Expert on Large-scale simulation exercises (SIMEX)

1. Duty Station of the Consultancy: Kinshasa, DR Congo
2. Duration of Consultancy: 3 months
3. Nature of the consultancy: Hire an international/National consultant to conduct large-scale simulation exercises (SIMEX) on how to effectively respond to risks related to public health threats at Points of Entry of the DR Congo.
4. Project Context and Scope:

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is facing recurrent outbreaks of cholera, measles, viral hemorrhagic fevers, yellow fever, rabies and monkeypox, causing morbidity and mortality. significant and serious socio-economic disruptions. These epidemic outbreaks which constitute a threat to national and international health security are at the interface between human, animal and environmental health (joint external assessment of the main IHR capacities of the DRC, WHO 2018).

The recurrence of certain outbreaks in the DRC such as Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), cholera and measles demonstrate the weakness of the epidemic prevention and management system as well as the fragility of the health system lacking substantial human and financial resources. Added to these is the low level of education and awareness among populations, including cross-border traders, of whom women represent a significant proportion, migrants and travelers on the prevention of diseases with epidemic potential.

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), a country bordering nine neighboring countries, has porous borders that favor a high volume of population movements in the border space, contributing significantly to challenges related to disease prevention and control. and epidemics. Population movements impact public health as mobile populations interact with communities within the country and along borders. The DRC has around 400 entry points, 18 of which have been identified as priorities by the Congolese authorities for the establishment of the capacities required under the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005).

The PoEs are directly affected by potential dangers, essential capacities must be applied at their level to ensure the effective implementation of health measures and thus prevent the spread of diseases. This is how, at the end of JEE 2018, the DRC developed its National Action Plan for Health Security (PANSS) in order to help the country strengthen its capacities for prevention, detection and response, particularly to level of PoE according to the “One Health” approach.

To address these challenges, the DRC subscribed to the fourth phase of the project to strengthen regional disease surveillance systems in Central Africa (REDISSE IV), a regional initiative financed by the World Bank in five countries (Angola, Central African Republic, Chad , Republic of Congo and Democratic Republic of Congo) and is structured around four components, namely: 1) strengthening surveillance and the capacity of laboratories to quickly detect epidemics; 2) strengthening emergency planning and management capacity to respond quickly to disease outbreaks; 3) public health workforce development; and 4) institutional capacity building, project management, coordination and advocacy.

The various inventory missions carried out in October 2021 by the National Border Hygiene Program (PNHF) and the Animal and Fisheries Quarantine service (SQAH), made it possible to detect at the level of the 18 PoE considered priorities for the country, significant shortcomings linked to the minimum required capacities, in accordance with the IHR 2005 (Annex 1 part B). Thus, a lack of infrastructure, equipment and materials necessary for effective routine monitoring as well as in the event of an emergency was noted at the level of these 18 PoEs. In addition, the health personnel assigned there only have limited knowledge and technical capacities due to lack of training, supervision and adequate work tools. In addition, the sharing or reporting of information is not efficient to ensure rapid and timely responses to health problems detected at points of entry.

The funding from REDISSE IV will make it possible to strengthen collaboration with the IOM and state services specializing in border health controls with a view to improving the main minimum capacities required for communication and coordination of activities at the PoE as well as the minimum capacities required at any time (routine) and in the event of a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC).

The hired consultant will develop a training package for a full-scale simulation exercise (SIMEX) including Fact sheets/standard operating procedures (SOP), a facilitator’s guide and a facilitator’s manual relating to the various public health threats identified in DR Congo.

He will also have to conduct simulation exercises in all suitable PoEs with the assistance of a national consultant. Based on the results and observations during the SIMEX, the consultant will provide technical support to the participants to update their contingency plans with the assistance of the national consultant.

Tangible and measurable outputs and delivery dates of the work assignment

1. Objective: to develop standards/guidelines, technical sheets/SOPs, the facilitator’s guide, and the provider’s manual on the organization of simulation exercises at the Point of entry on different public health’s threats identified by inserting the notion of gender and protection.
   1. Deliverable 1 by 30 December 2023 with payment of 30 %: The standards, directives, and procedures as well as the facilitator’s guide, the service provider’s manual, the technical sheets, or SOPs on the organization of simulation exercises (on table, on drill, functional exercise and on a real or field scale) at the level of PoE on targeted themes are developed/updated and approved at the national level.
   2. Deliverable 2 by 31 January 2024 with payment of 50%:
      • Simulation exercises at the 18 PoEs to test the response capabilities of thecontingency plan specific to each entry point
      • Simulation exercises on coordination and response to a public health event (all services opening to PoE, counterpart services of foreign PoEs and conveyors) are performed at the level of all 18 PoEs
   3. Deliverable 3 with payment of 20% by 28 February 2024 contingency plan specific to each entry point is updated and final consultancy report.

Technical and behavioral requirements:

• Creates a respectful office environment, free of harassment and retaliation, and promotes the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA).
• Effectively applies knowledge of labor migration and recruitment processes.
• Correctly frames the factors contributing to financial inclusion among returned and prospective labor migrants in the DR Congo.
• Plans work, anticipates risks, and sets goals within area of responsibility.
• Interact with interviewees in a respectful and appropriate manner.
• Involvement in similar and/or relevant consulting or professional services.

Education, Experience and/or skills required.

• Bachelor’s or higher degree in public health, health and border management, public health emergency preparedness and related field from a recognized institution.
• Extensive knowledge of public health and health border management in an emergency context .
• At least 7 years of working experience in public health, health and border management, public health emergency preparedness.
• Extensive prior experience of developing a training package for full-scale SIMEX.
• Extensive prior experience in developing public health emergency response and preparedness plans.
• Extensive experience in providing hands-on training to a large group of participants.
• Fluent French, knowledge of English is an advantage.

Travel required.

• Field visits when needed

Values

• Inclusion and respect for diversity respects and promotes individual and cultural differences; encourages diversity and inclusion wherever possible.
• Integrity and transparency: maintain high ethical standards and acts in a manner consistent with organizational principles/rules and standards of conduct.
• Professionalism: demonstrates ability to work in a composed, competent and committed manner and exercises careful judgment in meeting day-to-day challenges.

Core Competencies – behavioral indicators

• Teamwork: develops and promotes effective collaboration within and across units to achieve shared goals and optimize results.
• Delivering results: produces and delivers quality results in a service-oriented and timely manner; is action-oriented and committed to achieving agreed outcomes.
• Managing and sharing knowledge: continuously seeks to learn, share knowledge and innovate.
• Accountability: takes ownership for achieving the Organization’s priorities and assumes responsibility for own action and delegated work.
• Communication: encourages and contributes to clear and open communication; explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way.