Organizational Context

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, with 192 member National Societies. As part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, our work is guided by seven fundamental principles; humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC or “the Federation”) is the world’s largest volunteer-based humanitarian network. The Federation is a membership organisation established by and comprised of its member National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Along with National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the Federation is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent.

Movement. The overall aim of the IFRC is “to inspire, encourage, facilitate, and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by National Societies with a view to preventing and alleviating human suffering and thereby contributing to the maintenance and promotion of human dignity and peace in the world.” It works to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people before, during and after disasters, health emergencies and other crises.

Cholera remains a real public health problem in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and the WHO reports that in 2023, the country ranked top in the notification of cholera cases in Africa, with 52,654 cases reported. The dynamics of cholera in the DRC are twofold: on the one hand, the east of the country is endemic, and is plagued by epidemics that usually spread to the western part of the country. On the other hand, the western part of the country is affected by intermittent epidemics with long periods of remission.

In view of the history of cholera in the DRC and the dynamics of epidemics over the last three decades, especially in 2017, the Ministry of Health set up a national cholera elimination programme in August 2017. Its mission is to plan, coordinate, organise and implement relevant, effective and innovative strategies to eliminate cholera as a public health problem and, more generally, to reduce morbidity and mortality due to diarrhoeal diseases in the DRC.

Job Purpose

Support for the development and implementation of the WASH sectoral approach to cholera control DRC

Job Duties and Responsibilities

The strategy focuses on strengthening systems to improve :

• WASH (Water, Hygiene and Sanitation) services,
• Laboratory capacity, disease surveillance and health system preparedness through early detection and rapid response to epidemics,
• Multi-sector interventions in cholera “hot spots“,
• Effective coordination with the part of the National Cholera Plan that should cover aspects of access to EHA services in cholera hotspot areas,
• Mapping by hot spot, presenting their social and environmental aspects,
• WASH services, their vulnerabilities and strengths,
• Current and future projects to increase access, stakeholders,
• WASH field assessment in hot spots to identify risk factors and actions to be implemented.

To achieve the main objectives of eliminating cholera and combating other diarrhoeal diseases, it will be necessary to:

• Reduce contamination within the community, particularly in areas at risk of epidemics;
• Reduce morbidity and mortality due to diarrhoeal diseases in the community, particularly among children under 5.
• To reduce morbidity and mortality due to killer childhood diseases in communities living more than 5 km from a health facility, particularly among children under 5.

The following recommendations and guidelines have been provided for 2022

• Improving data collection on other diarrhoeal diseases ;
• Strengthening biological monitoring ;
• Supporting the Provincial Health Divisions (DPS) in their response to cholera epidemics and other diarrhoeal diseases;
• Vaccination against cholera continues;
• Conducting a rapid assessment of the water, hygiene and sanitation situation in cholera-endemic areas.

In response to requests from the cholera prevention and control community, GTFCC partners initiated a process to develop a priority research agenda for the cholera roadmap using the Child Health and Nutrition Research Initiative (CHNRI) approach. A list of cholera research questions was identified through consultations with over 177 cholera experts and other stakeholders operating at global, regional and national levels.

The GTFCC partners call on all stakeholders to use the cholera roadmap research programme according to their role:

• Researchers to use the research agenda to set priorities in the design and implementation of research activities.
• Donors to fund research projects that will have the greatest impact on practice and policy.
• National decision-makers need to incorporate the priorities, objectives and results of the research into national cholera control plans (NCPs).
• Those responsible for implementing the programme must incorporate the priorities, objectives and results of the research into their operational plans.

These efforts will provide more effective tools and strategies and a stronger evidence base to accelerate progress towards the cholera roadmap and, ultimately, towards a world free from the threat of cholera.

To overcome the recurring problems observed, these terms of reference concern the recruitment of an operational research focal point consultant who will provide technical support to the PNECHOL-MD operational research team, and give a detailed description of the tasks to be carried out and the skills required of a researcher. It is with this in mind that these terms of reference have been drawn up for the national consultant:

Job Duties and Responsibilities (continued)

Overall objective of the consultancy

The consultant’s task in this second phase is to refine a mechanism for making the most of evidence from past research and monitoring ongoing research in order to support the coordination of operational research focused on cholera in the DRC.

They will report to the CSP regional manager for the DRC hub, under the technical supervision of the GTFCC’s senior research officer, and will work in close collaboration with the national programme for the elimination of cholera and other diarrhoeal diseases (PNECHOL-MD).

Specific objectives of the consultancy :

Update and maintain the operational research database/dashboard;

1. Supporting the PNECHOL-MD in operationalising evidence from past research;
2. Support PNECHOL-MD in coordinating and monitoring operational research activities on cholera in the DRC;
3. Collaborate and coordinate with universities, institutions and partners involved in cholera research;
4. In coordination with the scientific research programme and ministry, prepare and organise the cholera symposium targeting French-speaking African countries;
5. To support the implementation of other tasks related to operational research on cholera, including collaboration with colleagues at headquarters;
6. Provide technical advice on research methodologies and approaches to be used in national research activities.

Specific results :

The expected results of the assignment are as follows:

Methodology :

The consultant will refer to the GTFCC Cholera Roadmap Research Agenda which identifies 20 key research priorities and themes proposed in the Multi-Sectoral Strategic Plan for the Elimination of Cholera and Control of Other Diarrhoeal Diseases in the Democratic Republic of Congo 2023-2027 (PMSEC 2023-2027) which, when taken into account, will enable progress in the implementation of the WGCC strategy Ending Cholera: A Global Roadmap to 2030. It will also draw on the 2024 DRC cholera operational research consultancy report to identify key findings for use in this consultancy.

Expected response to the call for tenders

• A statement of intent highlighting an understanding of the context and requirements of the consultancy
• Presentation and references of the consultant in the field of public health research ;
• CV and references;
• Technical presentation of the project ;
• Financial proposal ;
• The timetable for carrying out the assignment ;
• The service provider’s commitment to meeting delivery deadlines.

Education

• A university degree (doctorate) in the field of public health with a focus on cholera

Experience

• At least 5 years’ experience in teaching and research on cholera with publications
• Knowledge of the cholera situation in the DRC and neighbouring countries

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

Functional competence

• Ability to work in a complex environment and demonstrate professionalism, tact, diplomacy, courtesy and integrity in dealings with various partners.
• Excellent analytical and summarising skills.
• Good command in French and English

Competencies, Values and Comments

Operational competence

• Ability to work in a difficult environment,
• Ability to manage a heavy workload in an organised manner and produce quality deliverables within agreed deadlines;
• Oral and written communication skills in French and an average knowledge of English
• Ability to transfer knowledge to national and provincial players in different sectors