Request for Proposal – Consultant to Conduct Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices study at SOS Children’s Villages – July 2025

SOS/NO29/07/25: Request for Proposal – Consultant to Conduct Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices study.

Closing Date:11/08/2025

Introduction:

SOS Children’s Villages in Zambia is an independent non-governmental social development organization that enables children to have a loving home with parents or care givers.  SOS Children’s Villages exists in 135 countries across the globe and the universal objective of SOS is to create a positive framework to maximize the chances for most vulnerable children to develop especially those who have lost or are at risk of losing parental care. The aim is to develop support mechanisms in the best interest of the child and in so doing, to act in the spirit of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and the Guidelines for the Alternative Care of Children

Period Performance:  Start Date:  25th August 2025

Proposal Content

Instructions:

All proposals must:

Provide a brief outline of the company and services offered, including:

○ Full legal name, Certificate of incorporation and valid tax clearance certificate.

● Describe the qualifications, experience, and capabilities of the firm or consultant in providing the type of services being requested. Resumes or CVs of the consultant or any key personnel of the firm shall be submitted as an attachment.
·       Contain a detailed cost breakdown with applicable taxes and other charges clearly identified.

·       Provide at least 3 references for similar contracts with a description of the services provided.

·       Include a contact name, email address, and telephone number to facilitate communication between SOS CV Zambia and the submitting firm or consultant.

·       To ensure consideration, all proposals must be submitted in the following language and currency for the financial proposal.

Language:         English

Currency:         ZMW

Submission Instructions:

All proposals must be emailed to the address below with your proposal attached in one or more files (PDF preferred).

Email: Procurement.NO@sos-zambia.org

Terms of Reference for KAP study for Kitwe Location Standard Project

1. Introduction

This document outlines the Terms of Reference (ToR) for the Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices (KAP) study to be conducted as part of the Kitwe Location Standard project in the targeted communities.  Adolescent reproductive health and rights are critical components of public health and human development.  Adolescents face unique challenges related to reproductive health and rights (RHR), including limited access to information, services and support systems. Understanding the knowledge, attitudes and practices of adolescents regarding reproductive health is essential for designing effective interventions, policies and programs that address their needs and promote their rights. The KAP study aims to ensure that the project is designed and implemented in a way that is sensitive to the diverse needs and experiences of adolescents

Background and Context

SOS Children’s Villages Zambia currently operates in four districts in four provinces. The first village was established in Lusaka in 1999 followed by the village in Kitwe was established in 2004, then Livingstone village established in 2008 and finally Chipata village established in 2012. SOS Children’s Villages firmly believes that the best possible environment for a child to grow is in their family of origin and the primary focus of the organization’s child development programmes is strengthening different forms of families providing care for children. SOS Children’s Villages works jointly with local families, communities and the Government in developing various support measures to prevent children from losing the care of their families due to various reasons.

The Kitwe Location Standard Project [Empowering Communities for Strong Families and Children] will target four vulnerable communities namely Chipulukusu (Mapalo), Nkwazi, Mackenzie in Ndola district and Shimibanga of Masaiti district.

The project goal is that children and young people deprived of parental care have equitable opportunities to succeed in life by 2027.

SOS Children’s Villages as a member of the Adolescent Technical Working Group together with other stakeholders has been working in collaboration with the District Health Office in Ndola.  In one of the meetings held on the 20th of July 2023, it was reported that there were high levels of teenage pregnancies and increasing numbers of adolescents testing positive for HIV/AIDS in Mapalo (Chipulukusu), Kaloko and Nkwazi communities.  It was suggested that a KAP study needed to be conducted to ascertain the cause of high levels of teenage pregnancies and other adolescent health issues despite the various interventions that had been done in these communities.

Adolescents in these vulnerable communities often face significant barriers to accessing reproductive health information and services.  Addressing their reproductive health and rights is crucial for several reasons:

1. Ensures Health and Well-being

• Adolescents in vulnerable communities often lack access to accurate sexual and reproductive health (SRH) information, leading to unintended pregnancies, unsafe abortions, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV.
• Proper education and healthcare services can prevent maternal mortality, unsafe abortions, and other health complications.

2. Reduces Gender Inequality & Empowers Young Girls

• Many adolescent girls face early and forced marriages, limiting their education and economic opportunities
• Access to contraception and reproductive rights allows them to make informed choices about their bodies, education, and futures.

3. Breaks the Cycle of Poverty

• Early pregnancies often force adolescents (especially girls) to drop out of school, perpetuating poverty.
• When adolescents can plan their families, they are more likely to pursue education and employment, improving their economic stability.

