Project: Strengthening Coordination of Outbreak Response (SCORE)

Duration: 6 months

About ACE Group

ACE Group is a mission-driven consulting and non-profit organization committed to eliminating health and social inequities across Africa. We combine systems thinking, research implementation, and impact measurement to design contextually relevant solutions that scale and endure.

Our core capabilities include strategy and systems design, program implementation, monitoring, evaluation, research and learning (MERL), digital innovation, and knowledge translation. Through these capabilities, ACE Group partners with organizations, donors, governments, and communities to strengthen systems, drive innovation, and advance equitable outcomes across the continent.

Role Overview

ACE Strategy & Consults Ltd is seeking a State Outbreak Response Consultant (Ogun State & Kaduna) to support the implementation of SCORE at the state level. The consultant will serve as the primary coordination focal point, working closely with state and LGA stakeholders to support field implementation, adapt operational tools, and track progress, learning, and challenges across project activities. The Strengthening Coordination of Outbreak Response (SCORE) project seeks to improve coordination between NPHCDA, NCDC, and sub-national actors for more effective outbreak preparedness and response, w

Objective of the Assignment

The Consultant will:

• Support state-level diagnostic assessment of outbreak preparedness and response coordination.
• Serve as the state focal point for SCORE implementation and stakeholder coordination.
• Support planning, coordination, and supervision of KIIs, FGDs, and validation engagements.
• Facilitate state and LGA-level adaptation and operationalization of revised SOPs and tools.
• Support capacity building of healthcare workers and relevant actors involved in outbreak response.
• Track, document, and report implementation progress, challenges, and lessons learned.
• Strengthen linkages between state systems and national coordination architecture

Scope of Work / Responsibilities

A. Diagnostics Phase

The consultant will:

• Support stakeholder mapping and engagement with:
  • SPHCB, SMOH, EOC, State Incident Manager, DSNO, partners, and LGAs.
• Coordinate and support KIIs and FGDs, including:
  • Scheduling
  • Local logistics
  • Supervision of data collection
  • Validation of state-specific findings
• Support contextual validation of findings from the national desk review and field diagnostics.

B. Operationalization Phase

The consultant will:

• Support adaptation and localization of revised SOPs, tools, and job aids for state and LGA use.
• Coordinate and support capacity building activities, including:
  • Trainings
  • Orientation sessions
• Support rollout and early use of revised tools and coordination mechanisms in selected LGAs/PHCs.
• Provide hands-on implementation support to state and LGA actors during the piloting phase.
• Support other interventions identified to address gaps/challenges from desk review findings
• Facilitate continuous engagement between the state and the national technical team.

C. Monitoring, Learning & Adaptation Phase

The consultant will:

• Support the tracking of implementation fidelity, usability, and adoption of revised SOPs and trainings.
• Support collection of process monitoring data and qualitative feedback from users.
• Contribute to learning reviews, reflection sessions, and adaptation discussions.
• Support the national team and M&E specialists in synthesizing state-level learning

D. Coordination & Representation

The consultant will:

• Serve as ACE/SCORE’s official state-level focal point.
• Maintain strong working relationships with:
  • SPHCB, SMOH, EOC, DSNO, LGAs, and partners.
• Ensure professional conduct, confidentiality, and ethical engagement at all times.
• Provide regular structured updates to the national team.

Deliverables

• State-level input into the diagnostic findings and system mapping.
• Supervision and support documentation for KIIs/FGDs and validation activities.
• State-adapted versions of SOPs, tools, and job aids (in collaboration with the national team).
• Reports from capacity building and rollout activities.
• Monthly progress reports covering:
  • Activities conducted
  • Implementation status
  • Challenges, risks, and emerging lessons
• Final state implementation & learning report, including sustainability recommendations.

Qualifications & Experience

• Degree or background in Public Health, Epidemiology, Health Systems Management, or related discipline.
• Experience working within state-level health systems in Nigeria, preferably in Ogun/Kaduna state
• Familiarity with Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR), Incident Management Systems (IMS), and EOC operations.
• Strong skills in stakeholder engagement, facilitation, and coordination with multi-sectoral teams.
• Demonstrated experience in training and capacity building at community or LGA levels.
• Proficiency in data interpretation and reporting using tools such as Excel, PowerPoint, or simple visualization software.
• Ability to work independently while maintaining strong communication with the national team.

Reporting & Supervision

The consultant will:

• Report directly to the Project Manager through the assigned Technical Lead.
• Work in close coordination with the State Primary Health Care Board, State Ministry of Health, and other relevant MDAs.
• Participate in weekly check-ins and review meetings with the national team.

Level of Effort & Location

• This is a full-time consultancy based in Ogun/Kaduna with regular field visits to LGAs and PHC facilities.