NTDs Project Officer – 12 months local contract At Organization for the Prevention of Blindness

CONTEXT :

The Organization for the Prevention of Blindness (OPC) has been working for over 45 years in French-speaking Africa to support ministries of health in the fight against avoidable blindness, trachoma, onchocerciasis and other neglected tropical diseases.
The Reaching the Last Mile Fund (RLMF) and the British NGO Sightsavers asked the OPC in 2025 to provide support in the supervision and coordination in Congo of the RLMF program for the elimination of onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis, implemented by the National Onchocerciasis Control Program of the Ministry of Health (PNLO). The project concerns 10 regions or 26 districts. The planned activities are mass distributions of medicines, strengthening of formative supervision, epidemiological surveys (CES, PRE – STOP, monitoring and evaluation survey) and morbidity management. The priority objectives are to ensure high-quality implementation of mass drug administration; achieve and demonstrate high coverage through ad hoc tools; address low coverage areas or populations; collect and report data disaggregated by sex, as well as at the implementation unit level; and document the current situation to enable monitoring and demonstration of progress.

In this context, the OPC is recruiting an MTN Project Manager for its Office in Congo, on a 12-month fixed-term contract.

MISSION OF THE OPC PROJECT MANAGER:

By delegation of the OPC and its Central Africa Regional Office, he is the referent and responsible for the proper implementation of the contractual commitments established between the Ministry of Health (PNLO), the OPC, Sightsavers and RMLF to fight against onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis in Congo.

It ensures operational, technical, administrative and financial monitoring of all project activities. It contributes to the development, planning, coordination, implementation, evaluation, learning, as well as reporting of activities.

This**,** in compliance with international standards, in a strong spirit of seeking efficiency and quality, in conjunction with all the project stakeholders.

DESIRED PROFILE:

Senior Project Manager, expert in project management for the fight against neglected tropical diseases or other communicable diseases with preventive chemotherapy. Having work experience in Congo Brazzaville and knowledge of public health programs and actors in this country is an asset.

Expertise: Advanced initial training in Public Health and/or Development Project Management. Significant experience in public health project management for the fight against neglected tropical diseases or, failing that, other communicable diseases. Demonstrated ability to ensure the quality and efficiency of planning, supervision, indicator management, evaluation, data analysis and reporting in their technical and financial aspects. Excellent command of French and English essential. Advanced mastery of the Office Pack, particularly Excel.

Soft skills: Autonomy, adaptability and interpersonal skills: this is the only position of this type for the OPC in Congo, which will have to integrate daily with other actors and partners on site. Sense of reporting and alert. Rigor. Reliability. Tenacity and perseverance. Strength of initiative and proposal to provide solutions and improvements

POSITION :

Hierarchical links:

• Executive Director of the OPC Headquarters (Paris)
• Works under the coordination of the Head of Programs of the OPC Central Africa Regional Office (NDjamena)

Functional links:

• OPC Representative and OPC Manager in Congo (Brazzaville)
• Coordinator of the National Onchocerciasis Control Program, Ministry of Health of the Republic of Congo (Brazzaville)
• Sightsavers Regional Coordinator for Congo (Yaoundé)

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Governance :

In support of the OPC headquarters and its Legal Representative in Congo, ensure compliance with the reciprocal commitments made in a memorandum of understanding between the OPC and the National Onchocerciasis Control Program of the Ministry of Health of Congo in the areas of health, development, capacity building, as well as the rules and standards relating to the management of the programs covered by the agreement.

Representation :

• At the request of the OPC, travel occasionally at national or international level to participate in meetings, training courses or technical conferences.
• On behalf of the OPC and Sightsavers, represent the RLMF in all relevant areas of the country’s life, including with the government and its relevant ministries and entities, development partners, NGOs, research institutions, the private sector and other relevant stakeholders.

Local partners :

• Establish and maintain a responsive working relationship with the Ministry of Health National Onchocerciasis Programme (NOCP), NTD Coordination Unit and Programme and Project Management.
• Maintain a strong coordination relationship with ESPEN/WHO.
• Is the regular operational interface with project partners in Congo to maintain a good level of communication, respect for mutual commitments, and sharing of experiences.

