Request for Application (RFA) RFA No: 16-02 · JSI Research & Training Institute, Inc. 2 GENERAL...

REQUEST FOR APPLICATION

RFA NO: SPRING-16-02

Confidential

JSI Research & Training Institute, Inc.

1

Request for Application (RFA)

RFA No: 16-02

RFA Title: Implementing Partner for SPRING/Guinea to improve collaboration, learning, and

adaptation related to social and behavior change approaches for Maternal, Infant, and Young

Child Nutrition (MIYCN) and nutrition sensitive agricultural practices

Schedule:

Issuance Date of RFA: 12/03/2015

Questions Due: 12/10/2015 (17:00 Washington, DC Time)

Answers Released: 12/12/2015 (17:00 Washington, DC Time)

Application Due Date: 12/18/2015 (17:00 Washington, DC Time)

Tentative Award Start Date: January 4, 2015

*Offers received after this due date and time will not be accepted for consideration.

The Strengthening Partnerships, Results and Innovations in Nutrition Globally (SPRING)

Project, implemented by JSI Research & Training Institute, Inc. (JSI), is soliciting applications to

supply the above RFA title as described in the attached Terms of Reference. The SPRING

Project is funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and is subject to

applicable U.S. federal regulations and provisions.

Please submit your most competitive application in English in accordance with the attached

instructions, with all required Certifications. Any subagreement issued as a result of this RFA

will be subject to all instructions, certifications, terms and conditions, and specifications included

in this RFA. This document is a request for applications only and in no way obligates the Project

or USAID to make any award.

All applications, inquiries, and correspondence pertaining to this solicitation are to be directed to

the attention of:

JSI Research & Training Institute Inc.

Attn: Ryan Macabasco, SPRING Contracts & Finance Manager

1616 Fort Myer Drive, 16th

Floor

Arlington, VA, USA, 22209

Email: [email protected]

STATEMENT OF CONFIDENTIALITY

All information within this RFA, regardless of the communication form, is given in absolute

confidence and may not be disclosed without written permission from JSI Research & Training

Institute, Inc.

mailto:[email protected]



Confidential


2

GENERAL

The Strengthening Partnerships, Results, and Innovations in Nutrition Globally (SPRING)

project is a five-year USAID-funded Cooperative Agreement to strengthen global and country

efforts to scale up high-impact nutrition practices and policies and improve maternal and child

nutrition outcomes. The project is managed by JSI Research & Training Institute, Inc., with

partners Helen Keller International, The Manoff Group, Save the Children Federation, Inc., and

the International Food Policy Research Institute.

As required in the SPRING Cooperative Agreement, all procurement funded under this award is

subject to applicable provisions required to flow down from the Cooperative Agreement,

including USAID’s Standard Provisions for U.S. and Non-U.S. NGOs and 2 CFR 200. Key

clauses and provisions are included below.

INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS

1. DEFINITIONS

Offeror: The individual or firm providing applications for the supplies or services requested

under this RFA.

Subrecipient: The individual or firm awarded the services requested under the RFA in the form

of a subagreement.

2. APPLICATION GUIDELINES

SPRING is seeking Applications from international and local organizations (e.g., nonprofit, for-

profit not charging a fee, governmental, or educational institution. For their application to be

considered under this solicitation, the organization must be already registered in Guinea and be

eligible to receive, or have adequate financial controls and can reasonably expect to be eligible to

receive, USAID funds by satisfying 2CFR200 requirements. No funds shall be paid as profit to

any recipient that is a commercial organization. Profit is any amount in excess of allowable

direct and indirect costs.

This RFA is focused in the District of Faranah, Guinea. Offerors must have established

operations in this district to be considered. The total budget for the application must not

exceed USD$100,000.00. The duration shall be projected at nine (9) months, January 1 –

September 30, 2016.

The Technical Application must be submitted in English.

No more than 1 (one) application may be submitted by each Offeror. Offerors are encouraged to

read the solicitation in its entirety and ensure that their application addresses all of the items cited

in the application instructions and meets the selection criteria. All applications must be

submitted by the deadline established on the cover page of this RFA. Offers received after this

due date and time will not be accepted for consideration.



Confidential


3

The Offeror’s application must be accompanied by a cover letter typed on official organizational

letterhead and signed by an individual who has signatory authority for the Offeror. The Offeror

must submit a complete application package – in electronic format (PDF) – on or before the due

date and time to Ryan Macabasco at [email protected].

JSI will acknowledge receipt of your application by email. Receipt of an application to this

request does not constitute an award or commitment on behalf of JSI or the United States

Government, nor does it commit JSI or the US Government to reimburse any costs incurred in

the preparation and submission of an application. JSI reserves the right not to make any award

as a result of this solicitation, or to make partial award(s).

All applications received on or before the due date and time will be reviewed by a technical

committee that will evaluate the applications according to the selection criteria provided below.

The committee will determine which Offeror(s) will be funded (if any) based on the submitted

applications. All Offerors will be notified in writing whether or not their Application is

recommended for funding. A recommendation for funding is contingent on the availability of

funds within the SPRING award.

a) Cover Page Include the name of the organization submitting the Application, project title, country where the

majority of the proposed project will be implemented (e.g., where capacity assessment and

capacity building will be implemented), proposed project dates (e.g. January 1, 2016-September

30, 2016), requested amount (in USD) of USAID funding, and name, office address, phone, fax,

email of the primary individual responsible for the Application and one alternate.

b) Executive Summary:

The executive summary should provide an overview of critical features of the proposed technical

approach, specifically in improving Social and Behavior Change Communication (SBCC) in

Maternal, Infant, and Young Child nutrition (MIYCN) and nutrition-sensitive agriculture

practices, any gaps in the organization’s capacity to support services to the aforementioned area,

and technical assistance.

c) Technical Approach

The Technical Approach shall describe the Offeror’s existing technical and organizational

capacity, and how the offeror intends to carry out the Terms of Reference in Annex 1. It should

be concise, specific, complete, and demonstrate a clear understanding of the work to be

undertaken and the responsibilities of all parties involved. It must demonstrate the Offeror’s

eligibility, as well as their capabilities and expertise in conducting each step of the activity.

The offeror will manage day-to-day operations of SPRING activities in Faranah in alignment

with the approved work plan, and will ensure that the project and project personnel comply with

relevant rules and regulations within the host country. The offeror should plan on hiring a

SPRING/Guinea Technical Activities Manager (see Annex 3 for Sample Job Description)

The Technical Application shall be no more than 12 pages. This page limit does NOT include

the following items: cover page, table of contents, executive summary, and acronym list. All

applications must be typed on standard letter-sized paper (8 ½ x 11” ) with 1” margins, using a

mailto:[email protected]



Confidential


4

font size of 12 Times New Roman, except within tables and in the budget section where the font

size may be smaller but still easily readable.

Offeror’s shall include only information necessary to provide a clear understanding of the

proposed action and the justification for it. Greater detail than necessary, as well as insufficient

detail may detract from an application’s clarity. Assume that the reader is not familiar with the

particular context in which the project will be implemented. Minimize or avoid the use of jargon

and acronyms as much as possible. If acronyms or abbreviations are used, include a separate

page explaining the terms.

Please do not include examples of your work although you may include a website(s) for us to

review that reflect your work. If JSI requires additional materials we will request those materials

during the review process.

d) Capability Statement

Not to exceed three (3) pages in length, indicating size of the agency, staff strength, past

experience in similar work with donor organizations, and a company profile and/or brochure.

This should describe the applicant’s organizational philosophy and approach, and if possible to

SBCC and Nutrition-sensitive activities, their current relationships with community

organizations, government and local implementing partners in the Faranah District, and their

current logistical capacity.

Additionally, each organization should provide information based on three (3) relevant, either in

scope or funding, past performances using the past performance information table (attachment

2).

e) Budget (See Attachment 1)

Offerors should include a summary budget (see format below) and detailed budget using the

following categories of cost (exclude any that do not apply): Labor/ Personnel, Allowances/Staff

Benefits/Fringe Benefits, Consultants, Travel & Transportation, Equipment & Supplies, and

Other Direct Costs. There will be no Sub-grants under this award. The category Overhead or

Indirect Costs may be used only if the organization has normally included this cost in previous

activities funded by international donors. Otherwise, please include all overhead costs (share of

rent, utilities, management costs, etc.) within the other categories. No profit or fee may be

charged. The budget notes need to be detailed and should indicate a reasonable amount of care

and thought in terms of general budgetary assumptions. All budget estimates must be in U.S.

Dollars.

Budget Summary Format in U.S. Dollars ($)

LINE ITEM (USD$) I. Personnel $

II. Fringe Benefits $

III. Consultants $

IV. Travel and Transportation $



Confidential


5

V. Equipment $

VI. Other Direct Costs $

VII. Indirect Costs (if applicable) $

TOTAL PROJECT COST $

Each major budget line item should include detailed line “sub-categories” in the detailed budget

presentation, as necessary, and described below.

Budget Preparation Instructions

A detailed budget narrative in English that justifies the costs as appropriate and necessary for the

successful completion of proposed activities should be attached to the budget. The budget

narrative should clearly describe the project and cost assumptions for the SPRING funded costs.

