Consultancy services to Develop a National Interoperability Framework for Health Information Exchange in Two Member States — Africa Centres for Disease Control Support Program to Combat Current and Future Public Health Threat

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST (CONSULTING SERVICES– INDIVIDUAL SELECTION) COUNTRY: Ethiopia NAME OF PROJECT: Africa Centres for Disease Control Support Program to Combat Current and Future Public Health Threats Project (P178633) Grant No.: IDA-E1110 ASSIGNMENT TITLE: HIRING OF INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANTS TO DEVELOP A NATIONAL INTEROPERABILITY FRAMEWORK FOR HEALTH INFORMATION EXCHANGE IN TWO MEMBER STATES ( Tunisia and Seychelles) REFERENCE NO.: ET-AUC-568094-CS-INDV ISSUE DATE: 3 SEPTEMBER 2026 The African Union has received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of the Africa Centres for Disease Control Support Program to Combat Current and Future Public Health Threats Project. The Project Development Objective is to enhance the capacity of Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) to support AU Member States in preventing, detecting, and responding to current and future public health threats and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services. 1. BACKGROUND Health Information Systems interoperability is a foundational requirement for implementing national Health Information Exchange (HIE). A robust, standards-based interoperability framework is essential to enable secure data exchange, support system integration, and establish the technical and governance foundation for sustainable HIE implementation. Findings from the HIE maturity assessments conducted across AU Member States have identified interoperability as a high-impact priority, critical to enabling subsequent phases such as governance strengthening and phased digital health system implementation. As part of the support by Africa CDC in implementing HIE across Member States, digital maturity assessments were conducted in 12 AU Member States, alongside the development of HIE roadmaps. Following this, Africa CDC will support two of countries, Tunisia and Seychelles, through the engagement of two individual consultants to support each of the countries to design and develop comprehensive interoperability frameworks aligned with international best practices and tailored to their national contexts. 2. OBJECTIVES The purpose of this assignment is to design two country-specific, standards-based national interoperability frameworks that provide: A structured architecture for health data exchange Governance and institutional coordination mechanisms Standards alignment and implementation guidance A phased, actionable roadmap for national HIE implementation 3. SCOPE OF WORK The consultants will provide technical leadership and advisory support to develop national interoperability framework as a foundational component of its Health Information Exchange (HIE). The consultants will conduct a structured review of the current digital health ecosystem, identify interoperability needs and gaps, and design a comprehensive framework aligned with internationally recognised best practices. The scope of work includes: Defining a layered interoperability model addressing technical, semantic, organisational, and legal dimensions, Proposing standards-based data exchange approaches aligned with recognised international frameworks, Developing high-level architecture principles to guide secure system integration, Providing governance guidance to support institutional coordination and oversight, Identifying security, privacy, and sustainability considerations, Developing a phased implementation roadmap suitable for national adoption, Developing an M&E framework. The consultants will conduct consultations, technical discussions, document reviews, and validation sessions with designated counterparts. The assignment focuses on framework development and strategic planning; it does not include system procurement, software development, or direct implementation activities. Specific institutional stakeholders and documentation to be reviewed will be provided by the Ministry of Health 4. EXPECTED DELIVERABLES AND TIMELINE Deliverable Description Purpose Format Indicative Timeline Inception Report Detailed workplan, methodology, stakeholder engagement plan, and information requirements To establish a clear implementation approach and confirm expectations with Africa CDC and national counterparts Structured report (Word/PDF) with timeline and milestones Within 2 weeks of contract start Situational Analysis and Interoperability Landscape Review Assessment of current digital health systems, standards usage, data exchange practices, and interoperability gaps To provide an evidence-based baseline for framework design Analytical report with diagrams and findings By end of Month 2 Draft National Interoperability Framework Draft framework outlining architecture principles, governance guidance, standards alignment, security considerations, and interoperability layers To present proposed national framework for technical and stakeholder review Comprehensive technical framework document By end of Month 4 Validation Workshop Materials and Revised Framework Presentation materials and updated framework incorporating stakeholder input To ensure national ownership and technical validation Slide deck plus revised framework document Month 5 Final Interoperability Framework and Implementation Roadmap Finalized framework and phased implementation roadmap with recommendations and executive summary To provide an actionable, endorsed national interoperability framework Final report with roadmap and executive summary End of Month 6 5. METHODOLOGICAL APPROACH EXPECTATIONS The consultants are expected to apply internationally recognized best practices in digital health interoperability, drawing on established guidance and frameworks such as those promoted by global public health and standards organizations (for example WHO digital health guidance, HL7 interoperability standards, ISO principles for information systems, Open HIE architectural approaches, etc). The methodology should be consultative, evidence-based, and iterative, ensuring alignment with national priorities and feasibility within institutional capacities. The approach should demonstrate clear consideration of security, privacy, scalability, governance alignment, and long-term sustainability. The consultants should ensure that recommendations are practical, actionable, and structured for phased implementation. Consultants may exchange information among themselves to explore approaches, tools, strategies that may make their efforts more effective. 6. DURATION AND LEVEL OF EFFORT The assignment will be conducted over a maximum period of six months. The level of effort is expected to be full-time or near full-time engagement as required to complete deliverables within agreed timelines. Specific start and end dates: Upon signing contract. 