Program execution :

• Ensure regular operational interface with OPC Headquarters, OPC Central Africa Regional Office, Sightsavers and PNLO to ensure that the programme is implemented as planned, in compliance with procedures and objectives.
• Organize and lead regular review, monitoring and planning meetings with Sightsavers, the Regional Office, OPC HQ and the Ministry of Health and monitor the implementation of agreed actions.
• Contribute to developing and ensuring compliance with action plans, indicators, schedules, deadlines, budgets, terms of reference and practical arrangements in collaboration with all stakeholders.
• Provide technical monitoring and daily management of project activities directly under the OPC.
• Provide technical support to local partners for monitoring the project activities of these partners and to develop the transfer of skills.
• Carry out activity implementation, training and supervision missions in the provinces and districts where the project is being implemented.

Communication :

• Ensure timely communication with the Ministry of Health, OPC Headquarters, OPC Regional Office and Sightsavers and escalate any issues that may hamper the implementation of the programme without unnecessary delay.
• Facilitate and contribute to communication actions highlighting the project and its results, in particular by facilitating the collection and sharing of images and testimonials, or even by participating in the writing of articles and publications.

Programmatic support :

• Provide technical support to the Ministry of Health program in all aspects of the program cycle in accordance with RLMF/Sightsavers tools and standards. This will include supply chain (drugs and diagnostics), planning, training, supportive supervision, monitoring and evaluation and reporting.
• Ensure that, in consultation with partners, the consideration of the issues of Inclusion and equality (“Leave No One Behind”) and Protection of people (“Safeguarding”) is strengthened in the project.
• Ensure the ongoing assessment of the quality of activities using appropriate tools and actions (QSAT, DQAS, independent monitoring, etc.) according to the expectations of the OPC, Sightsavers and the RLMF.
• Regularly assess and share risks related to project activities, within the framework of OPC tools and procedures, and contribute to possible crisis management.

Financial planning and operations :

• Review budgets submitted by the Ministry of Health for planned activities, in compliance with the eligibility of grant expenditure, submit them to the OPC and Sightsavers for approval and assist the PNLO in quickly incorporating comments.
• Plan and inform in advance other relevant stakeholders in the Regional Office and OPC Headquarters of the needs so that they can make them available for the proper implementation of activities, particularly in terms of international financial payments.
• Ensure that funds are made available on site to partners and relevant individuals in a timely manner.

Financial control :

• Conduct regular financial monitoring visits of the Ministry of Health PNLO, in line with the requirements of the RLMF, OPC and Sightsavers grant.
• Collect the PNLO’s financial expenditure supporting documents each month, check and classify them, and send them to the OPC headquarters in accordance with the tools and procedures in force.
• Participate in the preparation of periodic and final financial reports for the project.

Reports :

• Reports regularly to the OPC and Sightsavers on the progress and forecast of activities, and alerts in the event of deviation from the work plan.
• Ensure the quality, compliance and timely submission of quarterly narrative, data and financial reports due by the PNLO in accordance with RLMF and Sightsavers program requirements.

Capacity building:

• Proactively identify areas of capacity building (financial management, programme operations, quality assurance, research, surveys, advocacy, etc.) where external support is required and liaise with the OPC and Sightsavers in a timely manner to secure such support.

Supervision:

• Conduct regular field visits for supportive supervision and to verify the consistency of existing data and financial reports with the reality on the ground. Supervision reports should be shared with OPC, Sightsavers, the Ministry of Health and other agencies as appropriate.
• Follow up and implement actions recommended by previous supervision reports.

Coordination:

• Alongside the PNLO Coordinator, engage with coordination platforms in relevant health and non-health sectors to drive sustainability of Oncho and LF elimination, including but not limited to WASH, vector control, One Health, health financing, UHC, SDGs, environment, climate.

Learning :

• Actively participate and contribute to programme learning through the SERA (MEAL) work of OPC, Sightsavers and RLMF.

The responsibilities thus entrusted will be subject to change depending on the needs of the project.