SBF Baseline Assessment

Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organisation that advances children’s rights and equality for girls.

We believe in the power and potential of every child, but this is often suppressed by poverty, violence, exclusion and discrimination, and it is girls who are most affected. Working together with children, young people, our supporters and partners, we strive for a just world, tackling the root causes of the challenges facing girls and all vulnerable children.

Plan International is inviting interested parties to submit a Proposal for Consultancy as part of a competitive process for a baseline survey for the Swedish Broadcasting Foundation Project entitled, Empowering Adolescent Girls to Address Gender-Based Violence in Bama LGA, Borno State, Nigeria. Successful Consultant(s) will be expected to enter into a formal contract onan exclusive basis with Plan International. Plan International reserves the right not to award a contract as a result of this Invitation to Tender, or to award to multiple successful Consultant(s).

Project Background

This project, titled “Promotion of safe pregnancy through age-appropriate Maternal health, SRHR and Gender Based Violence (GBV) services to enhance adolescent maternal health in Borno State, Northeast Nigeria,” is a two-year initiative by Plan International, running from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2027. The overall goal is to reduce adolescent maternal mortality in Bama LGA, Borno State, by improving access to age- and gender-appropriate maternal health, sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), and GBV services. The project addresses a critical humanitarian context in Northeast Nigeria, where prolonged insurgency by Boko Haram and other armed groups continues to create violence and uncertainty. This has led to protection risks for girls, young women, and boys, with many children growing up in a state of crisis and their needs extending into adulthood. Nigeria has a large youth population, yet adolescents often lack access to adequate SRH services and information, increasing risks of early and unplanned pregnancies, unsafe abortions, sexual violence, and mental health issues. Maternal mortality rates in Nigeria are among the highest globally, with eclampsia and teenage/early pregnancy being significant factors, particularly in Northeast Nigeria. Bama LGA is one of the worst-affected areas, with a large internally displaced person (IDP) population facing challenges with sustainable reintegration and basic needs.

The project’s strategy is built on three key outcomes:

1. Enhancing Healthcare Provider Capacity: Health care providers will be trained to deliver adolescent-friendly and gender-responsive maternal health, GBV, and SRHR services. This includes mapping services, training GBV case workers, renovating and equipping safe spaces, and providing specialized training for Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs), midwives, and health workers in areas like Basic Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (BEMONC), communication with adolescents, contraceptive methods, and Clinical Management of Rape (CMR). Dignity kits will also be distributed, and family planning services strengthened in primary healthcare facilities.

2. Community Engagement and Leadership: Community representatives and leaders will be empowered to promote SRHR, prevent GBV, and support local initiatives to reduce early pregnancies and challenge harmful practices. Activities include training community volunteers on SRHR and GBV prevention, providing training on SRHR and GBV concepts for community structures (including women’s groups, police, local security forces), collaborating with local media for awareness campaigns, organizing campaigns with local leaders, and facilitating bi-annual town hall meetings and inter-generational dialogues.

3. Adolescent Empowerment: The project aims for adolescents and young people to develop positive attitudes and self-confidence regarding SRHR, including contraceptive use and family planning. This will be achieved through a Training of Trainers (ToT) for Girls Get Equal (GGE) and Youth Advisory Panel (YAP) groups on SRHR, quarterly focus group discussions with adolescents, development and distribution of key messages on SRHR and GBV, and a 13-session life skills program for 600 adolescents. IEC/BCC materials will also be reproduced and distributed.

   The project plans to reach approximately 5,500 people directly and 27,500 indirectly. The primary direct target group includes vulnerable girls (10-18) and young women (19-24) from the IDP camp in Bama and surrounding host communities, along with community leaders, women and youth groups, boys, men, and relevant service providers. Specific vulnerability criteria for participation include out-of-school adolescents, adolescent mothers, and GBV survivors or those at risk.

   Plan International Nigeria integrates conflict sensitivity and a “Do No Harm” approach, ensuring community engagement, child-friendly feedback mechanisms, and staff training on these principles. The project was designed based on insights from previous interventions and ongoing monitoring activities in the target area, with plans for start-up meetings and joint action plan development with community members to ensure their inclusion in planning and implementation.

   Sustainability is a key focus, with Plan International aiming to enhance the capacity of government staff and local health systems to ensure SRHR services are sustainable and scalable beyond the project’s funding period. An internal or external evaluation will be conducted at the start, middle, and end of the project using the Outcome Harvesting approach to identify changes and lessons learned.

   Objectives of the Baseline Survey

Overall, the baseline survey aims to provide quantitative and qualitative analytical information on the status of the stated indicators against which have been monitored and assess project progress and effectiveness during implementation and evaluation after completion, with attention to the outcome.

