ALIMA in the DRC
ALIMA has been working in the Democratic Republic of Congo since August 2011 in two areas relating to its expertise: nutrition and the fight against epidemic diseases (cholera, measles and malaria). For all of its programs, ALIMA works in close collaboration with the Congolese health and administrative authorities.
From 2013, ALIMA decided to focus all of its activities on the fight against epidemic diseases, by developing a Health and WASH Emergency Response (RUSH) project specific to measles, malaria and cholera epidemics. . These are multidisciplinary rapid response teams to strengthen the surveillance system, increase rapid assessment capacities and ensure emergency response by providing health care and WASH services.
In 2015 ALIMA, still through its RUSH projects, responded to the major outbreak of measles at the end of 2015 in the former province of Katanga. ALIMA participated, in coordination with the authorities and other partners present in the area, in the emergency vaccination response. Thus, between August 2015 and January 2016, more than 285,000 children aged 6 months to 10 years were vaccinated against measles.
In 2016, ALIMA continues its same activities through the component of the RUSH project in the former Katanga. Four interventions were carried out and thus made it possible to treat 1,400 cases of cholera, more than 800 cases of measles, more than 30,000 cases of malaria and to vaccinate against measles more than 149,000 children. The year 2016 was also marked by an upsurge in cholera cases across the country. ALIMA therefore launched a cholera response in the provinces of Maniema, Tshopo and Mongala in November 2016.
CONTEXT OF THE PROJECT :
Since October 20, renewed fighting between the Congolese army and the M23 armed group has forced thousands of people to flee their homes in Rutshuru territory. Humanitarian actors estimate the number of displaced people in North Kivu from February 1, 2021 to January 31, 2023 at 2,272,295. entering Goma spread across several camps, collective centres/spontaneous sites and with host families. More than 100,000 people are also in Lubero territory but also in Rutshuru territory, in areas under the control of the M23 movement.
This constant increase in the number of displaced people and their needs is accompanied by the appearance and rapid spread of epidemic diseases such as cholera. The latest epidemiological reports show that the province of North Kivu is the most affected since it accounts for 60% of the cases in the whole country. Since the start of the epidemic, there have been 9,006 cases of cholera as of March 24, 2023, including 48 deaths, i.e. a lethality rate of 0.53%. The majority of the cases are in the health zones of Nyiragongo, Goma and Karisimbi with in particular 4,375 cases which were notified between week 44 and mid-March. A total of 18 notification sites exist with UTCs and CTCs for a total capacity of 307 beds. As of December 23, 2022, Rusayo had 113 out of all reported cases (191) from Nyiragongo health zone. In the Goma health zone, the Bulengo site recorded the most cases, 340 out of a total of 464 in the entire health zone. In these two health zones (Goma and Nyiragongo) there are 10 care structures including 8 operational CTUs (Bushara, Kibati, Buhimba, Bulengo Kanyaruchinya, Rusayo, Don Bosco, Kyeshero) and 2 CTCs (Munigi, Kiziba).
In Rusayo camp, as of week 12, we are at a weekly incidence rate of 80.52 cases per 1,000 population and a CTU bed occupancy rate (20 beds) of 136.667 %.
The situation at the Rusayo camp is worrying, from week 10 to week 13, there are more than 432 cases in hospitalization at UTC, i.e. an average of around 21 cases/day and a bed occupancy rate of 120%. This context is exacerbated by overcrowding, precarious hygiene and insufficient access to sanitary facilities and water.
Since November 2022, ALIMA has been providing emergency medical assistance (primary health care, mental health, SSR, VVS) and WASH to internally displaced people and the host population of RuSayo. Besides the response to the Cholera outbreak.
JOB LOCATION: North Kivu, DRC
PROTECTION OF BENEFICIARIES AND MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY
Level 3: As part of his or her duties, the incumbent will be required to visit programs and be in contact with children and/or vulnerable adults. Therefore, a criminal record check or presentation of a certificate of good character will be required. In situations where it is not possible to provide a criminal record or a certificate of good morals and morals, a sworn statement will be requested.