4. Prevents Sexual Violence & Exploitation

• Adolescents, especially in vulnerable areas, are at higher risk of sexual violence and exploitation.
• SRH education includes awareness of consent, bodily autonomy, and protection against abuse.

5. Promotes Social & Economic Development

• Healthy, educated adolescents contribute to a more productive workforce and stable societies
• Investing in adolescent SRH leads to long-term benefits, including lower healthcare costs and stronger economies.

6. Upholds Human Rights

• Reproductive rights are fundamental human rights. Denying adolescents access to SRH services violates their right to health, education, and autonomy
• International agreements (e.g., UN Sustainable Development Goals, ICPD Programme of Action) recognize adolescent SRH as a priority.

7. Addresses Stigma & Cultural Barriers

• Many vulnerable communities have taboos around discussing sexuality, leaving adolescents misinformed.
• Culturally sensitive SRH programs can bridge gaps and provide life-saving knowledge.

RATIONALE

The KAP study will examine what the target population knows, believes and does regarding a specific issue in this case, adolescent reproductive health (ARH). Conducting such a study in the vulnerable communities is essential for designing effective, evidence-based interventions to:

• Identify Knowledge Gaps & Misconceptions

Why many adolescents in vulnerable communities lack accurate information about contraception, STIs, puberty and safe sex due to limited education and cultural taboos.

Contribution to Objectives:
-Reveals gaps in SRH education (e.g., myths about contraception, HIV transmission).

-Help tailor health education programs to correct misinformation.

• Assess Attitudes & Cultural Beliefs

Why deep-rooted cultural, religious and social norms influence adolescents’ perceptions of reproductive health (e.g., stigma around premarital sex, gender roles).

Contribution to Objectives:

-Uncovers barriers (e.g., shame in seeking SRH services, resistance to condom use).

-Guides interventions to address stigma (e.g., community dialogues, peer education).

• Evaluating Current Practices & Risk Behaviors

Why adolescents may engage in unsafe practices (e.g., unprotected sex, early marriage, substance use) due to lack of access or awareness.

Contribution to Objectives:

-Identifies high-risk behaviors (e.g., low condom use, reliance on traditional methods).

-Inform targeted interventions (e.g., condom distribution, youth-friendly clinics).

• Inform Tailored, Culturally Appropriate Interventions

Why a “one-size-fits-all” approach fails in diverse communities.

Contribution to Objectives:

-Help design locally relevant programs (e.g., involving religious leaders, using local languages).

-Ensures interventions align with community values, increasing acceptance.

• Establishes Baseline Data for Monitoring & Evaluation

Why without baseline data, measuring program impact is difficult.

Contribution to Objectives:

-Provides benchmarks to track progress (e.g., increased contraceptive use, improved knowledge).

-Enables evidence-based adjustments to interventions.

• Supports Advocacy & Policy Development

Why Policymakers need data to prioritize adolescent SRH funding and programs.

Contribution to Objectives:

-Supplies evidence for advocacy (e.g., showing high teen pregnancy rates to justify SRH education in schools).

-Influences policies (e.g., youth-friendly health services, comprehensive sexual education).

• Enhances Community Engagement & Ownership

Why sustainable change requires community involvement.

Contribution to Objectives:

-Engage stakeholders (parents, teachers, healthcare workers) in solution-building.

-Builds trust, ensuring long-term program success.

Findings Will Inform Future Interventions

If low knowledge levels are found → Strengthen SRH education in schools & the community.
If negative attitudes exist → Implement awareness campaigns involving influencers (e.g., youth leaders, healthcare providers).
If unsafe practices are common → Improve access to contraceptives and youth-friendly clinics.

2. Objectives of the Study:

The primary objective of this study is to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to sexual reproductive health and rights among adolescents aged between 10-19 years in the Chipulukusu, Nkwazi communities in Ndola and Shimibanga Community in Masaiti District targeted by SOS Children’s Villages for Family Strengthening Services.

Specific objectives include:

Knowledge: To assess the level of knowledge among adolescents regarding

–       Puberty and adolescent development.

–       Menstruation and menstrual hygiene.

–       Sexual intercourse and contraception.

–       Sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV/AIDS.

–       Unintended pregnancy and safe abortion (within the legal framework).

–       Gender equality and harmful traditional practices.

–       Available SRH services and resources (including PreP).

Attitudes: To explore the attitudes and beliefs of adolescents towards:

–       Sexual activity and premarital sex.

–       Contraceptive use.

–       Gender roles and relationships.

–       Seeking SRH information and services.

–       The importance of SRHR for their well-being and future.

Practices: To describe the current practices of adolescents related to:

–       Sexual activity and partner relationships.

–       Contraceptive use (if applicable).

–       Hygiene practices during menstruation.

–       Seeking SRH information and services.

