Background and context

• The Saharawi refugee camps in Tindouf are organized into five main camps, each with a hospital or main health facility serving as a referral point. At daira level there are around 29 primary health posts/dispensaries, which constitute the first point of contact for most health problems and are key for data collection.
• The Saharawi Ministry of Health operates a health information system (SIS) which collects routine data, mainly on paper, from the facilities. These data are periodically aggregated and used to monitor nutrition and basic health indicators. However:
•  Reporting is not near real-time and can be significantly delayed.
  
•  The system is not structured as a standardized epidemiological surveillance system combining indicator-based and event-based surveillance.
•  There is no integrated mechanism to generate automatic alerts when thresholds are crossed or unusual patterns appear.
• The MLRSWHO project aims to establish a near real-time epidemiological surveillance subsystem, built on and complementing the existing SIS, and adapted to the humanitarian and low-resource context of the camps. Affordability, maintainability and simplicity are essential to ensure sustainability.

Objective of the assignment

• To design, develop/configure, test and support the initial deployment of a practical epidemiological surveillance subsystem that:
• Collects indicator-based (periodic) and event-based data from dispensaries and hospitals,
• Covers a standard list of priority diseases and conditions (approximately 1012 epidemic-prone or high-priority events),
• Generates embedded alerts based on agreed thresholds and rules,
  
• Can be operated and maintained with locally available capacities and infrastructure
• Scope of work and main tasks
  
• The selected consultant or firm will work in close collaboration with MoH, MLRS and WHO
• Situation analysis and design
  
• Review existing SIS tools, reporting forms and current notification practices for diseases and outbreaks.
• Map the health structure relevant for surveillance (dispensaries, hospitals, intermediate and central levels; reporting lines).
• Facilitate technical discussions with MoH, MLRS and WHO to:
  
• Define the list of priority conditions (e.g. acute watery diarrhea, bloody diarrhea, suspected cholera, measles, meningitis, acute respiratory infections, acute jaundice, suspected food-borne outbreaks, severe malnutrition events and others as agreed);
• Distinguish clearly between indicator-based and event-based surveillance elements;
• Clarify reporting units, periodicity (e.g. weekly), validation steps and roles.
  
• Prepare a surveillance design document including:
  
• List of diseases/events and agreed case definitions (aligned with MoH/WHO guidance);
• Data elements and minimal dataset;
  
• Data flow (dispensary and hospital to central node, including any intermediate level);
• General system architecture and main technical requirements.
• System development / configuration

• Propose one or more technical options suitable for the context (e.g. simple web-based module, mobile forms with offline capability, integration with an existing platform), clearly explaining advantages and limitations.
• In agreement with MLRS/MoH/WHO, develop or configure the selected solution so that
  
• it allows:
  
• Periodic reporting (e.g. weekly) by facilities;
  
• Recording of event-based alerts (suspected outbreaks, unusual clusters, unexpected deaths);
• Automatic checking of thresholds and rules, with visible flags or simple notifications for alerts;
• Generation of simple tables and graphs for central review and basic analysis.
  
• Ensure that the subsystem:
  
• Can operate under limited connectivity, with options for offline work and later synchronization;
• Is user-friendly for health staff with basic computer skills;
  
• Has basic user management and data protection features in line with MoH guidance
• Testing and initial deployment
  
• Develop a short testing plan for a limited number of facilities (e.g. 35 dispensaries plus one hospital).
• Support MLRS and MoH in the field testing, including short user orientation and observation of real use.
• Adjust the system based on feedback (usability, clarity of alerts, speed, typical errors).
  
• Support initial deployment in all target facilities and central level (user creation, configuration, simple quick start materials).
• Documentation and handover
  
• Prepare simple user instructions (for data entry, viewing outputs, handling alerts).
  
• Prepare basic technical documentation describing configuration, installation steps and roles, to allow future maintenance or scaling up.
• Provide a short final technical note summarizing the approach, key decisions, and recommendations for future development.
• Expected deliverables
  
• Surveillance design document (priority conditions, data model, flows, and architecture).
  
• Functional surveillance subsystem, tested and deployed in agreed sites.
  
• Short test report with findings and adjustments.
  
• User guides and basic technical documentation.
  
• Final technical note with recommendations.
  

Required profile

• For individual consultants:
  
• Degree in computer science, information systems, health informatics or related field.
  
• Minimum 3 years of experience in health information systems and/or surveillance systems in low-resource contexts.
• Experience with indicator-based and/or event-based surveillance desirable.
  
• Demonstrated capacity to design pragmatic, robust solutions that can be maintained locally.
• For firms / organizations:
  
• Demonstrated capacity to design or support health information systems and/or surveillance solutions in low-resource or humanitarian settings.
• This capacity may be evidenced through:
• Previous projects implemented as an organization, or
  
• The cumulative experience of key staff members, including work done under other institutions before joining the current organization.
• Ability to field a multidisciplinary team including at least:
  
• One lead developer / health informatics expert responsible for system design and configuration;
• One public health or surveillance specialist (can be part-time or advisory) to ensure alignment with epidemiological and program needs.
• Clear internal coordination and quality assurance arrangements, indicating how tasks will be divided between technical and public health profiles, and how outputs will be reviewed before submission.
• Demonstrated ability to work in close coordination with ministries of health, NGOs and/or UN agencies, including openness to iterative feedback and joint problem-solving.
• Sufficient administrative and logistical capacity to manage the assignment (contracting, planning of field visits, remote meetings, documentation and timely reporting).

Submission of proposals

• Interested individual consultants and firms/organizations are invited to submit a technical proposal and a financial proposal.

Technical proposal

• The technical proposal should include at least:
  
• A brief description of the understanding of the assignment and proposed approach.
• A short workplan and indicative timeline.
  
• Profiles and CVs of the proposed expert(s).
  
• For firms/organizations, a short description of the organization and relevant experience or capacity.

Financial proposal

• The financial proposal should:
  
• Present a clear total cost for the assignment.
  
• Indicate the main budget lines or unit costs (fees, travel, per diems, communication, other direct costs as relevant).
• Specify the currency used.
  

Format and language

• Proposals should be submitted in English or Spanish.
  
• Proposals should be sent in PDF format, and MO Word format

Submission address and deadline

• The email subject line should clearly indicate the assignment title, for example:
  
• Proposal Name of consultant or firm
  
• The deadline for submission is: 27/01/2026
  

Note

• MLRS reserves the right to request additional information, conduct interviews or clarification meetings, and negotiate technical and financial aspects before final selection