All proposed costs and estimates must be reasonable and allowable in accordance with the US

Government’s Cost Principles established in 2CFR200, Subpart E. All proposed costs must be

directly applicable to performing the work under the award and budgeted amounts should not

exceed the market cost/value of an item or service.

Although the budget is an estimate or prediction and the assumptions contained in the budget

may change, in order for JSI to issue an award the budget must contain detailed assumptions

regarding rates and expected quantities/levels of effort. Reasonable and minor changes in rates or

quantities due to circumstances beyond the control of the organization will be considered and

generally will be allowable.

The budget narrative should be of sufficient detail so that someone unfamiliar with your

organization or the activity could review and adequately understand and grasp the assumptions,

reasonableness and calculation method used.

Budget narratives must be prepared using Microsoft Word software and should be separate from

the budget. Summary and Detail budgets must be prepared using Microsoft Excel software.

Specific Guidance by Budget Line Item:

I. Personnel – This category should include salaries for full or part-time employees. The

proposed compensation rates should approximate the current salary for the same or similar

positions. The individual’s name for each position, if already identified, should be

mentioned, as well as the salary rate and level of effort (generally either number of days or

months). Please note that per USAID regulations, compensation for Personnel included in

the Offeror’s application cannot exceed the USAID Contractor Salary Threshold (CST),

currently established at $168,700 per annum or $648 per day.

II. Fringe Benefits – Fringe Benefits or other compensation are calculated separately from the

base salary and the budget details should present the amounts in a similar manner. If fringe

benefits are paid, the types of fringe benefits and their individual costs should be disclosed.

III. Consultants/Contractual – A consultant is an individual with a particular profession or

that possesses a special skill that is hired by the organization for a specific task; however,



Confidential


6

this individual is not an employee or officer of the organization and in general no fringe

benefits are to be included in the consultant’s rate. The consultant’s “title” (i.e. what

service) should be included in the sub-line items in your budget table. The proposed

consultant rates (either hourly or daily) and LOE (level of effort) should be mentioned,

justified, and addressed in the budget narrative and should form the basis of the calculation

in your budget. The budget note should describe the specific services the consultants will

perform. All contractual agreements for services should be in this section.

IV. Travel and Transportation – The Application should indicate the number of trips,

domestic and international, and the estimated costs. Specify the origin (city, country) and

destination (city, country) for each proposed trip, duration of travel, and number of

individuals traveling. Per Diem, if paid, should be based on the Offeror’s normal travel

policies and on USAID travel regulations. The following cost categories should be covered

and budgeted for under this line item: airfare, other travel fares (specify), lodging, per

diem, vehicle fuel, vehicle repairs, taxi/other ground transport, etc. If “standard” rates are

used, the source of the standard should be mentioned.

V. Equipment – Include equipment with a per-unit value of $5,000 or more. List the item,

quantity, estimated unit cost, projected source, and origin. The “USAID Eligibility Rules

for Goods and Services” will apply to any award. These rules can be found in the following

website: http://www.usaid.gov/policy/ads/300/303maa.pdf, and mainly pertain to the

“source and origin” of the items to be purchased. SPRING is geographic code “935”.

VI. Other Direct Costs – This line item includes costs such as communications, supplies,

postage, printing, equipment under $5,000, office rent, etc. Also, costs of any non-

programmatic professional services, if any, being procured through a contract mechanism

should be included here (such as audit costs). The narrative should provide a breakdown

and support for all other direct costs.

VII. Program Activities (if any) – Generally, this category should only be used if the activity

includes significant program related procurement of services or goods (20% or more of the

total budget). For example, significant costs related to training, goods to be purchased and

distributed, etc. Relatively small program related services under 20% of the total budget

should be included in the other above line items.

VIII. Indirect Cost – Funds should be budgeted here if your organization has a currently

approved Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA). In the absence of a NICRA,

we will accept a rate calculation that has been certified by a public accountant or public

accounting firm. Indirect costs must be clearly stated including the basis on which they will

be applied. These costs are administrative expenses related to overall general operations

and are shared among projects and/or functions. Examples include executive oversight,

accounting, grants management, legal expenses, utilities, and facility maintanence. In so

far as possible, indentifiable (allocable) costs should be requested and justified in the

application as direct costs, including those for dedicated ongoing management, facilities,

and support.



Confidential


7

JSI RESERVES THE RIGHT, IN ITS SOLE DISCRETION, TO MODIFY THE REQUEST,

TO ALTER THE SELECTION PROCESS IN ANY WAY, TO ASK FOR ADDITIONAL

INFORMATION FROM OFFERORS, TO REJECT ANY AND ALL APPLICATIONS

AND/OR TO MODIFY OR AMEND THE SCOPE OF THE APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED.

THE RELEASE OF THIS RFA IS NOT A COMMITMENT TO AWARD A CONTRACT.

Each Offeror acknowledges and agrees that the preparation of all materials for submission to JSI

and all presentations made by the Offeror are at the Offeror’s sole cost and expense, and JSI shall

not, under any circumstances, be responsible for any cost or expense incurred by an Offeror. All

documentation and/or materials submitted with an application shall become and remain the

property of JSI.

3. EVALUATION & SUBAWARD

a) Introduction

All applications will be reviewed by a technical committee that will evaluate the

Applications according to the criteria provided within. The committee will determine

which Offeror will be funded based on the submitted Applications. The SPRING Contracts

and Finance Manager will use the conclusions and recommendations of the technical

evaluation and an evaluation of the costs to negotiate a subagreement with the successful

applicant.

Applications will undergo a preliminary review by SPRING staff for completeness and

responsiveness. Incomplete Applications, Applications judged to be unresponsive to this

RFA, and Applications submitted after the due date and time will be ineligible and will

NOT be considered for an award.

b) Selection Process

Review of the applications will be made against the following broad criteria: completeness

of the Application and responsiveness of the Application to the solicitation. All

Applications deemed complete by JSI staff will then be reviewed and evaluated against the

selection criteria described below.

c) Evaluation Criteria

Applicants should note that these criteria serve to: 1) identify the significant matters which

Applicants should address in their Applications; and 2) set the standard against which

Applications will be evaluated.

The Application will be evaluated in accordance with the criteria set forth below.

Thereafter, the proposed Budget of an acceptable Application will be reviewed for general

reasonableness, allowability, and allocability of costs. The Award will be made to the

Applicant whose Application offers the greatest value, and will be made based on the

ranking of applications according to the technical selection criteria identified below.

JSI reserves the right to request further information from all candidates deemed to have met

initial selection criteria, as needed to make a final selection of offeror.



Confidential


8

For the purpose of selection, the evaluation will be based on a weighted point scale

(totaling 100 points) of the application in its entirety, including, but not limited to, the

following:

Technical Approach, including overall application and approach (60 points Max)

• Description of existing technical capacity highlights organization’s and staff

understanding of nutrition, SBCC, and nutrition-sensitive agriculture.

• Description of offerors logistical capacity in Faranah District

• Understanding of local context, partnerships, and other in-country

collaborative networks

Institutional Capabilities and level of relevant experience among designated team

(15 points max) (see attachment 2)

Cost/budget application (20 points max for cost reasonableness and clarity)

Proposed Timeline (5 Points max)

d) Subaward Type

The contracting document will be a Cost-Reimbursable Subagreement to be awarded once

an offeror has been selected, whose application is most advantageous, cost and other

factors considered. The awarded subagreement will include a statement of the total price

ceiling; the scope of work with stated deliverables and due dates; the USAID Standard

Provisions for U.S. or Non-U.S. NGOs; and invoicing information. Any expenses incurred

in excess of the agreed upon subagreement ceiling amount will be the responsibility of the

subrecipient and not that of JSI or USAID. All deliverables produced under said

subagreement shall be considered the property of JSI. JSI reserves the right to issue a

subagreement based on the initial evaluation of offers without discussion. JSI may choose

to award a subagreement for part of the activities in the RFA. JSI may choose to award a

subagreement to more than one offeror for specific parts of the activities in the RFA.

Therefore, the Offeror is duly advised to provide its most competitive and realistic cost

application to cover all foreseeable expenses related to the tasks outlined in the Terms of

Reference in Annex 1.

4. OFFER VALIDITY

The Offeror's technical and cost applications must remain valid for not less than 90 calendar days

after the deadline specified above. Applications must be signed by an official authorized to bind

the Offeror to its provisions.

5. FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

Offerors which are firms and not individuals must certify in the application submitted to the

Project that they have the financial viability and resources to complete the proposed activities

within the period of performance and under the terms of payment outlined below. JSI reserves

the right to request and review the latest financial statements and audit reports of the Offeror as

part of the basis of the award.

6. LANGUAGE

The application, as well as correspondence and related documents should be in English.



Confidential


9

7. NEGOTIATIONS

The Offeror's most competitive application is requested. It is anticipated that any award issued

will be made solely on the basis of an Offeror’s application. However, the Project reserves the

right to request responses to additional technical, management and cost questions which would

help in negotiating and awarding a subagreement. The Project also reserves the right to conduct

negotiations on technical, management, or cost issues prior to the award of a subagreement. In

the event that an agreement cannot be reached with an Offeror the Project will enter into

negotiations with alternate Offerors for the purpose of awarding a subagreement without any

obligation to previously considered Offerors.