–       Communication with parents, peers, and other trusted adults about SRHR.

Identifying Barriers and Facilitators: To identify the key barriers and facilitators influencing adolescents’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to SRHR.
Subgroup Analysis: To analyse variations in KAP across different subgroups of adolescents (e.g., by age, gender, school attendance, involvement in key programs provided by different service providers in the communities, including the Family Strengthening).

3. Scope of Work:

Target Population: 1,700 adolescents aged 10-19 years residing in Chipulukusu, Nkwazi and Shimibanga.
Geographic Area: Data collection will take place in Chipulukusu, Nkwazi, and Shimibanga in Masaiti District.

Key Themes: Puberty, menstruation, sexual intercourse, contraception (modern and traditional methods relevant to the context), STIs (including HIV), unintended pregnancy, safe abortion (within the legal framework of Zambia), gender equality, harmful traditional practices such as child and early marriage and access to SRH services (Including PrEP).

Methodology: A mixed-methods approach will be employed. The primary method will be a quantitative cross-sectional survey using structured questionnaires. This will be complemented by qualitative data collection through Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with adolescents (separate groups by gender and age categories where appropriate) and Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) with parents/guardians, community leaders, and service providers.

4. Methodology:

The consultant/research team will be responsible for:

4.1. Inception Phase:

–       Conducting a detailed desk review of relevant literature and existing data on adolescent SRHR in Zambia and the target communities.

–       Developing and refining the study design, sampling strategy, and data collection instruments (questionnaires, FGD guides, KII guides) in consultation with the commissioning organization.

–       Obtaining ethical approval from a relevant ethics review board in Zambia.

–       Developing a detailed work plan and timeline.

–       Holding an inception meeting with the commissioning organization to present and finalize the inception report and tools.

4.2. Data Collection Instrument Development:

–       Designing age-appropriate, culturally sensitive, and gender-responsive questionnaires in English and the locally relevant language(s) Bemba and Lamba.

–       Developing comprehensive FGD guides and KII guides that align with the study objectives.

–       Pre-testing and piloting the data collection instruments with a small sample of adolescents and key informants from similar communities (but not included in the final sample) to ensure clarity, validity, and cultural appropriateness.

–       Revising the instruments based on the pre-testing results.

4.3. Sampling and Recruitment:

–       Developing a multi-stage sampling strategy to obtain a representative sample of adolescents from the target communities.

–       Developing a clear protocol for participant recruitment, ensuring informed consent processes are followed diligently.

–       Recruiting and training a team of experienced and culturally sensitive data collectors fluent in the local language(s) – Bemba and Lamba.

4.4. Data Collection:

–       Overseeing and managing the data collection process in the selected communities.

–       Ensuring adherence to ethical guidelines and data quality control measures.

–       Conducting FGDs and KIIs according to the developed guides.

–       Supervising the data collectors and addressing any challenges that arise during data collection.

4.5. Data Management and Analysis:

–       Ensuring secure and accurate data entry of quantitative data.

–       Cleaning and validating the quantitative data.

–       Conducting descriptive and inferential statistical analysis using appropriate software

–       Transcribing and translating qualitative data (FGDs and KIIs).

–       Conducting thematic analysis of the qualitative data to identify key themes and patterns.

–       Triangulating quantitative and qualitative findings to provide a comprehensive understanding of adolescent SRHR.

4.6. Reporting and Dissemination:

–       Preparing a comprehensive draft report in English.

–       Presenting the preliminary findings to the commissioning organization and key stakeholders for feedback.

–       Incorporating feedback and finalizing the study report.

–       Developing visually appealing and accessible presentation materials summarizing the key findings and recommendations.

–       Participating in a dissemination workshop to present the findings to a wider audience.

5. Deliverables:

The consultant/research team is expected to deliver the following:

5.1. Inception Report: (Within one week of contract signing)

–       Detailed study design and methodology.

–       Sampling strategy and sample size justification.

–       Finalized data collection instruments (questionnaires, FGD guides, KII guides) in English and local language(s).

–       Detailed work plan and timeline with clear milestones.

–       Ethical approval documentation.

5.2. Data Collection Instruments: (As part of the Inception Report)

5.3. Training Materials for Data Collectors: (Prior to data collection)

5.4. Cleaned and Analysed Dataset: (Electronic dataset in SPSS or CSV format)

5.5. Transcripts and Translations of Qualitative Data: (Electronic copies)

5.6. Draft Report: (Within 4 weeks after data collection)

5.7. Final Report: (Within 4 weeks after receiving feedback on the draft report). The report should include:

–       Executive summary in English and local language (if relevant)

–       Introduction and background

–       Study objectives and research questions

–       Detailed methodology

–       Detailed findings (presented with tables, graphs, and verbatim quotes where appropriate)

–       Discussion of findings in relation to the study objectives and relevant literature (including Zambian context)

–       Conclusions

–       Clear, specific, and actionable recommendations for the family strengthening programme, policymakers, and other relevant stakeholders in Ndola.