7. DUTY STATIONS Duty station and modality: In country at the Ministry of Health of the respective countries (Tunisia and Seychelles) 8. REPORTING AND INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS The consultants will report technically to Director of Surveillance and Disease Intelligence at Africa CDC and the Ministry of Health-designated national counterparts. The consultants will work closely with relevant technical teams and stakeholders identified by the Ministry to ensure that the interoperability framework reflects national priorities and institutional realities. The Consultants should have a strong understanding of the national digital health ecosystem. They will be based in-country and will regularly engage with key stakeholders through meetings and consultations. In addition, regular coordination meetings, technical discussions, and document review sessions will be held with Africa CDC and relevant national stakeholders to ensure alignment and steady progress. Oversight and review mechanisms, including designated focal points, validation procedures, and formal approval processes, will be established at the start of the assignment. These arrangements will define communication channels, feedback timelines, and deliverable endorsement procedures to ensure accountability and quality assurance throughout the consultancy period. Administrative coordination and contractual management will be handled by Africa CDC. 9. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE The consultants must possess advanced expertise in digital health interoperability, health information systems architecture, or a closely related field. The consultants should demonstrate substantial experience designing interoperability frameworks, enterprise architectures, or national digital health strategies, preferably at national or multi-country level. The consultant must meet the following requirements: Advanced university degree in health informatics, information systems, computer science, public health, or related discipline, Demonstrated experience developing interoperability frameworks or national health information system architectures, Proven knowledge of global interoperability standards and frameworks, Proven experience working with ministries, public agencies, or international organizations on comparable assignments. Strong analytical and technical writing skills, Fluency in English and French is mandatory for candidates applying to be selected to support Seychelles. Furthermore, fluency in Arabic is required for candidates applying to be selected to support Tunisia, A minimum of ten (10) years of relevant experience is required in areas such as digital health interoperability, health information systems architecture, or national digital health strategy development. Demonstrated knowledge of the preferred country’s health and digital health context, relevant institutions, governance arrangements, and stakeholder landscape, together with proficiency in the country’s applicable working language(s), sufficient to conduct consultations, review relevant documentation, and deliver the assignment effectively. 10. CORE COMPETENCIES The consultant should demonstrate strong professional competencies including strategic thinking, technical leadership, stakeholder engagement, communication skills, and the ability to translate complex technical concepts into practical guidance. The consultant must also show strong organizational skills, ability to meet deadlines, and capacity to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders. 11. CONFIDENTIALITY, DATA PROTECTION, AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY The consultants shall adhere to the highest standards of professional integrity and confidentiality. All information, documents, data, and materials accessed during the assignment shall be treated as confidential and shall not be disclosed to any third party without prior written authorisation. The consultants shall comply with applicable data protection principles and institutional policies concerning the handling of sensitive or restricted information. All reports, frameworks, tools, and materials developed under this assignment shall become the property of Africa CDC and the Ministry of Health. The consultants shall not use, reproduce, or distribute any deliverables or underlying materials for purposes unrelated to this assignment without prior written approval. 12. PAYMENT TERMS AND SCHEDULE Consultancy fees are capped at $50,000 per consultant, totalling $100,000 for two consultants, with each consultant assigned to support one country. Payments will be made upon satisfactory completion and formal acceptance of agreed deliverables, based on a milestone schedule linked to the submission and approval of key outputs. Payments will be made based on satisfactory completion and formal acceptance of agreed deliverables. The payment schedule will be milestone-based and linked to submission and approval of key outputs. An indicative structure is as follows: Milestone Linked Deliverable Payment (%) Approval of Inception Report Inception Report 10 Acceptance of Situational Analysis Landscape Review Report 20 Submission of Draft Framework Draft National Interoperability Framework 30 Conducting Validation Final Framework and Implementation Roadmap 15 Submission of Final Framework and Roadmap Final Framework and Implementation Roadmap 25 Total 100% Payments will be subject to technical validation and written confirmation of acceptance by the designated authority. 13. CLARIFICATIONS, AMENDMENTS, AND COMMUNICATION PROTOCOL All communications regarding this assignment shall be conducted through officially designated focal points identified at the start of the consultancy. Communication channels, reporting frequency, and feedback timelines will be formally agreed upon during the inception phase. Any substantive modifications to the scope of work, deliverables, timeline, or level of effort must be agreed in writing by Africa CDC and the respective Ministry of Health. Amendments shall be formalised through written addenda to the contract, in accordance with applicable procurement procedures. The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to Section III, paragraphs, 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” July 2016 Revised September 2025 (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest. A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Selection of Individual Consultant method set out in the Procurement Regulations. Expressions of interest must be delivered to the address below (by e-mail) before 17th September 2026 at 17:00 Hours Local Time, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Africa Centres for Diseases Control and Prevention Supply Chain Division Administration Directorate Lafto Square, Haile Garment, Africa CDC Office, 4th floor, Room No. 408 For clarification: E-mail: PhiriW@africacdc.org cc: RadebeZ @africacdc.org