Request for Quotation / Tender for Gender Analysis Across 5 BMGF Priority States at Health Systems Consult Limited (HSCL)

Health Systems Consult Limited (HSCL) is a duly registered international health and development consulting firm with a vision of becoming a leading firm providing sustainable development solutions in Africa and a mission to provide high-impact and cost-effective technical assistance towards improving access to quality health care and achieving sustainable development.

HSCL provides a broad spectrum of health and development services including, but not limited to, health program design and implementation; operational research; private sector engagement; innovation & digital technology; human resources for health, and health systems strengthening approaches. HSCL has established offices in Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Tanzania and has also done work in several African countries including Gambia, Ghana, Uganda, Guinea, Mauritius, Kenya and others. While in Nigeria, HSCL has footprints across the 36+1 states.

Applications are invited for:

Title: Request for Quotation / Tender for Gender Analysis Across 5 BMGF Priority States (Bauchi, Borno, Gombe Bauchi, Sokoto And Yobe)

Reference Code: RFP/HSCL23/TAC/002
Locations: Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Sokoto and Yobe

Project Background

• HSCL is supporting the Technical Advice Connect LTD/GTE (TAConnect) to conduct a Gender Analysis across five (5) Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) priority States (Borno, Bauchi, Gombe, Sokoto and Yobe)). The analysis will be conducted at the State, Local Government Area (LGA), Healthcare Facility, Community and Household levels.
• This assignment aims to support gender and GBV analysis to identify gender roles and norms, gender-related issues and GBV response, gaps, constraints, and resources or structures that affect sexual behaviour, risk-taking, health-seeking behaviour, and access to and utilization of RMNCH+N continuum of care. 
• Specific objectives of this engagement include:
  • To Identify the extent to which gender roles and norms affect access to and utilization of the RMNCH+N continuum of care.
  • To examine harmful gender norms and practices that affect sexual behaviour, risk-taking, and health-seeking behaviour, as well as access to and utilization of the RMNCH continuum of care.
  • To assess GBV response availability, adequacy, and quality of clinical and non-clinical post-GBV services.
  • To examine the relationship between gender and access to income and productive resources, including education, that may impede access to RMNCH+N services.

Roles and Responsibilities of the Data Collection Firm (locally based)
The locally based data collection firm will be responsible for the following:

• Tool Translation: translating the data collection tools from English to the local dialects used in the target communities. Post data collection, the firm would also translate the findings/transcript back to English and all raw data sets would be submitted to HSCL.
• Recruitment of Enumerators: The firm will identify and recruit qualified and experienced enumerators, with priority given to females who meet the set criteria. The exact number of enumerators to be engaged would be co-determined with the HSCL team and would be hinged on the respondent’s size and the scope of the data collection. The firm would ensure that the engaged data enumerators are residents in the respective project states, have good understating of the socio-cultural norms across the localities, fluency in the local language, and familiar with the terrain.
• Training for Data Collection: The HSCL study team will co-lead the data collection training, which can be done in a hybrid fashion]. The firm will ensure that qualified and experienced enumerators are present and provide all necessary materials for the training, pilot testing, and actual data collection. The training would be done for more than the actual number required to proactively provide for replacements and any poor performing enumerator, to ensure a quality output from the field activities.
• Pilot Testing of Data Collection Tools: The data collection team will conduct a small pilot test. The data collection company will be responsible for coordinating the logistics, including identifying appropriate participants and providing feedback to HSCL for modifying the study (where necessary).
• Data Collection: Conduct data collection activities, including stakeholder mapping, scheduling and carrying out interviews, and in line with best practices. The firm will coordinate all logistics for this assessment in all the project states and all levels. Information on the precise timing, location, and interviewees will be provided by HSCL prior to final engagement to gain consensus on the task. The firm will also ensure that all research ethical standards and approvals are adequately followed and gotten respectively.
• Communication and Reporting: The data collection firm will be responsible for providing daily debrief sessions and submission of the daily field report to the HSCL team. The Firm will resolve challenges encountered on the field, feedback provided by the HSCL team and if a challenge cannot be resolved, immediately escalate in line with established escalation models.

Data Collection Tools to be Deployed:

Specific Deliverables:

• Translated community and household level data collection tools (English to Local Language)
• Training kit for data collectors.
• Data collectors training report
• Cleaned and translated dataset (Local Language to English).
• Audio recordings and transcriptions of Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) and Focus Group Discussion (FGDs)

Required Eligibility of Interested Organization
The organization wishing to serve as the locally based data collection firm on this consultancy is expected to have the following competencies and track record to be eligible to apply:

• Strong knowledge of the terrain and dynamics of the stakeholders within the health sectors in the five (5) project states.
• Familiarity with the operations of RMNCAH+N in the states.
• Track record of successful implementation of community entry, stakeholder engagement, and data collection management initiatives.
• Have a verifiable local presence in at least one of the five assignment states.
• Evidence of Registration with Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) forms 02 and 07.

Project Duration:

• This assignment is expected to be implemented within 4 weeks in each state running concurrently.

Evaluation Criteria

• The firm is required to submit a technical proposal stating its understanding of the task and how it intends to deliver on the scope of work described above over the duration of the project.

The Technical Proposal (not exceeding 6 pages) should contain the following:

• Company profile.
• Evidence of similar work conducted.
• Technical approach, description of activities and deliverables.
• Proposed team structure.
• Performance management plan with key indicators.
• Anticipated risks and mitigation plan.
• Budget Summary.

Financial proposal:

• An Excel sheet of the budget

Application Closing Date
9th June, 2023.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified firms / contractors should send their technical proposals and financial proposals to: procurement@hscgroup.org copying: ikigwe@hscgroup.org, and joffornedo@hscgroup.org using “Data Collection Firm Application" as the subject of the email.

Disclaimer

• All costs associated with the preparation and submission of the tenders/quotes by the bidders shall be borne by the bidders. Such a cost cannot be recovered from HSCL by the bidders. Also, HSCL is not under any obligation to consider any tender submitted and HSCL reserves the right to cancel or discontinue the tender without informing the bidders.

Zero Tolerance to corrupt Practices Date

• HSCL has zero tolerance to all forms of corrupt practices including but not limited to bribery, kickbacks, collusion, corruption, extortions, facilitation payments. If a staff member of HSCL demands from you any form of unethical arrangement during any of the stages in this procurement, you can send an email or call the phone numbers provided below:

Email address: admin@hscgroup.org
Phone No: +234 810 633 5967 OR                    
Email address: gdadu@ace3.hscgroup.org
Phone No: +234 806 451 7281  

Note

• This is a double envelope submission and must be submitted accordingly.
• All calls or emails messages to the above phones numbers and email addresses will be treated with utmost confidentiality.
• Any bid/quote submitted later than the stated deadline will not be considered.