Request for Proposal

Request for Proposal

Section I: Program Description. 3

Section II: Award Information. 4

Section III: Scope of work. 4

Section IV: Eligibility Criteria. 4

Section V: Application and Submission Information. 5

Section VI: Application Review Information. 5

Section VII: Award Administration Information. 7

Section VIII: EngenderHealth-Physical Address 8

Section IX: Other Information. 8

Annex. 8

Section I: Program Description

The USAID Lowlands Health Activity (LHA) is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to improve health and nutrition outcomes in the pastoral areas of Ethiopia, through increased access and utilization of quality reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent and youth health and nutrition (RMNCAH-N) services. LHA is designed to build on ongoing government initiatives, gains made, and lessons learned from the Transform Primary Health Care (TPHC) and Transform Health in Developing Regions (THDR) Activities funded by the USAID to positively disrupt the health system in sustainable ways that contribute to addressing disparities in health outcomes and health system performance among pastoralist and agro-pastoralist communities in Ethiopia’s lowlands. LHA will leverage USAID/Ethiopia’s investments in health systems strengthening support as well as the strong momentum in Ethiopia’s health development as noted in the country’s second Health Sector Transformation Plan (HSTP II)[1] and Health Sector Medium-Term Development and Investment Plan (HSDIP)[2]. LHA will also coordinate and collaborate with relevant USAID implementing partners and other development partners to improve health system resilience and health and nutrition outcomes in the targeted pastoralist areas.

LHA is implemented by EngenderHealth in partnership with local organizations consisting of Pastoralist Concern (PC) and Ethiopian Muslims Relief & Development Association (EMRDA); and international organizations, JSI Research and Training Institute (JSI), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hills Carolina Population Center (UNC-CPC). Beyond the core consortium, LHA will collaborate with the Government of Ethiopia (GoE), Ministry of Health (MOH), Regional Health Bureaus (RHBs), Zonal Health Departments (ZHDs), Woreda Health Offices (WrHOs), Health Facilities (HFs) (hospitals, health centers, health posts), health workers (HWs), kebeles, community health workers including the Health Extension Workers (HEWs), Health Development Army (HDA) members, and other relevant community structures including traditional birth attendants, clan and religious leaders among others.

LHA is implemented in 35 selected woredas of the Somali, Afar, South Omo Zone in South Ethiopia, and Borena Zone in Oromia regions. LHA will focus and engage at the woreda level supporting the strengthening of the primary health care (PHC) facilities and their respective administrative structures to improve the quality and utilization of RMNCAH-N services while ensuring that communities are effectively engaged to improve their health.

Section II: Award Information

1: Estimate of Funds Available and Number of Awards Contemplated

ENGENDERHEALTH intends to award one sub-agreement under this RFA, subject to funding availability and USAID (Donor) discretion. The total funding provided is expected to be $350,000 to $400,000 over the period of performance.

2: Start Date and Period of Performance for the Sub-Awards

The performance period is from April 1, 2025, to September 30, 2028. Note: The start date may fall either on or after April 1, 2025, depending on the finalization of the sub-agreement.

3: Approval of Recipient’s Implementation Plans

The Chief of Party of USAID LHA will review and approve the annual implementation plan, including planned interventions for both the current year and subsequent revisions.

4: Approval of Specified Key Personnel

ENGENDERHEALTH may designate key personnel essential to the success of the recipient’s activities.

Section III: Scope of work

Advocacy and community-based intervention against Harmful Traditional Practices including GBV, FGM, early marriage, and adoption of Ethiopian family law

This scope of work aims to create a comprehensive approach to addressing harmful traditional practices in pastoralist communities. By combining research, education, advocacy, and community engagement, the NGO can facilitate meaningful changes that enhance the health and rights of women and girls.

Major areas of intervention

Assessment 

• Conduct baseline studies to understand the prevalence and impact of harmful traditional practices (HTPs) such as gender-based violence (GBV), early marriage, and female genital mutilation (FGM).
• Gather qualitative and quantitative data on community perceptions and attitudes towards these practices.
• Identify key stakeholders and existing local initiatives addressing these issues.
• Review policies , rules and regulations to be adapted in pastoralist setting

Community Awareness and Education

• Develop and implement awareness campaigns targeting community members, focusing on the health impacts and human rights implications of HTPs.
• Organize workshops and seminars that educate girls, boys, women, and men about the negative effects of GBV, early marriage, and FGM.
• Utilize local media (radio, community meetings) to disseminate information and promote positive narratives.

