Expression of Interest For Bridge-Rwanda Project: Risk Communication And Community Engagement (Rcce) For Mpox And Other Global Health Emergencies

Expression of Interest for Bridge-Rwanda Project: Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) for MPOX and Other Global Health Emergencies. Location: Kigali Deadline: Sunday, 26/10/2025 16:30 The International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Rwanda is deeply committed to supporting the Rwandan Ministry of Health (MoH) and its partners in strengthening national health security and preparedness for global health emergencies. Recognizing Rwandas unique geographical and demographic context, characterized by high population density and extensive cross-border movement, IOM Rwanda is launching the BRIDGE-RWANDA (Border Response and Integrated Disease Surveillance for Mpox and Other Global Health Emergencies) project. In line with this commitment and guided by national, regional, and global strategic frameworks, IOM Rwanda aims to implement a comprehensive Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) awareness-raising campaign to address Mpox (formerly Monkeypox) in the context of Rwanda. This comprehensive intervention will significantly enhance Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) strategies to address Mpox and other potential public health threats, with a critical focus on Points of Entry (PoE) and surrounding border communities. Rwanda, as one of Africas smallest and most densely populated nations, faces inherent public health risks due to its extensive borders and proximity to regions prone to highly pathogenic diseases. Recent outbreaks, including Marburg virus (detected September 2024, declared over mid-December 2024 with 66 confirmed cases and 15 deaths) and the ongoing Mpox situation (with 114 confirmed cases as of March 2025), underscore the urgent need for robust surveillance, prevention, and response mechanisms. While Rwanda possesses robust public health surveillance systems and has demonstrated strong leadership in managing health emergencies, proactive and targeted RCCE interventions are crucial to prevent widespread transmission, reduce stigma, and ensure timely healthcare-seeking behaviors among the population. Effective RCCE strategies are paramount in an interconnected world where infectious diseases can rapidly spread, underscoring the need for strong community engagement, clear communication channels, and a specific focus on areas of high human mobility like Points of Entry. This approach aligns with Rwandas Health Sector Strategic Plan (HSSP) V (2024/252028/29), Rwandas National Guideline for Surveillance and Management of Mpox, Africa CDCs RCCE framework, and WHOs Global Mpox Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan (April 2025 update). Mpox, a zoonotic disease caused by the Mpox virus, has seen a global resurgence, posing ongoing public health concerns and this campaign seeks to empower communities with accurate, timely, and actionable information, promote preventive behaviors, combat stigma, and facilitate early detection and rapid response to mitigate the spread of the disease, ultimately contributing to a resilient public health response. This Terms of Reference (ToR) outlines the scope of work for prospective Implementing Partner (IP) to design and execute an impactful RCCE awareness-raising campaign for Mpox across identified vulnerable regions in Rwanda, with a particular focus on PoE and surrounding border communities. The campaign will integrate seamlessly with national health priorities, international best practices, and IOMs Health, Border and Mobility Management (HBMM) Framework, ensuring community-centered and mobility-sensitive public health interventions. These interventions will be meticulously designed to empower communities and mobile populations with accurate, timely, and actionable information, promote preventive behaviors, combat stigma, and facilitate early detection and rapid response along the entire mobility continuum. The campaign will integrate seamlessly with Rwandas Health Sector Strategic Plan (HSSP) V (2024/252028/29), the National Guideline for Surveillance and Management of Mpox, Africa CDCs RCCE framework and Strategic Framework for Strengthening Cross-border Surveillance and Information Sharing, and WHOs Global Mpox Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan (April 2025 update), all within the framework of IOMs Strategic Approach on Migration and Health 20242028 and Health, Border and Mobility Management (HBMM) framework. To address these challenges, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), in partnership with Rwandas Ministry of Health (MoH) and the Rwandan Biomedical Center (RBC), is launching an intervention. The project aims to enhance health systems and mitigate Mpox-related risks by strengthening border surveillance and response mechanisms. This aligns with Rwandas national health strategies and international health regulations. The project will focus on the following key areas: Improved Coordination: The project will help