DEADLINE: 16TH SEPTEMBER, 2021
EVIDENCE FOR ACTION (E4A)
DEVELOPMENT OF ONLINE TRAINING PLATFORM FOR HEALTH BUDGET ADVOCACY
LOCATION: AFRICA WIDE (WITH PREFERENCE FOR KENYA AND NIGERIA)
Background:
The Options-managed Evidence for Action (E4A)-MamaYe project is looking for application developers to develop a web application that will run an interactive online training platform for its health budget advocacy toolkit. The toolkit is available here: https://mamaye.org/gpg/health-budget-advocacy-toolkit. The developers will transform the current toolkit and make it function online and possibly offline too without downloading. Additionally, the developer will improve the front end look and feel and accessibility of the training platform.
We are asking interested companies to submit proposals on how they will support E4A-MamaYe to improve the functionality, accessibility and look and feel of the current tool into a dynamic, exciting, and user-friendly tool with both online and offline capabilities across different devices.
We are accepting applications from companies based in Africa with a preference for those in Kenya and Nigeria. Please see the ‘eligibility’ section for more information.
Across sub-Saharan Africa, health systems are making slow progress to save the lives of mothers and infants, despite experiences in resource constrained countries demonstrating that maternal mortality can be reduced using effective advocacy, deploying sound evidence to inform and influence public opinion and holding decision makers accountable. Since starting in 2012, the Options-managed Evidence for Action (E4A) programme has used a combination of evidence to drive accountability for maternal and Newborn outcomes.
E4A catalyses change by bringing together groups (including government, civil society, and health practitioners) to use existing information and resources to 1) Identify the reasons why women and babies are dying. 2) Agree on how available resources can be used most effectively to address these reasons. 3) Advocate for the changes needed. As a result, government and health practitioners are better able to respond appropriately to the issues causing preventable deaths and injuries. This means women and children have better access to improved quality health services and more women having safe births. We have worked in ten sub-Saharan African countries to improve maternal and child health and are currently working in the following countries and regions: a) Nigeria: programme office in Abuja; focused activities in Lagos, Niger and Bauchi states b) Kenya: programme office in Nairobi; focused activities in Nairobi County and Bungoma county c) Senegal: support the Senegal GFF coalitions to hold government accountable for effectively spending GFF funds to improve MNH. In July 2019, we started a new phase of the programme with a focus on ensuring civil society can access, analyse, and use data to advocate independently by empowering coalitions to be self-supporting. Find out more about what we do through this video.
Options Consultancy Services Limited was established in 1992 and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Marie Stopes International. We are a consultancy organisation providing technical and management expertise in the health and social sectors to governments and international development partners to transform the health of women and children. We provide information, expertise and influence to governments, health workers, NGOs, and businesses to catalyse change so that health services can be accessed by the people who need them most.
Scope of work:
Evidence for Action has developed a ‘health budget advocacy toolbox’ as part of its commitment to producing open-source Global Public Goods. The toolbox includes a range of training material and tools for civil society organisations to use across countries to engage in the budget cycle and improve funding for maternal and newborn health.
The budget advocacy toolbox is currently available on the Evidence for Action website, as downloadable files using PowerPoint show. To fulfil our commitment to making our material as accessible as possible, E4A are seeking a service provider to support in converting this toolbox into an easy-to-use web application that can function both online and offline across different devices. This would enable users to access information online (rather than needing to download) and create a more engaging user journey that will enable users to get the most from our material.
Therefore, the purpose of this assignment is to convert this Budget Advocacy Toolkit, available for download here. The online platform should be simple and accessible with a look and feel that is aligned to the E4A-MamaYe brand style. This online training web application should be able to run or integrated with a Drupal website which currently runs the mamaye.org website.
In addition, the service provider would be expected to present ideas on how individuals with low bandwidth could access a version of the budget advocacy material, and, with the inputs of the E4A team, take one of these forward for development.
The deliverables for this assignment are:
- A ‘mock-up’/logical flow, presenting the design, features, and user journey to the E4A team
- An online budget advocacy training platform accessible to all
- Presentation of offline solutions that would enable individuals with low bandwidth to access a version of the budget advocacy material
- Low bandwidth, accessible version of the budget advocacy training
- Web application hosted online (ability to integrate or work with the Drupal mamaye.org website)
- Training E4A staff on how to manage, make content updates, and trouble shoot.
- Plan for ongoing platform hosting and maintenance, including future budget required
Process for submission:
Applicants must apply by submitting a proposal. This should be no more than 3 pages detailing:
- Your understanding of the assignment
- Your proposed solution to developing the deliverables set out above (this could include visual preliminary mockups)
- Your methodology for engaging with the E4A team and conducting user testing with the intended audience
In addition, applicants should submit:
- A portfolio or at least 3 examples of previous similar work with reference contact details from previous clients
- CVs of the team (no more than 1xA4 page per CV),
- A workplan, including suggested briefing meetings with the E4A team
- Budget breakdown
Applications must be received by 16th September 2021. We will review applications on a rolling basis.
Applications should be collated into a zipped folder and submitted via WeTransfer to m.acholla@options.co.uk and a.jackson@options.co.uk. Responsibility to ensure the application is complete lies with the applicant.
Applications that pass the initial review process will be contacted for interview, planned for 20th September..
Other information:
Duration of the assignment
The assignment will commence as soon as possible, with the aim of completion by the 17th November 2021. However, based on the solution we are open to the applicants proposed timelines and will discuss this as part of the interview and contracting process.
Any changes to the timeline below will be discussed in advance with the Communications Manager, Technical Advisor and the Programme Manager.
Funding available
Applicants should provide costs of the proposal in GBP/£, including direct and indirect costs. Please break the cost down by activity, with justifications.
We are interested to identify ways to reduce future costs with regards to the platform. Therefore, we welcome applicants to propose solutions that:
Enable the toolbox to be accessible online without requiring long term hosting by the E4A-MamaYe programme
Doesn’t require significant maintenance effort or cost, once the material is published online
The applicant should also set out the future costs that the E4A MamaYe programme can expect to incur to enable the platform to continue to be accessible and functional, beyond this contract, based on their proposed solution.
Indirect costs should not exceed 15% of the budget and should be split equally between partners.
