GAIN
GLOBAL ALLIANCE FOR
IMPROVED NUTRITION
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
KEEPING FOOD MARKETS WORKING (KFMW) INFRASTRUCTURAL INVESTMENT IN GOSA AND UTAKO MARKETS.
ISSUED BY THE GLOBAL ALLIANCE FOR IMPROVED NUTRITION (GAIN).

In response to the COVID-19 global pandemic, GAIN developed the Keeping Food Market Working (KFMW), a programme of targeted support to help sustain core food systems, workers and markets during the COVID-19 emergency. GAIN’s goal is to mitigate the collapse of food systems by supporting food markets and the value chain faces potentially in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs), especially in Africa and Asia, which face potentially catastrophic supply and demand disruption. GAIN will achieve this by establishing an emergency response programme to assess and address the challenges facing the food system.

This programme has the overarching goal of mitigating the risk of economic collapse of food systems in order to sustain the availability and affordability of nutritious and safe foods, and contribute to lowering the burden of ill-health, particularly for the most vulnerable. The prospective consultant will be introduced to the relevant market stakeholders including Market Response Units, AMAC representatives, and other peer consultants currently working on the project based on existing relationships already nurtured by GAIN.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP) // VENDOR SERVICES

I.  PROJECT SUMMARY

Over many years of research, FHI 360 has generated substantive and convincing data showing that the doses of depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) are greater than necessary to provide highly effective contraception for the labeled 3-month duration. The existing pharmacokinetic (serum MPA levels) and pharmacodynamic (suppression of ovulation) evidence supports the duration of effectiveness of the current subcutaneous 104 mg DMPA formulation (DMPA-SC) beyond three months. Extending the reinjection interval of DMPA-SC from 3 to 4 months (making it a 3-times-per-year product) would reduce long-term MPA exposure by 25% and reduce risk of accumulation, which would potentially shorten the delay in return to ovulation and fertility and reduce other dose-dependent side effects. Extending re-injection could also improve access to DMPA-SC in resource-constrained settings by reducing programmatic costs and opportunity costs, such as travel expenses, for users.

With support from the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF), FHI Partners, LLC, a nonprofit subsidiary of FHI 360 is conducting several activities to establish the evidence base for and support the registration of a generic DMPA-SC as a 4-month product. The availability of such a product has the potential to improve consumer experience with a significantly lower dose, offer procurement savings that could grow to $10M per year, and alleviate supply chain bottlenecks faced with the current manufacture of Sayana Press®[1].

This scope of work (SOW) will support a two-phased, market research activity focused on user considerations for the introduction of a 4-month DMPA-SC product in Nigeria.

STUDY GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

The goal of this market research is to assess contraceptive user perspectives on, and communication needs for, introducing a 4-month DMPA-SC product to the market for self-injection and provider administration in Nigeria.

Specific study objectives include:

• To assess the acceptability of a 4-month DMPA-SC product (as well as other durations, including a 6-month injectable) among potential and current contraceptive injectable users
• To assess users’ perspectives on having multiple injectable products of different durations in the market
• To develop communication strategies/marketing messages to differentiate the 4-month product from other similar products

DESCRIPTION

This is a two-phased, descriptive, and rapid qualitative market research project, including a Phase I market assessment and Phase II user-centered design (UCD) marketing workshop guided by human-centered design (HCD) principles. FHI 360 seeks the services of a design firm to lead both phases in close collaboration with the local site investigator.

• For the Phase I market assessment, the design firm will conduct small, semi-structured and participatory focus group discussions (FGDs) with adult, female contraceptive users (current injectable users and ‘potential’ users) to generate insights into client preferences and behaviors that can help to shape product development and introduction.
  • The design firm will work closely with the site investigator to ensure that ethical standards are adhered to and that quality data are being collected in accordance with the approved protocol. They will also engage in daily debriefs during data collection to provide updates on progress, and review data capture and findings in a rolling, response-driven and iterative fashion.
• For the Phase II UCD marketing workshop, the design firm will organize and facilitate a one-day event with potential 4-month DMPA-SC product users, drawing upon insights and artefacts generated in Phase I, and in accordance with the approved protocol, to inform ideation activities, and support development of strategic marketing initiatives for product introduction.

The design firm will be responsible for all coordination and logistical tasks related to the planning, scheduling, and successful completion of the Phase I market assessment and Phase II UCD workshop. For both phases the design firm will be responsible for ensuring proper data management, including copies of all informed consent forms, audio recordings, and any other study notes and documents. The activities will be performed in accordance with the study protocol developed by FHI Partners.  FHI Partners is also responsible for obtaining the necessary Institutional Review Board (IRB) approvals prior to study initiation.

PROPOSED SAMPLE SIZE

II.   SERVICES REQUESTED

FHI Partners will award a fixed price purchase order to the selected design firm team to perform Phase I and II market research activities in Lagos, Nigeria. Timelines are contingent upon local Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval but Phase I is broadly estimated to take place over a roughly 3-week period during the months of June to August 2021 and Phase II during the month of September 2021.

All information collected shall become the exclusive property of FHI Partners.

