Terms Of Reference: HPV Technical Assistance Consultancy Individual Consultant

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Who We Are

Girl Effect is an international non-profit that builds media that girls want, trust and need. From chatbots to chat shows and TV dramas to tech, our content reaches millions of girls in Africa and Asia to make choices and changes in their lives. Igniting their confidence to act differently at a time that can define their future. We create safe spaces for girls, sharing facts and answering questions about health, nutrition, education, relationships, etc. And we use innovative technology so we can reach girls at scale. We arm girls with the skills to negotiate and redefine what they are told is possible, so every girl can choose to be in control of her body, her health, her learning and livelihood. When a girl unlocks her power to make different choices that change her life, it inspires others to do so too. She starts a ripple effect that impacts her family, community, and country. That's the Girl Effect.

Background

Since 2016, Girl Effect has designed and implemented large-scale, evidence-driven Social and Behaviour Change (SBC) programmes to increase demand for immunization, with a particular focus on HPV vaccination and zero-dose children across multiple geographies.

Through partnerships with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance under both the Gavi 4.0 and 5.0 frameworks, Girl Effect has delivered integrated demand generation programmes in countries including Ethiopia, Tanzania, India, and Nigeria. These programmes combine mass media, digital engagement, and community-based approaches to address behavioural, social, and structural barriers to immunization uptake. Our approach leverages youth-centered, insight-driven communications alongside trusted community channels to:

• Increase awareness and understanding of HPV and routine immunization
• Build trust in vaccines and health systems
• Shift social norms and caregiver behaviours
• Support national Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) priorities

Interventions have included radio and TV programming, social media campaigns, chatbots, school engagement, and community mobilization—designed to work in synergy with health systems and frontline workers.

As part of GE's evolving portfolio to strengthen technical EPI capacity within national systems, a series of HPV technical guidelines support programme design and technical capacity building for implementation. These now require comprehensive technical review, strengthening, and consolidation to ensure they reflect global best practice, are technically rigorous, and effectively embed SBC approaches within HPV and broader immunization programming.

What We Are Looking For

We are seeking a highly experienced HPV and immunization technical specialist with deep expertise in Social and Behaviour Change (SBC) programming to lead the review, revision, and development of a suite of HPV technical guidelines.

This is not a light-touch editing assignment. The consultant will act as a technical lead and primary writer, responsible for ensuring that all outputs are:

• Technically accurate and aligned with the latest global guidance (WHO, Gavi, UNICEF)
• Grounded in best practice for SBC-led immunization programming
• Operationally practical for EPI programme managers and implementers
• Structured, coherent, and ready for immediate use across multiple country contexts

The consultant must be comfortable working at pace, synthesizing complex technical content, and translating it into clear, actionable guidance. This assignment requires a high level of technical expertise, analytical capability, and writing proficiency, as well as the ability to deliver high-quality outputs within a fast-paced timeline.

The Scope

The consultant will undertake the following:

1. Technical Review and Revision of Existing HPV Guidelines

Conduct a deep technical review and full revision of nine existing HPV guidelines, ensuring each document:

• Reflects current global evidence, data, and recommendations
• Integrates SBC principles throughout (not as add-ons)
• Aligns with EPI systems and service delivery realities
• Includes clear implementation guidance, tools, and examples
• Is tailored for use in low- and middle-income country contexts

The guidelines include:

• Advocating for HPV vaccination
• HPV risk & crisis management
• Interpersonal communication for HPV vaccination
• Digital dialogue for HPV vaccination
• HPV message framework
• Planning for HPV communication
• Planning for HPV demand promotion

Each guideline is expected to go beyond editing and require substantial rewriting, restructuring, and expansion.

2. Strengthening SBC Integration

Across all guidelines, the consultant will:

• Ensure alignment with behaviour change theory and practical application
• Integrate insights from Girl Effect's programming experience
• Strengthen linkages between communication, community engagement, and service uptake

3. Development of Additional Technical Content

• Draft new sections where gaps exist (e.g. zero-dose strategies, caregiver journeys, gender and social norms, integration into routine services)
• Develop practical tools/templates where needed (e.g. planning frameworks, message matrices, implementation checklists)

4. Development of a Comprehensive Summary Guideline

Produce a concise, high-quality synthesis guideline designed for EPI managers and decision-makers, which:

• Distills key insights and approaches from the 9 guidelines
• Provides clear, actionable direction for HPV demand generation programming
• Serves as a practical "go-to" reference document

5. Collaboration and Iteration

• Work closely with Girl Effect's programme and technical teams
• Incorporate structured feedback across multiple review rounds
• Support alignment with design/formatting requirements