Capacity Building

• Provide training for community leaders, health workers, legal bodies and educators on how to recognize, address, and prevent HTPs.
• Empower women and girls through skills development programs that enhance their economic opportunities and decision-making power.
• Establish support groups for survivors of GBV and those affected by early marriage or FGM, like GBV and HTP platform and committees per district

Advocacy and Policy Engagement

• Collaborate with local authorities and policymakers to advocate for the enactment and enforcement of laws that protect women and girls from HTPs.
• Engage in dialogue with traditional leaders to promote alternative practices and support community-led change.
• Prepare policy briefs and recommendations based on research findings to share with stakeholders.
• promote pro women and girls formal policies and laws to be endorsed in pastoralists settings, including Ethiopian Family laws that set to protects the rights of women and girls

 Partnership and Networking

• Build alliances with other NGOs, community-based organizations, and international bodies that focus on women’s rights and health.
• Participate in local, national, and regional forums to share experiences and best practices.
• Foster collaboration with health service providers to ensure access to care for affected individuals.

 Monitoring and Evaluation

• Develop a robust monitoring and evaluation framework to assess the effectiveness of interventions.
• Collect feedback from participants and stakeholders to continuously improve programs.
• Report findings to funders and the community to maintain transparency and accountability.

 Sustainability and Community Ownership

• Create strategies to ensure the long-term sustainability of advocacy efforts, including training local champions.
• Encourage community ownership of initiatives by involving local stakeholders in planning and implementation.
• Promote the establishment of local committees to oversee ongoing efforts and support survivors.

Section IV: Eligibility Criteria.

1: Eligible Applicants

1. The applicant organization must be an Ethiopian-based non-governmental organization (NGO).
2. The applicant organization must be registered in SAM.GOV and possess a unique identifier number.
3. The applicant organization must demonstrate experience in technical areas relevant to the scope of work or the focus of the grant.
4. The applicant organization must hold a valid, renewed license from the authorized government body and be eligible to operate in Ethiopia.
5. The applicant organization must have expertise in the technical area for which it is applying.

2: Cost Share

A minimum cost share of 10% is mandatory, provided directly by the recipient or through other donors and partners. Contributions may include financial support or in-kind resources such as staff time, office space, or equipment.

Section V: Application and Submission Information

1: Point of Contacts

Applicants must submit their proposals both via email and in physical form to the following address no later than 3:00 PM local time on January 15, 2025.

Point of Contact 1                                     Point of Contact 2

Name: Ambaw Damtew                                 Name: Fasika Arega

Telephone #. 0920-135921                            Telephone #.0911-702636

Eamil: ABelete@engenderhealth.org             Eamil: Fmenje@engenderhealth.org                                .

All questions regarding this RFA must be submitted in writing via email to the following contacts:

1. Fasika Arega-Email: Fmenje@engenderhealth.org
2. Samrawit Assefa-Email: SHailu@engenderhealth.org
3. Ato Ambaw Damtew-Email: ABelete@engenderhealth.org

Copy to:

1. Dr. Abdulaziz Ali – Email: AOumer@engenderhealth.org
2. Dr. Luwam Gari – Email: LGari@engenderhealth.org

Questions must be submitted no later than 5:00 PM local time on December 30 , 2024. Please note that verbal explanations or instructions provided to potential applicants will not be considered binding.

2: Application Forms.

The proposal template, budget template, and any other required documents will be provided as downloadable links in this section.

Section VI: Application Review Information

1: Technical approach of the application (40 Points)

Overall, the technical application adequately responds to requirements, including:

1. Demonstrated clear understanding of program objectives and context
2. The application proposes a feasible and realistic M&E plan
3. The application includes an implementation plan that is clear and achievable

2: Past performance of the applicant (15 Points)

Applicants’ past performance will serve as an indicator of the quality of its future performance. An applicant must provide a list of all its contracts, grants, or cooperative agreements involving similar or related programs during at list the last 3 years. The reference information for these awards must include the performance location, a brief description of the work performed, and a point of contact list with current telephone numbers.

3: Management Plan and Intuitional capacity (25 Points)

Overall staffing plan with clear roles and responsibilities for each key staff proposed including demonstrated knowledge, skills and qualifications required to accomplish the program objectives.