finalize Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and guidelines for health surveillance at POEs and establish a data monitoring system. It will also facilitate coordination meetings between Rwandan health authorities and their counterparts in neighboring countries to enable timely information sharing and joint action during health emergencies. Enhanced Screening and Surveillance: The intervention will provide comprehensive training on Mpox screening protocols for border officials, ensuring they have the necessary skills and knowledge. It will also support regular supervision at POEs to ensure compliance and assist in maintaining essential equipment, such as thermal scanners, and replenishing supplies like personal protective equipment (PPE). Community-Based Prevention: The project will work with local NGOs to raise awareness about Mpox among at-risk mobile populations at key locations like markets and bus stops. It will also strengthen the capacity of community health workers to conduct event-based surveillance, ensuring that communities are informed about risks and that public health alerts are communicated effectively. Expected Results The campaigns objectives and their corresponding expected results are: Objective 1: Increase Knowledge and Understanding Increase knowledge of Mpox symptoms, transmission, prevention, and healthcare services by at least 35% among the general population in targeted areas. This will be measured through pre- and post-campaign surveys. Achieve at least a 40% increase in knowledge among travelers, transport workers, and border community members at targeted PoE regarding Mpox risks, prevention, and reporting protocols. This will be assessed through rapid surveys. Develop and distribute at least four different types of communication materials (e.g., posters, flyers, radio jingles, videos) in multiple languages, including Kinyarwanda, English, French, and Swahili. These materials should be accessible to at least 85% of targeted households. Objective 2: Promote Timely Healthcare-Seeking and Reporting Behaviors Increase the number of individuals seeking information or reporting suspected Mpox cases at health facilities, with a 20% increase in referrals from community levels and PoE to health facilities for suspected cases. Establish and promote at least five effective and confidential feedback mechanisms, such as hotlines, community suggestion boxes, and regular community dialogues, to address public concerns and facilitate case reporting. Objective 3: Combat Misinformation and Stigma Reduce reported stigmatizing attitudes towards individuals affected by infectious diseases by at least 25%, as measured by qualitative assessments or perception surveys. Conduct at least 15 community dialogue sessions in each targeted district and border community to dispel myths and promote accurate information. Objective 4: Strengthen Community and PoE Engagement and Participation Implement at least one innovative community-led initiative, such as peer education programs or mobile information kiosks at PoE, to raise awareness about Mpox and general health. Objective 5: Enhance Cross-border Information Sharing and Coordination Participate in at least one formal cross-border coordination meeting with authorities in neighboring countries to harmonize RCCE messages and strategies at shared PoE. Develop a brief report on best practices and lessons learned from cross-border RCCE activities to contribute to regional knowledge sharing. The overall target for this campaign is to reach at least 20,000 individuals through direct and indirect awareness-raising activities over the four-month period. A specific goal is to directly reach at least 9,000 individuals at or near Points of Entry and in immediate border communities. SUBJECT Calls for Expression of Interest (CEOIs) for the BRIDGE-RWANDA Project: Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) for Mpox and Other Global Health Emergencies. CONTEXT As part of IOMs comprehensive BRIDGE-RWANDA project, which stands for Border Response and Integrated Disease Surveillance for Mpox and Other Global Health Emergencies, IOM is selecting an implementing partner (IP) to lead the projects The International Organization for Migration (IOM), established in 1951, is the leading inter-governmental organization in the field of migration and works closely with governmental, intergovernmental, and non-governmental partners. With a longstanding presence in Rwanda since 1996, IOM has been actively involved in supporting the governments efforts in various humanitarian and development initiatives, including public health emergencies and strengthening border health management. IOMs expertise at Points of Entry is well-established, contributing to enhanced disease surveillance, prevention, and response along mobility pathways. In the framework of IOM Rwandas public health mandate and its commitment to supporting the Rwandan Ministry of Health, IOM in Tender Link : https://www.jobinrwanda.com/job/ipsc-selection-committee-meeting-criteria-calls-expression-interest-ceois-bridge-rwanda-0