8. REJECTION OF APPLICATIONS

The Project reserves the right to reject any and all applications received, or to negotiate

separately with any and all competing Offerors. Offerors whose applications are not selected

will be notified in writing.

9. INCURRING COSTS

The Project is not liable for any cost incurred by Offerors during preparation, submission, or

negotiation of an award for this RFA. The costs are solely the responsibility of the Offeror.

10. CANCELLATION

The Project may cancel this RFA without any cost or obligation at any time until issuance of a

subagreement, be it funding or programmatic.

11. CERTIFICATIONS

The application shall be accompanied by all required Certifications in Annex 4, signed by an

authorized official of the Offeror. The certifications can also be downloaded at SPRING

Procurement webpage (www.spring-nutrition.org/procurement).

12. KEY CLAUSES AND PROVISIONS

The following key clauses and provisions will be incorporated into the subagreement awarded as

a result of this solicitation. The list is not comprehensive but provides Offeror’s with the key

provisions and clauses to be included.

a) Payment

Payments will be made on the following basis:

The subrecipient will submit an invoice for payment on a monthly basis. Acceptance is

predicated upon the compliance of the goods/services with the specifications set forth in the

subagreement.

JSI payment cycle is net 30 days upon receipt of invoice.

Should the subrecipient require payment along other terms and conditions, these will need to

be negotiated with JSI prior to final award and issuance of the subagreement. Full

cooperation with JSI in meeting the terms and conditions of payment will be given the

highest consideration.

http://www.spring-nutrition.org/procurement



Confidential


10

b) Executive Order on Terrorist Financing

The contractor must not engage in transactions with, or provide resources or support to,

individuals and organizations associated with terrorism, including those individuals or entities

that appear on the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List maintained by the

U.S. Treasury (online at: http://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/SDN-

List/Pages/default.aspx) or the United Nations Security designation list (online at:

http://www.un.org/sc/committees/1267/aq_sanctions_list.shtml).

c) Debarment, Suspension, Ineligibility, and Voluntary Exclusion

The vendor certifies that neither it nor its principals is presently excluded or disqualified from

participation in this transaction by any US Government federal department or agency.

d) USAID Standard Provisions for U.S. and Non-U.S. NGOs

END CLAUSES



Confidential


1

Annex 1: Terms of Reference Service Being Provided: Implementing Partner for SPRING/Guinea FY16 Work Plan

Estimated Period of Performance: (January 2016 – September 2016) A. Background to the Project:

The SPRING Project is a five-year cooperative agreement funded by USAID. SPRING’s vision is to reduce undernutrition, prevent stunting, and contribute to the reduction anemia in of women. By providing state-of-the-art technical support, SPRING aims to strengthen country efforts to scale up high-impact nutrition practices and policies to improve maternal and child nutrition outcomes. SPRING’s experienced implementation team consists of experts from JSI Research & Training Institute, Inc., Helen Keller International, International Food Policy Research Institute, Save the Children, and The Manoff Group. With funding and guidance from USAID, SPRING is launching a 10-month program in Guinea with the objective of improving collaboration, learning, and adaptation related to social and behavior change approaches for maternal, infant, and young child nutrition (MIYCN) and nutrition-sensitive agricultural practices. SPRING’s work in Guinea will support Feed the Future’s high level objective of improved nutritional status of women and children, focusing on the overarching goal of contributing to improving dietary diversity among households with pregnant and lactating women (PLW) and children under the age of two years in target areas. The results framework, showing expected results, is shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1: Results Framework

SPRING plans to work with existing organizations and resources to test small-scale approaches for improving dietary diversity, documenting and sharing learning that can then inform longer-term programming. The overall project has been designed on the basis of a detailed needs assessment conducted within Guinea in September-October 2015, and will be implemented in the prefecture of Faranah, specifically engaging with the National Agriculture University (ISAV), and targeting a small number of local communities which will be determined in consultation with the implementing partner. SPRING is seeking an implementing partner (IP) with existing project activities in the target area, and experience in the areas of nutrition, agriculture, and/or social and behavior change communications (SBCC). The implementing partner will assist SPRING to plan and deliver community-based



Confidential


2

interventions, and to test and implement new project approaches. The partner will be responsible for providing administrative, management, and monitoring support for field-based activities for the SPRING project in Guinea. The engagement of the IP is contingent upon formal approval of the project work-plan by USAID. The workplan activities in Annex 2 should be used as a guide for all applications. SPRING may modify the workplan activities prior to finalization of the subagreement. In the event that this occurs, all activities will be coordinated and discussed with selected IP and if necessary, adjust related deliverables. B. Objective of the Activity:

The objective of this SOW is to assist SPRING in the successful and timely execution of the FY16 SPRING/Guinea workplan. The overarching strategic objective of SPRING’s work in Guinea is to “Improve collaboration, learning, and adaptation related to social and behavior change approaches for MIYCN and nutrition sensitive agricultural practices.” SPRING’s work plan is attached in Annex 1, and provides significant background regarding SPRING’s planned activities. C. Responsibilities of the Local Implementing Partner:

The primary role of the Implementing Partner (IP) is to facilitate the implementation of project activities that are based at the community- and district-level in Faranah. In addition, the IP will represent the SPRING/Guinea program through national-level working groups, meetings, and technical bodies as appropriate. The work of the IP will be supported and complemented by SPRING’s technical staff, primarily based in Washington, DC with strong social and behavior change communication (SBCC) and nutrition-sensitive agriculture expertise. The successful applicant will serve as the IP and primary host of the SPRING project in Guinea. As much as possible, the SPRING/Guinea program will seek to build upon the current work of the IP and its relationships with ISAV, community organizations, government entities, and other stakeholders. In order to be able to leverage these existing community- and district-level relationships, the IP must be able to demonstrate an established presence in the target prefecture of Faranah, and a history of successfully engaging with these groups/stakeholders in Faranah. Ideally, the IP should have existing capacity in the areas of nutrition, agriculture, and/or SBCC, particularly at the community level. In collaboration with the SPRING Program Manager, the IP will carry out detailed implementation planning at the start of the project, and will be responsible for ensuring timely delivery of district-level project activities including (but not limited to) trainings, formative research and assessments, pre-testing of communications materials, and facilitation of field visits. SPRING will lead the development and design of materials, curricula, and other project documents, and will provide both remote support and direct technical assistance through several country support visits during the life of the project. In addition to the work to be carried out by the IP, SPRING will have other project activities, funded through separate funding, also being implemented within the project area at the same time. These activities may include the introduction of community video and the development of high quality graphics and print media. The SPRING Manager will coordinate all elements of the SPRING/Guinea project across partners, and where feasible, the IP will be involved in linking with other project activities. The IP will manage day-to-day operations of SPRING activities in Faranah, in alignment with the approved workplan, and will ensure that the project and project personnel comply with relevant rules and regulations within the host country. The proposed implementation budget for the 9-month period should not exceed $100,000.



Confidential


1

D. Tasks: To achieve this objective, the successful applicant will carry out the following tasks:

1. Work with SPRING/Washington, SPRING Program Manager, and Partner Coordination Consultant to ensure that partnerships, project start-up, and relevant in-country collaborative networks are established;

2. In collaboration with SPRING/Washington and the SPRING Program Manager, recruit and hire a full-time SPRING/Guinea Technical Manager in country (see Annex 2: Proposed SOW for SPRING/Guinea Technical Manager);

3. Ensure other local staff/consultants are hired or assigned to support the implementation of SPRING program activities as needed, to fulfill the obligations outlined in the workplan;

4. With support from the SPRING Program Manager and other SPRING/Washington staff, carry out detailed implementation planning at the start of the project, clearly laying out project activities, timelines, and responsibilities;

5. Based on the agreed workplan, identify opportunities for implementation of SPRING project activities at the community level, working through existing community-based organizations, groups, and other local/district stakeholders

6. Ensure smooth implementation and monitoring of activities at the district and community level, ensuring timely, quality delivery of project activities per approved work plan;

7. In close collaboration with the SPRING Program Manager, oversee all aspects of the program finance, logistics, and operations at country level, ensuring cost efficiencies and compliance with SPRING, and USAID rules and regulations;

8. Ensure timely, accurate reporting to the SPRING Program Manager on project activities and expenditures;

9. Through the Technical Manager, represent the SPRING project within relevant meetings, working groups, government bodies, and other national stakeholders. In collaboration with the SPRING Program Manager, ensure regular contact and positive relationships with national- and district-level stakeholders

10. In close collaboration with the SPRING Program Manager and SPRING/Washington, ensure the technical and programmatic integrity of SPRING’s work in Guinea.