The applicant will demonstrate clear capacity and experience to accomplish the range of technical interventions described in program description section of the RFA.

Applicant should demonstrate the capacity to achieve similar results in similar programs and geographic areas in law land areas of Ethiopia

4: Cost/ Budget proposal (20 Points)

The budget proposal must be prepared using the template provided by EngenderHealth and should be structured according to the following standard line items:

1. Personnel
2. Fringe Benefits
3. Travel
4. Supplies and Equipment
5. Contractual (Program Costs)
6. Other Direct Costs (ODC)

Please ensure that the budget includes a clear and detailed cost-sharing plan. Additionally, the proposal will be assessed based on the following criteria: realism, reasonableness, allocability, allowability, and cost-effectiveness.

Budget description or notes Criteria.

1. Personnel

Clearly outline the roles and responsibilities of all staff directly contributing to the project. Provide the names (if known), titles, time commitment (as a percentage of full-time equivalent or LOE), and annual salaries. The budget narrative must justify why these personnel are essential to project success and how their time allocation aligns with project goals.

2. Fringe Benefits

Detail the organization’s standard fringe benefit rate and explain how it applies to the personnel. Include components such as health insurance, pension contributions, and other employer-paid benefits. Specify if these rates are applied consistently across all projects.

Example: “Fringe benefits are calculated at 25% of base salary and include health insurance, retirement contributions, and social security taxes as per organizational policy.”

3. Travel

Provide a detailed breakdown of all travel costs required for the project, including airfare, lodging, meals, ground transportation, and incidentals. Travel must be essential to achieving project objectives, and all costs should align with USAID travel policies. Justify the need for each trip and clarify the purpose and frequency.

4. Equipment

List any equipment purchases necessary for the project that have a useful life of more than one year and an acquisition cost of $5,000 or more. Justify the need for the equipment and ensure that the purchase aligns with the project’s technical requirements.

5. Supplies

Provide a list of all supplies required to support project activities. Supplies include items with a unit cost of less than $5,000 and typically consumed during the course of the project. Explain how the supplies contribute to the project’s success.

6. Program Cost/Program Activity

Provide a detailed breakdown of all costs directly associated with the implementation of the program activities. These may include costs related to training, workshops, community outreach, awareness campaigns, capacity building, or any other direct programmatic expenses. Each cost should be clearly linked to a specific program activity and justified based on the project’s objectives and expected outcomes.

7. Other Direct Cost.

List and describe the specific items that fall under ODC. These may include:

• Office supplies
• Printing and copying expenses
• Postage and courier services
• Telecommunication costs (phone, internet, etc.)
• Bank charges and fees and other similar charges.

Section VII: Award Administration Information

1: Roles and responsibilities

The recipient organization will be responsible to EngenderHealth for all aspects related to the USAID Lowlands Health Activity (LHA) within the implementation area and for the execution of the sub-agreement. The recipient organization will report directly to the Chief of Party (COP) of the USAID Lowlands Health Activity (LHA). Details regarding program implementation, M&E, financial reporting, and communication channels will be outlined in the sub-agreement.

2: Monitoring and site visits.

Because monitoring of recipients is a key factor for the success of evaluating the performance of the recipient and the success of implementation, EngenderHealth shall monitor the recipient’s organization performance through whatever appropriate using the following techniques.

• Site visit
• Program and financial reporting
• And any other method that is appropriate and helpful for the program implementation

3: Award Administration.

The sub-agreement will be governed by the sub-agreement expected to be signed between EngenderHealth and the selected applicant. The Standard Mandatory Provisions and Required As Applicable (RAA) for non-U.S.-based organizations will be included as attachments and will be binding as part of the sub-agreement. The recipient organization will be required to comply with these provisions while executing the program.

Section VIII: EngenderHealth-Physical Address

EngenderHealth, Inc.

Bole Sub city, Djibouti Avenue, Wossen Building Infront of Abegaz Tower,

Tel.  +251 116- 633-08-33, +251 116 – 90-21-11, +251 116- 90-21-01,

P.O. Box 156 code 1110

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Section IX: Other Information

1: Mandatory Certifications and Assurance

The selected applicant is required to submit all mandatory certifications as outlined in the sub-agreement and in accordance with USAID standards and requirements prior to signing the sub-agreement.

2: Reservation of Rights to Fund Applications

EngenderHealth reserves the right to fund any or none of the applications submitted.