Request for Proposal (RFP) for short-term consultancy to carry out a Political Economy Analysis (PEA) in Lagos State.

Purpose and Objectives

The purpose of this assignment is to conduct a Political Economy Analysis in Lagos state to explore power relations, stakeholder interests, governance structures, policy frameworks, and resource allocation mechanisms that influence maternal health outcomes. By engaging key stakeholders, conducting community consultations, and analyzing policy documents, the PEA and provide actionable insights and recommendations for strengthening multi-level partnerships, promoting accountability, and advancing women’s health in Lagos State. The findings of the PEA will guide the will guide the implementation of the project and development of evidence-based strategies and interventions to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality and improve the overall well-being of women and families in the state.

The specific objective is to:

Conduct a Political Economy Analysis in Lagos state to explore power relations, stakeholder interests, governance structures, policy frameworks, and resource allocation mechanisms that influence maternal health outcomes.

Major Activities

1. Conduct a desk review to determine the demographic profile, women’s health indicators (ANC coverage, Facility Delivery, unmet need for FP, mCPR, maternal mortality etc.), political landscape and economic context in Lagos state.
2. Identify land map stakeholders, existing partnerships, and opportunities.
3. Examine existing health policies and legislation related to maternal health at the federal and state levels, including their formulation, implementation, and enforcement mechanisms.
4. Investigate and analyze power dynamics affecting women’s health in the state.
5. Conduct PEA as follows:
   • Assess the role of external actors, including bilateral and multilateral donors, international NGOs, and development partners, in shaping maternal health policies, programs, and funding priorities in Lagos State.
   • Identify potential risks, challenges, and barriers to the successful implementation of women’s health interventions in Lagos State, including political instability, conflict, insecurity, cultural resistance, and resource constraints.
   • Explore resilience factors and opportunities for mitigating risks through adaptive strategies, community engagement, capacity building, and advocacy efforts aimed at promoting women’s rights and improving maternal health outcomes.
6. Facilitate interactive workshop to disseminate PEA findings and facilitate discussions among stakeholders and explore collaborative solutions to address identified challenges.

Location of Assignment: Lagos State

Deliverables

• Detailed PEA report
• PowerPoint deck summarizing findings.
• Policy briefs summarizing key findings of the PEA, highlighting implications for policymakers, and suggesting actionable policy recommendations.
• Consultancy report

Period of Performance/Duration of Assignment: May – June 2024

Level of Effort: 10 billable days

Positions Available: 1 position

Timing of consultancy

1. Conduct a desk review to determine the demographic profile, women’s health indicators (ANC coverage, Facility Delivery, unmet need for FP, mCPR, maternal mortality etc.), political landscape and economic context in Lagos state.

• Identify land map stakeholders, existing partnerships, and opportunities.
• Examine existing health policies and legislation related to maternal health at the federal and state levels, including their formulation, implementation, and enforcement mechanisms. All listed activities are expected to be completed within 3 days

2 Conduct PEA

• Investigate and analyze power dynamics affecting women’s health in the state.
• Assess the role of external actors, including bilateral and multilateral donors, international NGOs, and development partners, in shaping maternal health policies, programs, and funding priorities in Lagos State.
• Identify potential risks, challenges, and barriers to the successful implementation of women’s health interventions in Lagos State, including political instability, conflict, insecurity, cultural resistance, and resource constraints.
• Explore resilience factors and opportunities for mitigating risks through adaptive strategies, community engagement, capacity building, and advocacy efforts aimed at promoting women’s rights and improving maternal health outcomes. All listed activities are expected to be completed within 4 days

3. Facilitate 1-day dissemination workshop in Lagos. All listed activities are expected to be completed in 1 day

4. Report writing. All listed activities are expected to be completed within 2 days.

Total Days: 10 days

Eligibility/Scoring Criteria:

1. Post-graduate degree in Public Health, Health Economics, Health Systems, or other relevant field with specialization in the field of women’s health-10%
2. At least 10 years of professional experience related to SRH and/or FP programming in Nigeria – 10%
3. Broad knowledge and excellent understanding of public health sector networks -10%
4. Proven analytical and research skills (both quantitative and qualitative) -10%
5. Experience and understanding of PEA application in public health – 10%.
6. Strong technical writing and presentation skills, and ability to communicate effectively to diverse audiences- 15%.
7. Excellent report writing skills with ability to analyze information/data and present it in a clear and concise manner. A sample report of work previously completed by the consultant is a requirement- 15%.
8. Ability to engage and coordinate with a wide range of stakeholders including Government representatives, other development partners and other relevant stakeholders-10%
9. Fluency in English written and spoken -10%

Payment Terms

We anticipate entering into a fixed term consultancy contract with the selected candidates.

Terms

Pathfinder reserves the right to cancel this solicitation at any point and is under no obligation to issue a subcontract as a result of this solicitation.

Pathfinder will not reimburse any expenses related to the preparation of any proposal related materials or delivery.

Confidentiality

As a part of the RFP process, Pathfinder International may be providing confidential information. Consequently, consultant must complete a Confidentiality/ Non-Disclosure Agreement.

