STRIDES Ethiopia Zonal Polio Surveillance Consultants

Request for Consultant Services Proposal (RFP)
Solicitation Title: STRIDES Ethiopia Zonal Polio Surveillance Consultants
Solicitation Number: FY26-103433-STRIDES-Ethiopia-Consultant-RFP-004
Date of Issue of RFP: Friday, 18 September 2026
Date Questions Due: Monday, 21 September 2026, by 5:00PM EDT
Date FHI 360 Responds to Questions: Wednesday, 23 September 2026
Date Proposal Due: Friday, 25 September 2026, 11:59PM EDT
Approximate Date Consultant Contract
Issued to Successful Candidate(s): Early October 2026
Method of Submittal:
Questions and Proposal responses should be sent via e-mail to STRIDESProcurement@fhi360.org
with the attached documents in MS Word / pdf / Excel format.
The Consultant agrees to hold the prices in its offer firm for 90 days from the date specified for the
receipt of offers, unless another time is specified in the addendum of the RFP.
Contract Period of Performance: October 2026 - December 2026.
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.
Purpose of Consultancy:
The Strengthening Infectious Disease Detection Systems (STRIDES) Activity is seeking zonal polio
surveillance consultants to lead polio surveillance activities (See Chart below). The zonal polio
STRIDES surveillance consultants will work under the day-to-day guidance and supervision of the
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 consultant 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.
Consultant Solicitation
September 2026

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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
Consultant Solicitation
September 2026

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.
Key Activities Deliverable Dates of Estimated level of
service effort (days)
1. Closely collaborate with government Documented participation and TBD 7
counterparts, EPI, and GPEI partners in technical support provided for polio
polio outbreak investigations outbreak investigations, including
investigation reports, coordination
meeting summaries, and
recommendations submitted to EPHI
and GPEI partners and relevant
authorities.
2. Identify and engage including internally Updated database and mapping of TBD 4
displaced populations (IDPs) and special populations and IDP
establish locally functioning polio settlements, including established or
surveillance mechanisms strengthened community-based polio
surveillance mechanisms and focal
point networks in targeted high-risk
areas as documented by written reports
Consultant Solicitation
September 2026

3. Keep database of health facilities and Maintained and regularly updated TBD 4
other potentially active sites database of health facilities, informal
health providers, community reporting
sites, and other priority surveillance
locations within assigned geographic
areas with data and reports sent to
government, GPEI, and FHI 360 as part
of monthly reporting
4. Make priority-based and well- Completed ODK-based active case TBD 7
documented (using ODK platform) regular search and supportive supervision
active case search and integrated reports, including visit documentation,
supportive supervision visits to focal sites identified AFP/VPD alerts, corrective
including IDP camps actions, and follow-up
recommendations for focal sites and
IDP camps as documented in written
monthly reports
5. Ensure daily, weekly, and monthly reports Documented monitoring and support for TBD 6
including surveillance, SIA, RI, and other the availability and distribution of
response activity reports are prepared surveillance supplies and equipment,
and transmitted to the next higher level including inventory tracking reports and
replenishment requests as needed.
6. Support logistics and ensure appropriate Documented monitoring and support for TBD 6
surveillance supplies and equipment are the availability and distribution of
available at every level (case definitions, surveillance supplies and equipment,
case investigation forms, stool including inventory tracking reports and
cups/specimen bottles, vaccine carriers, replenishment requests as needed.
etc.)
7. Lead and/or closely collaborate with Coordination and implementation TBD 6
government counterparts (national support provided for polio outbreak
/regional polio EOC), EPI and GPEI response activities, including
partners in identifying, planning, and participation in planning meetings,
implementing polio outbreak response operational plans, deployment
activities schedules, and response monitoring
reports.
8. Update and/or develop macro and micro- Updated or newly developed TBD 6
plans for vaccination response activities vaccination response macro- and
including mapping of special populations micro-plans, including detailed
(e.g., internally displaced populations mapping of special populations and
(IDPs), urban slums, refusals, nomads) documented strategies to reach
and establish locally functioning underserved and high-risk populations.
strategies to access and vaccinate all
target children
9. Assist in conducting quality training, ODK- Training reports, supervision findings, TBD 6
based supervisions, daily monitoring daily campaign monitoring summaries,
meetings and sitreps during intra- and situation reports (sitreps)
campaign and post campaign periods documenting implementation progress,
challenges, and corrective actions
during campaign periods
Consultant Solicitation
September 2026

10. Assist in the writing and submission of Comprehensive technical reports TBD 3
complete technical report to EPI Team prepared and submitted to EPI teams,
and GPEI Coordinator and GPEI coordination structures
summarizing activities conducted,
findings, outcomes, lessons learned,
and recommendations.
11. Verify, conduct detailed analyses, and Verified and analytically reviewed TBD 6
facilitate timely submission of campaign campaign reports submitted to the
reports to national GPEI coordination office and
national GPEI coordination office and EPHI within established timelines,
EPHI within recommended timeframe including data quality assessments and
performance analysis summaries.
Total Estimated Level of Effort 61 Days
Period of Performance:
Estimated October - December 2026. 61 days subject to renewal.
Location and Travel Requirements: Travel to health facilities
Location: Amhara and Oromia. See the chart below for zones.
SNo Region Zone
1 Amhara South Wollo, Dessie and Kombolcha Zones
2 Oromia West Wollega Zone
Qualifications:
The consultant must meet the following minimum eligibility requirements:
1. Medical Doctor (MD) / or BSc Degree in Public Health or Nursing.
* Specific experience in:
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. 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.
Consultant Solicitation
September 2026

4. Residency in the targeted or adjacent zones where polio disease surveillance activities will take
place strongly preferred.
Skills:
* Strong written and verbal communication skills in English, with the ability to produce high-
quality technical reports.
* Knowing local languages of the assigned region is an added advantage
Evaluation Criteria:
Proposals will be evaluated in accordance with the following criteria:
* Award will be based upon best value (a combination of qualifications and proposed daily
rate).
* Payment will be based upon Level of Effort (LOE) with reimbursement for approved related
budgeted expenses.
Applicants are also welcome to submit their CV into FHI 360's global consultant database for future
consideration outside of this RFP: Consult@FHI360
Required documentation:
* Completed USAID1420 Biodata Form
* CV with country experience listed and updated to no less than 3 months prior to submission
of proposal
* Cover letter (Letter shall summarize the consultant's qualifications and explain why they
should be added to the pool as well as rate of pay).
* Written response addressing the needs listed in the SOW.
* Estimated budget, in Excel format, to complete the work as indicated in this RFP
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discussion
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awards based on the solicitation activities
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Consultant Solicitation
September 2026