Project Title: Africa Centres for Disease Control Support Program to Combat Current and Future Public Health Threats (P178633) – IDA-E1110
Application Deadline: 23 July 2025
Bid Number: ET-AUC-496159-CS-INDV
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), a specialized technical agency of the African Union, is seeking an experienced individual consultant to lead the development of a comprehensive infodemic management system. This initiative is part of Africa CDC’s broader effort to enhance public health resilience and response across the continent, with a specific focus on addressing misinformation and disinformation during public health crises.
Background
Since its establishment in 2017, Africa CDC has played a central role in disease surveillance, emergency response coordination, and health promotion across African Union (AU) Member States. The COVID-19 pandemic revealed significant gaps in the management of information during public health emergencies, including the rapid spread of misinformation that undermined health interventions, generated stigma, and decreased public trust.
In response, Africa CDC aims to institutionalize infodemic management capabilities that incorporate digital tools, social listening, and rapid response mechanisms. This consultancy is designed to support that goal by developing a robust digital infrastructure, enhancing internal staff capacity, and ensuring the long-term sustainability of these systems.
Objective of the Assignment
The primary objective is to design and implement an integrated digital platform for infodemic management, enabling Africa CDC to track, analyze, and respond to misinformation in real time. The consultant will also be responsible for equipping internal teams with the tools, knowledge, and protocols necessary to manage infodemics effectively in both current and future health emergencies.
Scope of Work
Under the supervision of the Director of Communication and Public Information and with support from the Advocacy, Social Mobilization, and Risk Communication (RCCE) Division, the consultant will:
1. Develop a Digital Infodemic Management Platform
- Create a real-time digital tool to monitor misinformation and public sentiment.
- Incorporate artificial intelligence and data analytics to automate the detection of misinformation trends.
- Design a data visualization dashboard to support decision-making.
- Develop a rumor-tracking tool that assesses misinformation’s impact on public health behaviors.
2. Enhance Africa CDC Staff Capacity
- Draft Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for system use and management.
- Conduct capacity-building workshops and training sessions for relevant staff.
- Ensure integration with existing Africa CDC and national surveillance platforms, where applicable.
3. Promote Inclusive Communication
- Apply gender equity and inclusive communication principles to all deliverables and activities.
- Develop guidelines to ensure the platform serves diverse and vulnerable populations across AU Member States.
Key Deliverables
- A fully operational digital platform for misinformation tracking and response.
- Comprehensive SOPs and technical documentation.
- Training reports outlining knowledge transfer to Africa CDC staff.
- Midterm and final progress reports detailing milestones, challenges, and recommendations.
- A structured handover package including user manuals and training guides.
Consultant Qualifications
- Master’s degree in Public Health, Health Information Systems, Data Science, or a related field.
- Minimum of seven years’ experience in infodemic management, digital surveillance, or public health emergency response.
- Proven track record in developing digital platforms for health information systems.
- Experience delivering training and building capacity for public health professionals.
- Familiarity with Africa’s public health landscape is a strong asset.
- Fluency in at least one AU working language (English, French, Arabic, Portuguese, Spanish, or Swahili); additional language skills are advantageous.
Duration and Consultancy Fee
- Duration: 4 months from the contract start date.
- Total Fee: USD 40,000 (inclusive of consultancy fees, accommodation, travel to Addis Ababa, and taxes).
Governance and Support
The consultant will report to the Director of Communication and Public Information and work in close coordination with the Principal RCCE Coordinator and the Digital Health Information Systems team. Africa CDC will provide necessary infrastructure support, including office space, internet, and visa facilitation.
Post-Deployment Responsibilities
Following deployment, the consultant will provide limited remote technical support and lead a formal knowledge transfer session with Africa CDC personnel to ensure sustainability and internal capacity development.
Evaluation Criteria
- Education and Qualifications: 20 points
- Technical Experience and Expertise: 80 points
Application Requirements
Interested consultants should submit:
- A detailed cover letter
- Updated curriculum vitae
- Relevant certificates and references
- Portfolio of previous work related to infodemic management
- Contact information for two professional referees
Submissions must be sent by 15:00 (Addis Ababa Time) on 23 July 2025 to:
Email: [email protected] and copy [email protected]
Further inquiries may be directed to Africa CDC during business hours (8:00–13:00 and 14:00–17:00).
Africa CDC remains committed to supporting AU Member States through data-driven, inclusive, and responsive public health strategies.
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