Purpose of Project and Background

In 2021, according to the Global Task Force for Cholera Control (GTFCC) around 50 countries are still affected by cholera. The number of people living in cholera hotspot is estimated to be between 40 to 80 million. The burden of diseases remains extremely high with 1.3 to 4 million cases every year, including 21 000 to 143 000 deaths globally.

The GTFCC is a partnership of more than 50 institutions, including NGOs, academic institutions, and UN agencies, with a secretariat hosted by the World Health Organization (WHO).

In 2017, the GTFCC launched the Global Roadmap to 2030 which aims to eliminate cholera in 20 countries and reduce the number of cholera deaths reported every year by 90%.

In 2019, Cholera-affected countries have called for additional technical support from the GTFCC in the development and implementation of their multisectoral National Cholera Plans for control or elimination (NCPs). In response to countries’ needs, the GTFCC has established a Country Support Platform (CSP) that will support efforts – primarily at national level – to control and eliminate cholera.

The CSP was launched in 2020 and it is hosted by the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

The CSP is supporting cholera-affected countries by working towards the following outcomes:

Cholera-affected countries have an NCP and a multisectoral coordination mechanism to align government, national actors, GTFCC partners and key stakeholders towards a shared strategy.
With the support of the CSP, the cholera-affected countries have mobilized resources toward the funding needs identified in their NCPs
The cholera-affected countries receive multisectoral technical support and capacity building for the formulation and the implementation of their NCPs.
Alignment to the IFRC’s objectives and strategy

IFRC’s Strategy 2030: The IFRC supports National Societies to work with vulnerable communities to achieve better health and reduced vulnerabilities as well as to improve water and sanitation conditions in chronic and acute contexts during emergencies.

The IFRC was appointed in 2020 to be the operational arm of the GTFCC for the CSP project. This positions the IFRC and the network at the heart of global and regional partnerships for inter-agency coordination for eventual cholera elimination.

Global Flagship Initiatives: Reduce cholera related deaths by 50%. Cholera continues to threaten the lives of millions of people and yet with the provision of safe water and sanitation so many lives can be saved. The IFRC’s Global Water and Sanitation Initiative (including OneWASH) will be expanded to ensure equitable, sustainable and affordable access to water and sanitation to reduce cholera related deaths by 50% by 2025.

Project objectives

This consultancy aims to support Zambia authorities on cholera elimination efforts according to the GTFCC Cholera roadmap 2030.

More specifically, the consultancy will support the development of a Monitoring and Evaluation Framework for the Zambia Multisectoral Cholera Elimination Plan (MCEP). In addition, the consultancy will conduct an in-depth mid-term review of the progress made towards achieving the goals and objectives contained in the Zambia MCEP, as well as document at least 2 case studies/success stories.

This consultancy is part of the CSP’s technical support to the Zambia government. The consultancy includes:

International consultancy (42 days)
One workshop in Lusaka for Validation of M&E Framework and content gathering for case studies (5 days – including preparation)
Desired outcomes

A mid-term M&E report of the MCEP is drafted and presented to the national authorities
A validated Monitoring and Evaluation Framework for the Zambia Multisectoral cholera elimination plan approved by the Zambia National Cholera Coordinator
1 workshop organised and delivered with multiple partners in Lusaka, Zambia to validate the M&E framework.
At least 2 documented case studies/success stories approved by the Zambia National Cholera Coordinator
A national consultant is trained to continue the routine and regular update of the approved Monitoring and Evaluation Framework, thereby ensuring sustainability and local capacity strengthening.
A final report with recommendations is produced at the end of the consultancy.

Method of delivery and reasons for selecting that method

In view of our new initiatives CSP & One WASH & Flag ship Initiative we want to ensure that the quality and integration of Public-health cholera and other Water related diseases is maintained.

Support to be provided to the consultant

IFRC WASH team in Geneva / IFRC regional office/ IFRC country office/ GTFCC / CSP team will brief and support the consultant.

Schedule for payment of fees

30% advance payment if requested and balance upon delivery.

Time Allocation, for budget purposes

The proposed time frame is 4 months with a maximum of 42 working days.

Start Date: 10 October 2022 – 31 January 2023

Location: onsite and remote

Management of consultancy

The consultant will be managed by the Senior Officer, NCP Development, and Implementation.

This consultancy will be conducted remotely and in Zambia. (travel mission)

Education Required

Relevant university degree in Public Health or similar fields.

Education Proffered

Epidemiology in Rapid Response /Emergency Response Unit (ERU) specialized training.

Field epidemiology training programme (e.g. EPIET or EUPHEM)

Experience Required

Five years of experience in infectious diseases monitoring and evaluation

Field experience in long term strategy development, including design of monitoring and evaluation framework

Experience Preferred

Epidemiology consultancy experience in low-income country.

Knowledge and Skills Required

Good knowledge of cholera multisectoral control strategy, as well as mechanisms, tools and guidelines for programming and coordination at different levels.

Good analytical thinking skills.

Skills in developing and facilitating training, as well as, in preparing and delivering presentations.

Languages Required

English Fluency required