Specific objectives: This Baseline survey will be carried out in Bama LGA and should be guided by the following specific objectives:

• To collect, analyse, and present missing baseline data at outcome and output level (based on the project log frame) to allow for efficient measurement of project impact during and after implementation.
  • Verify the project log frame’s adequacy with realities observed on the ground and propose any adjustments to the results framework of the project. Analyse and, if deemed necessary, revise the project log frame to ensure SMART targets are in place.
    • To provide project staff with detailed Baseline data on key project indicators to enable changes to be measured over the course of the project.

Methodology

Plan International Nigeria will hire the services of a consultant to carry out the Baseline survey under the close supervision of the Plan International Nigeria MERL delegated team. It is recommended that both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods should be utilised. This will include the development of the assessment tools, carrying out the assessment, and producing the baseline report within the agreed time frame.

Sample

The consultant will design a sampling strategy to collect baseline data that addresses the project’s final assessment questions and ensures a representative sample of respondents. Key respondent groups will include adolescent girls, caregivers, community leaders, and service providers, as these stakeholders provide critical perspectives on the project’s impact. The sampling frame will encompass all eligible individuals, drawing from project records and local databases to ensure comprehensive coverage across various project locations.

To ensure representation, the consultant will use a stratified random sampling approach, enabling analysis across key sub-groups, such as gender, disability status, and location. For quantitative data, probability sampling methods like simple random or systematic sampling will be employed to achieve statistical reliability. For qualitative data, purposive sampling will select interview and focus group participants who can offer in-depth insights.

Sample size will be calculated based on the target population and desired confidence levels, ensuring enough responses within each group to maintain data reliability. Respondent identification will follow clear criteria, with a focus on ethical and culturally sensitive practices, particularly when working with vulnerable groups like adolescent girls affected by GBV. This strategy aims to provide accurate, ethically gathered baseline data for a thorough final assessment.

• Sample size
  • Outcome indicators
    • Target group and necessary respondent disaggregation (this will be provided to the consultant)
    • Number and type of locations
    • Sampling approach (stating the reasons for the approach selected)
    • For effective analysis and to identify potential disparities, it is crucial that all collected data be appropriately segregated by sex, age group, and, where applicable, disability.

Quantitative data collection methods

The basis of this survey is the project indicators as shown in Table 1- project summary information. The consultant and team are expected to collect Baseline data at outcomes and outputs levels. The possible key respondents or data sources and data collection tools developed by the consultant will be reviewed by the MERL Coordinator and the Child Protection in Emergency Specialist to ensure alignment with the methodology of Plan International’s global Areas of Distinctiveness (AoGD) indicators.

Qualitative data collection methods

Key methods will include Focus Group Discussions, Key Informant Interviews, and surveys with relevant stakeholders who will be identified by the project team. The consultant is also free to propose and utilize other data collection methods beyond those mentioned. The Baseline survey team will ensure

• Focus Group Discussion (FGD) will be conducted with adolescents, children (girls and boys, including children with disabilities), service providers, and community people.
• Key Informant Interviews (KII) should be carried out with officials from relevant government line agencies, the SRH, GBV and Child Protection sectors, community leaders, and civil society organisations in the project areas.
• Surveys will be conducted with diverse adolescents, children, and their parents/caregivers, as well as community members and service providers.
• And other methods as deemed relevant by the consultant.

Document Review

The consultant and team will use available project documents and relevant government policy, procedures, records/reports for review. Also, other available secondary data sources, including data from similar projects being implemented by Plan International Nigeria and other organisations, will be used for further data analysis.

Data analysis and interpretation

An effective analysis plan for project indicators will outline the consultant’s approach to measuring and assessing each outcome-level indicator, ensuring accurate interpretation and ethical handling of primary data. The consultant will design a methodology that utilises both quantitative and qualitative data sources, tailored to capture a comprehensive picture of project impact. Outcome indicators will be measured through a combination of surveys and interview formats, including Key Informant Interviews (KII) and Focus Group Discussions (FGD), to allow for both statistical and narrative insights.

To enhance clarity and precision in the data analysis process, the consultant will implement a structured approach, proposing statistical techniques for quantitative data and thematic coding for qualitative responses. This ensures that patterns and trends are appropriately identified and interpreted within the project context. Data will be disaggregated by gender, disabilities, and geographic location, allowing for nuanced insights into how different groups experience and benefit from the project interventions. This disaggregation is essential for understanding diverse impacts and tailoring future project activities to meet specific needs.

Ethical care is a priority in all phases of data collection and analysis. The consultant will develop protocols that uphold confidentiality, informed consent, and sensitivity to participant well-being, particularly when discussing topics related to Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH) and gender-based violence (GBV). This ethical approach will ensure that data collection respects participants’ rights and experiences, which is vital for the integrity of the project.

