Vacancy Notice- Engagement of Consultants for the Thematic Desk Review of the 2025 MPR

CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE

Background

Malaria is endemic in Nigeria and remains one of the leading causes of childhood and maternal morbidity and mortality in the country. All Nigerians are at risk of malaria due to living in areas with varying transmission intensities. According to the World Malaria Report 2024, Nigeria accounted for approximately 25.9% of the 263 million global malaria cases and 30.9% of the 597,000 malaria deaths in 2023.

Over the years, Nigeria has made substantial investments in malaria control, aligning with the national malaria strategic plans for the periods 2001-2005, 2006-2010, 2009-2013, 2014-2020, and 2021-2025 which has impacted significantly in the efforts to achieve a malaria-free nation. The national prevalence has reduced from 42% in 2010 to 22%., ownership of ITNs has increased by 51%, and improvement in the proportion of women receiving three or more doses of intermittent preventive treatment (IPT) by 7.1% since 2015 (NMIS 2021). These efforts have yielded some positive results in terms of reducing malaria prevalence and increasing intervention coverage.

Recent data indicates that malaria prevalence in Nigeria was 22% as of 2021. However, challenges persist, including a recent decrease in the ownership of Insecticide-Treated Nets (ITNs), with only 59% of households possessing at least one ITN in 2024, down from 61% in 2018. Additionally, the percentage of pregnant women receiving three or more doses of Intermittent Preventive Treatment (IPTp) decreased from 31% in 2021 to 26.1% in 2024, reflecting a regression of progress in maternal health interventions.

The National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP), with the support of partners have committed itself to a strategy of universal coverage for all malaria interventions as the optimal approach to malaria control. The current Malaria strategic Plan covers the period 2021 and 2025 and is meant to achieve a parasite prevalence of less than 10% and reduce mortality attributable to malaria to less than 50 deaths per 1,000 livebirths by 2025. Some of the core interventions implemented by the programme include Integrated Vector Management and its strategies include the use of Insecticide Treated Nets (ITNs), indoor Residual Spraying (IRS), Larval Source Management (Larviciding and Environmental Management) and personal protective measures such as house screening, durable linings and the use of repellents.

Other significant strategies include Malaria chemoprevention and its strategies include Chemoprophylaxis for non-immune immigrants & at risk groups, Intermittent Preventive Treatment in Pregnancy, Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention – SPAQ as well as the use of Malaria Vaccine and Bio-Technology once they become accessible.  Additionally noteworthy strategies include diagnosis, treatment, health system strengthening and other cross cutting interventions. Also, huge investments have been made so far in the National Malaria Control Programme from government and donors in anticipation of a malaria free Nigeria.

In view of the above, the NMEP is conducting a Malaria Programme Review (MPR) of its current National Malaria Strategic Plan (2021-2025).  The MPR will focus on the review of the malaria epidemiology, entomology, capacity to implement, policy & programming framework, organization, financing, structure and management. The MPR will review the programme performance by interventions, thematic areas. Malaria in humanitarian crisis (emergency preparedness and response), health equity, gender equality and human rights and service delivery levels beginning from the Federal Ministry Level to community level. It is hoped that the findings of the review will provide evidence on the progress made towards achieving national, regional and global targets as well as defining steps to improve programme performance or redefining the strategic direction and focus including revision of policies and  and development of a new strategic plan.

Different categories of experts, both international and national, are required for the MPR, which will be conducted in 4 phases.

The key malaria thematics areas of the MPR Programme Management branch is planning to engage Consultants that will be responsible for the conduct of the Thematic Desk Review of the 2025 MPR in seven (7) areas:

• Programme Management
• Case Management
• Integrated Vector Management
• Advocacy, Communication and Social Mobilization (ACSM)
• Procurement and Supply chain Management
• Monitoring & Evaluation, Surveillance and Operational Research
• Emergency Preparedness

CLICK HERE TO VIEW ADVERT