11. Establish an office space for the SPRING/Guinea Technical Manager, and host and ensure the safety and security of any SPRING consultants or staff while in country performing SPRING related duties;

12. Where agreed upon with the SPRING Program Manager and SPRING/Washington, identify and source [local] short-term technical assistance to support SPRING/Guinea activities;

13. Where necessary, in collaboration with Program Manager and Partner Coordination Consultant, identify and sub-contract local partners or service providers to perform SPRING related work;

14. Ensure compliance with local government, SPRING, and USAID regulations in the procurement and oversight of any grant mechanisms.



Confidential


1

G. Deliverables:

No. Deliverables

1. Submission of a detailed implementation plan (developed during program start-up in collaboration with SPRING

Program Manager) based on a template to be provided

2. Submission of monthly program progress reports based on a template to be provided

3. Submission of monthly financial reports

4. Submission of monitoring reports in accordance with the final approved PMP

5. Submission of end of program final report (inclusive of case study/successor story write-up)



Confidential


1

Annex 2:

Draft SPRING/Guinea FY16 Workplan

Guinea experiences chronically high levels of undernutrition, with almost one-third of all children stunted, and

77% of children having anemia. Exclusive breastfeeding rates are among the lowest in the region, with only about

20% of children under the age of 6 months being exclusively breastfed. The outbreak of the Ebola virus disease

(EVD) in early 2014 has affected health service delivery and disrupted normal agricultural practices.

Under the direction of USAID/Guinea, SPRING conducted a nutrition assessment between July and early October

2015, using post-Ebola response funding, which the Bureau for Food Security (BFS) provided. The assessment,

which included a desk review and field work in Guinea, examined the impact of the Ebola crisis on health and

agricultural services, agricultural production, and food security in Guinea; and the outbreak’s relationship to high

levels of undernutrition, including stunting and anemia. Over the course of our assessment, SPRING identified key

challenges and opportunities, summarized below, to promoting improved nutrition, food security, and livelihoods

among rural agricultural households within the prefectures of Faranah and Kissidougou.

Findings from the needs assessment showed that a combination of poverty, seasonal food insecurity, and poor

household feeding practices results in extremely low rates of children eating an adequate diet that meets their

needs. Less than one in 10 children between the ages of 6 and 23 months eats a minimum adequate diet, and the

diversity of diets is very low. Households reported struggling to grow sufficient food to ensure a diversified,

quality diet, especially during the hunger season, which occurs annually; and they lack the resources to purchase

nutritious foods. Although many households raise poultry or small livestock, eggs and other animal source–foods

are rarely eaten, as households prefer to use their livestock to generate income.

The assessment found that a number of institutional and contextual factors further contribute to the high rates of

undernutrition and lack of diversified, quality diets. Hygiene standards were observed to be poor; health centers

were poorly equipped, lacking medical supplies and often running water, as well. Although a network of

agriculture extension workers is in place, they had limited resources, supplies, and education materials.

Although many challenges were identified, the assessment also noted a number of key opportunities, such as—

Communities have developed coping strategies to handle hunger, poverty, and other hardships they face,

such as utilizing alternative crops during the lean season.

A variety of locally produced crops are available in markets, which could be promoted to improve dietary

diversity.1

1 This field assessment took place during the month of September, which coincides with Guinea’s rainy season, and which is also considered

the hunger/lean season. As such, feedback on the variety and/or availability of crops may be somewhat different if data were collected during

another time of the year. For further information, see the food table in the SPRING Guinea Nutrition Assessment Report.



Confidential


2

Community members demonstrated a desire to learn about how to improve agriculture practices, food

preparation, and processing methods.

Health and agricultural service providers expressed interest in increasing food access, promoting key

behaviors or practices, and improving nutritional status within their communities.

Community members, leaders, health workers, and extension agents readily identified nutrition as a

challenge faced by the population; they were enthusiastic about the possibility of improving the

community nutritional knowledge base and associated practices.

Several potential partners are operational within the area, and there is a clear potential for expanding the

existing programmatic expertise within local and international development organizations.

For a full list of our findings, including challenges, opportunities, and programmatic recommendations, please

refer to the SPRING Guinea Nutrition Assessment Report. These challenges and opportunities have influenced

decisions related to SPRING’s proposed goal, strategic objective, intermediate results, implementation zone,

and target populations. SPRING’s proposed technical approach and management/technical assistance plan is

based on the overall nutrition assessment findings, in combination with feedback obtained from USAID during

debriefs and other discussions. Prioritized work plan activities reflect the established funding level and an

implementation timeframe between December 1, 2015 and September 30, 2016.

Technical Approach:

The overall goal under this work plan is to Contribute to improving dietary diversity among households with

pregnant and lactating women and children under the age of 2 years, in the SPRING target areas. SPRING’s strategic

objective is to Improve collaboration, learning, and adaptation related to social and behavior change approaches for

maternal, infant, and young child nutrition (MIYCN) and nutrition-sensitive agricultural practices. The SPRING/Guinea

Results Framework (see figure 1) supports the overarching Feed the Future framework objective of improved

nutritional status, leveraging agricultural productivity and income generation, as well as women’s empowerment

to improve access to diverse and quality foods. The results have been organized around three integrated

intermediate results (IR), which aim to improve the dietary diversity of children and pregnant and lactating women

by strengthening practices that will increase the availability of a range of nutritious foods; and by increasing the

demand for, access to, and consumption of these foods. In addition, the project will encourage the adoption of

optimal behaviors that contribute to improved nutrition, including MIYCN; as well as improved water, sanitation,

and hygiene (WASH) behaviors.

Given the short timeframe for this project, emphasis will be placed on testing and learning from small-scale

approaches, in partnership with key stakeholders and local organizations that have an existing presence in the

target area.

Implementation Approach

SPRING plans to focus its interventions on developing and testing a limited set of prioritized materials and

approaches, as well as local capacity building. The results of these activities will be used to identify promising

approaches that can be scaled up in longer-term programs, or in an additional year of programming, if possible.

Using the collaboration, learn, and adapt model (CLA), SPRING will—



Confidential


3

Build on proven approaches for social behavior change communication (SBCC), focusing efforts at the

community and household-levels;

apply lessons learned and improved practices for linking agriculture and nutrition for improved dietary

diversity, especially related to the three pathways of production, income, and women’s empowerment;2

use regular technical assistance (TA) and active engagement to work with and through partners already

working in the SPRING project area, both governmental and nongovernmental, as appropriate; and

ensure strong learning and documentation outcomes, based on a set of highly targeted and narrowly

focused (pilot) interventions.

These four approaches are connected to SPRING’s proposed programming in Sierra Leone, with the intention of

encouraging a cross-country learning agenda. Both countries also share the high-level project goal of increasing

dietary diversity and the strategic objective that aims to increase CLA around approaches centered on SBCC.

2 To learn more about these pathways, see SPRING’s Understanding and Applying Pathways and Principles brief.



Confidential


4

Figure 1: Results Framework



Confidential


5



Confidential


6

Under the proposed intermediate results, SPRING/Guinea will specifically focus on developing, testing,

and sharing innovative strategies to promote nutrition-specific behaviors and nutrition-sensitive

agriculture, while also encouraging collaboration across sectors and among partners. SPRING will work

with key partners and communities to increase the demand for, access to, and supply of diverse, nutrient-

rich foods that support improved diets and MIYCN practices during the first 1,000 days.3 The first

intermediate result (IR1) emphasizes SBCC at the household- and community-level. The second

intermediate result (IR2) focuses on building the capacity of local agricultural actors in nutrition-sensitive

agriculture services, including extension services; as well as agricultural inputs (e.g., seeds, plant material,

fertilizers, tools, etc.) required to ensure an affordable4 supply of diverse, nutrient-rich foods within the

targeted communities. Under the third intermediate result 3 (IR3), SPRING will consolidate lessons learned

in Guinea and experiences from other relevant programs, introduce knowledge management practices,

and share output among key stakeholders within Guinea and with the SPRING program in Sierra Leone.

SPRING will incorporate principles and activities of effective SBCC across a range of channels and target

groups, testing ways to improve the uptake of optimal nutrition and nutrition-sensitive agriculture

practices in households and communities. Key practices that will be targeted include—

Increasing demand for more diverse and/or nutrient-rich foods;

promoting the use of income earned from agricultural livelihoods toward improved diets,

especially for pregnant and lactating women (PLW) and children under the age of 2; and

empowering women through increased capacity and support for their families and communities

to apply their knowledge of better diets; and to either produce or purchase and prepare these

foods, especially nutrient-rich fruits/vegetables and animal source foods.

These practices, promoted in the selected villages, will be identified with USAID and key partners. Where

possible, these nutrition-sensitive agriculture practices will be incorporated into the ongoing

programming of various local partners, as well as ISAV instructional curricula—supported through the

development of appropriate SBCC materials and approaches. To better understand barriers and

facilitators of these practices, SPRING will conduct formative research, which will include identification of

gaps in current agriculture information services and inputs that could be made more nutrition sensitive.

SPRING also intends to sensitize a range of stakeholders working in Faranah. These sensitizations will

address key concepts of nutrition-sensitive agriculture, as well as nutrition-specific behaviors. To

strengthen the enabling environment for nutrition, SPRING will facilitate conversations, disseminate its

materials, and share lessons learned with agriculture, health, and nutrition-related stakeholders, working

3 The “1,000 days” period refers to the time period between conception and a child’s second birthday. Research has shown that

malnutrition in this time period can cause irreversible damage to a child’s brain, immune system, digestive system, and physical

growth. This time period is a “window of opportunity” to have the biggest impact on a child’s life.

