STRIDES Ethiopia Zonal Polio Surveillance Consultants

Request for Proposal: Consultant
Solicitation Title: STRIDES Ethiopian Zonal Polio Surveillance
Consultants
Solicitation Number: FY27-103433-STRIDES-Ethiopia-Consultant-
RFP-002
Submit Questions and Proposal to: STRIDESProcurement@fhi360.org
Date of Issue of RFP: Monday, 19 October, 2026
Date Consultant Questions Due: Wednesday, 21 October 2026, by 5:00PM EDT
Date FHI 360 Responses Due: Friday, 23 October 2026
Date Proposals Due: Monday, 26 October 2026, 11:59PM EDT
Estimated Date Consultant Agreement Early November 2026
Will Be Issued:
Anticipated Contract Term for November 2026 - December 2026
Consultancy:
Method of Submittal:
Submit proposals by email with all required documents attached in Microsoft Word or
PDF format. Submit pricing in Excel format unless otherwise specified.
Quote Validity:
The Consultant's proposed pricing must remain valid for 90 days from the proposal due
date, unless a different validity period is stated in an RFP addendum.
Background
The STRIDES (Strengthening Infectious Disease Detection Systems) Activity, 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.
Request for Proposals 1
October 2026

Scope of Work
The Strengthening Infectious Disease Detection Systems (STRIDES) Activity is seeking a zonal polio
surveillance consultant to lead polio surveillance activities in Oromia and Somali regions (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.
The consultants 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.
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October 2026

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.
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.
Deliverables and Timeline:
Deliverable Description Estimated LOE
1. Closely collaborate with Documented participation and 6 days
government counterparts, EPI, and technical support provided for polio
GPEI partners in polio outbreak outbreak investigations, including
investigations investigation reports, coordination
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October 2026

Deliverable Description Estimated LOE
meeting summaries, and
recommendations submitted to EPHI
and GPEI partners and relevant
authorities.
Updated database and mapping of 4 days
special populations and IDP
2. Identify and engage including
settlements, including established or
internally displaced populations
strengthened community-based polio
(IDPs) and establish locally
surveillance mechanisms and focal
functioning polio surveillance
point networks in targeted high-risk
mechanisms.
areas as documented by written
reports
Maintained and regularly updated 2 days
database of health facilities, informal
health providers, community
reporting sites, and other priority
3. Keep database of health facilities
surveillance locations within
and other potentially active sites
assigned geographic areas with data
and reports sent to government,
GPEI, and FHI 360 as part of monthly
reporting
Completed ODK-based active case 6 days
4. Make priority-based and well- search and supportive supervision
documented (using ODK platform) reports, including visit
regular active case search and documentation, identified AFP/VPD
integrated supportive supervision alerts, corrective actions, and follow-
visits to focal sites including IDP up recommendations for focal sites
camps and IDP camps as documented in
written monthly reports
Documented monitoring and support 4 days
5. Ensure daily, weekly, and monthly
for the availability and distribution of
reports including surveillance, SIA,
surveillance supplies and equipment,
RI, and other response activity
including inventory tracking reports
reports are prepared and
and replenishment requests as
transmitted to the next higher level
needed.
6. Support logistics and ensure 4 days
Documented monitoring and support
appropriate surveillance supplies
for the availability and distribution of
and equipment are available at
surveillance supplies and equipment,
every level (case definitions, case
including inventory tracking reports
investigation forms, stool
and replenishment requests as
cups/specimen bottles, vaccine
needed.
carriers, etc.)
7. Lead and/or closely collaborate 4 days
Coordination and implementation
with government counterparts
support provided for polio outbreak
(national /regional polio EOC), EPI
response activities, including
and GPEI partners in identifying,
participation in planning meetings,
planning, and implementing polio
operational plans, deployment
outbreak response activities
Request for Proposals 4
October 2026

Deliverable Description Estimated LOE
schedules, and response monitoring
reports.
8. Update and/or develop macro and 3 days
micro-plans for vaccination
Updated or newly developed
response activities including
vaccination response macro- and
mapping of special populations
micro-plans, including detailed
(e.g., internally displaced
mapping of special populations and
populations (IDPs), urban slums,
documented strategies to reach
refusals, nomads) and establish
underserved and high-risk
locally functioning strategies to
populations.
access and vaccinate all target
children
Training reports, supervision 4 days
9. Assist in conducting quality findings, daily campaign monitoring
training, ODK-based supervisions, summaries, and situation reports
daily monitoring meetings and (sitreps) documenting
sitreps during intra-campaign and implementation progress, challenges,
post campaign periods and corrective actions during
campaign periods
Comprehensive technical reports 2 days
10. Assist in the writing and prepared and submitted to EPI teams,
submission of complete technical and GPEI coordination structures
report to EPI Team and GPEI summarizing activities conducted,
Coordinator findings, outcomes, lessons learned,
and recommendations.
11. Verify, conduct detailed analyses, Verified and analytically reviewed 5 days
and facilitate timely submission of campaign reports submitted to the
campaign reports to national GPEI coordination office and
national GPEI coordination EPHI within established timelines,
office and EPHI within including data quality assessments
recommended timeframe and performance analysis summaries.
Estimated Working Days: 44 Days
Location and Travel Requirements
Location: Oromia and Somali Region. See the chart below for zones.
SNo Region Zone
1 Oromia Ilu Aba Bor Zone
2 Somali Dawa Zone
Qualifications
The consultants must meet the following minimum eligibility requirements:
Request for Proposals 5
October 2026

* Medical Doctor (MD) or BSc Degree in Nursing or Public Health
* 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.
4. Residency in the targeted or adjacent zones where polio disease surveillance
activities will take place strongly preferred.
* Skills:
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 a requirement.
Evaluation Criteria
Proposals will be evaluated in accordance with the following criteria:
* Technical approach and understanding of the scope of work
* Relevant experience and past performance
* Qualifications of proposed consultant or team members
* Quality and feasibility of proposed deliverables and timeline
* Cost reasonableness and overall value
* Payment will be based upon Level of Effort (LOE) with reimbursement for approved related
budgeted expenses.
Required Documentation
* Technical proposal or written response to the scope of work
* Budget or pricing proposal (in Excel format, to complete the work as indicated in this RFP).
* CV, resume, or profile of the proposed consultant or team members
* Relevant references
* 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).
Request for Proposals 6
October 2026

Future Consideration
Interested consultants may also submit their CV to FHI 360's global consultant database for future
opportunities outside of this RFP: Consult@FHI360
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award.
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proposal.
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discussion.
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solicitation requirements.
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determination, where doing so promotes competition.
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Request for Proposals 7
October 2026