Laboratory Expert/Biologist At International Development Corporation

Background

The International Development company, a Research & Development firm headquartered in Quebec, Canada, is looking for experts with the profiles below for a project in the DRC.

The role requires a minimum commitment of 2 years, with the possibility of a longer term extension.

Mission objectives

The mission aims to strengthen the governance, accountability and effective management of the HEPRR MPA through specialized external support.

Specific objectives:

• Evaluate the level of execution of the recommendations of the project’s supervisions and mid-term reviews (MPR) by highlighting the changes made and improvements made based on the feedback received;
• Measure the technical, financial and safeguarding performances achieved in relation to the contractual results expected by stakeholders in the implementation of the project.
• Evaluate the relevance of collaborations with stakeholders from the sectoral Ministries of Public Health, Fisheries and Livestock and the Environment and community ownership;
• Analyze the results obtained in relation to the performance indicators and objectives set in relation to the project results framework and document good practices;

Description of tasks

1. Carry out a documentary review (analysis) of quarterly reports and work plans transmitted by state structures and partner organizations as well as their contracts and performance frameworks before the field trip (the logical framework, the indicator monitoring plan, the reports action research, capitalization report, activity concept notes, work guide, etc.). Interviews with state structures will also be considered beforehand. The results in the reports will be compared to the HEPRR results framework (in the project document);.
2. Develop collection tools specific to each partner organization, collect, analyze and regularly discuss during workshops data and other essential information allowing us to measure our results;
3. Develop digital tools allowing real-time data collection and instant visualization of performance indicators;
4. Verify the strengthening of surveillance and the systematic application of the 7-1-7 approach measuring the performance of the public health emergency management system, the functionality of public health laboratories, ICH/WASH devices in establishments health care in the eight provinces targeted by the HEPRR (Kasaï Central, Kwilu, Ecuador, Tshuapa, Tshopo, Ituri, Eastern Kasai and North Kivu) as well as in the province of Mai Ndombe. This monitoring will cover all interventions financed by the project beyond target provinces. These include the treatment of cervical cancer and PoE in the Provinces of Tshopo, Haut-Katanga, Kwilu, Kongo Central, South Kivu, Tanganyika and Kinshasa;
5. Evaluate each semester the level of satisfaction of project beneficiaries in relation to their involvement in accountability mechanisms, the use of the services offered;
6. Analyze how partner interventions contribute to ensuring the visibility of the HEPRR and what improvements need to be made to ensure ownership of the HEPRR by technical ministries and communities;
7. Prepare and facilitate HEPRR accountability workshops extended to implementing partners, technical ministries, the General Secretariat of Health and the UGPDSS;
8. Develop mission reports incorporating the recommendations of the accountability workshop.

Deliverables

1. A first start-up report to be provided two weeks after the start of the mission detailing the methodology, the work plan for carrying out the mission, the data collection tools such as enriched, the framework for writing reports by collection of data;
2. A narrative report of activities relating to the periodic conduct of surveys (sampling, data analysis, interpretation and discussion of results, constraints encountered):

• Monthly cross-border trade data collection reports;
• Quarterly reports on data collection on average crossing time, focus groups and interviews with project beneficiaries, implementation of the goods grouping strategy;
• Semi-annual reports on the quality of public services – degree of satisfaction with border management services, the value of finished products exchanged by beneficiary traders’ associations (value chain);

1. Periodic (monthly and quarterly) validation meetings (at project and beneficiary level) /Incorporation of comments from the monitoring-evaluation team;
2. An interim report after the first cycle of data collection to review the quality of the data collected and discuss the need to adjust the survey/tool;
3. Submission of the final mission report including recommendations/comments provided including the database;
4. Interim report of the mid-term evaluation of the project;
5. Validation meeting/Incorporation of comments from the monitoring-evaluation team;
6. Databases of different surveys and data analysis files.

Qualifications and skills

1. Have at least a BAC+5 university degree in Pharmacy, Medical Biology or any other related field.;
2. Minimum of 5 years of experience in management of biomedical equipment and laboratories in hospital environments or in project management in the health field.
3. Knowledge of other languages spoken in the DRC will be an asset.
4. At least 3 years of experience in emergency project management or in epidemic response contexts and/or (desired) resilience.
5. Excellent command of the French language is required.