Building awareness of Cervical Cancer Prevention and  Vaccination in Schools and Communities

Top Line Objective:

Girl Effect is seeking the services of an experienced implementing partner to effectively implement a school- and community-based social behavior change communication (SBCC) intervention aimed at increasing awareness, acceptance, and uptake of the cervical cancer prevention vaccine (CCPV)  among adolescent girls  (9-14 years-old), their parents and teachers, ultimately contributing to improved CCPV vaccination coverage and cervical cancer prevention. The school and community health program also covers other topics such as menstrual health, mental well-being, and digital safety.

The work under this hiring/procurement will support Girl Effect India’s program on school- and community-based intervention to increase awareness and acceptance of the CCPV. Girl Effect India will work towards improving the health of adolescent girls by increasing demand for and uptake of priority health services while addressing barriers to access. This includes building awareness and acceptance of the cervical cancer prevention vaccine among girls and parents, alongside improving knowledge of essential health services such as sexual reproductive health, preventive care, nutrition, and mental health. Through strategic partnerships with the government and civil society organizations at national, state, and district levels, Girl Effect will strengthen demand, access, and capacity-building efforts for cervical cancer prevention and other services. Additionally, it will drive learning and advocacy within the immunisation and gender equity sectors by sharing research, best practices, and innovations on national and global platforms.

Who We Are

Girl Effect is an international non-profit that connects girls to the resources and support she needs to overcome barriers, see themselves differently and unleash their full potential. We believe that the most powerful force to break the cycle of intergenerational poverty is GIRLS. When you connect GIRLS to what they need, unleash the limits communities set for them, and change how girls see themselves- they change the world. That’s the Girl Effect.

Our approach redefines what girls think they can and should do. We do this by building digital and media technologies that girls want, trust and need. From chatbots and applications to chat shows and TV dramas, our approach uses modern technologies to reach girls where they are today.  Our reach is 45 million and counting. 

We are girl centered. We engage girls through evidence-based social and behavioural change.  We meet girls where they are today, in the spaces, on the platforms and channels they trust and love. We work with governments to transform systems to work for HER. 

 

We reach girls across the world, where they are -online and offline, to support them at the critical moments in life when choices around their health, education and economic future need to be made. We use our expertise in behavior change science to motivate and equip girls with information and support to help them see a different future for themselves, act on those choices, and drive greater demand for the opportunities and services available to them. 

 

Chhaa Jaa in India, Tujibebe in Tanzania, and Yegna in Ethiopia - are some of our youth brands. They exist across multiple channels - digital ( Meta, Google and other SM platforms), TV, radio, print and offline. Where required and relevant, we also use white-label brands for specific campaigns. 

Girl Effect in India

In 2019, Girl Effect launched Chhaa Jaa, a digital-first youth programme that helps girls in India build the confidence to make choices and changes in their lives - from accessing information about her body and sexual reproductive health services around her, to negotiating about education choices, and navigating relationships. Chhaa Jaa was designed keeping in mind adolescent girls between 17-19 years, currently in higher education, and accessible online via mobile – whether girls own or borrow a mobile phone. 

Over the last six years, we have invested in setting up key online assets and infrastructure that can be leveraged to deliver programs under a range of thematics for older adolescent girls. We have built a multi-product digital ecosystem of products - across ‘broadcast’ and ‘interactive’ features - that are social media-based and available to girls whenever they need it.

This includes:

• Chhaajaa: an Inspiring and enabling girls’ channel for social behavior change on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
• Bol Behen: An AI-enabled chatbot on WhatsApp that allows girls to explore taboo topics such as mental health, menstruation, relationships, and sex in a safe 1:1 space and nudges them to connect her with health services. 
• ChaaJaa website aggregating youth-friendly services and is updated regularly with blog content.
• BAK BAK gang: A girls-only Facebook group to experience social support and a sense of community 

New programmes are expanding the scope of our work and audiences: 

• Cervical Cancer Prevention Vaccine (CCPV) Awareness Programme:  Building awareness for CCPV, menstrual health, and nutrition for girls aged 9-14 years and their parents.
• Tipping Point Project: Changing norms around sexual and reproductive health for young women and men, 18-24 years. 
• Tackling technology-facilitated gender-based violence: Building knowledge and awareness among girls and boys 15-24 years on online violence and connecting them to support services.

What You’ll Do

Aligned with the goal of increasing awareness, acceptance, and uptake of the CCPV, this intervention aims to improve CCPV coverage and contribute to cervical cancer prevention by leveraging school ecosystems as critical entry points for engagement. We invite experienced Community-Based Organizations (CBOs), Civil Society Organization (CSOs), or Non-Governmental Organization (NGOs) with expertise in implementing school- and community-based health and education programs to design and execute an SBCC intervention on CCPV.