Thank you,

Procurement Unit

Pathfinder International

Independent Contractor Agreement (ICA)

Terms and Conditions

Relationship: It is understood and agreed that the Contractor is furnishing services to Pathfinder International as an Independent Contractor, and nothing contained in the Agreement between Pathfinder and the Contractor shall create any association, partnership, joint venture, employer-employee or agent-principal relationship.

Confidential Information: Each party shall treat as confidential all information obtained from the other during the course of performance under the Agreement. Neither party shall disclose such information without prior written consent of the other, unless compelled to do so by law. All confidential information disclosed or otherwise made known to the Contractor as a result of the services remains the sole property of Pathfinder.

Intellectual Property: The title to all Intellectual Property rights in or in relation to material created during the course of the services, including but not limited to designs, works of authorship, analyses, reports, improvements or processes, vests in Pathfinder upon its creation. These rights include title and interest in patent, copyright, trademark and other proprietary rights. At its sole discretion, Pathfinder may grant to the Independent Contractor, a limited, royalty-free license to use material developed under this Agreement. In addition, nothing in this Agreement shall supersede the rights of donors supporting Pathfinder’s work.

Non-Compete: While this Agreement is in effect, the Independent Contractor shall not perform similar services with any party directly or indirectly in competition with Pathfinder without giving prior notice to and obtaining written consent from Pathfinder.

Assignment: The Independent Contractor may not assign its rights or responsibilities under this Agreement without the prior written consent of Pathfinder.

Indemnification: Independent Contractor will indemnify and hold Pathfinder, its employees, and its customers harmless from all penalties, damages and expenses, including attorneys’ fees, incurred by Pathfinder and/or its customers (whether or not the agreement is canceled) caused by or arising out of Independent Contractor’s breach of any term of this Agreement including, without limitation, the timely performance thereof.

Termination for Convenience: Pathfinder International reserves the right to terminate this Agreement or any part hereof for its sole convenience. In the event of such termination, the Independent Contractor shall immediately stop all work hereunder. Subject to the terms of this Agreement, the Independent Contractor shall be paid for services rendered up to the time of termination.

Termination for Cause: Pathfinder International may terminate the Agreement or any part thereof, for cause in the event of any default by the Independent Contractor, or if the Independent Contractor fails to comply with any term or condition of the Agreement, or fails to provide Pathfinder upon request with adequate assurance of future performance, or in the event of termination of funding or the prime award for convenience. In the event of termination for cause, Pathfinder shall not be liable to the Independent Contractor for any amount for services not accepted, and Independent Contractor shall be liable to Pathfinder for any and all rights and remedies provided under the Agreement or by law. If it is determined that Pathfinder improperly terminated the Agreement for default, such termination shall be deemed a termination for convenience.

Waiver: Failure of Pathfinder to enforce at any time or for any period of time any of the provisions of this Agreement will not constitute a waiver of such provisions or of the right of Pathfinder to enforce each and every provision.

Inspection/Acceptance: Prior to acceptance, all Deliverables will be subject to review and approval by Pathfinder. Pathfinder’s Assignment Manager will promptly inform the Independent Contractor whether deliverables, reports or other outputs are accepted. Pathfinder may require additional work or changes in the deliverables prior to acceptance.

Invoice Requirements: Independent Contractor shall submit an invoice for work performed immediately upon completion, and in no case later than 60 calendar days after the end date of this Agreement. Each invoice shall include: (a) the Independent Contractor’s name and address, dates and number of days of performance and amount of payment requested as fees for service; and (b) a description of the deliverables or services for which payment or reimbursement is sought. Upon acceptance of the deliverables or services and submission and acceptance of the Independent Contractor’s expense report, if any, Pathfinder will make payment within 30 days of receipt of the invoice.

For assignments of greater than 90 days’ duration, the Independent Contractor may submit interim invoices on a schedule to be agreed upon with the Assignment Manager for this assignment.

Billing Policies: a) Payment shall be on a daily fee basis. Pathfinder will not pay for more than one eight hour day in any 24 hour period.

b) Independent Contractor may bill for not more than one day during travel status in each direction to or from assignment.

Expense Report: The Independent Contractor shall be reimbursed for properly documented travel and other expenses incurred in direct support of services performed under this agreement. Travel and other expenses must comply with Pathfinder’s travel policies and procedures for reimbursement, including submission of the Travel Expense Voucher (TEV) forms provided by Pathfinder. Expense reports submitted later than 15 calendar days after the end date of this Agreement will not be paid.

Modifications: The scope of work and other terms and conditions contained in this Agreement shall not be added to, modified, superseded or otherwise changed except by written modification.

Disputes: Any dispute or disagreement which cannot be resolved by Pathfinder and the Contractor after good faith efforts, and any controversy, claim or dispute otherwise arising out of or in connection with this Agreement or breach thereof will be subject to arbitration in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association. This Agreement is governed by and construed under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, U.S.A.

Entire Agreement: This Agreement supersedes all prior oral or written agreements, if any, between the parties concerning the work under this Agreement and constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the work to be performed under this Agreement**.**