Consultant to Support Evidence Generation for Resource Mobilization for the National Cancer Intervention Fund (NCIF) in Nigeria
Remote | Abuja | Remote - Based
- Organization: WHO - World Health Organization
- Location: Remote | Abuja | Remote - Based
- Grade: Consultancy - International Consultant - Internationally recruited Contractors Agreement
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Occupational Groups:
- Public Health and Health Service
- External Relations, Partnerships and Resource mobilization
- Closing Date: 2025-12-09
Background and Rationale
Cancer has emerged as one of Nigeriaâs most significant public health and socioeconomic challenges. According to Globocan 2022, Nigeria records approximately 124,815 new cases and 78,899 deaths each year, with an age-standardized incidence rate (ASR) of 113.6 per 100,000 and a mortality rate of 74.6 per 100,000. The most prevalent cancers are breast (22.7%), cervical (12.3%), and prostate (11.3%), which together account for nearly half of all diagnosed cases. Late presentation remains a defining feature of Nigeriaâs cancer burden â with over 60% of patients diagnosed at stage III or IV â resulting in poor survival outcomes and high treatment costs.
Despite the rising burden, cancer control in Nigeria faces significant financing and policy bottlenecks. Less than 1% of the national health budget is allocated to cancer and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs), while over 70% of cancer care expenditure is out-of-pocket. The Nigeria Cancer Health Fund (CHF), launched in 2020, subsidized treatment for indigent patients but reached only a small proportion of those in need due to budget constraints.
The National Cancer Intervention Fund (NCIF), established by the Federal Ministry of Health and governed by the NCIF Governing Council, is a national financing mechanism designed to mobilize, pool, and strategically allocate resources for cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and palliative care. The NCIF represents a major policy innovation to create a sustainable cancer financing structure through domestic, donor, private sector, and philanthropy.
Goal and Objectives
Overall Goal:
To generate the evidence and investment framework necessary for sustainable resource mobilization and operationalization of the NCIF in Nigeria ahead of its first multistakeholder summit in Q1 2026.
Specific Objective:
Conduct a situational analysis of Nigeriaâs cancer landscape including disease burden, policy environment, financing, infrastructure, technology, and stakeholders, as well as a resource mapping exercise to identify existing human, financial, infrastructural, and data resources relevant to cancer control.
Methodology and Implementation Framework
This activity will adopt a mixed-methods approach combining desk reviews, stakeholder consultations, quantitative and qualitative analyses. This will be conducted under the guidance of the NCIF Governing Council and WHO Nigeria.
The project will use a mixed-methods, evidence-driven approach involving:
⢠Desk reviews of national and global documents (National Cancer Control Plan, health budgets, WHO and IARC reports).
⢠Key informant interviews (FMoH, NHIA, Ministry of Finance, private sector, NGOs, donors).
⢠Quantitative data analysis of disease burden, expenditures, and infrastructure capacity.
Evidence generation through conducting situational analysis and resource mapping
Expected results
1.Comprehensive understanding of Nigeriaâs cancer landscape.
2.Mapping of existing resources and financing gaps
Overall deliverables
Indicator | Baseline | Target | Means of verification |
Situational analysis completed | 0 | 1 | Final validated report |
Resource mapping completed | 0 | 1 | Resource inventory and report |
Detailed tasks
Workstream | Tasks | Deliverables | Number of Days |
Situational Analysis and Resource Mapping | Conduct an inception meeting with NCIF and WHO to confirm understanding of objectives, methodology, and timelines. Prepare an Inception Report detailing approach, analytical framework, data sources, stakeholder engagement plan, and work schedule. Review existing literature, policies, and datasets on cancer burden and control in Nigeria. Analyze epidemiological data (incidence, prevalence, mortality, survival rates) by cancer type and region. Assess the policy, institutional, and governance landscape (NCCP, cancer registries, service delivery pathways). Evaluate health system readiness â infrastructure, equipment, human resources, and technology. Map the stakeholder ecosystem (government, private sector, CSOs, academia, donors). Identify gaps and strategic opportunities for NCIF alignment. Identify and catalogue existing resources relevant to cancer control: ⢠Financial: Government allocations, donor programs, private and philanthropic funding. ⢠Human: Oncologists, radiologists, nurses, technicians, public health professionals. ⢠Infrastructure: Cancer treatment centers, radiotherapy machines, diagnostic facilities Data and Technology: Cancer registries, digital health platforms, tele-oncology. Develop a national-level resource inventory database and conduct a gap analysis | Inception report Situational Analysis Report Resource mapping | 5 5 4 |
Alignment with National and Global Priorities
This activity directly contributes to:
1.Nigeriaâs National Cancer Control Strategy (2025â2030)
2.WHO Global Initiative for Cancer Control (GICC)
3.The Global NCD Action Plan 2025â2030.
4.SDG 3.4 on reducing premature NCD deaths.
The establishment of the National Cancer Intervention Fund (NCIF) marks a critical turning point in Nigeriaâs fight against cancer. This activity will provide the situational analysis and data required to transform cancer control financing in Nigeria, align resources, and save thousands of lives.
Coordination, reporting and oversight
The consultant will work closely with and report to the NCIF Governing Council Secretariat.
WHO Nigeria will provide technical oversight and quality assurance.
Education and experience
-University degree in one of the following: Medicine, Nursing, and other related public health fields from a recognized University.
-Additional qualification with Master of Public Health from a recognized University and training on epidemiology
-Demonstrate strong expertise in noncommuicable diseases particularly on cancer/health policy/public health with at least 10 yearsâ experience in health systems strengthening.
-Experience conducting situational analysis, health programme review and any other related areas
-Working experience in related areas with WHO, other UN agencies or other recognized public health organization.
-Proficiency in written and spoken English
Competencies
- Producing results
- Teamwork
- Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
- Communication
- Ensuring the effective use of resources
Duty station
-Remote
Duration of agreement
-14 working days
Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.