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

• Prepares site for data collection activities
  • Obtains any necessary local approvals (excludes IRB approval)
  • Works with site investigator to initiate FP clinic outreach and relationship-building for recruitment of contraceptive users for both phases
• Ensures all design team members have current research ethics certifications prior to data collection (site investigator will support)
• Collaborates with FHI 360 HQ staff and site investigator on refining the Phase I discussion guide and Phase II workshop facilitation guide
• Participates in study orientations and trainings led by the site investigator and FHI 360 staff
• Translates discussion and workshop facilitation guides, recruitment scripts, and informed consent forms into the local dialects, as necessary
• Identifies, contacts, and recruits study participants for both phases
• Conducts FGDs for Phase I
• Facilitates UCD workshop for Phase II
• Maintains complete and accurate study files
• Maintains participant confidentiality and security of data gathered
• Provides reimbursement to study participants in compliance with the approved protocol and maintains accurate records of disbursements and balances, as required
• Assists in monitoring study progress including updating timelines, tracking data quality, and notifying the site investigator of adverse events
• Leads daily debrief sessions with the site investigator during Phase I data collection and participates in collaborative synthesis sprints with site investigator and FHI 360 HQ at the end of Phase I and Phase II
• Regularly participates in calls with FHI 360 HQ and promptly answers queries during data collection and analysis, as needed
• Summarizes findings into a report for each phase

Location of Work

Lagos, Nigeria

DELIVERABLES

1. Phase I market assessment approach, responsive the study design laid out in the protocol, that includes a detailed recruiting strategy, schedule, and data analysis plan
2. Translated focus group discussion guide, informed consent forms and workshop facilitation guide
3. Pretest report with recommendations for adjustments to the focus group discussion guide, if needed.
4. Weekly data capture share outs during Phase I [data capture mechanism(s) to be determined with input from the FHI 360 HQ study team and site investigator]
5. A Phase I report summarizing high-level findings from data collection
6. A Phase II UCD workshop approach, with examples of rich media assets and collateral to be employed, and facilitation guide
7. A Phase II report summarizing high-level findings from the workshop together with recommendations for a communications strategy and targeted marketing messages
8. An asset repository of tools used, images collected, and collateral generated during Phases I and II, as well as user-generated outputs from Phase II

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS – CONSULTANCY SERVICES
KEEPING FOOD MARKETS WORKING INFRASTRUCTURAL INVESTMENT IN GOSA AND
UTAKO MARKETS.
ISSUED BY THE GLOBAL ALLIANCE FOR IMPROVED NUTRITION (GAIN)

I. PROJECT BACKGROUND AND SCOPE OF WORK
1. ABOUT 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.

OXFAM CONSULTANCY ON CAPACITY BUILDING ASSESSMENTS FOR PARTNERS

JUSTIFICATION FOR CAPACITY BUILDING PLANS
One of the outputs of the LINE Project (Output 1221) is to develop institutional self-assessment and capacity building plans for partner staff to build the capacity of our local implementing partners and ensure sustainability. It is pertinent to carry out an assessment to ascertain areas of need for each partner organization and identify areas that they might be requiring additional capacity building and development.

The implementing partners have been involved with LINE activities since implementation began, and, in order to maximize their potential skill, experience and networks, there is need to build their capacity to support the Oxfam LINE project with excellent and quality outputs for optimum impact. The assessment will provide the basis for developing any training activity that will enhance their efficiency and effectiveness.

The assessment will ensure specific approaches are adopted to address specific needs that are context-appropriate for each partner.

The LINE project will seek the services of an independent consultant to work in close collaboration with the project’s partner organizations to undertake individual capacity needs assessments.

The assessment which will be conducted by a consultant with a focus on:

· Process and procedures: Finance, internal control, logistics/procurement, asset management,

· Human Resource management and administration: recruitment of staff,

renumeration, trainings, promotion, incentives, staff benefits, etc.

· Program implementation: fundraising, proposal writing, drafting of ToRs, reporting writing, etc.

· Strategic planning

· Risk assessment and risk management

· IT capacity

· Internal communications

Objectives and Scope of the Consultancy
The overall objective of this assessment is to conduct capacity needs assessments with each partner organization to identify areas for organizational improvement to achieve sustainable results. Specific objectives may include:

· To conduct an assessment of all five LINE implementing partners- PARE, RAHAMA, WEIN, FACEPAM and ASSAPIN. The assessment will look at their internal processes and procedures to ascertain capacity and identify shortcomings.

· To work with partners in identifying better ways of performance and to make insightful, clear contributions to the

LINE Project.

· Serving as an appraisal system and stimulate discussions on what skills need to be

improved or incorporated and how.

· To provide a constructive base for enhancing performance and efficiency.

Minimum Research Methodology
The Consultant is expected to carry out an assessment that will be participatory and consultative for five partners namely; ASSAPIN, The PASTORAL RESOLVE, PARE, RAHAMA, and WEIN, all based in Bauchi. The methodology used will be up to the consultant to suggest but must include in- person discussions that should include Key Informant Interviews and a Focus Group Discussions as well as a review of existing policies and procedures, including staff training. The exercise is expected to last for 15 days with each partner organization having 3 days of interaction and engagement with the consultant.

He/she will also be responsible for designing and delivering the capacity needs assessment report and capacity building plans for each LINE partner organization.

Expected Deliverables
· An inception report including a work plan, detailed methodology, report format and timeline, to be submitted within 10 days from the commencement of the assignment.

· The inception report should be presented virtually to LINE staff as well as partners for their comments and feedback.

· A consolidated report, which includes a summary of the findings of the capacity needs assessment, as well as individual capacity building plans for each of the five (5) partners to be submitted within 10 working days after the completion of the assessment. The consolidated report should make recommendations on further training requirements on a collective (meaning common needs of all partners) as well as on an individual partner basis.

Activity Description

Duration

(Days)

Output/result

Inception Meeting with the Project Management

Team and Executive Directors of LINE partners

Inception report

Assessment of partners

Preparation of draft report