Terms of Reference: Consultant to support the validation and finalisation of an African Continental Health Data Governance Framework

Details of work required: Transform Health in partnership with the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) is recruiting a consultant to provide technical and legal support for the validation and finalisation of an African Continental Health Data Governance Framework. This will involve supporting the planning and execution of a  validation workshop and updating the framework following the workshop, in preparation of its adoption. 

Expected duration: This work should be carried out between August and October 2026 (3 months).

A. Background

As Africa accelerates digitalisation of health systems, increasing reliance on health information exchanges, surveillance systems, artificial intelligence, genomics, and cross-border data sharing has exposed persistent governance gaps related to privacy, interoperability, legal safeguards, ethical oversight, cybersecurity, and sovereignty. These gaps continue to undermine public trust, delay evidence-based decision-making, and weaken regional coordination during outbreaks and public health emergencies.

Africa CDC is an autonomous health institution of the Africa Union charged with the responsibility of promoting the prevention and control of diseases in Africa. In response the abovementioned, Africa CDC has developed the Draft African Continental Health Data Governance Framework (ACHDGF) as a strategic legal and policy instrument to guide Member States in establishing secure, ethical, interoperable, and sovereign health data governance systems across the continent. The Framework responds directly to Africa CDC’s statutory mandate under Article 5 to facilitate access to critical information, improve data quality, strengthen interoperable systems, and ensure timely dissemination of information for disease prevention, surveillance, emergency preparedness, and health security. It also advances Pillar 4 of the Africa Health Security and Sovereignty agenda by promoting digital transformations, data-driven decision-making, and strengthened health information systems across the continent.

To validate the Framework with AU Member States, with the view to facilitate its consideration and adoption at the AU Summit in 2027, Africa CDC, in collaboration with Transform Health, will convene a 3-day continental validation workshop from 1-3 September 2026 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. This workshop will bring together Member States and strategic partners to review, refine, and validate the draft Framework before submission to the Africa CDC Governing Board and AU Policy Organs. The desired impact is to secure Member State ownership, technical validation, and continental consensus on a harmonised framework that strengthens sovereign health data governance while enabling secure and trusted cross-border collaboration. A virtual multistakeholder technical consultation on the draft Framework will also be carried out to capture expert input from a wider network of stakeholders.

B. Scope of work

In support of this work, Transform Health, in partnership with Africa CDC, is seeking to recruit a consultant to provide technical and legal support for the validation and finalisation of the African Continental Health Data Governance Framework. This will include the following key activities:

• • Review and ensure a thorough understanding of the purpose, content and expected use of the draft Continental Health Data Governance Framework
  • Support the planning and execution of the continental validation workshop, including: 
    • Leading the co-creation of the validation workshop programme with Africa CDC, Transform Health and the facilitator, including the format of the workshop, agenda, workshop objectives, guiding questions and expected outputs of each session, overall expected outcomes of the workshop, roles and responsibilities, etc.  
    • Preparing background materials/pre-reading for workshop participants (to be shared ahead of the meeting)
    • Preparing workshop materials, such as information resources for participants, presentations, templates to capture participants’ feedback.
    • Ensuring that all requirements are in place for a formal validation process as part of the African Union and member state requirements.
  • Attend the workshop taking place 1-3 September 2026 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
    • Support with facilitating sessions during validation meeting
    • Provide technical and legal backstop support during the workshop

• • Support the planning and execution of a virtual multistakeholder technical consultation on the draft Framework in mid-September (including consultation to capture expert input from a wider network of stakeholders including civil society, academia, youth and women’s groups, researchers and the private sector, including local digital health innovators, health-tech implementers, AI developers and technology partners, multilateral institutions and development banks, whose perspectives will help ensure the Framework works in practice and reflects the perspective of the entire ecosystem. This includes:
    • Preparing the consultation concept note and approach, objectives, guiding questions and expected outputs, overall expected outcomes, roles and responsibilities, etc.
    • Preparing background materials/pre-reading for participants, to be shared ahead of the meeting (adapted from validation workshop materials).
    • Preparing workshop materials, such as presentations, and templates to capture participants’ feedback (adapted from validation workshop materials).
    • Provide technical and legal backstop support and support with facilitation during the consultation.
  • Draft a summary report of workshop discussions and outcomes, feedback on the Framework, and recommendations for updating and finalising the Framework.
  • Draft a summary report of consultation discussions and outcomes, and feedback on the Framework.
  • Update the draft Continental Health Data Governance Framework based on feedback from the workshop and consultations and prepare it for:
    • Final review (no-objection/silence procedure) by Member States by end September, ahead of adoption at the AU Summit.
    • Submission to the Africa CDC Governing Board and AU Policy Organs by mid- October, together with other supporting documents, ensuring all governance requirements are met. 

This work will be largely carried out remotely, with travel to the validation workshop in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Travel expenses will be included in the consultant remuneration.

C. Key deliverables and deadlines

D. Profile and experience

We are looking for a consultant with regulatory/legislative expertise in the areas of digital health and health data governance in Africa. We are particularly interested in a consultant with experience in drafting and reviewing legislation/regulatory frameworks. The consultant should have strong research and analytical skills, with the ability to synthesise findings and make clear recommendations. 

E. Application process

To apply, please submit the following to hr@transformhealthcoalition.org by 23:59 CET on 19 July: 

• • Your CV and cover letter outlining your experience relevant to this consultancy.
  • Your proposed daily rate, number of days for the assignment (with a breakdown by task), and total budget.

Recruitment timeline:

• • Deadline to submit applications: 19 July 2026 (23:59 CET)  
  • Consultancy start date: ~1 August 2026 

F. Contract details and terms

• • Consultancy period: ~1 August – 31 October 2026 
  • Available budget for this assignment is approximately 8000-$12,000 (including travel, per diem and accommodation if based outside of Addis Ababa) 
  • Remuneration will be based on experience and proposal 

Transform Health is a global coalition of more than 230 organisations dedicated to achieving universal health coverage (UHC) by 2030 by harnessing digital technology and the use of data. We bring partners and networks together, leveraging our shared experience and expertise, to shape policy agendas, influence decision makers, develop tools, provide technical support to governments and others, and conduct research and analysis to deliver health for all in the digital age.