The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) Biosafety and Biosecurity Initiative (BBI) was launched by the Africa CDC in April 2019 with the aim of strengthening the African Union (AU) Member States’ biosafety and biosecurity systems and enabling them to comply with national and international requirements for biosafety and biosecurity including the International Health Regulations (IHR) (2005), the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC), and United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1540 and the multi-country Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA). The World Health Organization (WHO) Joint External Evaluation (JEE) and the Global Health Security Index report confirmed the known capacity gaps in biosafety and biosecurity among Africa Union Member (AU).

The regional consultations by Africa CDC conducted between 2019-2021 highlighted the deficiency or limited availability of standardized and regionally recognized training programs in the continent, limiting biosafety and biosecurity capacity building efforts in the region. In response, Africa CDC working with AU Member States developed a home grown, implementable and accessible professional training and certification program that is both recognized and endorsed by AU Member States. The Regional Training and Certification Program for Biosafety and Biosecurity Professionals, for African Biosafety and Biosecurity Professionals (RTCP-BBP) has four (4) areas of specialization, namely

1. Selection, Installation, Maintenance and Certification of Biological Safety Cabinets
2. Biorisk Management
3. Design and Maintenance of Facilities Handling High Risk Pathogens (Biocontainment Engineering)
4. Biological Waste management

The RTCP-BBP is based on a proficiency matrix intended for use as a guide in assessing individuals’ competencies relative to the programs’ four (4) areas of specialization above. There are three levels of certification, Level 1,2 and 3 as described in the Regional Training and Certification Program for Biosafety and Biosecurity Program.

In order to progress from Level 1 to Level 2 certification, candidates are required to develop and implement an improvement project, conduct practicals and undergo competency assessments in their home country. These in-country activities are undertaken under the guidance and supervision of an Africa Region Subject Matter Expert (Af-RSME)). Working with the assigned Af-RSME, the candidate submits a portfolio of improvement project, practicals and competency evaluation reports to  the Examination and Certification Committee for review and award of Level 2 Af-BBP certification.

Under the RTCP-BBP, a Af-RSME is an Individual that has mastered the principles, concepts and/or methodologies related to the areas of specialization and has demonstrated significant success in performing the most demanding assignments requiring the competency. This knowledge and experience must be demonstrable and documented, with their expertise being recognized by their peers, regionally, Nationally and/or internationally.

The Af-SME will assist Level 1 certified candidates to:

1. Develop, finalize, and submit their Improvement Project proposals to the ECC for approval.
2. Implement the approved Improvement Project ensuring adherence to agreed timelines.
3. Develop and finalize an Improvement Project report for submission to the ECC.
4. Supervise in-country hands-on practical required by the area of specialization and as defined in the RTCP-BBP
5. Conduct in-country competency evaluations required by the area of specialization and as defined in the RTCP-BBP

Africa CDC is requesting for applicants to be considered as Af-RSME under the RTCP-BBP. Applicants that meet the criteria listed below should submit their expression of interest.

1. Training, Education, Qualification and Experience of Af-RSME

The Af-RSME shall, at minimum, have the following training and qualification(s)

• 3–4-year degree/diploma in a related field as stipulated below
  • Af-RSME for Biorisk Management, Biological Waste Management
    • Human/Animal/Environmental Health, Biotechnology, Microbiology related degree/diploma
  • Af-RSME for Selection, Installation, Maintenance and Certification of Biological Safety Cabinets (BSC)
    • Engineering/Biomedical related degree/diploma.
    • Technical Qualification/Vocational education for technical diploma
  • Af-RSME Biocontainment Engineering
    • Engineering/Biomedical related degree/diploma.

• Post-graduate qualification (e.g., master’s degree, PhD) in any of the related fields above shall be considered as an added advantage and therefore considered in the
• At minimum seven (7) years post-qualification experience for the Selection, Installation, Maintenance and Certification of Biological Safety Cabinets and 5 years for the other three areas of specialization
• Of these seven (7) and (5) years above, at least five (5) and three (3) respectively shall be experience working in the areas of Selection, Installation, Maintenance and Certification of Biological Safety Cabinets and the other three areas of specialization

• Commitment to support at least 2 Level 2 participants in order to remain on the list for Af-RSME. NOTE – Failure to meet this requirement will result in removal from the Af-RSME register. Further period of 24 months will be given to meet the requirement, following which the affected expert will be removed with no option of re-admission 

NOTE: Where a candidate has a PhD, at least three (3) years of experience working in one or  more of the four (4) areas of specializations defined in the RTCP-BSBP shall be required.

The Af-RSME shall be accountable to Africa CDC and the ECC.

The Af-RSME will sign a contact upon each engagement with Level 2 trainees and will receive an honorarium.

When attending meetings scheduled by Africa CDC and ECC, the Af-RSME shall be entitled to reimbursement of travel expenses and a daily subsistence allowance during such meetings at a rate determined by Africa CDC polices.

The Af-BBP is expected to have at least two (2) enrolments in a calendar year. A Af-RSME shall be assigned at most five (5) Level 1 certified candidates seeking to progress to Level 2 certification, and at least two (2) level1 per year. The assigned candidates are expected to submit their completed portfolios to the ECC within twelve (12) months from time of enrolment. During this time period, the Af-RSME is expected to have:

• One (1) virtual/physical meeting with each assigned candidate bi-monthly

Supervise agreed upon practicals for each assigned candidate Conduct one (1) competency assessment per assigned candidate

Interested candidates who meet the criteria should submit their Expression of Interest (EOI) electronically with the following details:

• Background on the Applicant’s qualifications and Supported by an indication how these qualifications and experience relate to the proposed roles and responsibilities of the Af-RSME
• Capability Statement. The Capability Statement is a description of the Applicant’s work history and/or experience in the area of specialization of (i) Biorisk Management; (ii) Biological Waste management, (iii) Design, Maintenance and Management of High Containment Facilities, (iv) Selection, Installation, Maintenance and Certification of Biological Safety This should include but is not limited to, a narrative description of the work done, how it was done and the results. There should be a clear connection on how this is related to the roles and responsibilities of the Af-RSME.
• An updated Curriculum Vitae,
• Letters from at least three (3) current and contactable references with their contact information (email and mobile number),
• Original copies of all the original relevant degrees, diploma and in-service training certificates,
• Original copies of any professional registration certifications/confirmations
• To proceed with your application, please complete the form below before September 30 2025. Ensure all fields are properly filled and all required documents are attached. Once you have verified the information and attachments, click the “SUBMIT” button to finalize your submission.

The ECC will evaluate the applications based on preset standards relevant to the specific roles, responsibilities, training and experience stated in this request for EOI. An evaluation matrix with assigned weighted numerical scoring values will be used to rate each applicant.

The ECC reserves the right, but is under no obligation, to enter into discussions with one or more respondents in order to obtain clarifications or additional details.