Geography - North (Ladakh), North East (Nagaland, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh), West (Maharashtra, Goa), South (Karnataka and Puducherry). 

1. Program Design and Planning

• • Develop an implementation strategy with Girl Effect tailored for schools and out-of-school (at community health centers) rollout.  
  • Co-create engaging, age-appropriate (and adapt to local language as per the requirement) educational content for students aged 14 years, parents, and educators on evidence-based messaging on CCPV, cervical cancer,  menstruation, mental well-being, and digital safety.
  • Align intervention materials with the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India policies and guidelines on school-based CCPV programs.
  • Create an implementation plan to work alongside important Government departments (Department of Education, Department of Health at the state and district level) , schools and community stakeholders, the teachers at government and government-aided schools, public health centers, and health intermediaries, including ASHAs, ANMs, and so on.  
  • Map and list of intervention areas within each district, state, and community to effectively implement the programme strategy. 
  • Establish partnerships with schools, local education authorities, and healthcare providers and key stakeholders ensuring access to schools and local PHCs for implementation

2. School-Based Implementation

• • Map and list schools at the district level for sensitization of stakeholders including parents, teachers, and youth champions.
  • Onboard schools for program implementation, ensuring outreach to vulnerable and marginalized populations.
  • Sensitize teachers and peer educators to serve as CCPV champions.
  • Conduct mini-events, interactive sessions, including discussions, storytelling, and multimedia approaches to educate and inform teachers, students, and parents using integrated play-based learning for vaccination, menstruation, and other areas of health. (GE will be designing the school implementation toolkit and the NGO will be expected to input into its design.) 
  • Facilitate teacher and parent engagement through meetings and awareness sessions.
  • Deploy mobile vans equipped with audiovisual tools and trained facilitators to engage schools in remote or hard-to-reach areas, supplementing in-school activities with interactive, mobile-based learning and awareness-building.
  • Print materials to be used in schools (posters, handouts, guidebooks, standees, photo booths, audiovisuals, etc.) and organize mini-events with students to increase awareness in schools, amongst students and teachers.
  • Capture events/activities through photography and videography ensuring documentation of best practices, report success and challenges

3. Community and Stakeholder Engagement and Interventions in PHCs 

• • Collaborate with local government bodies, health officials, and civil society to enhance program reach and acceptance.
  • Leverage community leaders/influencers to amplify messaging and address barriers.
  • Conduct community awareness events and drives at local PHCs and ensure materials such as posters, standees, booths, and information leaflets are prominently displayed.
  • Deploy mobile vans equipped with audiovisual tools and trained facilitators to engage communities in remote or hard-to-reach areas, supplementing health center activities with interactive, mobile-based learning and awareness-building at the community level.

4. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting

• • Develop a reporting framework to capture all schools and PHCs covered.
  • Develop a monitoring framework to assess knowledge uptake, and attitude shifts, amongst schools, educators,  children, and parents.
  • Collect data on program impact and report periodically.
  • Capture photos and audiovisuals for the roll-out ensuring monthly and quarterly reporting.
  • Provide comprehensive reports, including success stories, challenges, and lessons learned.

Who You Are

You are a mission-driven organization committed to improving adolescent health outcomes and have a deep understanding of SBCC approaches and experience in implementing school- and community-based programs that drive behavior change and health awareness.

Your organization is:

• Experienced in School- and Community-based Health Programs: You have successfully designed and implemented programs within schools, working closely with teachers, students, and parents.
• Well-versed in SBCC Strategies: You have expertise in developing and delivering behavior change communication campaigns, especially around vaccination, adolescent health, and gender-sensitive topics.
• Capable of Deploying Mobile Vans for Outreach: You have experience in using mobile vans for community engagement and school-based awareness programs, leveraging multimedia tools, trained facilitators, and interactive sessions to reach adolescents in both urban and remote settings.
• Embedded in the Community: You have established trust and relationships with schools, local authorities, and community leaders, allowing you to drive sustained impact.
• A Strong Implementer with Scalable Operations: You have the capacity to work at scale, adapting interventions to diverse settings while ensuring high-quality implementation.
• Data-Driven and Impact-Oriented: You have robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms in place, ensuring that program effectiveness is measured, lessons are documented, and approaches are refined for greater impact.
• Aligned with Public Health Policies: You understand and work within the frameworks of government policies on adolescent health, vaccination, and school health programs, ensuring alignment with national and global best practices.