Overall, the analysis plan will serve as a roadmap for assessing project effectiveness, focusing on a rigorous, ethical, and inclusive methodology to interpret outcome-level indicators accurately. By proposing clear methods for both analysis and interpretation, the consultant will provide actionable insights to support ongoing improvement and meaningful impact on the project.

Work plan for the Baseline survey

The consultant will be responsible for piloting the tools, ensuring that they are effective, understandable, and relevant for the context, gender, and age sensitive. The proposal must contain a description of the envisaged data validation, quality assurance, and data analysis techniques. Plan International Nigeria will make available to the consultant all project documents upon request. The consultant will develop a draft work plan for the baseline survey, to be submitted to Plan International Nigeria for review and agreement with the CPiE Specialist and M&E Coordinator. This plan will also be shared with Plan International Sweden for consultation.

To effectively address the assessment questions and criteria, the consultant will be responsible for developing and administering a comprehensive set of tools for data collection and analysis. This will ensure the production of informed and evidence-based findings. The Plan International MERL lead, CPIE Specialist and the entire project team will review these tools.

Therefore, the consultant is expected to propose a detailed overall methodology, appropriate methods, and the necessary tools to answer the key assessment questions. The proposal must clearly justify the selection of proposed methods and demonstrate the consultant’s relevant skills and experience in applying them. We recommend a mixed-methods approach, incorporating both quantitative and qualitative methods, to meet the study objectives.

The consultant will conduct rigorous primary data collection using methods such as focus group discussions, Key Informant Interviews, surveys with key target groups, and other necessary approaches. Additionally, the consultant will undertake secondary data reviews of relevant documents and reports to triangulate information. Further triangulation will occur through engagement with various stakeholders and actions in the Northeast to gather robust, evidence-based findings for the final report.

The consultant is also responsible for piloting the data collection tools to ensure their effectiveness, understandability, and relevance to the context, as well as their gender and age sensitivity. The proposal should include a description of the planned data validation, quality assurance, and data analysis techniques. Plan International Nigeria will provide all relevant project documents to the consultant upon request.

Participant selection and recruitment

As a minimum requirement, representatives from key stakeholders (government, LGA structures, state structures, other potential experts operating within the context environment, e.g., public authorities, community leaders) and target participants (Adolescent girls who are survivors of are at risk of GBV, Parents and caregivers, other girls, boys, women and men, health workers and members of community structures) should be allowed to provide feedback on the assessment. Other potential stakeholders that should be involved include:

• Key informants drawn from targeted structures
• Plan International Nigeria Management
• Plan International staff, including COs and NOs
• Government line ministries
• Implementing partners
• Other NGOs
• Girls, Boys, Youths, Children with Disability (CWD), Men, Women (household units)
• Internally displaced persons
• Children from separated families and unaccompanied
• Refugees
• Community leaders

Quality assurance

The consultant will be responsible for ensuring the quality, validity, consistency, and accuracy of all collected data. The final report must be well-structured, written in English, and fully adhere to Plan International’s data-sharing protocol guidelines. Should the report fall short of these standards, the consultant will be required to make any necessary amendments at their own expense to align with the specified requirements. Additionally, the consultant is expected to uphold strict confidentiality for all data gathered during the study, ensuring that participants’ privacy and the integrity of sensitive information are protected throughout the process.

Intended Users of the Assessment Report

The intended users of the final report of the assessment are:

• Plan International Nigeria country office
• Plan International National Organisation and the Global hub
• Different donors on proposal development
• Child Protection, Sexual Reproductive Health and GBV-Subsector

The final Baseline assessment report to provide comprehensive, evidence-based findings that illuminate the unique needs of girls, women, boys, and men. This will be invaluable for refining the project’s logical framework and guiding the implementation of the new project.

Ethics, Child rights, gender, and inclusion

Plan International is committed to ensuring that the rights of those participating in data collection or analysis are respected and protected by our Ethical MERL Framework (Annexe 4), our detailed guidance on Safeguarding in MER (Annexe 5), and our Child and Youth Safeguarding Policy (Annexe 3).

All applicants should include details in their proposal on how they will ensure ethics and child protection in the data collection process. The proposal should also demonstrate the consultant’s experience in ethics, safeguarding, and data protection concerning data collection on children, adolescents and youth, especially about GBV and violence against children. Specifically, the consultant(s) shall explain how appropriate, safe, and non-discriminatory participation of all stakeholders will be ensured and how special attention will be paid to the needs of children and other vulnerable groups. The consultant(s) shall also explain how confidentiality and anonymity of participants will be guaranteed.