4 Affordability often becomes an issue for many consumers when crops are grown using inputs, as consumer prices may have to

absorb the investment costs related to these inputs. Increased inputs will likely make foods less affordable, at least in the

immediate/short term.



Confidential


7

both in Faranah and throughout Guinea. These discussions and materials will highlight USAID’s nutrition-

specific and nutrition-sensitive agriculture investments among key nutrition players in Guinea.

To ensure rapid implementation, and to build on and work through existing nutrition and/or agriculture

activities, SPRING will identify—using a competitive bidding process—one or more appropriate local

partners already working within the project area. SPRING’s work in Guinea will complement current USAID

and other donor investments aimed at promoting the adoption of nutrition-specific behaviors with and

through a range of community-based groups; including, but not limited to, agricultural groups within the

communities, village savings and loan associations (VSLAs), mother’s support groups, community garden

groups, parent-teacher associations, and others. A limited number of nutrition-sensitive agriculture

practices will be prioritized for promotion, based on the findings of an initial rapid formative research.

Assessment and planning will actively involve various local stakeholders and partner organizations in

Faranah—including the ISAV—in order to build the capacity of these key stakeholders and improve their

understanding and ability to identify leverage points for nutrition within the existing agricultural activities

and strategies.

SPRING program implementation in Guinea will also build off and expand on SPRING’s program work in

Ghana.5 SPRING will apply lessons learned from SPRING/Ghana’s first 1,000 day household and community

approach to its work in Guinea, where parallels can be drawn between the production, purchase,

preparation, consumption, and storage of diverse foods. This comparison will further enrich SPRING’s

communication and approaches, as it works with the selected partner organization, ISAV, and other

stakeholders.

Partnerships and Collaboration

In Guinea, based on discussions with USAID, SPRING plans to actively engage, through a sub-award, with

a local development organization that has an established office and operations based in Faranah—

referred to in this work plan as the SPRING local partner. This partner will provide administrative and

logistical support to SPRING, and will facilitate the on-the-ground operations for many of the proposed

activities. This strategic relationship will relieve the economic burden of setting up an independent local

office in Faranah during this first year. Based on SPRING’s assessment, several well established and highly

functional organizations have expressed an interest in working with SPRING. The local partner will be

selected through a competitive bidding process.

SPRING also intends to specifically engage with the national agricultural university, ISAV, which is based in

Faranah.6 To ensure regular SPRING oversight and support, community-based activities planned under the

project will focus on selected villages within close proximity of ISAV. Through a combined partnership

with the local partner and ISAV, SPRING is positioned to capitalize on the strengths of the existing

programming and experience while building further relevant capacities. Through the proposed activities,

5 For further information see the SPRING website: https://www.spring-nutrition.org/countries/ghana.

6 The number of villages with which SPRING will engage will be defined during quarter 1.



Confidential


8

SPRING will provide regular technical assistance and continually engage with local partner staff, as well as

the university faculty and students.

The ISAV faculty and current programming in Faranah provides an ideal platform to collaborate on

agriculture extension, training, and action research. Co-location within ISAV, if possible, would afford

unique opportunities for the leveraging, layering, and sequencing of activities, thus maximizing limited

resources. The university is currently reviewing its plans to support a new academic focus on Food and

Nutrition Science, and has expressed great interest in new innovations and appropriate technologies to

improve their current agricultural extension program. This interest in new programming provides an

opportune platform for SPRING to test and pilot its nutrition-sensitive agriculture activities with ISAV

faculty and university students. With ISAV, SPRING will facilitate learning programs between experts and

decentralized field staff of the health sector. ISAV’s established relationship with the USAID-funded

Winrock Farmer-to-Farmer (F2F) program and Agriculture Education and Market Improvement Program

(AEMIP) could provide additional opportunities for SPRING to integrate technical support and expertise

that furthers SPRING’s support to ISAV, while leveraging the USAID-funded Winrock’s resources.

Establishing a relationship with a local partner and ISAV will also facilitate connections with the Ministry of

Agriculture’s extension program—Agence Nationale de la Promotion Rurale et du Conseil Agricole

(ANPROCA)—and the farmer-based organizations (FBOs) that they support: other community associations

and small enterprise groups, agricultural business centers (ABCs), input wholesalers, and agro-dealers.

Due to the wide reach of these organizations, partnerships with these local entities may encourage the

use of and demand for increased nutrition-sensitive agriculture and nutrition-specific practices that

SPRING intends to promote.

The possibility of partnering with the United States Peace Corps7 during SPRING’s first year of

implementation may further enhance their technical approach and platform. This partnership would

enable SPRING to build on the Peace Corps’ community-based approach, as well as benefit from staff and

volunteers’ local language skills and positive history of strong cultural engagement in Guinea.

SPRING will work closely with and leverage other existing USAID-funded projects and platforms that

already focus on elements of nutrition, maternal and child health, and/or SBCC; and operate in the same

target zone. Potential partnerships where SPRING might collaborate on SBCC strategies, tools, and

methodologies include the Johns Hopkins University (JHU) Health Communication Capacity Collaborative

(HC3) project, the JHPEIGO Maternal Child Survival Project (MCSP), and Population Services International.

Establishing these relationships will ensure that appropriate technologies are used, redundancies are

avoided, opportunities for leveraging are maximized, and innovative social and behavior change, as well

as social marketing concepts, are applied, wherever possible.

It is hoped that with SPRING’s efforts to support coordination and collaboration with other Faranah-based

international nongovernmental organizations (INGOs) and local nongovernmental organizations (NGOs

that these other stakeholders will identify and take advantage of entry points for community-based

7 A partnership with the Peace Corps would initially start by programming with Peace Corps Response Volunteers and later expand

to Peace Corps Volunteers.



Confidential


9

activity implementation at health centers8 through farmer-based organizations,, VSLAs, and schools within

and beyond the SPRING target villages.

SPRING also intends to engage with the national Nutrition and Food Security Cluster and/or other

regional and local working groups in which nutrition and food security stakeholders participate, to identify

needs; prioritize SPRING’s role; strengthen knowledge management; discuss strategies; and harmonize

SBCC tools, materials, methodologies, and innovations. At the national level, SPRING will share materials

and lessons learned with members of the Food Security and Nutrition Cluster, and the Scaling Up

Nutrition (SUN) movement.

Geographic Scope

Based on discussions with USAID—both in Guinea and in Washington, DC—combined with the

recommendations emerging from the SPRING nutrition assessment, the proposed geographic scope for

the SPRING interventions will focus on the prefecture of Faranah and a number of selected villages, to be

determined. While Faranah shows high rates of stunting (31%) and wasting (8.7%), and it is considered

one of the most food insecure areas of the country, the current presence of programs and partners

working on nutrition and food security is lowest when compared to other prefectures across Guinea (DHS

2012; SMART 2015; GeoHive 2014/WFP 2013; and Nutrition and Food Security Cluster [partner presence

maps]). Pilot activities initiated with support from SPRING in this geographic area will be shared with

USAID and its other investments working nationally; they will be adapted and/or contextualized and

brought to scale if proven successful. The exact number and selection of villages will depend on the final

implementation strategy, to be developed in collaboration with the selected local partner, ISAV, and other

stakeholders.

Target Populations

In Guinea, specific beneficiary groups emerged during the nutrition assessment as strategic “targets” for

SPRING nutrition and agriculture programming.

Vulnerable community members: The primary target group for the project comprises vulnerable

community members, in particular households with children within the first 1,000 days (during

pregnancy and children under the age of 2). Activities will be targeted toward pregnant and

breastfeeding women, women of reproductive age, and children under the age of 2.

In addition, activities will target the following key influencing groups and local stakeholders, through

training, technical support, and capacity building:

Health service providers: Health care workers at health centers and posts at sub-prefectural and

district levels

8 Health centers are important physical structures where mothers with children congregate, particularly during market days; they

provide a platform for meetings, discussions, and space for exchange and demonstrations. Agriculture extension agents and

community development workers generally do not have access to the same physical infrastructure.



Confidential


10

Agriculture service providers: Agricultural extension and community development agents at the

sub-prefectural/district level

Learning institutions: ISAV in Faranah; agriculture school network—Réseau d’Enseignement

Agricole en Guinée (REAG)

Community-based organizations: Post-Ebola response programs, VSLAs, and producer

cooperatives or associations

National-/district-level institutions and organizations: National-level ministries (e.g.,

Health/Nutrition Division; Agriculture/Food Security Division), district health and agriculture

services; and research institutions, such as the Agricultural Research Institute of Guinea (IRAG).

Target group involvement will be determined by the final design of program implementation. While

SPRING interventions will focus on actors based in the prefecture of Faranah, SPRING will take advantage

of opportunities that arise to engage and share with national-level actors through SBCC exchanges,

programmatic reviews, and discussion platforms, including with national partners that are not listed here.