Local Implementing Partner Competencies

Applicant organizations are expected to fulfil the following competencies:

• Demonstrate an understanding of Child Protection, Safeguarding and ethical issues in research.
• Have existing community relationships in the regions outlined above and the ability to engage with the community or leverage other networks.
• Experience working with and supporting young people, particularly adolescent girls, and specific knowledge of gender dynamics at individual, household and community levels.
• Experience conducting research and expertise working with young people/adolescent girls, preferably in the target districts.
• Experience in, and a good understanding of, recruiting respondents for research.
• Experience in fieldwork supervision.
• Ability to report and respond to comments and questions promptly and appropriately.
• Good technology infrastructure (use of email, fast internet connection/wi-fi that ideally allows video conference for meetings and training and laptops that can be updated to the latest version of Chrome).
• Good digital skills (be familiar with web browsers and have some experience with using Android apps).

Expected Duration

The initial commitment for this partnership is one year, with the potential for renewal based on performance, funding availability, and program impact. Partner organizations must be prepared for the following:

• Full engagement throughout the project duration (March 2025 – December 2027).
• Active participation in evaluations, learning sessions, and program scaling efforts beyond the initial phase.

Location

The consultant/organisation must be based in India and have extensive experience in the country. The Assignment will be carried out in India -  North (Ladakh), North East (Nagaland, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh), West (Maharashtra, Goa), South (Karnataka and Puducherry).

Management

The consultant/organisation will have a primary point of contact within our India Programs team. The language of the materials and reports shall be English. The contract supervisor shall approve all deliverables submitted before any payment is made.

Procurement Timeline

• Terms of Reference Published: March 6, 2025
• Deadline for Questions/Clarifications: March 11, 2025
• Deadline for responses from GE: March 13, 2025
• Deadline for Proposal Submission: March 30, 2025
• Project Commencement: April 10, 2025

Regional Application Requirement

Organizations can apply for specific regions where they have a strong operational presence, established networks, and proven expertise. The eligible regions for implementation are:

• Within North (Ladakh)
• North East ( Nagaland, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh)
• West ( Maharashtra, Goa).
• South ( Karnataka, Puducherry)

Applicants should clearly specify the region they are applying for in their proposal and demonstrate their capacity, local expertise, and stakeholder relationships in that specific area. 

Proposal Submission 

• Produce a technical proposal that highlights the following key areas (max 15 pages)
  • Brief organizational overview of your organization (Profile/CV/Credentials)
  • Project goal and objectives
  • Strategies to be used
  • Implementation plan (including a plan to collaborate with State Government and other stakeholders)
  • List of activities with a clear description of how the activity will roll out, who it targets, number to be reached, number of times the activity will run
  • Output of the suggested activities 
  • Monitoring and reporting approach with a clear description of how the suggested activities will be monitored, how data is captured and documented and reporting timelines.
  • The quantitative table that highlights the target as per each suggested activity
• Work plan highlighting timelines of the activities.
• Team structure proposed.
• Risk Assessment and Mitigation Plan (1 page maximum).
• Additional required documents from Applicants:
  • Organization contact details.
  • Contacts of three organizations (national/international) with whom you have worked previously who can be contacted for a reference.
  • Copies of other registration/mandatory documents
• Breakdown of Costs provided with applicable taxes and other charges clearly identified in INR. The breakdown of costs per activity with detailed cost breakdown by units and frequency. Refer to this link to fill in the detailed Budget. 
  • All applicable taxes should be quoted separately.

Technical and Financial proposals will need to be submitted as separate documents. Financial proposals will not be opened until the conclusion of the technical evaluation and then only for proposals deemed qualified and responsive.

In their technical proposal, the bidder must demonstrate an understanding of the requirements described in the RFP and demonstrate how the bidder will meet the requirements of the evaluation criteria. 

GE is not liable for any cost incurred during the award/contract preparation, submission, or negotiation of the award/contract. All submitted documentation and/or materials shall become and remain the property of GE.

VALIDITY of the proposal shall be for 90 days from the date of bid closure.

Mandatory Requirements

• Organizations having MOUs with State Governments will be preferred.
• Organizations with valid FCRA registration.
• The organization should have a turnover of 1 Cr+ for NE states and 5 Cr+ for other states. 
• Organizations should have public health projects experience in the same state.
• Organizations should have active projects in the same state.
• The last 3 years annual reports are to be shared along with the proposal.

Selection Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

Evaluation Criteria Weighting	(Total 100)
Organisational Capacities and Reputation,  Locations and geographical footprint. Experience working with local communities, district, and state governments on school and community programs and relevant experience with girls.	30
Technical Approach - detailed implementation plan outlining the  strategy,  reach, and components including the use of digital technology and  risk and mitigation measures	40
Organizational Staff  and Management CVs	10
Cost-effectiveness (Financial Proposal)	20

Experience working with local communities

• Does the organisation have a proven track record in working with communities and implementing community projects, preferably in the target as mentioned in the RFP?
• Does the organisation have existing community relationships, and do they have the ability to engage with the community or leverage other networks?
• Does the organisation have experience in youth-focused initiatives and entrepreneurial projects?

