Project: Outbreak Response Coordination Strengthening

Location: Abuja (Funded travel to project priority states)
Duration: 6 months
Reports to: Project Manager

1. Background

The outbreak response coordination strengthening project seeks to strengthen how coordination of outbreak response between multiple MDAs can be strengthened by improving the alignment of national and sub-national protocols, harmonizing MDAs contributions, and identifying systemic gaps across vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs) outbreak response. A critical component of this effort is the conduct of a diagnostic exercise that will examine all the standard components of VPD outbreak response in Nigeria

To support this effort, ACE Strategy and Consults Ltd is seeking an experienced consultant who will work as part of its technical team, contributing to the design, implementation, and monitoring of outbreak response support to stakeholders.

2. Scope of Work / Responsibilities

The consultant will:

• Provide technical expertise for the diagnostic review of outbreak response systems at national and pilot states
• Apply epidemiological expertise to assess and synthesize information on surveillance, coordination, logistics, case management, community engagement, and reporting structures to identify gaps and opportunities for improvement.
• Support the review, adaptation, and standardization of outbreak response guidelines, SOPs, reporting tools, and job aids, ensuring relevance at PHC and community levels.
• Contribute to strengthening capacity of frontline health workers and state actors through training, mentoring, and practical readiness exercises.
• Support monitoring and evaluation efforts, including the definition of indicators, collection of baseline and follow-up data, and synthesis of findings into actionable recommendations.
• Engage with government stakeholders, partners, and subnational actors to validate insights and foster alignment across levels.
• Contribute to knowledge transfer and capacity strengthening within ACE and partner institutions to ensure sustainability of improvements.

3. Deliverables

• Produce a diagnostic review report highlighting strengths, gaps, and opportunities in national and state-level outbreak response systems
• Provide revised and standardized outbreak response tools, including updated guidelines, SOPs, and practical job aids.
• Contribute training materials and capacity-building resources for frontline health workers and subnational actors.
• Support the development of a monitoring framework with agreed indicators, baseline/follow-up data, and reporting dashboards.
• Deliver synthesis reports and presentations with actionable recommendations for national and state-level stakeholders.

4. Qualifications & Experience

• Advanced degree in Epidemiology, Public Health, or related discipline.
• Minimum of seven years of progressive experience in outbreak response, applied epidemiology, or emergency public health.
• Proven expertise in outbreak diagnostics and evaluations, with hands-on experience at the field and community levels.
• Strong familiarity with Nigeria’s health system, including national, state, and community structures.
• Demonstrated knowledge of IDSR, IHR (2005), and IMS/EOC structures.
• Proficiency in data analysis and qualitative software (e.g., R, STATA, NVivo), with the ability to synthesize and clearly communicate complex technical information.
• Strong capacity to engage and collaborate with government officials, technical experts, and community stakeholders.
• Experience in community demand generation or large-scale public health interventions (e.g., polio campaigns, mass drug administration, or health communication campaigns) will be considered an advantage.

5. Reporting & Supervision

The consultant will report directly to the Project Manager and work in close collaboration with relevant MDAs and sub-national consultants.