These broader target groups will indirectly impact programmatic interventions at the decentralized level

(i.e., prefecture-, sub-prefecture–, and district-levels), and facilitate wider sharing of resources or lessons

learned from SPRING interventions.

Proposed Activities Based on the issues, challenges, and opportunities identified during the SPRING Nutrition Assessment in

Guinea, the following “drivers of change” have been prioritized:

Social and behavior change communication

Capacity building

Community-based programming

Knowledge management and learning.

These drivers have been taken into account in determining the key intervention areas, or IRs, as part of

the Results Framework outlined above; under which sub-sets of activities, or sub-IRs, are proposed for the

initial, first year, project implementation.

IR1: Approaches tested for increasing demand for and consumption

of diverse, nutrient-rich foods at the household level

This intermediate result aims to ensure full community engagement and involvement through targeted

programming and interventions that most directly address household needs, are cost effective, and build

on existing local platforms/structures.



Confidential


11

Sub-IR 1.1 Develop and test MIYCN SBCC materials and approaches to promote

improved preparation and consumption of diverse, nutrient-rich foods at the

household level

Activity 1.1.1 Design and conduct formative research using a rapid qualitative research technique

adapted from SPRING’s community media work to identify and document the barriers and enablers

to demand for and consumption of more diverse and nutrient-rich foods as well as optimal feeding

and hygiene practices. This activity will also serve to collect data and to better understand the barriers

and enablers of nutrition-sensitive agricultural practices. As part of our proposed capacity-building

objective, SPRING plans to engage local stakeholders and ISAV faculty and students in both the design

and in conducting this participatory action research.

Activity 1.1.2 Develop a complementary package of highly engaging graphic SBCC print materials

designed for low literacy settings—counseling cards, job aids, reminder cards, etc.—on MIYCN,

hygiene, and dietary diversity. SPRING will work with ISAV and local partners to prioritize technical

topics for the package, based on the results of the formative research. We will build on, adapt, and

expand a number of existing graphic materials, in collaboration with two experienced graphic artists who

have been engaged with SPRING in other countries. State-of-the-art graphic processes are used to create

effective visual materials.

Activity 1.1.3 Design and introduce highly engaging demonstrations for community groups on a

select number of prioritized themes. SPRING will develop a series of demonstrations (number to be

determined depending on the location, level of community engagement, presence of other partner

projects/activities working in the selected villages) intended to promote key MIYCN and hygiene-related

behaviors, with a focus on dietary diversity. Initial, rapid formative research conducted under Activity 1.1.1,

and discussions with stakeholders planned early in the project, will inform decisions about priority themes.

A number of key MIYCN and nutrition-sensitive behaviors will be considered, including food storage and

preservation techniques, food preparation and seasonal cooking, proper food handling (hygiene) and

safety, among others. One or two prioritized demonstrations will utilize selected high-quality graphic

SBCC print materials—counseling cards, job aids, reminder cards—from the package designed for low

literacy settings using state-of-the art graphics developed under Activity 1.1.2 described above. Additional

demonstrations and/or advocacy and social mobilization activities—such as games and contest-type

events in the community and/or sub-prefecture—may be incorporated at a later stage, depending on

SPRING’s extension and available funding levels. The feasibility, acceptability, and cost of the

demonstration(s) will be assessed during program implementation; they will maximize the existing

opportunities through ongoing projects already operating in Faranah, in discussions with the selected

local partner. Demonstration options that SPRING will explore include—

A series of demonstrations—with training on facilitating group discussions—at health

centers, posts, and schools to promote diversity of diets, MIYCN hygiene, and health. To

promote the key behaviors in a few select locations (e.g., schools or health centers) murals

can be designed, developed, and tested.



Confidential


12

Regular growth monitoring and promotion (GMP) activities that encourage mother’s and

caregiver’s active engagement, as well as the review of “community data” with community

leaders.

Introduce/test improved cooking stoves in select locations. SPRING will review with private

sector providers the availability of low-cost stoves to ensure that any potential demand

created can be supported.

Introduce and promote inexpensive, context-appropriate handwashing stations for

improved hand washing and hygiene, such as tippy taps in home compounds (near kitchens

and latrines), and in schools, markets, and health facilities. This activity is proposed for

introducing and demonstrating at health center/post sites in targeted areas, with the

possibility of expanding to other demonstration sites.

Sub-IR 1.2. Develop and test approaches to promote household adoption of

nutrition-sensitive agricultural practices: production, post-harvest handling,

storage, and processing

Activity 1.2.1 Research local options; introduce, promote, and test appropriate technologies and

improved household (HH)-level practices around production, handling, and preparation of foods to

improve dietary diversity and protein consumption among women and children. The SPRING team

will research options and will select one or two appropriate technologies and/or improved HH-level

nutrition-sensitive agriculture practices that can be introduced and tested. In collaboration with ISAV and

local partners, SPRING will examine post-harvest handling of foods, storage, and processing (drying

techniques, and/or food transformation), and preparing foods to specifically improve dietary diversity and

protein consumption among women and children.

Activity 1.2.2 Develop and disseminate two community videos on MICYN, hygiene, and/or dietary

diversity under an introductory pilot program on the use of community video to promote key

nutrition-specific and nutrition-sensitive agricultural behaviors. This activity is linked to the formative

research described under Activity 1.1.1 and the training activities described under IR2. Details related to

the training of a local video production team at ISAV, and a group of community agents, to engage with

disseminating the community videos using an innovative appropriate technology and battery-operated

pico projector, are described in greater detail under Activity 2.2.3, under improving extension services.

Activity 1.2.3 Explore options for promoting fish farming expertise and the experimental ponds

being developed in selected communities. While SPRING will not be directly involved in the

technicalities of starting up fish farming activities, the project proposes to collaborate with Plan

International, already introducing fish ponds on a pilot scale in Faranah. SPRING will explore opportunities

to incorporate SBCC to promote the nutritional value of fish and the consumption of fish from these fish

farming activities. (During SPRING’s nutrition assessment, Plan International expressed specific interest in

collaborating with SPRING on this idea.)



Confidential


13

IR2: Approaches tested for increasing access to and the quality of

nutrition-sensitive agriculture services.

The design of SBCC tools—including innovative approaches involving print, community media, and

demonstrations that can be used to promote both nutrition-specific behaviors and nutrition-sensitive

agriculture practices among priority beneficiary groups—is a central concept under IR2. SPRING proposes

to build on the design of materials and community media proposed under IR1. Agricultural service

providers need access to quality materials, and they need to be trained in how to effectively use these

materials to actively engage with the targeted end users (community members). The idea is that much of

this will be developed and tested in collaboration with faculty at ISAV and service providers, including

agriculture extension agents, as well as community health workers, as part of the proposed CLA process.

Sub-IR 2.1. Develop and test SBCC materials (print- and community-media) on

nutrition-sensitive agriculture for extension workers and community agents

Activity 2.1.1 Develop and test an integrated package of nutrition-sensitive SBCC print materials to

enhance and complement existing materials for use by agricultural extension workers and other

community agents. SPRING will facilitate the development of a protocol for testing and refining

materials—either those newly produced; currently existing in Guinea, but adapted or expanded or used

elsewhere and adapted to the Guinean context. SPRING will draw on materials developed and successfully

used in other SPRING programs that might apply (with adaptations) to the Guinean context, as well.

Activity 2.1.2 Introduce/test an innovative SBCC technology for improving interpersonal

communication (IPC) and small group discussions, using community videos and pico projectors.

This activity goes hand-in-hand with developing and testing materials under IR1, where new technologies

are introduced; including the pico projector, various types of radio programming, television, and cell

phone messaging. This activity will be designed in collaboration with the Faculty of Extension Science at

ISAV, as a skills-building opportunity; it will also involve conducting formative research; adapting

SPPRING’s package of training materials on MIYCN, hygiene, and nutrition-sensitive agriculture; and

implementing a series of trainings on technical content, community video production, and community

video dissemination. (See Activity 2.2.3 under Sub-IR 2.2 for additional details.) Efforts will also include

collaboration with Winrock AEMIP, F2F program, and local NGOs directly involved with community

groups.

Sub IR 2.2. Develop and test training a package for extension workers and

community agents to improve their outreach around nutrition-sensitive

agricultural concepts

Activity 2.2.1 Develop/adapt training materials on nutrition-sensitive agriculture for extension

programming, starting with a review of the current extension service trainings and the

development of key technical domains for which short-course training curriculum should be

developed. SPRING will work with those involved at ISAV; Ministry of Agriculture (MoA)/food security;

Ministry of Health (MOH)/nutrition division; ANPROCA, as well as a network of agriculture colleges to

conduct this review, prioritize themes, and develop one or two courses. To ensure that future funding for

these training course activities is available, the project will initiate a survey at the level of the Government



Confidential


14

of Guinea and/or donors—World Bank (WB), USAID, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO),

International Fund for Agricultural Development, African Development Bank (AfDB), etc.—to understand

their interest in eventually funding full curriculum development, as well as short training course cost

coverage (costing plan).

