Democratic Republic of the Congo: Intersectional Vaccination Focal Point in DRC

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.

Main Purpose

• To facilitate the definition of the objectives and develop the operational strategy for routine vaccination in the country.

• Responsible for the implementation of MSF global vaccination strategy within the country, supporting all sections, in collaboration with Coordination teams, HQ (Operations and medical depts) and with the input of external stakeholders such as government, MOH/EPI, WHO and other relevant vaccination partners.

Responsibilities

· Reviewing and analyzing national EPI policies and performance data, MSF vaccination activity reports and evaluations and other relevant data sources in order to identify areas for improvement;

· Developing the country vaccination strategy and planning. Liaising with MedCos and country coordination team, government (MOH/EPI, etc) and HQ Vacci referents/VWG/CAME focal point and other relevant vaccination partners;

· Coordinating the implementation of MSF’s vaccination strategy in the country, involving MSF teams, national vaccination authorities and external actors;

· Developing proposals including budget implications for submission to respective operations departments;Ensuring information- and result-sharing among all MSF sections, MSF’s partners and vaccination stakeholders in the country. Organizing in-country workshops and conferences;

· Facilitating advocacy actions through developing strong relationships with key partners within MSF (country and HQ), with national vaccination authorities and external actors;

· Reporting on MSF’s country vaccination strategy and implementation efforts;

· Representing MSF at high level discussions with national and international organizations on vaccination issues in the country;

· Promotion and dissemination of vaccination program experiences and Best practices both within MSF and externally, when required.

Requirements

Education

Medical or paramedical background

Public health background and experience required

Experience

Experience working with vaccination 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
• 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

**CV and motivation letter to send before the 21st of March 2016 to Géraldine Taeymans.**

**E-mail : medical.fieldrecruitment@brussels.msf.org**

**Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted.**