Deliverables

• 9 fully revised HPV technical guidelines (publication-ready)
• 1 comprehensive summary guideline for EPI/HPV programmes managers
• Embedded tools/templates within guidelines
• Up to 3 rounds of revisions per guideline

Tentative Timeline

| Activity | Party | Deliverables | Due Date | |---|---|---|---| | Submit application | GE | Application & proposal received | 2nd May 2026 | | Recruitment of a consultant | GE | Consultant contract signed | 10th May 2026 | | Review and rewriting of the first 3 HPV guidelines (1-3) | Consultant | 3 revised, reworked and rewritten HPV guidelines (1-3) submitted to GE | 2 weeks / 10 days | | Refine the first 3 HPV guidelines (1-3) based on GE's feedback | Consultant | HPV guidelines 1-3 finalised | 1 week / 5 days | | Review and rewriting of the next 3 HPV guidelines (4-6) | Consultant | 3 revised, reworked and rewritten HPV guidelines (4-6) submitted to GE | 2 weeks / 10 days | | Refine the first 3 HPV guidelines (4-6) based on GE's feedback | Consultant | HPV guidelines 4-6 finalised | 1 week / 5 days | | Review and rewriting of the next 3 HPV guidelines (7-9) | Consultant | 3 revised, reworked and rewritten HPV guidelines (7-9) submitted to GE | 2 weeks / 10 days | | Refine the first 3 HPV guidelines (7-9) based on GE's feedback | Consultant | HPV guidelines 7-9 finalised | 1 week / 5 days | | Development of a comprehensive HPV summary guideline for EPI managers drawing on the 9 HPV guidelines | Consultant | Newly developed comprehensive HPV guidelines, with cross-cutting comprehensive review submitted to GE | 1 week / 5 days |

Duration and Level of Effort

Total duration approximately 40 working days (approx 10 weeks/2 months between May to July 2026)

Who You Are

Consultant Qualifications

The selected individual should demonstrate:

• 8–12+ years in immunization/public health
• Proven experience with HPV vaccination programmes
• Strong expertise in SBC for health
• Experience working with or aligning to WHO, Gavi, and UNICEF frameworks
• Demonstrated experience developing technical guidance documents

Highly desirable:

• Experience working with UNICEF, GAVI and EPI programmes in African and/or South Asian contexts
• Familiarity with zero-dose and equity-focused programming
• Experience working with the EPI system

Reporting and Management

The individual consultant will work closely with Girl Effect's 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 Timelines

• Terms of reference published: 24 April 2026
• Proposal submission deadline: 2 May 2026
• Commencement: May 2026 (ideally May 11th)

Proposal Submission

Your proposal, should you be interested (max. 5 pages), should cover:

• CV: Describe the qualifications, experience, and capabilities of the consultant in providing the requested services
• Reference: Provide at least three references for similar contracts with a description of the service provided, the value of the contract, and the contract periods of performance
• Sample of previous work in relation to this assignment
• Work plan with clear timelines

Financial Proposal

• A breakdown of the financial proposal in USD, indicating the daily rate for each of the proposed experts, time input, and all applicable reimbursable expenses or fixed costs for the deliverables
• All applicable taxes should be quoted separately
• In their proposal, the bidder must demonstrate an understanding of the requirements described in the TOR 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.

Evaluation Criteria

Technical Evaluation

• Proven technical experience with HPV vaccination programmes and SBC for health — 20%
• Clear and concise CV demonstrating relevant expertise — 30%
• Sample of previous works in relation to this project — 20%
• Evidence of a minimum of three contactable references — 10%

Financial Evaluation

• Value for money/proposed budget breakdown — 20%

How to Apply

Please submit proposals, as described above, to Girl Effect's procurement team at suppliers@girleffect.org by 2 May 2026. Please mark your email with the subject line, "HPV Technical Consultant."

Tax

Girl Effect is obliged by the relevant tax authorities to withhold taxes on service contract fees as well as ensure that VAT is charged where applicable. Applicants are advised to ensure that they have a clear understanding of their tax position with regard to the provisions of their local jurisdiction's tax legislation when deciding to pursue this opportunity.

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 the 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 TOR and using our specified email address (suppliers@girleffect.org).

Safeguarding

You may be required to undertake safeguarding checks. The successful applicant will be expected to adhere to our safeguarding and data policies. We encourage you to read and understand our safeguarding policy, the executive summary of which can be found at this link. We have zero tolerance for all forms of violence against children, beneficiaries and staff.

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