Lead Simulation Exercise Consultant- Henipah Viral Disease Outbreak Response

Family Health International; Makati; On-site; PHP 1,500,000 - 2,100,000; Full time

Job summary

FHI 360/Philippines is seeking a Lead Simulation Exercise Consultant for the STRIDES Project to lead the design, planning, and execution of a One Health Hybrid Functional and Field Simulation Exercise simulating a Henipah viral outbreak. You will manage scenario development, injects, evaluation tools, and coordination across government agencies and partners.

You will facilitate workshops, lead the exercise flow, supervise facilitators and evaluators, and drive the After-Action Review and

Qualifications

• Design and facilitation of simulation exercises (TTX, Functional, Field)
• One Health outbreak preparedness and response
• Development of Master Scenario Events Lists (MSELs) and injects
• IMS/ICS/PHEOC operations knowledge
• Strong stakeholder engagement and report writing skills

Responsibilities

• Lead technical design, planning, implementation, facilitation, evaluation and reporting of a One Health Hybrid Functional and Field Simulation Exercise on Henipah outbreak response
• Coordinate exercise materials review, validation and stakeholder participation
• Facilitate hotwash sessions, participant debriefings and AAR/Improvement Planning
• Ensure readiness of venues, equipment and exercise control structures
• Coordinate exercise participation across government agencies and partners

Skills

Simulation design

Facilitation

Evaluation & AAR

Public health

One Health

Stakeholder engagement

Technical writing

Education

Advanced university degree in Public Health or related field

Job description

FHI 360/Philippines (www.fhi360.org) is in search of candidates for the position of Lead Simulation Exercise Consultant - Henipah Viral Disease Outbreak Response for STRIDES Project.

About FHI 360:

FHI 360 is a nonprofit organization that mobilizes research, resources and relationships so that people everywhere can access the opportunities they need to lead full, healthy lives. Our staff of more than 2,000 experts work in over 50 countries around the world.

PROJECT OVERVIEW:

The Strengthening Infectious Disease Detection Systems (STRIDES) Project is a U.S. Department of State-funded initiative that supports countries, including the Philippines, in preventing, detecting, and responding to emerging infectious disease threats. The project works to strengthen surveillance and disease detection capacities at national and subnational levels through integrated human and animal health systems and targeted technicalassistance.

To strengthen preparedness for zoonotic disease outbreaks and public health emergencies, STRIDES will conduct a One Health Hybrid Functional and Field Simulation Exercise (SimEx) focused on a simulated Henipah Viral Disease outbreak in a selected STRIDES-supported province. The exercise will assess outbreak detection, reporting, investigation, laboratory referral, emergency management, risk communication, field response, and multisectoral coordination mechanisms.

Given the complexity of planning and conducting a multisectoral simulation exercise, STRIDES requires a Lead Simulation Exercise Consultant to provide technical leadership for exercise planning, scenario design, facilitation, evaluation, hotwash activities, and After-Action Review (AAR) processes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF TASKS TO BE PERFORMED:

The consultant will lead the technical design, planning, implementation, facilitation, evaluation, and reporting of a One Health Hybrid Functional and Field Simulation Exercise on Henipah Viral Disease outbreak response. Responsibilities include:

1. Inception and Planning

• Conduct stakeholder consultations and planning meetings.

• Review emergency preparedness and response plans, SOPs, IMS protocols, risk assessments, andpreviousexercise reports.

• Conduct an exercise needs assessment.

• Facilitate a scoping workshop.

• Develop an Exercise Concept Note includingobjectives,methodology, evaluation strategy, timeline, and resource requirements.

• Define RACI roles and responsibilities for theSimExstructure.

2. Exercise Design and Technical Preparation

• Finalize exerciseobjectives,methodology, assumptions, rules of play, evaluation approach, and safety considerations.

• Develop the Master Scenario Events List (MSEL) and inject matrix.

• Prepare aSimExToolkit including facilitator guides, evaluator guides, participant handbook, exercise handbook, agenda, and briefing materials.

• Develop monitoring and evaluationtoolsand performance indicators.

• Coordinate stakeholder review and validation of exercise materials.

3. Scenario and Inject Development

• Develop detailed functional and field exerciseinjects.

• Ensure progression from animal healtheventto zoonotic spillover, laboratory confirmation, outbreak declaration, and emergency response activation.

• Incorporate operational challenges such as PPE shortages, specimen transport delays, community resistance, and media inquiries.

• Ensure scenario events support realistic One Health decision-making.

4. Site-Specific Exercise Planning and Stakeholder Coordination

• Support participant selection and engagement.

• Conduct facilitator and evaluator training.

• Coordinate exercise management briefings.

• Verify readiness of venues, equipment, communication systems, and exercise control structures.

• Coordinateexerciseparticipation across relevant government agencies and stakeholder groups.

5. Exercise Facilitation and Conduct

• Serve asLeadFacilitator and/or Exercise Controller.

• Manage exercise implementation.

• Coordinate facilitators, evaluators, role players, and support staff.

• Deliver injects andmanageexercise flow.

• Facilitate hotwash sessions and participant debriefings.

6. Evaluation, Hotwash, AAR and Improvement Planning

• Finalize evaluation tools.

• Brief evaluators and observers.

• Facilitate hotwash discussions.

• Lead the formal After-Action Review and Improvement Planning Workshop.

• Consolidaterecommendations, corrective actions, and priority improvement areas into the AAR/Improvement Plan.

REQUIRED EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

• Advanced university degree in Public Health, Epidemiology, Veterinary Public Health, Emergency Management, Disaster Risk Reduction, Health Security, One Health, or related field.

• Relevant training in emergency preparedness, simulation exercises, incident management systems, or outbreak response is highly desirable.

REQUIRED SKILLS:

• Design and facilitation of simulation exercises (TTX, Functional Exercises, and Field Exercises).

• One Health outbreak preparedness and response.

• Development of Master Scenario Events Lists (MSELs), injects, and exercise control systems.

• Incident Management System (IMS), Incident Command System (ICS), and Public Health Emergency Operations Center (PHEOC) operations.

• Surveillance, outbreak investigation, contact tracing, laboratory referral systems, biosafety and biosecurity, and risk communication.

• Facilitation of Hotwash, After-Action Review (AAR), and Improvement Planning workshops.

• Strong stakeholder engagement, coordination, technical writing, and report preparation skills.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Demonstrated experience leading public health emergency or One Health simulation exercises.

• Proven experience in exercise planning, scenario development, facilitation, and evaluation.

• Experience working with government agencies, development partners, and multisector stakeholders involved in outbreak preparedness and response.

• Knowledge of zoonotic disease preparedness and response and coordination across human, animal, and environmental health sectors.

• Experience preparing evaluation reports, AARs, and improvement plans.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English.