Request for Consultant Services Proposal (RFP): STRIDES Ethiopia Zonal Polio Surveillance Consultants

Background:

The STRIDES program (Strengthening Infectious Disease Detection Systems), funded by the U.S. Department of State supports countries to strengthen surveillance systems critical to global health security and polio eradication. As part of its polio portfolio, STRIDES is supporting efforts to improve the quality and performance of Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) surveillance and environmental surveillance (ES) systems in alignment with Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) standards.

Despite ongoing partner support, persistent gaps remain in AFP case detection, investigation, specimen collection and transport, ES functionality, reporting pathways, and data quality in select geographic areas. A rapid, multi-partner surveillance system assessment is required to identify root causes of underperformance and inform targeted, evidence-based interventions in priority counties. This assessment will directly support STRIDES’ objective to strengthen surveillance systems and improve early detection of poliovirus transmission.

Objective s Purpose of Consultancy:

The Strengthening Infectious Disease Detection Systems (STRIDES) Activity is seeking ten (10) zonal polio surveillance consultants to lead polio surveillance activities (See Chart below). The zonal polio surveillance consultants will work under the day-to-day guidance and supervision of the STRIDES Project Director. They will provide technical support to an assigned zone for AFP and environmental surveillance activities, including active case search, supervise reporting sites, support AFP case investigation, strengthen implementation of standard surveillance protocols in coordination with existing surveillance structures, support coordination of any outbreak response activities, and evaluate outbreak response activities. This position is field based, and the officer is expected to work very closely with and support the Zonal Health Department (ZHD), Ethiopia Public Health Institute (EPHI), Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH),GPEI partners and woreda health offices.

Scope of Work:

The consultant will work under the direction of STRIDES Ethiopia leadership in collaboration with EPHI and GPEI partners to support the following surveillance systems assessment activities:

General

• Provide technical support to the Zonal Health Department (ZHD), Regional Health Authorities, FMOH and EPHI in planning, implementation, supervision and monitoring of AFP and environmental surveillance and outbreak response activities.
• Assist in training and building the capacity of zonal, woreda, facility and community-based disease surveillance and response focal persons.
• Catalyze and support the rapid and effective implementation of proven strategies to reduce emergence and circulation of poliovirus and other public health events.
• Undertake any other related responsibilities as assigned by supervisors.

Detailed duties and responsibilities Coordination and Partner Engagement

1. Closely collaborate with government counterparts and multiple levels, EPI team and GPEI partners in polio outbreak investigations and other response activities.
2. Conduct zonal and woreda level surveillance and immunization review meetings with the government and polio partners.
3. Closely collaborate with government counterparts (national /regional polio Emergency Operation Centers (EOC) and GPEI partners in identifying, planning and implementing polio outbreak response activities.

Surveillance and Case Detection

1. Identify and engage special populations including internally displaced populations (IDPs) and establish locally functioning surveillance mechanisms to promptly detect events/outbreaks and monitor trends.
   1. Keep database of health facilities and other potentially active sites for AFP, jointly make active site prioritization, Zonal risk assessment for polio and other vaccine preventable diseases, develop and implement risk mitigation activities as part of surveillance enhancement in the outbreak and risk areas.
   2. Make priority-based and well-documented (using mobile/electronic platform) regular active case search and integrated supportive supervision visits to focal sites including IDP camps and conduct AFP investigations and 60-day follow-ups.
   3. Ensure daily, weekly, and monthly surveillance reports are prepared and transmitted to the next higher level.

Outbreak Response

1. Support outbreak response activities; participate in investigations, household surveys, monitoring supplementary immunization activities (SIA) and routine immunization, and other response activities, and ensuring reports are prepared and transmitted timely.
2. Support microplanning activities for outbreak response including mapping of special populations (e.g. internally displaced populations (IDPs), urban slums, refusals, nomads), verification, and establish locally functioning strategies to access all target children.
3. Assist in conducting quality trainings, mobile/electronic based supervision, daily monitoring meetings and sitreps during outbreak responses.

Reporting and Documentation

1. Assist in the writing and submission of complete technical reports to the National Polio Eradication Program documenting all the processes of outbreak responses, surveillance (active and passive) and other activities undertaken.
2. Verify, conduct detailed analyses, and facilitate timely submission of epidemiological, surveillance and outbreak response reports to National Polio Eradication Program within the recommended timeframe.

Training, Supervision, and Monitoring

1. Support supervision, on-the-job training and monitoring of surveillance and response activities ensuring adherence to guidelines, standard case definitions and tools used.

Logistics and Supplies

1. Support logistics and ensure appropriate surveillance supplies and equipment are available at every level (case definitions, case investigation forms, stool cups/specimen bottles, vaccine carriers, etc.)

General Duties

1. Carry out any other assignments assigned by supervisors. Note: Selected contractors will be given a monthly transportation stipend to cover active surveillance activities in targeted zones. A true and accurate accounting of these funds will be required on a monthly basis to reconcile travel related expenses.

Period of Performance:

• June 2026 to September 30, 2026. 90 days subject to renewal.

Location and Travel Requirements: Travel to health facilities

• Location: Afar, Amhara, Benishangul-Gumuz, Gambella, Oromia, Somali and South Ethiopia. See the chart below for zones.

Qualifications:

The consultant must meet the following minimum eligibility requirements:

1. Medical Doctor (MD) from a well-recognized University of Medical Science or College / or BSc Degree in Public Health or Nursing from a well-recognized university or college.

Specific experience in:

1. 1. Demonstrated experience supporting AFP surveillance, environmental surveillance, or integrated disease surveillance systems, preferably aligned with Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) standards.
   2. Familiarity with surveillance data systems, reporting pathways, and sample collection and transport processes, including reverse cold chain considerations.
   3. Minimum of 5 years working in the field of clinical or nursing, disease surveillance, and immunization.
   4. Direct experience in polio surveillance and polio preventive and outbreak response vaccination campaigns; experience working with WHO, other UN agencies, and other international organizations.

Preferred qualifications:

1. 1. Postgraduate qualifications in epidemiology, field epidemiology, public health, pediatrics, or any of the related health science specialties.
   2. Prior experience working with or alongside GPEI partners, Ministries of Health, or U.S. Government-funded programs.
   3. Strong analytical skills with the ability to translate findings into practical, actionable recommendations.
   4. Residency in the targeted or adjacent zones where polio disease surveillance activities will take place strongly preferred.

Skills:

1. 1. Strong written and verbal communication skills in English, with the ability to produce high-quality technical reports.
   2. Knowing local languages of the assigned region is an added advantage