Activity 2.2.2 Develop certificate training course(s) and/or in-service training program content for

the ISAV (Agricultural) University and/or network of colleges for university students, health and

agriculture extension agents, and NGO staff. While this is a long-term activity, there is a need, for the

transfer of knowledge, to initiate the process and define the steps involved, including the development of

improved and adapted (nutrition-sensitive agriculture) training materials for service providers. This activity

flows out of and is directly linked to Activity 2.1, 2.2 and 2.3, as well as activities listed under IR 3. It aims

to ensure that the next generation agricultural extension agents, as well as health workers, have an

integrated and common understanding of concepts, approaches, and methodologies geared toward

nutrition-sensitive agriculture, and that they have access to the tools and materials needed to engage in

SBCC activities at the community level.

Activity 2.2.3 Conduct a three-week introductory course on the development and use of

community video for agricultural extension services. During an early technical assistance visit, one of

SPRING’s SBCC advisors will assess options and develop a detailed implementation plan to adapt/modify

the current SPRING community video for the platform for the Faranah context. To facilitate a rapid start-

up, we will build on the many positive lessons learned, the results of the feasibility study in India, and the

results of an impact evaluation in Niger. The community video platform puts low-cost technology,

including inexpensive video cameras and battery-powered pico projectors, in the hands of community

agents—this makes the approach viable within the Guinean context. Based on this scoping visit, the team

will design a three-week introductory course for ISAV faculty and students. The scale of activities—how

many villages to involve—will be based on local partners’ interest and funding. During the training, three

to four community members per village will be trained to conduct facilitated dissemination during

community group meetings, including MTM, grandmother groups, savings and loan groups, and farmer

cooperatives. SPRING’s existing Community Video for Nutrition Guide includes the basic tools needed to

execute the video platform, ensuring a rapid start-up/introduction of the approach during this training.

Activity 2.2.4 Conduct an in-depth review of improved practices and technologies for post-harvest

handling, transformation, and conservation of foods; as well as the utilization and preparation of

foods, including costs and labor requirements. In collaboration with and/or support from the faculty,

as well as students at ISAV, a full, in-depth review will be planned for current, available, improved

practices and technologies for post-harvest handling, transformation, and conservation of foods; as well

as the utilization and preparation of foods, costs, and labor requirements. The review will try to include an

assessment of research techniques and technologies available in Guinea and identification of potential

new technologies for introduction.



Confidential


15

IR3: Knowledge management practices established and outputs

shared among key stakeholders

Efficiently sharing knowledge and experience during the EVD response was a key component of the

strategy to contain the spread of the virus. In the wake of the response, many development agencies and

NGOs are implementing a range of programs. However, coordination, learning, and sharing of lessons

learned and knowledge generated was indicated as an area for improvement by different partners and

donors. The emphasis of the SPRING project efforts under this IR will be put on action research—e.g., CLA

and/or participatory learning and action research (PLAR), as well as increasing opportunities to

develop/inform best practices. This approach to learning ensures that local strategies, resources, and

capacities to adapt are enhanced and based on the latest evidence and thinking. Further, SPRING will

develop a concise program knowledge management and dissemination plan that will leverage the

successful knowledge management platform developed by SPRING’s Core Initiatives. SPRING has an

extensive network and web-based outlet for disseminating products, as well as the capacity to host

learning events, such as webinars.

Sub IR 3.1. Document and disseminate findings and share outputs and products

with relevant national-level stakeholders and donor community

Activity 3.1.1 Share materials, approaches, and lessons learned with the members of the National

Nutrition and Food Security Cluster and other working groups; and encourage their harmonization,

adaptation, and adoption. The SBCC tools, materials, methodologies, and innovations introduced and

tested by SPRING will be widely disseminated. As a new project in Guinea, with strong linkages to both

nutrition and food security, SPRING envisions contributing to the existing national cluster and working

group efforts by enhancing and complementing existing materials; and harmonizing SBCC tools,

materials, and protocols. A sub-set of specific activities that will receive SPRING priority, include—

1. Understanding the nutritional value of locally produced foods. SPRING will initiate a review with

national- and local-partners of which key foods/crops should be considered high priority for

increasing nutritional value when approaching dietary diversity issues for SBCC. The results of this

review will be compared with the food table, produced as part of SPRING’s Nutrition Assessment

report; it will expand on this food table to present a full overview of opportunities, priorities, and

challenges.

2. Addressing food utilization/preparation issues, including food safety. The project will conceptualize

additional food utilization/preparation—and safety-related materials—based on the review of

existing materials (boîte d’images, recipe booklet, Peace Corps training materials, etc.).

Sub IR 3.2. Strengthen coordination across sectors at district- and national-level

Activity 3.2.1 Review experiences and strategies from other settings related to one or more food

safety issues in targeted agricultural commodities, and initiate an exchange about food safety with

the MoA, MOH and IRAG. This review could include an exchange on the prevalence of aflatoxins, but a

final decision about priority food safety issues will be developed with input from USAID and key

stakeholders working in Guinea. It will be conducted with support from SPRING/Home Office.



Confidential


16

Activity 3.2.3 Develop a regular exchange with and learn from comparable activities being

implemented under the SPRING Sierra Leone project and/or Guinea Feed the Future programming

and implementing partners. Based on the prioritization of Sierra Leone and Guinea activities for initial

project implementation (year 1), a review and documentation of lessons learned, knowledge sharing,

exchange, and learning can be introduced as the two projects begin to implement and document their

activities.

This work plan sets forth the activities that SPRING prioritized and deemed feasible during the proposed

10-month project period, considering the available resources. If additional funding and/or the project

timeframe is extended, SPRING has already considered some future or optional activities. Annex 1

includes tables with additional activities to promote household adoption of nutrition-sensitive agricultural

practices, and activities to improve knowledge management and share outputs.

Performance Monitoring Plan Monitoring and Evaluation

Globally, SPRING is committed to increasing evidence-based action and learning The goal of establishing

routine monitoring and evaluating (M&E) for our activities in Guinea is to be able to show what works in

this context—which approaches are successful or not so successful, and what are the challenges and

opportunities. Toward the overall strategic objective of improving collaboration, learning, and adaptation

related to social and behavior change approaches for MIYCN and nutrition-sensitive agricultural practices,

SPRING will go beyond the routine reporting to the donor to include presentations to the Nutrition and

Food Security Cluster and other working groups, and an end-of-project event and/or report.

Within 60 days of the approval of the initial work plan, SPRING will submit a complete Performance

Monitoring Plan (PMP), which will include performance and effectiveness indicators, targets, and

appropriate data collection techniques; describing the information management system that will be used.

Routine monitoring will focus on regularly tracking progress and managing project implementation while

evaluation activities will identify lessons learned and promising approaches, assessing the feasibility of

scaling up successful interventions.

Although SPRING will indirectly contribute to the achievement of Feed the Future impacts and

outcomes—such as stunting, minimum acceptable diet, and prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding—

SPRING will not attempt to attribute changes to our interventions in Guinea, given the project’s short

timeframe. The PMP will thus include applicable Feed the Future, as well as custom indicators, primarily

related to outputs. Based on SPRING’s goal, strategic objective, intermediate results, and proposed

activities in Guinea, the indicators that might be measured are described below:

Custom Indicator 1: Number of SBCC materials printed and disseminated by SPRING through

various platforms.

Custom Indicator 2: Number of events organized by partner(s), in collaboration with SPRING to

disseminate messages and SBCC materials.



Confidential


17

Custom Indicator 3: Number of existing community garden groups, producer networks, and

mother-to-mother groups mobilized by partner(s), in collaboration with SPRING.

Feed the Future Ind. 4.5.2-7: Number of individuals who have received U.S. Government-

supported short-term agricultural sector productivity or food security training.

Feed the Future Indicator 4.5.2-11: Number of food security private enterprises (for profit),

producer’s organizations, water users associations, women's groups, trade and business

associations, and CBOs receiving U.S. Government assistance.

Feed the Future Indicator 4.5.2-13: Number of rural households benefiting directly from U.S.

Government interventions.

Feed the Future Indicator 3.1.9-15: Number of children under 5 reached by U.S. Government-

supported nutrition programs

Indicators will be collected through a variety of methods, including program records and supervision

visits. Given the short timeframe for this work, evaluation activities will be rapid and may include

qualitative research, exit interviews/satisfaction surveys among program participants, and cohort studies

to assess knowledge, perceptions, and behaviors changed among specific target groups in the SPRING

target sites.

The list of indicators to be measured will be confirmed when the PMP is finalized.

Research and Learning

This 10-month program is being proposed principally as a learning initiative. As such, SPRING will

prioritize the documentation and dissemination of lessons learned through its implementation. Given the

short implementation timeframe, research will be limited to qualitative assessments and brief case studies

that document successes and challenges in the testing of our approaches. We will explore opportunities in

and between Sierra Leone and Guinea for knowledge sharing, exchange, and learning. SPRING will

leverage existing networks to share early lessons around local nutrition-sensitive programing and solicit

opportunities to partner with other projects to incorporate nutrition-related messaging to specific target

groups, including health workers and agricultural extensionists. If SPRING secures a second year of

funding, or additional funding becomes available for implementation in Guinea, we could seek to expand

knowledge at both the prefectural- and national-level by setting up cross-sector study tours (exchanges)

and workshops.