In line with Plan International’s values and organisational ambition, the assessment should seek to prioritise a focus on child rights, gender, and inclusion. As a minimum, this requires:

• The disaggregation of all data points from the survey by age, sex, and disability
• The development of an ethics protocol that safeguards children, youth, and vulnerable adults

Key Deliverables

The following are the deliverables that are expected to be fulfilled by the successful consultant:

• Inception report including:
  • An updated timeline
    • A detailed methodology including draft sampling methodology and size
    • Draft data collection tools
    • Ethical and safeguarding considerations and risk assessment
    • Consent forms for any primary data collection
    • Draft methods for data analysis and quality control
    • Brief justification of the methods and techniques envisaged (including relevant underlying values and assumptions/ theories) with a justification of the selection made.
  • Final data collection tools
  • Final sampling methodology (including unit of sampling and sampling frame) and size
  • Draft assessment report, including cleaned data files (e.g., Excel, SPSS), transcripts of qualitative data syntax/ code books, etc., and completed consent forms (including for children and their caregivers and adults
• Final assessment report including Executive Summary

Key Dates and Timelines

The following table outlines the key dates and timelines associated with this tender process. Plan International reserves the right to change these at any time as the tender progresses. To maintain transparency, fairness, and adequate time to prepare your offers, Plan International will inform all interested Parties of any changes to these key dates and timelines simultaneously and in a timely fashion.

Plan International’s Ethical & Environmental Statement

• The organisation should establish environmental standards and good practices that follow the principles of ISO 14001 Environmental Management Systems, and in particular to ensure compliance with environmental legislation.
• The organisation should seek to set reduction targets in areas where the organisation’s activities lead to significant environmental impacts

Values of Plan International Nigeria

You confirm you are familiar with and committed to the following values of Plan International Nigeria:

We strive for lasting IMPACT – We strive to achieve a significant and lasting impact on the lives of children and young people and to secure equality for girls. We challenge ourselves to be bold, courageous, focused, and innovative.

We work well together – We succeed by working effectively with others, inside and outside the organisation, including our sponsors and donors. We actively support our colleagues, helping them to achieve their goals. We come together to create and implement solutions in our teams, across Plan International, with children, girls, young people, communities, and our partners.

We are inclusive and empowering – We respect all people, appreciate differences, and challenge inequality in our programs and our workplace. We support children, girls, and young people to increase their confidence and change their own lives. We empower our staff to give their best and develop their potential.

We are open and accountable – We create a climate of trust inside and outside the organization by being open, honest, and transparent. We hold ourselves and others to account for the decisions we make and for our impact on others while doing what we say we will do.

Ethics and Child Protection

Plan International Nigeria places a high premium on CHILD PROTECTION issues in all its working relationships with its partners and associates, and mandates all its working partners and associates to adhere to its CHILD PROTECTION Policy.

As such, the activity must ensure appropriate, safe, non-discriminatory participation; a process of free and uncoerced consent and withdrawal; and confidentiality and anonymity of participants. Consultants are required to provide a statement within their proposal on how they will ensure ethics and child protection in the development process. This must also include consideration of any risks related to the activity and how these will be mitigated.

Disclosure of Information/Child Protection

It is understood and agreed that the Consultant(s) shall, during and after the effective period of the contract, treat as confidential and not divulge, unless authorized in writing by Plan, any information obtained in the course of the performance of the Contract. Informationwill be made available for the consultants on a need-to-know basis. Any necessary field visits must be budgeted for in your proposal. Plan staff under the coordination of the National Program Manager will support the consultant in facilitating all necessary engagements required by the Consultant. The selected consultant will commit to respecting Plan International’s Child Protection Policy to prevent any harm to participating children and youth.

Anti-Corruption

The Consultant and partners declare and guarantee that no offer, gift, payment, consideration, or benefit of any kind, which constitutes an illegal or corrupt practice, has been or will be made to anyone by the Consultant either directly or indirectly, as an inducement or reward for the award or execution of this agreement.

The Firm declares and guarantees that neither they nor Partners or associates, temporary nor permanent, would be involved in the implementation of this agreement:

1. Have been convicted during the three (3) years before the submission of their proposals for this project, by a court of law in Nigeria or any other jurisdiction for an offence involving bribery or corruption.
2. Are under sanction, for an offence involving bribery or corruption, imposed by a government, a governmental organization, or a development organization providing development assistance.

Anti-Terrorism

The Firm or Partners declare and guarantee that the funds provided by Plan International Nigeria for the service shall not be knowingly used to benefit terrorist groups as defined in the criminal code of Nigeria or individual members of those groups or for terrorist activities either directly or indirectly.

Whistle Blower Policy

Plan International Nigeria has a Code of Conduct including a Whistle Blower Policy (attached) and encourages its entire staff and associates to “whistle blow” (raise legitimate concerns about violation of the Code of Conduct without fear of recrimination in the course of their engagement with Plan International Nigeria).

Further and more detailed information including the reference annexes can be found via this link: SBF Baseline Assessment