Organisational capacities

• How strong are the organisation's capacities in relation to the local implementing partner competencies highlighted in the RFP?

Organisational strengths 

• How do the competencies underscored by the organisation strengthen the work that we want to deliver?
• What does the qualifications and experience of team members look like?
• Does the organisation have a dependable Organizational Framework?

Recruitment 

• Does the organisation have experience in and/or show a good understanding of implementing a community mobilisation, including working with community leaders, key influencers and young people as part of the process?
• Does the organisation have a clear plan of how it will manage the work activities?

Safety

• Does the organisation have a proven track record in designing, managing and implementing responsive, young people and girl-friendly, and state-of-the-art safeguarding processes in the locations they operate in?

Trainer training

• Does the organisation have previous experience undergoing trainer training and, in turn, training locally recruited team members?

Locations and geographical footprints

• Does the organisation have a presence in the region applied for and some of the target woredas indicated in the RFP? 
• Is there any indication that the organisation faces any significant barriers that impinge on its physical accessibility?
• Does the organisation have experience of fieldwork supervision in the target locations or locations suggested by them? 

Relevant experience working with adolescent girls

• Does the organisation have a proven track record in working with adolescent girls and implementing projects on adolescent girls?

Technology and digital competency of the organisation 

• Does the organisation have good technology infrastructure (use of email, fast internet connection, wi-fi that ideally allows video conferencing for meetings and training and laptops that can be updated to the latest version of Chrome)?

Technical Approach

• Feasibility and clarity of the methodology.
• Demonstrated understanding of the assignment objectives.
• Are the timeline and work plan realistic and suggest both understanding and capacity to deliver against what is required?

Risk and Mitigating measures

• Is the proposed risk matrix comprehensive and demonstrates an understanding of critical challenges/ limitations with mitigation provided?

Value for Money

• Does the financial proposal demonstrate an ability to complete all required work within the given budget with an appropriate timeline?

Ethics 

• The successful agency must adhere to Girl Effect protocols and safeguarding measures during all stages of research. This will ensure all young people’s participation will be conducted safely and securely. 
• Ethical approval must be submitted to the relevant ethical board to ensure the research takes place with the proper permissions. 
• Consent must be obtained from respondents with consent forms that clearly state that at any time, research participants are free to decide to leave the research should they feel a reason to do so. 
• Care also should be taken by the successful agency to maintain the confidentiality of the information provided by the respondents during the community. Informed voluntary consent should be taken before starting from the community, and parent/caregiver consent should be obtained for a minor.  If an individual refuses to participate, they should not be compelled to participate or demoralized by any means. These cases will be treated as no-response under this survey.  The research team must all undergo safeguarding training per Girl Effect’s safeguarding procedures and sign the Girl Effect safeguarding policy. 
• All data must be stored in password-protected electronic files and shared with Girl Effect via a  secure file transfer protocol (FTP)

Questions/Clarifications

If you have any questions about this RFP, please email suppliers@girleffect.org by March 11, 2025. All questions will be answered and shared through an FAQ with all agencies that have received the RFP for fairness. 

How to Apply

Please submit proposals, as described above, to Girl Effect’s procurement team (suppliers@girleffect.org) by March 30 2025. Please mark your email with the subject line, ‘‘Local Implementing Partners- India.’

Tax

Girl Effect India is obliged by the Indian tax authorities to ensure all taxes are charged where applicable. Applicants are advised to ensure that they have a clear understanding of their tax position regarding provisions to Indian tax legislation when developing their proposals.

Copyright

All materials/documents arising from this consultancy work shall remain the property of Girl Effect.

Disclaimer

GE reserves the right to determine the structure of the process, number of short-listed participants, the right to withdraw from the proposal process, the right to change this timetable at any time without notice and reserves the right to withdraw this tender at any time, without prior notice and without liability to compensate and/or reimburse any party. GE shall inform ONLY successful applicant(s). The process of negotiation and signing of the contract with the successful applicant(s) will follow.

Please note: We will evaluate only proposals submitted following the application process outlined in the RFP  and using our specified email address (suppliers@girleffect.org).

Safeguarding

You may be required to undertake safeguarding checks. Shortlisted consultants will be assessed on our organisational values at the interview stage. The successful consultant will be expected to adhere to our safeguarding policy. We encourage you to read and understand our safeguarding policy, the executive summary of which can be found here. We have zero tolerance for violence against children, beneficiaries, and staff.

Equal Opportunities

Girl Effect Services is committed to equal opportunity regardless of race, colour, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, gender, gender identity, or expression. We are proud to be an equal-opportunity workplace. We are committed to building an increasingly representative organisation that works extensively with the communities we serve. To this end, due regard will be paid to procuring consultancy service organisations and individuals with diverse professional, academic and cultural backgrounds.