FUNCTIONAL AND HIERARCHICAL LINKS
- You report to the deputy head or head of mission based in Goma coordination.
- You supervise the project’s management team (for example the Medical Referent, the RRM Manager, the Nursing Manager) as well as the national teams in collaboration with its technical referents at the level of the project.
- You collaborate with the coordination (medical, logistical and financial and human resources) and with the partners.
MAIN MISSION
Under the supervision of the Head of Mission, you are responsible for implementing the country operational strategy in its area of intervention, in line with the three-year strategic plan and ALIMA’s mandate.
More specifically, you are responsible for the implementation of the project and for contributing to the results set for the project according to the evolution of the humanitarian situation and the needs in the area of intervention and on the basis of the medico-operational objectives prefixed in collaboration with the coordination, in compliance with humanitarian principles and ALIMA’s mandate.
You are the guarantor of the safety of its teams throughout its area of intervention. You are responsible for supervising teams, monitoring programmatic indicators and contractual donor indicators and monitoring project expenditure – with the support of coordination, and communication with governmental and non-governmental actors in relation to the project.
MAIN ACTIVITIES
Above all, the Emergency CP must:
- Act in line with ALIMA’s mandate, humanitarian principles and the principle of “do no harm / ne pas harm”.
- Respect the operational strategy defined with the other coordinators (collaborate with other humanitarian, international and governmental actors present in the area of intervention.
1. Definition and strategic planning
- Analysis of the context (environment, actors, security, access negotiations, etc.) and humanitarian issues.
- Identifies and analyzes medical and humanitarian needs in collaboration with the Medical Referent / RRM Manager
- Proposes an operational setup and relevant planning (chronogram, budget, supply plan, etc.) according to the operational strategy defined with the other coordinators (head of mission, medical coordinator, logistics coordinator, financial coordinator and HR coordinator).
- Evaluates the risks and constraints, and proposes the adaptation of the strategy and action plan in the event of new unforeseen elements after consultation with the country coordination (head of mission medical coordinator, logistics coordinator, financial coordinator and HR coordinator ) and other humanitarian, international and governmental actors present in the area of intervention.
2. Program implementation
- Project management and monitoring
- Representation
- Management of material and financial resources
3. Data analysis and reporting
4. Supervision and animation of teams
5. Security analysis and management
6. Implementation of preventive measures against abuse of power, gender-based and sexual violence
EXPERIENCES & COMPETENCES
- You have experience in a medical NGO of at least 3 years.
- You have experience in the implementation of rapid response mechanism (RRM) projects. A medical qualification experience in medical project management is an asset
- Experience in epidemic response (Cholera and Measles) required
- You have prior experience in degraded security contexts and emergency contexts.
- Prior experience in multicultural team management.
- You have a good ability to establish contact networks and an ability to maintain a neutral posture in the face of opposing actors within the framework of the same armed conflict.
LANGUAGES :
- Oral and written fluency in French is essential
- Proficiency in a local language is an asset
CONDITIONS
Duration and type of contract: 3-month fixed-term contract with possibility of renewal depending on budget availability
Starting position: ASAP
Salary: According to ALIMA salary grid + experience + per diem.
ALIMA supports:
- Shared accommodation supported by ALIMA
- Daily per diem according to the ALIMA per diem policy of the country and in proportion to the presence of the expatriate in the country of mission
- Health insurance paid for by ALIMA for him and his dependents.
- Plane tickets for station wagons every 3 months for contracts beyond 9 months.
- Internal travel provided by the employer.
How to apply
To apply, please send your CV and Cover Letter online
Applications are processed in the order in which they are received. ALIMA reserves the right to close the offer before the term initially indicated if an application is accepted. Only complete applications (CV in PDF format + Letter of Motivation) will be considered.
Female candidates are strongly encouraged.