Confidential


18

Annex 3: Sample Technical

Activities Manager Job Description

Job Description

Background

The SPRING Project is a five-year cooperative agreement funded by USAID. SPRING’s

overarching vision is to reduce undernutrition, prevent stunting, and work with

women and children on reducing anemia. By providing state-of-the-art technical

support, SPRING aims to strengthen country efforts to scale up high-impact nutrition

practices and policies to improve maternal and child nutrition outcomes. SPRING’s

experienced implementation team consists of experts from JSI Research & Training

Institute, Inc., Helen Keller International, International Food Policy Research Institute,

Save the Children, and The Manoff Group.

USAID Bureau for Food Security has provided funding to SPRING to improve the

nutritional status of women and children within the Feed the Future zones of

influence in both Guinea and Sierra Leone. Within Guinea, SPRING’s geographic focus

includes communities within the prefecture of Faranah. The activities envisioned

within Faranah communities are oriented toward testing and learning around social

and behavior change for improved maternal and child nutrition, and for nutrition-

sensitive agriculture. The implementation period for this activity is from January 1 to

September 30, 2016.

Function

The Local Technical Activities Manager will be employed by SPRING’s local

implementing partner in Faranah, and will perform the following key functions:

Coordinate closely with SPRING Program Manager and SPRING Washington

staff regarding technical aspects of SPRING program development and

implementation in Faranah.

Support technical aspects of program implementation, management, and

close-out through September 2016.

Provide technical guidance to implementing partner(s), ensuring the

harmonization of SPRING inputs from multiple service providers.

Monitor field-based activities over course of implementation. Facilitate

reporting of field-based activity results.

Establish and maintain strong relationships with local communities,

community members, beneficiaries, and relative partners in Faranah.

If applicable, provide management and technical support to project staff, in

the case that additional field-based staff are deemed necessary for effective

delivery of project activities.



Confidential


19

Responsibilities

The Local Technical Activities Manager’s key responsibilities include but may not be

limited to:

Submit clear project plans on a monthly and quarterly basis to the SPRING

Program Manager, and regularly monitor delivery of field-based activities

against agreed workplans and timelines

Manage technical aspects of SPRING program implementation, execution,

and close-out. This management includes monitoring and reporting of

SPRING Guinea local program activities.

Ensure that appropriate logistic, administrative, and human resources are

allocated for the effective delivery of project activities.

Maintain close relationship with beneficiary communities, ensuring that

proper and appropriate relationships are maintained with local community

members and leaders.

Applies knowledge of local context to all stages of program implementation.

Reviews SPRING program approaches to ensure that SPRING program is

appropriately implemented in local community.

In coordination with SPRING Program Manager and implementing partner,

ensure timely execution of activities and high quality products.

Review and/or develop materials relevant to SPRING pilot programs. Reviews

SPRING program materials to ensure that materials are appropriate for local

community.

Respond to program developments and/or requests as communicated by the

SPRING Program Manager.

Support timely submission of USAID reports/deliverables

Contribute to development of SOWs for any short term technical assistance

from in-country consultants, as needed.

Network/communicate with other complementary activities/implementing

partners in Faranah.

Qualifications

Degree in nutrition, public health, agriculture, international rural

development, social science, or a related field.

At least 5 years of experience in a role responsible for overseeing technical

aspects of nutrition, agricultural development, food security, or social science

programs.

A demonstrated understanding of the technical components of both

agriculture and nutrition including but not limited to multi-sectoral program

design, monitoring and evaluation, social and behavior change

communications (SBCC), and current best practices/approaches for program

implementation and stakeholder capacity building.

Knowledge of Feed the Future and USAID’s Bureau of Food Security, a plus.

Excellent written and oral communications and partnering skills, in French.

Excellent oral communication skills in local language.



Confidential


20

Previous experience in technical aspects of local field activity management,

especially related to agriculture, nutrition, or health programming.

Strong initiative and self-motivation required, with a commitment to

teamwork and effectiveness within a nonhierarchical, participatory

environment.



Confidential


21

Annex 4: Certifications

CERTIFICATION REGARDING TERRORIST FINANCING

Within the following certification the term “JSI” shall be substituted for the term "USAID".

“Application shall be substituted for the term “application”.

CERTIFICATION:

By signing and submitting this application, the prospective recipient provides the certification set

out below:

1. The Recipient, to the best of its current knowledge, did not provide, within the previous ten

years, and will take all reasonable steps to ensure that it does not and will not knowingly provide,

material support or resources to any individual or entity that commits, attempts to commit,

advocates, facilitates, or participates in terrorist acts, or has committed, attempted to commit,

facilitated, or participated in terrorist acts, as that term is defined in paragraph 3.

2. The following steps may enable the Recipient to comply with its obligations under paragraph

1:

a. Before providing any material support or resources to an individual or entity, the Recipient

will verify that the individual or entity does not (i) appear on the master list of Specially

Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons, which is maintained by the U.S. Treasury’s Office of

Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), or (ii) is not included in any supplementary information

concerning prohibited individuals or entities that may be provided by USAID to the Recipient.

b. Before providing any material support or resources to an individual or entity, the Recipient

also will verify that the individual or entity has not been designated by the United Nations

Security (UNSC) sanctions committee established under UNSC Resolution 1267 (1999) (the

“1267 Committee”) [individuals and entities linked to the Taliban, Usama bin Laden, or the Al-

Qaida Organization]. To determine whether there has been a published designation of an

individual or entity by the 1267 Committee, the Recipient should refer to the consolidated list

available online at the Committee’s Web site:

http://www.un.org/Docs/sc/committees/1267/1267ListEng.htm.

c. Before providing any material support or resources to an individual or entity, the Recipient

will consider all information about that individual or entity of which it is aware and all public

information that is reasonably available to it or of which it should be aware.

d. The Recipient also will implement reasonable monitoring and oversight procedures to

safeguard against assistance being diverted to support terrorist activity.

3. For purposes of this Certification –

http://www.un.org/Docs/sc/committees/1267/1267ListEng.htm



Confidential


22

a. “Material support and resources” means currency or monetary instruments or financial

securities, financial services, lodging, training, expert advice or assistance, safehouses, false

documentation or identification, communications equipment, facilities, weapons, lethal

substances, explosives, personnel, transportation, and other physical assets, except medicine or

religious materials.”

b. “Terrorist act” means –

(i) an act prohibited pursuant to one of the 12 United Nations Conventions and Protocols related

to terrorism (see UN terrorism conventions Internet site:

http://untreaty.un.org/English/Terrorism.asp); or

(ii) an act of premeditated, politically motivated violence perpetrated against noncombatant

targets by subnational groups or clandestine agents; or

(iii) any other act intended to cause death or serious bodily injury to a civilian, or to any other

person not taking an active part in hostilities in a situation of armed conflict, when the purpose of

such act, by its nature or context, is to intimidate a population, or to compel a

government or an international organization to do or to abstain from doing any act.

c. “Entity” means a partnership, association, corporation, or other organization, group or

subgroup.

d. References in this Certification to the provision of material support and resources must not be

deemed to include the furnishing of USAID funds or USAID-financed commodities to the

ultimate beneficiaries of USAID assistance, such as recipients of food, medical care, micro-

enterprise loans, shelter, etc., unless the Recipient has reason to believe that one or more of these

beneficiaries commits, attempts to commit, advocates, facilitates, or participates in terrorist acts,

or has committed, attempted to commit, facilitated or participated in terrorist acts.

e. The Recipient’s obligations under paragraph 1 are not applicable to the procurement of goods

and/or services by the Recipient that are acquired in the ordinary course of business through

contract or purchase, e.g., utilities, rents, office supplies, gasoline, etc., unless the Recipient has

reason to believe that a vendor or supplier of such goods and services commits, attempts to

commit, advocates, facilitates, or participates in terrorist acts, or has committed, attempted to

commit, facilitated or participated in terrorist acts. This Certification is an express term and

condition of any agreement issued as a result of this application, and any violation of it will be

grounds for unilateral termination of the agreement by USAID prior to the end of its term.

OFFEROR: _______________________________________

Authorized Signatory: _______________________________________

Title: _______________________________________

Date: __________________



Confidential


23

CERTIFICATION REGARDING DEBARMENT, SUSPENSION, OR

PROPOSED DEBARMENT

By signing and submitting this certification, the prospective recipient provides the certification

set out below:

By signing and submitting this certification, the prospective recipient provides the following

assertion: to the best of its knowledge and belief, the prospective recipient and/or any of its

Principals are ( ) are not ( ) presently debarred, suspended, proposed for debarment, or

declared ineligible for award of contracts by any Federal agency.

OFFEROR: _______________________________________

Authorized Signatory: _______________________________________

Title: _______________________________________

Date: __________________

Request for Application (RFA) RFA No: 16-02 · JSI Research & Training Institute, Inc. 2 GENERAL...

Documents

Transcript of Request for Application (RFA) RFA No: 16-02 · JSI Research & Training Institute, Inc. 2 GENERAL...