Recruitment of a consultant to conduct a situational analysis on malaria and Gender in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)

Speak Up Africa is an African organization committed to building an Africa where growth and sustainable development are driven by African citizens themselves. We convene, enable, and advocate. With a focus on strategic communication, policy, and advocacy, Speak Up Africa is dedicated to supporting African leaders and citizens to take an active role in identifying and developing solutions to tackle the challenges facing our continent. such as malaria, neglected tropical diseases, immunization, sanitation, gender equality, and global health research and development.

Malaria remains a major public health challenge in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), with high morbidity and mortality rates. In 2022, out of 27.3 million cases, a significant proportion affected women of reproductive age. According to the 2021 National Malaria Control Program (PNLP) Report, 1,115,617 cases were recorded among pregnant women, including 221,421 severe cases (19.84%).

Malaria during pregnancy increases the risks of severe anemia, miscarriages, premature births, and low birth weight, thereby exacerbating maternal and infant mortality. In 2023–2024, 60% of pregnant women slept under an insecticide-treated net (ITN), compared to 52% in 2017–2018. This rate reaches 83% in households equipped with nets, a decrease from the 91% recorded in 2017–2018.

Gender norms and economic inequalities influence women’s access to healthcare. 29% of women aged 20 to 24 were married before the age of 18, with this proportion reaching 40% in rural areas compared to 19% in urban areas, limiting their access to education and healthcare services. The DRC ranks 144th out of 148 countries in terms of gender equality, reflecting the impact of inequalities on women’s health.

The Women Accelerating Victory towards Malaria Elimination (WAVE) project, funded by the Gender Equality Fund (GEF)—a fund established by the Global Fund in collaboration with GSK and ViiV Healthcare—aims to strengthen the role of women-led community-based organizations (CBOs) in advocating for gender-responsive malaria policies and programs in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Over a 24-month period, the project will provide strategic support to ten (10) women-led CBOs, combining grants, capacity building, and advocacy support to eliminate gender-related barriers in malaria prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.

By emphasizing women’s leadership in malaria governance, WAVE ensures active participation of women and marginalized groups in decision-making processes. Through targeted policy advocacy, enhanced stakeholder engagement, and increased community mobilization, the project aims to drive systemic change, ensuring inclusive, equitable, and effective interventions to sustainably reduce the malaria burden in the DRC.

This consultation aims to conduct a comprehensive situational analysis and stakeholder mapping on malaria and gender in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). More specifically, the consultant will be responsible for:

• Assessing the current malaria landscape in the DRC by examining the integration of gender in national policies, programs, and ongoing interventions in malaria control
• Analyzing gender-related barriers and opportunities by studying how social roles, gender norms, and socio-economic factors influence access to malaria prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, particularly for pregnant women and young girls
• Mapping key stakeholders by identifying major actors (government, research institutions, NGOs, technical and financial partners, and women-led community organizations) and analyzing their roles in malaria control and the integration of gender in health interventions
• Formulating strategic recommendations by proposing concrete actions to enhance gender integration in malaria policies and programs in the DRC. These recommendations should align with national priorities, the WAVE project’s objectives, and the scope of organizations that will lead advocacy efforts in the DRC (at both the national and community levels).

The contract will be executed over a period of eight (8) weeks with the following deliverables:

• A comprehensive situational and landscape analysis report, including a SWOT analysis
• A detailed stakeholder mapping, with a list of women-led community-based organizations (CBOs)
• Recommendations on concrete actions to improve gender integration in malaria policies and programs in the DRC.

• Based in the DRC
• At least seven (7) years of experience in public health, equity, gender integration, sustainable development, or other relevant fields
• Proven experience in conducting similar assessments
• Strong knowledge of data collection and analysis methods and tools
• Excellent analytical, writing, and communication skills in French (English is a plus).