Opportunities

Application Deadline: June 6th

Context

Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) affect over 1 billion people globally, primarily in developing countries. National NTD programs, in collaboration with supporting partner organizations, have made substantial strides in combating these diseases. As of February 2025, 55 countries worldwide have eliminated at least one NTD, including 21 countries in the WHO African Region. The number of people requiring treatment has also been steadily declining, with the WHO African Region accounting for 35.3% of the global total as of January 2023—down from 40% in 2022.

Despite this progress, significant challenges persist, largely due to funding shortages that have created gaps in program execution. These financial constraints have caused many performance indicators to fall short of national targets, undermining the effectiveness of interventions and threatening overall progress toward NTD control and elimination.

The Reaching the Last Mile Fund (RLMF) is a global coalition of countries, donors, and partners working to accelerate the elimination of two NTDs, onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis, from Africa and Yemen. With commitments nearing $500 million, RLMF provides financial support, technical assistance, and advocacy to national programs and implementing partners. To ensure strategic and impactful use of these funds, RLMF convenes a Technical Review Panel (TRP)—an independent body of subject matter experts (SMEs) who conduct technical reviews of annual country workplans and budgets.

Role of SMEs

The TRP provides rigorous, evidence-based, and impartial technical reviews to inform donor funding recommendations. Reviews are conducted with reference to RLMF Technical Flags and other core RLMF technical documents and guidance.

For the upcoming review cycle, nine (9) SMEs will be contracted. Each SME will:

• Conduct independent reviews of country submissions (narrative workplans, activity trackers, and budgets),
• Assess technical strengths and weaknesses,
• Recommend adjustments to improve program plans and strategic alignment,
• Provide ongoing support during the revision period in collaboration with country programs and coordinating partners.

SME Profile

All applicants must meet the following criteria:

• 10+ years of experience implementing NTD programs, with a requirement for experience in lymphatic filariasis and/or onchocerciasis programming on the African continent.
• Proven experience and ability to interpret  programmatic activities to inform strategic decision making, including: strategic focus; appropriate mix of interventions and choices on prioritization for maximum impact; program quality, effectiveness and efficiency; development of effective strategies to improve programmatic results.
• Experience reviewing funding proposals, workplans, and technical documents, and drafting high-quality written recommendations and feedback.
• High standards of integrity and ethical behavior
• Ability to work respectfully and effectively with colleagues, from diverse gender, racial, national, ethnic and indigenous backgrounds, and with sensitivity, empathy, and understanding of country contexts, challenges and opportunities including those related to racial, ethnic and indigenous inequalities.
• No current employment or financial ties to any RLMF coordinating partners (Sightsavers, The Carter Center, The END Fund).
• Government staff in RLMF-supported countries are not eligible to apply.

Compensation

Selected SMEs will be compensated at a rate of $1,200 per day for 20 days in total.

• 14 days (8 hours/day) for the initial independent review of country workplans and budgets;
• 6 days for follow-up engagement as needed to support the revision process and finalize recommendations.

Tentative Period of Engagement: August 11 – October 24, 2025

Please note: This timeline may begin earlier or later by 1–2 weeks depending on final country submission dates.

Submission Guidelines: Please submit your CV to RLMF-TRP@deliveryassociates.com by June 6, 2025.