Management Systems International (MSI), a Tetra Tech Company, is a Washington, D.C. metro area management consultancy with a 40-year history of delivering results for our clients. Our expertise is in the fields of monitoring and evaluation; democracy and governance; peace and stability; rule of law and accountability; education; gender and inclusion; strategic communications; and leadership and organizational development. MSI has implemented projects in 90 countries around the world such as Colombia, Indonesia, Jordan, Kenya, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Syria and Ukraine, and works domestically. We support clients ranging from the U.S. Government (e.g., the U.S. Agency for International Development, U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Departments of State and Labor, and the Millennium Challenge Corporation) to large bilateral and multilateral donors (e.g., the World Bank and the United Nations Development Program). We also work with national and local governments, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), think tanks, foundations and universities. For more information, please visit our website at www.msiworldwide.com.

Project Summary

To help address gaps in Zambia’s blood supply chain system, the U.S. President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) plans a focused rapid assessment in Luapula Province, which bears the highest malaria burden in the country. Given resource constraints, PMI in the future may pilot targeted gap-filling interventions in the province, informed by the assessment. This assessment will rigorously identify blood supply chain bottlenecks, characterize disease-driven blood demand, and produce findings that will guide PMI, the Zambia National Blood Transfusion Service (ZNBTS), the Ministry of Health (MoH), and key stakeholders in improving blood supply management to reduce malaria-related deaths. In 2022, PMI, through the Evidence for Health (E4H) Project, conducted an initial assessment of Zambia’s blood and blood product supply chain services using a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis approach. The 2022 assessment identified the stakeholders that could collaborate to enhance blood transfusion availability for malaria treatment and obtained stakeholder perspectives that highlighted the critical importance of maintaining a reliable supply of safe blood for transfusions to reduce mortality from severe malaria. The aim is to assess the blood supply chain and transfusion practices and gaps in Luapula Province, supplementing the 2022 SWOT analysis and generate focused, actionable evidence for a potential two-year PMI pilot of interventions to improve the system for the benefit of severe malaria patients.

• Please note: Only Zambian citizens are eligible for this position**

Position Summary

The Blood Supply Consultant will assess the blood supply chain and transfusion practices and gaps in Luapula Province supplementing the 2022 SWOT analysis and generate focused, actionable evidence for a potential two-year PMI pilot of interventions to improve the system for the benefit of severe malaria patients. This period is inclusive of and incorporates estimated time for check-in meetings by the study team and PMI, as well as review and submission of draft and final reports. The estimated period of performance is 35 to 45 working days starting in November 2024.

Responsibilities

• Compile relevant statistics on disease burden from HMIS, MIS, and other sources.
• Review secondary data from selected facilitated in Luapala province through reviewing laboratory registers to collect data on specific use of blood by disease burden.
• Conduct physical assessments of materials.
• Conduct a desk review of relevant blood supply report from the Ministry of Health, ZNBTS, and donors to estimate the cost of resources and materials at various levels of the blood supply chain.
• Create an analysis table to develop findings, conclusions, and actionable recommendations to complement the previous blood supply chain SWOT assessment, with a view to inform a potential future PMI funded pilot
• Prepare a report using a re existing template.
• Present findings to PMI, ZNBTS, and NMEC.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s dress in public health, health system strengthening, health economics, or other relevant field required. Master’s degree in public health, health system strengthening, health economics, or other relevant field preferred.
• Minimum five years of experience in working in developing countries in the area of public health, malaria case management or health system strengthening with a focus on Africa required.
• Experience in conducting blood supply assessments and/or field research in blood safety preferred.
• Experience working in Zambia preferred.
• Strong communication, facilitation, and collaboration skills in working with government and donor organizations.
• Ability to travel to Luapula.
• Proficiency in English required.

MSI is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity and inclusion. We strive to develop and maintain a culture that honors the perspectives and identities of our employees, our communities and those impacted by our work.

We do not discriminate on the basis of any protected attribute, including race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital or veteran status, pregnancy or disability, or any other basis protected under applicable law. In accordance with applicable law, we make reasonable accommodations for applicants’ and employees’ religious practices and beliefs, as well as any mental health or physical disability needs.

MSI is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action/Americans with Disabilities/Veterans Employer.

Reasonable Accommodations

MSI is dedicated to hiring an inclusive workforce. If you would like to request reasonable accommodations during the application process, please visit Tetra Tech’s Disability Assistance Page. Our recruitment team looks forward to engaging in an interactive process to provide reasonable accommodations for candidates.

Only candidates who have been selected for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls, please.

Project opportunity

U.S. Teams and Clients

Health (International Development)

Additional Information

• Organization: 216 MSI