Terms of Reference for Recruitment of Malaria SBC District officer for the Implementation of Malaria SBC Strategic Interventions

About Strive Foundation Rwanda (SFR):

Strive Foundation Rwanda (SFR) is a local non-governmental, non-religious, non-political, and non-profit organization founded in 2003. Our goal is to promote the social and economic welfare of vulnerable communities. We operate with legal personality No: 04/08.11 and are compliant with Rwanda Governance Board (RGB) No: 04/2012. Our head office is located in Kigali city, Gasabo district, Ndera sector, Masoro cell, Matwari village, KG 11 Street, Zindiro-Azam road.

Our Vision: To provide sustainable social welfare, integration, and development for vulnerable groups.
Our Mission: To promote and advocate for social justice and economic empowerment opportunities for vulnerable groups.

Background

Malaria remains a significant public health concern in Rwanda, with the entire population at risk. In response, Rwanda has implemented integrated malaria control interventions, including LLN distribution through mass campaigns and routine channels, IRS, behavior change communication, and improved access to diagnostics and treatment. These combined interventions have led to a significant reduction in malaria infections. According to the malaria annual report, nearly all 30 districts of Rwanda registered a decline in malaria during the reporting period of July 2022-June 2023.

By the end of Fiscal Year 2022-2023, malaria incidence in Rwanda had reduced from 76 per 1,000 person-years in FY 2021-2022 to 47 per 1,000 (a 39% reduction), while the Slide Positivity Rate (SPR) dropped from 22% in FY 2021-2022 to 14% in FY 2022-2023. Uncomplicated malaria cases dropped from 998,811 in FY 2021-2022 to 622,900 in FY 2022-2023 (a 38% reduction), with 58% of these cases currently managed at the community level. Severe malaria cases decreased from 1,831 in FY 2021-2022 to 1,316 in FY 2022-2023, representing a 28% decrease. During the same period, malaria-related deaths decreased from 71 to 51, representing a 28% reduction.

Following the recent Malaria Program Review (MPR) conducted in 2023, a gap in malaria-related SBC interventions was identified, highlighting an urgent need to design and implement key community sensitization interventions for behavior change in malaria control. These include integrated messages to sensitize communities to ensure the use of malaria preventive measures, early treatment-seeking behavior, and support for environmental management and community-led malaria response, including larval source management. Innovative approaches for effective communication were also recommended, including mass media campaigns, community dialogues, community outreaches for targeted groups, distribution of IEC materials, interpersonal communication, and house-to-house messaging through Community Health Workers.

In this context, Strive Foundation Rwanda (SFR) received a new grant to support malaria control interventions, including Malaria Social and Behavior Change (SBC) activities. This grant aligns with the Extended National Malaria Strategic Plan 2020-2027, which outlines essential SBC interventions for malaria control. The goal is to ensure that at least 85% of the population at risk adopts accurate and consistent practices and behaviors related to malaria control interventions.

Strive Foundation Rwanda is therefore seeking to hire competent staffs to drive these efforts forward.

Job Vacancy: 3 Positions

Position: Malaria SBC District officer
Location: City of Kigali
Organization: Strive Foundation Rwanda (SFR)
Project: GF-Malaria SBC Project

Key Activities

Under the overall supervision of Malaria SBC Coordinator, the Malaria SBC District officer will be responsible of the following:

• Follow-up closely on the Implementation of the Annual Work Plan with regard to Malaria SBC interventions
• Participate to the annual planning process and provide technical support for Malaria SBC interventions in the catchment area.
• Ensure the Coordination of Malaria SBC Activities (Prevention, Vector Control and Case Management SBC related activities) implementation at District and Community Levels.
• Collaborate with Malaria SBC Coordinator and RBC/Malaria District Supervisors to ensure Local Leaders, Health Facilities and Communities are fully engaged in Malaria Control.
• Organize meetings with Local Leaders, Health Facilities Leaders, CHWs and other relevant stakeholders to improve awareness and implementation of Malaria SBC Strategies at district level.
• Coordinate Malaria SBC activities implementation in the catchment areas
• Represent SFR on daily basis in the districts of deployment
• Coordinate Monitoring and Evaluation of Malaria SBC implementation activities
• Collaborate with Malaria SBC Coordinator to design and implement innovative malaria control interventions at District level.
• Prepare and submit monthly, quarterly reports from assigned District to Malaria SBC Coordinator.
• Review technical reports from all health facilities in the catchment area and provided feedback.
• Ensure close follow up of implementation of recommendations.
• Participate to monthly and quarterly evaluation of Health Facilities and Community Health Workers.
• Document best practices or most significant success stories of the project activities
• Carry out other tasks to support the project efforts as assigned
• Provide administrative support as needed

Key Deliverables

• Timely and effective implementation of Malaria SBC interventions as per the Annual Work Plan.
• Regular progress updates and technical inputs provided to improve intervention plans, addressing district-specific challenges.
• Coordination of prevention, vector control, and case management activities at district and community levels, ensuring stakeholder synergy.
• Active engagement of local leaders, health facilities, and communities in malaria control efforts.
• Regular meetings with stakeholders to enhance awareness and improve SBC strategy implementation.
• Effective representation of the SFR at the district level, advocating for Malaria SBC interventions.
• Ongoing monitoring, evaluation, and reporting to ensure intervention alignment with objectives, including submission of timely reports.
• Review of technical reports with actionable feedback and follow-up on recommendations.
• Development and implementation of innovative malaria control strategies in collaboration with stakeholders.
• Documentation and sharing of best practices and success stories for replication.
• Completion of administrative tasks and support for additional project activities as needed.

Required Academic Qualifications and Experience:

• Master’s or Bachelor’s degree in relevant fields (Public Health, environmental sciences, Health Education, Health Care and Hospital Management, or any Public Health related studies) with Nursing background as a plus.
• Managerial and leadership skills;
• Strategic thinking with problem solving skills
• Team working and organization skills in public health related domains
• Working experience of at least 4 years in Rwanda Health System including working with Health Facilities and Community Health Workers.
• Demonstrated abilities or experience in working with Local Leaders would be an added value.
• Good planning, organizing and public health communication skills
• Excellent analytical and advocacy skills is desirable
• Experience in providing administrative leadership and support to work teams
• Fluency and writing skills in English or French and Kinyarwanda are required.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word and PowerPoint, or similar software

Selection criteria

Applications will be assessed on: educational background, professional experience, technical and analytical skills, communication abilities, training experience, ethical considerations, interpersonal skills, and flexibility. Preference is given to candidates with advanced degrees, experience in behavior change communication, and local context knowledge.

Components of the Application File -The application should be comprised of:

1. Cover letter.
2. Curriculum Vitae (CV)
3. Copies of relevant academic certificates.
4. Copy of Passport or ID of the Applicant
5. At least 2 references from current and previous client organizations from previous employers.

How to apply/ submit your application

• Documents will be submitted to Strive Foundation Rwanda via email: info@sfrwanda.org not later than 20^th January 2025 at 17h00 Rwanda time.
• Writing the Subject:

- Application for Job Vacancy of Malaria SBC District officer

• After submission, the applications will be reviewed, only selected candidates will be communicated for interview.

Approved on 10^th January 2025

BY:

MURAMIRA Bernard

Executive Director

Strive Foundation Rwand