in DRC, whether on epidemiological trends and on national policies or programs financed or led by other actors. This is partly explained by the dispersion of projects and missions over a large geographical area and the lack of resources to gather and analyse MSF data. There is currently no lead section on malaria in DRC, which prevents the organisation to consistently engage with the numerous actors involved in the prevention and care of the disease, and get a global picture of major efforts being deployed at country level and their consequent impact.
For all the reasons listed above, MSF Heads of Mission have requested in November 2014 that an expert resource be dedicated to malaria in DRC, at field level, in the first semester of 2015. This request has been approved by the Operational Centers at an Interdesk meeting in December.
The first liason officer has established excellent contacts with all relevant malaria bodies in Kinshasa. We are looking, effectively ASAP, for a replacement of the first liaison officer.
Main Purpose
To represent MSF at/to national and international organisations and meetings on malaria in DRC, in order to facilitate, follow and steer the implementation of different operational (MSF) strategies for malaria in the country.
Responsibilities
· Facilitating advocacy actions through developing strong relationships with key partners within MSF (country and HQ), with national malaria authorities and external actors
· Representing MSF at high level discussions with national and international organizations on malaria issues in the country
· Promotion and dissemination of malaria program experiences and best practices both within MSF and externally, when required
· Liaising with MedCos and country coordination team, government (MOH/PNLP, etc) and HQ malaria referents/MWG/CAME focal point and other relevant malaria partners
· Reviewing and analyzing national malaria policies and performance data, MSF malaria activity reports and evaluations and other relevant data sources in order to identify areas for improvement
· Ensuring information- and result-sharing among all MSF sections, MSF’s partners and malaria stakeholders in the country. Organizing in-country workshops and conferences on malaria
· Regular compilation of malaria-related data and operational information from the different sections and sharing within the in-country missions, OPS platforms and Malaria WG
· Reporting on MSF’s country malaria strategy and implementation efforts
Requirements
Education
Medical or paramedical background
Public health background and experience required
Experience
Experience working with malaria programmes
MSF field experience is an added value
Experience in programme design and management
Languages
Fluency in French and English
Competences
Demonstrated ability to coordinate diverse groups of stakeholders
Excellent writing and communication/negotiation skills at influencing level
Excellent research/analytical skills
Strong organizational skills
Excellent inter-personal skills
CONDITIONS
- One year fixed-term field contract, with the possibility of extension
- Salary according to MSF-OCB Field salary scale. Transport, accommodation, vaccination are taken in charge by MSF. Per diem + medical insurance
- Starting date: as soon as possible
How to apply:
Interested candidates should send a motivation letter and curriculum vitae before the 5th of September 2016, with Malaria Liaison Offier in DRC in the subject, to : active.fieldrecruitment@brussels.msf.org.
Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted
