Request for proposals for Evaluating and Highlighting the PIHOA Field Epidemiology Training Program Closing Date: 21 Jan 2026 Type: Consultancy BACKGROUND Established in 1986 by the chief health officials of the US-Affiliated Pacific Islands (USAPI) of American Samoa, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), Guam, Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI), and the Republic of Palau, the Pacific Island Health Officers Association (PIHOA) is a 501(c)3 headquartered in Honolulu, Hawaii, with a field office in Hagåtña, Guam.PIHOAs mission is to provide, through collective action and decision-making, a credible regional voice for health advocacy in and for the Pacific. Today, PIHOA is governed by the ministers, directors, and secretaries of health of the five USAPI representing American Samoa, FSM, Guam, Palau, and RMI (Board of Directors) and their respective deputies, FSM state-level directors, and the Chief Executive Officers of the local public hospitals (Associates). PIHOA also has Affiliate members comprised of Pacific regional professional associations and development partners. PIHOA leadership have identified the following as key regional priorities for health systems strengthening: 1) health workforce development/human resources for health; 2) health information systems, epidemiology, and surveillance; 3) performance improvement; 4) laboratory services; 5) regional health policy and advocacy; 6) health security; and 7) partnership engagement. A key program for PIHOA is its Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP) called Strengthening Health Interventions in the Pacific (SHIP). SHIP is implemented under the auspices of the Pacific Public Health Surveillance Network (PPHSN) with PIHOA implementing the program in the USAPI and the Pacific Community (SPC) implementing the program in the other Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs). PIHOA has been implementing SHIP since 2013, with approximately 18 cohorts delivered, and 199 participants graduated to date. All SHIP participants are current employees of their respective governmental health agencies. The program uses a from work, for work, at work approach, meaning instructors use examples from the relevant jurisdiction, participants develop projects that address local priority issues, and participants time in the program is protected as part of their workday. The SHIP curriculum includes traditional FETP training areas such as infectious disease outbreak prevention and response, and data collection, management, and analysis. The program also addresses two areas of particular interest in the Pacific: improving non-communicable disease surveillance and strengthening health information systems. SHIP is comprised of three degrees, which are conferred by Fiji National University (FNU): Post-Graduate Certificate in Field Epidemiology (PGCFE) Post-Graduate Diploma in Applied Epidemiology (PGDAE) Master of Applied Epidemiology (MAE) not yet launched. In October 2025, the PIHOA SHIP program was accredited by the Training Programs in Epidemiology and Public Health Interventions Network (TEPHINET), a true milestone that validates the quality and impact of the curriculum, training, and graduates. The SHIP program has undergone two external evaluations, one in 2017 and another in 2023. PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF WORK PIHOAs current five-year Cooperative Agreement (CoAg) with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) ends in July 2026. As we prepare for the next CoAg, PIHOA would like to conduct an evaluation that includes standard elements, such as the number of graduates and the programs impact on health systems and communities. We would also like to showcase the program through accessible and engaging multimedia products. To achieve this, PIHOA is seeking to contract an individual or team who can gather information via a desk review and interviews about the history, milestones, accomplishments, lessons learned, and impact of the SHIP program. This content would then be presented in a Project Report and, for select data and stories, in appropriate and compelling multimedia products. This work may be done virtually, or the contractor(s) may choose to include travel to the USAPI. Key tasks will include: Conducting a desk review and developing the Project Report outline: With the SHIP Program Manager and SHIP Administrator, conduct a desk review of existing documentation, including the background and history of SHIP, evaluation reports, TEPHINET documentation, data on cohorts and graduates, milestones, etc. This documentation is already organized and is ready for review. With the SHIP Program Manager and the Regional Health Information Systems and Health Security Coordinator (RHHSC), develop an outline with the major sections for the Project Report. Examples of sections include introduction, purpose, methods, findings, and description of multimedia products, among others. This document will be continuously