Terms of Reference – Short-term Consultancy
Title: Fellowship Programme Support & Capacity Development Consultant
Duration: October 2025 – June 2026
Location: Primarily virtual, with possible short in-person missions to Dakar, Senegal

1. Background
The African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC) is a premier pan-African research institution headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, with regional offices in West Africa (Dakar, Senegal).
The West Africa Regional Office (WARO) plays a critical role in advancing evidence generation, research capacity strengthening, and policy engagement across the region, with work spanning reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health and nutrition (RMNCAH+N), demographic dynamics, and environment, climate, and health.
Within this mandate, WARO coordinates the Countdown to 2030 (CD2030) Fellowship Programme, which builds the next generation of African researchers by embedding earlycareer scientists in applied research and policy processes. Since its inception, the Fellowship Programme has supported multiple cohorts of fellows across sub-Saharan Africa, focusing on strengthening analytical skills, mentorship, and knowledge translation. The programme has become a cornerstone of APHRC’s Research and Related Capacity Strengthening (RRCS) agenda in West Africa.
To sustain continuity and ensure effective delivery of ongoing fellowship and training initiatives, APHRC seeks to engage a consultant to support the coordination of the CD2030 Fellowship Programme, training activities, and capacity development efforts, with occasional contributions to other WARO research units, including the Demographic Dynamics, Population, and Health (DDPH) Unit.

2. Objectives
• Ensure effective coordinatiion and delivery of the Countdown to 2030 Fellowship Programme.
• Provide technical and logistical support to the planning and implementation of training and capacity development activities.
• Support the DDPH Unit in specific programme and training initiatives.
• Strengthen engagement, communication, and visibility of fellowship and training outcomes across the region.

3. Scope of Work / Key Activities
The consultant will undertake the following activities:

A. Countdown Fellowship Programme (Primary Role)
• Coordinate ongoing activities for existing and new fellowship cohorts, including quarterly follow-up with fellows and supervisors, monitoring deliverables, and supporting reporting and payments.
• Support onboarding of new fellows and maintain updated records and fellowship databases.
• Organize and facilitate fellows’ analytical training sessions and biostatistical workshops (virtual and in-person as needed).
• Prepare quarterly and annual reports on fellowship progress for Countdown secretariat and donors.
• Facilitate linkages between fellows, APHRC staff, and regional/global partners.

B. Training & Capacity Development
• Support design and delivery of at least one short-term training course (e.g., research methodology, data analysis, or scientific writing) targeting researchers in West and Central Africa.
• Assist in agenda development, logistics coordination, and documentation of WAROled workshops and webinars.
• Contribute to knowledge-sharing activities (e.g., blog posts, case studies, communication updates).
• Provide technical support to DDPH initiatives, including research-policy engagement workshops.

C. Communication, Engagement, and Partnerships
• Support organization of at least two knowledge-sharing or networking webinars between fellows, Countdown Secretariat, and partners.
• Contribute to strengthening partnerships with universities, research centers, and policy institutions.
• Support visibility of the Fellowship Programme and training g activities through communication products (blogs, reports, case studies).

4. Deliverables & Milestones
• Quarterly fellowship monitoring reports (October–December 2025, January–March 2026, April–June 2026).
• Finalized reports for Analytical Training 2 and Biostatistical Workshop (from 2025 cycle).
• At least two knowledge-sharing webinars successfully organized (by March and June 2026).
• One short training course designed and delivered (by Q2 2026).
• Updated Fellowship Programme database (90% complete by June 2026).
• Attendance of WARO monthly meetings and share updates
• At least one external communication product (blog, policy brief, or article) showcasing fellowship or training outcomes

5. Timeline
The consultancy is structured into three key phases. The timeline below is tentative and may be subject to adjustment based on programme needs, partner availability, or other operational considerations:
• October–December 2025: Finalize pending 2025 reports, follow-up on Q3, and Q4 fellowship deliverables, organize webinar.
• January–March 2026: Quarterly monitoring, training/course preparation, support to DDPH initiatives, submit midterm note.
• April–June 2026: Deliver short-term course, organize second webinar, finalize programme reports, submit final consultancy report.

6. Level of Effort and Duration
• Estimated 6–8 working days per month, with flexibility depending on programme milestones and events.
• Occasional in-person missions to Dakar (2–3 short visits, subject to need and availability).
• Duration: Nine (9) months: October 2025 – June 2026.

7. Required Qualifications
• Master’s degree in Public Health, Epidemiology/Biostatistics, Demography, Health Policy, Development Studies, or a closely related field.
• Minimum of three years of relevant experience in coordinating fellowships, research capacity-strengthening programs, or academic training initiatives.
• Demonstrated experience in organizing and facilitating technical trainings and workshops, both virtual and in-person.
• Proven ability to provide technical and administrative support to early-career researchers and manage multi-country program activities.
• Familiarity with RMNCAH+N or broader health systems research in sub-Saharan Africa.
• Strong skills in report writing, data management, and communication, with proficiency in common collaboration tools.
• Excellent project management and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Fluency in English and French (spoken and written) required.
• Availability for 6–8 working days per month, with flexibility for short missions to Dakar or other locations as needed.

Desirable
• Experience with multi-country research fellowship initiatives.
• Experience contributing to funding proposals, partnerships, or communication outputs (blogs, briefs, case studies).

8. Application Process
Interested candidates are invited to submit the following documents in PDF format:
• A letter of interest, highlighting relevant experience and availability.
• A current CV, outlining qualifications and prior work in research capacity strengthening, fellowship coordination, or programme management.
• Two references (professional or academic), including their full contact details.