Request for Proposal (RFP) at the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN)

The Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) is a Swiss-based foundation launched at the UN in 2002 to tackle the human suffering caused by malnutrition. Working with both governments and businesses, we aim to transform food systems so that they deliver more nutritious food for all people.

At GAIN, we believe that everyone in the world should have access to nutritious and safe food. We work to understand and deliver specific solutions to the daily challenge of food insecurity faced by poor people. By understanding that there is no “one-size-fits-all” model, we develop alliances and build tailored programmes, using a variety of flexible models and approaches.

Applications are invited for:

Title: Request for Proposal (RFP) - EatSafe in Nigeria: Intervention Assets and Communication Materials for Implementation Activities in Kebbi and Sokoto States

Background
EatSafe (Evidence and Action Towards Safe, Nutritious Food) aims to generate evidence and knowledge of the potential of increased consumer demand for safe food to substantially improve the safety of nutritious foods in informal market settings in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The five-year program is funded by USAID and is undertaken by a consortium led by GAIN and containing the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Pierce Mill Education and Media as well as Busara Centre for Behavioural Economics (Busara). In Nigeria, where GAIN holds a country office, programme activities will be focused on different cities and markets within Kebbi and Sokoto States. Phase I objectives involved conducting formative research and generating evidence on consumer and vendor knowledge, perceptions, needs, choices, and practices related to the safety of nutritious foods purchased in informal markets, as well as evidence on hazards associated with the market and the target food commodities. The program is currently on its Phase II activities which (amongst others) includes the implementation and rigorous testing of behaviour change interventions to empower consumers and vendors to demand and sell safer food in traditional markets.

Key to the Phase II of the program is the testing and implementation of interventions designed in based on the results of Phase I. In one market each in Kebbi (Central) and Sokoto (Dankure), GAIN will be implementing the following five interventions:

• An Alliance for Safe Food to bring together all stakeholders around the issue of food safety in traditional markets
• A Safe Food Stand in the market to disseminate and engage consumers with relevant food safety content
• A safe food brand/certificate and award for vendors implementing best food safety practices post-training and other awareness, sensitization and mobilization channels
• A safe food commodity festival or event in the market or other preferred location near it to celebrate benefits of food safety compliance by actors/stakeholders in the food supply chain
• A safe food radio show to tell human-centered, context specific stories on food safety to stimulate hearers’ interest and understanding to encourage or enable them initiate and/or improve positive behaviors.

To this end, GAIN will need several communication materials tailored for each intervention (including but not limited to: banners, certificates, pamphlets, checklists, training manuals, props, stickers, etc.).

GAIN will provide written content for the materials (including new and novel behavioural messaging), and provide previously completed primary research on consumer and vendor perspectives to help guide the consultant. All materials must have consistent and compliant USAID Feed the Future branding and marking per EatSafe requirements and must be culturally-relevant and reflective of local contexts (see below).

Scope of Work and Deliverables
GAIN seeks a Communications organization (Contractor) to support the design and printing of communications materials and assets to support EatSafe’s interventions in Nigeria. The contractor will work in coordination with GAIN staff in the Nigeria and United States country offices and with other program partners (i.e., consortium partners as listed above) as needed. Under the direction of GAIN staff, the broad objectives of the work to be undertaken by the Contractor are:

• Develop culturally-relevant and locally-resonant communication assets and materials in Hausa language for the five distinct change interventions listed above (e.g., banners, certificates, pamphlets, check-lists, training manuals, stickers, props)
• Consult with GAIN on the content, method and behavioural approaches for communication material (s) for each intervention.
• Provide expertise in design for intervention certificates, logos and brands.
• Draft a communication and dissemination plan for each intervention in compliance with their implementation schedule, and finalize with GAIN.
• Provide ad hoc design and printing support as needed.
• Work with EatSafe staff to ensure compliance with USAID branding and marking requirements, as needed.
• Execute the printing of the communication material in quantities needed in consultation with GAIN. For proposal development – please include costs for the following:
  • 10 market banners (5ft x 2ft)
  • 200 coloured pamphlets
  • 200 flyers
  • 40 coloured training manuals (20 pages each)
  • 200 Stickers

Expected Expertise

• The Contractor, possibly comprising multiple teams within a single organization, must have significant (at least 10 years) of prior experience with:
  • Designing communication materials (pamphlets, logos, brands, certificates, etc.) and implementing communication strategies or dissemination plans for the general public, particularly in traditional markets (or similar informal settings)
  • In terms of logistics and familiarity with the study context, contractor must have positive working experience in Kebbi or Sokoto State, along with fluency in written English and Hausa
  • Demonstrable familiarity with how communication materials can influence attitudes and behaviours.
  • Knowledge on food safety communications (preferred).
  • Previous work on developing communication materials for traditional markets or similar informal settings (preferred).
  • Past experience working on a USAID funded (preferred)
• The Contractor must have a track record of successful collaboration with national, regional, and international organizations.
• The Contractor must possess excellent project management, planning, organizational and time management skills, excellent writing, and communication skills, and must be able to communicate very well across diverse audiences.

Application Closing Date
3rd May, 2022.

Submission of Documents
Interested organizations should send: (a) maximum 8-page expression of interest including qualifications, prior relevant experience with examples of previous communication materials, available structures and staff, and a preliminary workplan with estimated work days with daily rates and detailed budget; and (b) brief (< 3 pages) CV for each key staff member, highlighting recent relevant experience to: rfp@gainhealth.org

N/B: Please use the subject line "EatSafe in Nigeria".

Click Here (PDF) for more clarifications on the RFP.