updated throughout the contract period until it is finalized. Developing ideas with the SHIP team: With the SHIP Program Manager, SHIP Administrator, and other SHIP team members, develop ideas that capture specific stories of impact. Impact may include areas such as preparedness and response for public health emergencies, workforce capacity building, and information sharing across jurisdictions. Impact from the funders perspective will also be important. Begin to develop ideas about what data/stories could be presented in what ways. For example, the basic cohort and graduate numbers could be presented in a simple chart for the Project Report, as well as in a story map. A summary of the history of SHIP could be included in the Project Report, but an animated video could show the history, milestones, and path forward for the program. Quotes from an individual graduate or health leader could be included in the Project Report; however, the interview could also be condensed into a short video. Preparing for, gathering, and analyzing information in line with agreed-upon data and stories: Develop any instruments required, such as interview guides. The SHIP Program Manager and SHIP Administrator will assist with additional information as needed. They can also help arrange interviews. Developing the Project Report and multimedia materials: The multimedia materials should be easily shareable and presentation-ready. The contractor(s) is/are required to meet virtually with the SHIP Program Manager monthly or as necessary. Monthly reports accompanying monthly invoices are also required. The reports include bullet points on main activities and accomplishments (including completed deliverables), any challenges encountered, and the steps taken to address them, as well as anticipated activities for the next reporting period. III. SCHEDULE OF DELIVERABLES ACTIVITY: With assistance from the SHIP Program Manager and SHIP Administrator, conduct a desk review (at least one virtual meeting) ACTIVITY DATES: Meeting in Week 1 (weeks are counted from the contract execution date) ACTIVITY SUBMISSIONS & DATES: Desk review by the end of Week 2. No submission required. ACTIVITY: Consult with the SHIP Program Manager and RHHSC about the outline for the Project Report (at least one virtual meeting) ACTIVITY DATES: Meeting in Week 1 SUBMISSIONS & DATES: Working draft of the Project Report with major sections outlined by the end of Week 2. ACTIVITY: Meet with SHIP team to develop ideas for data, stories, and multimedia product formats ACTIVITY DATES: Meeting in Week 3 SUBMISSIONS & DATES: Ideas documented in the Project Report by the end of Week 3. Ideas must be approved by the SHIP Program Manager before proceeding. ACTIVITY: With assistance from the SHIP Program Manager and SHIP Administrator, prepare for, gather, and analyze information ACTIVITY DATES: Likely to be a rolling process depending on interviewee availability. Expected to be largely finished by June 30th, 2026. SUBMISSIONS & DATES: Documentation in relevant sections of the Project Report (any instruments used, methods, findings, etc.) completed by June 30th, 2026. ACTIVITY: Develop multimedia products and continue with the Project Report ACTIVITY DATES: Ongoing through June 30th, 2026. Expected to be an iterative process working with the SHIP Program Manager to finalize products. SUBMISSIONS & DATES: Final versions of products and Project Report. ACTIVITY: All final products (Project Report and multi-media products) submitted ACTIVITY DATES: No later than July 31, 2026 SUBMISSIONS & DATES: Final multimedia products, including source file components. Final Project Report ACTIVITY: Submit monthly progress reports and invoices ACTIVITY DATES: Ongoing throughout the contract period. Submitted no later than 7 days after the end of each calendar month. All final reports and invoices must be submitted no later than July 31st, 2026. SUBMISSIONS & DATES: Progress reports (the working draft Project Report will be the main recording of the project. Only a brief summary is required for the progress reports) Invoices MANDATORY QUALIFICATIONS This contract requires an individual or team with skills in both public health evaluations and multimedia production. At least 5 years of experience conducting public health evaluations using both qualitative and quantitative methods. At least 3 years of experience compiling information and producing and editing engaging public service multimedia products. KNOWLEDGE AND DEMONSTRATED MASTERY Knowledge of the principles and best practices of public health and health systems in resource-constrained settings. Technical mastery of and ownership of various multimedia software and tools. Ability to communicate effectively with respect and diplomacy with people from differing backgrounds, cultures, and varying degrees of English speaking and writing comp Tender Link : https://reliefweb.int/job/4193824/request-proposal-evaluating-and-highlighting-pihoa-field-epidemiology-training-program
