Individual Consultancy Assignment Support the establishment of harm reduction approach to drug use for Kigali Mental Health Referral Center (KMHRC), Rwanda

• Duty Station: Remote
• Date Posted: April 04,04, 2025
• Deadline: April 14, 2025 by 5:00 Pm EAT.
• Languages: Fluent in English.
• Time and Working Days:From May to October 2025, Maximum working days: 40 days including training and travelling.
• Starting date: May 1, 2025.

Background and context

For more than 40 years, Médecins du Monde, a campaigning medical organization committed to international solidarity, has been caring for the most vulnerable populations here and abroad. It has continued to bear witness to obstacles that exist in accessing healthcare and has secured sustainable improvements in health-for-all policies.

Those working for this independent organization do not solely dispense care and treatment but condemn violations of human dignity and rights and fight to improve matters for populations living in precarious situations.

MdM France currently works in 30 countries across all continents to facilitate access to healthcare through 6 political battles:

• Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights
• Migration, Exile, Human Rights and Health
• Harm Reduction
• Environment and Health
• Humanitarian Space
• Healthcare systems and rights

MdM has been present in Tanzania since 2010 and established the first comprehensive harm reduction project for PWUD in Dar es Salaam. In 2019, this project was transferred to the local NGO Mukikute, as a successor to continue providing services, while MdM remained as the technical assistance organization to continue providing technical support for local actors. MdM supported the government of Tanzania to scale up NSP (needle and syringe program) in other regions outside of Dar es Salaam.

Since 2022, MdM together with Burnet Institute, INPUD and University of Bristol engaged in CUTTS (Catalyze the Uptake of Underutilized tools for hepatitis C) research project to manage the study across 3 countries. This research project has 3 main components; model of care study to test and treat hepatitis C, value and preferences for low dead space syringes among people who inject drugs, feasibility of long-acting depot buprenorphine as the option for OAT.

In the meantime, from 2022 to 2024, MdM supported Ministry of Health and local actors in Burundi to develop OAT guideline and setting up of the very first OAT program in Bujumbura. Moreover, MdM joined the consortium with 5 local CSOs (TUBITEHO Project) from Rwanda in 2022 as to provide technical assistance to initiate the harm reduction services in Kigali which entails development of guidelines, training, mobilize and empower PWUD community.

Since the beginning of 2025, a technical assistance project started to support Kigali Mental Health Referral Center (KMHRC). This technical assistance project requires to develop a series of guidelines, protocols, training materials, to organize consultation meetings/workshop with local stakeholders (MoH, KMHRC, CSO, PWUD/PWID community etc.) and also to organize training for relevant stakeholders to initiate OAT service in KMHRC which will be a center of excellence for substance use treatment, training and research in the country.

Scope of work and activities

The role of the consultant is to review existing resources (guidelines, manuals, training manual and materials etc.) from credible sources; international, regional and national including WHO, UNODC and UNAIDS and develop contextualized ones for Rwanda and also deliver the training for the health care providers of KMHRC and other mental health centers.

The consultant will work closely with

• the team from KMHRC (Director of the center, psychiatrists, nurses, social workers etc.), Rwanda Biomedical center (RBC), other mental health referral centers in Kigali, Rehabilitation centers, CSOs and PWUD community representatives
• MdM team from head quarter (technical referents)
• MdM team in Tanzania to ensure smooth communication and coordination among all stakeholders.

The consultant will be part of the technical team coordinated by Harm Reduction Coordinator of MDM Tanzania and will require close coordination to ensure the deliverables are achieved within the timeline.

Outputs / deliverables

• Harm reduction manual/guideline for opioid use ( for people who use/inject drugs)
• Guideline for Management of opioid overdose and intoxication
• Referral guidelines across different service providers i.e. OAT clinic, public health facilities including mental health and other health care services, civil society organizations, other public service departments such as social welfare, law enforcement, key population networks/organizations
• Guidelines on community engagement and mobilization focusing on key population for their active involvement in harm reduction programming
• Strategy and roll out plan for comprehensive harm reduction program for RBC
• M&E framework for harm Reduction program (and provides input to HMIS team for data management and integration)
• Develop (or adapt existing training manuals) training materials and deliver training for (i) Harm Reduction (ii) management of opioid overdose (iii) tackling stigma and discrimination against people who use /inject drugs and key populations (iv) harm reduction for women who use drugs
• Provide orientation on guidelines (i) Referral guideline (ii) community engagement and mobilization (iii) M&E framework

Timeline and working days

• From May to October 2025
• Maximum working days: 40 days including training and travelling

Qualification and selection criteria

MdM is seeking a consultant with expertise in literature review, program and strategy analysis, writing proposals, guidelines, high level reports, advocacy /policy brief with strong experience in harm reduction for people who use/inject drugs and key populations.

The consultant /technical expert is expected to have the following qualifications, experience and competencies:

• Advanced academic degree (Master or PhD) in the field of health, social science and other health related studies. Bachelor’s degree with strong experience (more than 5 years) in a relevant field is acceptable
• Extensive knowledge and experience in harm reduction programming (minimum 5 years) for PWUD/PWID and community engagement
• Proven experience of working on similar assignments (developing guidelines, providing training)
• Familiarity and exposure to rights-based approaches to health care
• Ability to work proactively, independently and effectively meeting deadlines
• Excellent command in written and spoken English
• Can travel to Rwanda throughout the assignment

Desirable

• Experience working with Government institutions, international NGOs and UN agencies is also highly desirable.
• Experience working in international contexts including African region, LMIC and conflict affected context is desirable

How to apply

Individual consultants are invited to share the following documents

• CV
• A cover letter outlining relevant for the assignment
• An example of previous work on a similar assignment (treatment guideline, training etc.)
• Technical and Financial proposal

Submit your application via emai to.

[email protected]

Late applications will not be considered.

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