–       Annexes (data collection instruments, consent forms, list of FGD/KII participants, etc.)

5.8. Presentation Slides: (Summarizing key findings and recommendations)

5.9. Summary of Key Findings: (For community dissemination)

6. Timeline (2 Months/8 Weeks):

Note that this is a very compressed schedule, and some activities may need to be simplified or run concurrently.

Phase 1: Inception & Instrument development Weeks 1-2

Phase 2: Instrument Finalization & Training Week 2-3

Phase 3: Data Collection Weeks 3-5

Phase 4: Data Management & Analysis Weeks 5-7

Phase 5: Reporting & Dissemination Weeks 7-8

Key Considerations for a 2-Month Timeline:

Intense Pace: This timeline is extremely fast paced. It will require a highly dedicated and efficient research team.

Reduced Scope: To fit within this timeline, you will likely need to significantly reduce the scope of the study. This could involve:

–       Fewer participants

–       Fewer communities

–       Simplified data collection instruments

–       Less in-depth qualitative data collection

–       A more concise report

Concurrent Activities: Many activities will need to run concurrently to meet this deadline. This requires excellent project management.

Flexibility: The consultant must be prepared to adapt the timeline and methodology as needed to address any unforeseen challenges.

Realistic Expectations: It’s crucial to have realistic expectations about what can be achieved in a 2-month timeframe. There is need to focus on the most essential research questions and prioritize key findings.

7. Budget

Contain a detailed cost breakdown with applicable taxes and other charges clearly identified.

8. Ethical Considerations:

The study must adhere to the highest ethical standards. This includes:

Obtaining informed consent from all participants (and parents/guardians where applicable, depending on the age of adolescents and local regulations).
Ensuring anonymity and confidentiality of participants’ responses.
Protecting participants from any potential harm or distress.
Obtaining necessary ethical approvals from relevant institutional review boards or ethics committees.
Developing protocols for referral pathways for adolescents who disclose sensitive information or require support.

9. Management and Reporting:

The consultant/research team will report directly to the Location Programme Manager for SOS Children’s Village, Kitwe Location, Copperbelt Province, Zambia.

9.1. Reporting Structure:

The Principal Investigator/Lead Consultant will be the primary point of contact for all contractual and technical matters.
Regular progress updates will be provided to the designated contact person at SOS Children’s Village.
9.2. Reporting Frequency and Format:

Inception Report: A detailed Inception Report (as outlined in Section 5.1) will be submitted within one week of the contract signing. This will be presented in person at the offices of SOS Children’s Village in Kitwe for discussion and approval.
Brief Weekly Progress Updates: Weekly updates on the progress of data collection, challenges encountered, and planned activities for the following week will be submitted via email every Friday by 5:00 PM CAT.

Monthly Progress Meetings: Bi-Weekly progress meetings will be held in person at SOS Children’s Village offices in Kitwe or Partner’s Office in Ndola (or via video conference if in-person meetings are not feasible due to unforeseen circumstances). These meetings will provide an opportunity to discuss progress in detail, address any challenges, and review the work plan. The consultant/research team will prepare a summary report prior to each meeting.

Draft Report: The draft report (as outlined in Section 5.6) will be submitted electronically. A follow-up meeting in Kitwe or Ndola will be scheduled to discuss the draft report and gather feedback.
Final Report: The final report (as outlined in Section 5.7), incorporating feedback from the draft report, will be submitted electronically and in three hard copies to SOS Children’s Village in Kitwe.
Presentation of Findings: A presentation of the key findings and recommendations will be delivered in person to stakeholders in Ndola at a venue and time to be agreed upon with SOS Children’s Village.

9.3. Communication Protocols:

The primary mode of communication will be via email. Urgent matters can be communicated via phone (contact numbers to be shared).
All formal reports and deliverables must be submitted in electronic format (Microsoft Word and PDF) and in hard copy as specified.
The consultant/research team is expected to be responsive to queries and feedback from SOS Children’s Village in a timely manner (within 24-48 hours).

9.4. Approval of Deliverables:

All key deliverables (Inception Report, data collection instruments, draft report, final report) will be subject to review and approval by [National M&E Manager and the Location Programme Manager] at SOS Children’s Village.
Feedback on deliverables will be provided within one week of submission.

9.5. Project Management:

The consultant/research team will be responsible for the overall management of the study, including the coordination of team members, adherence to the timeline and budget, and ensuring the quality of all deliverables.
Regular internal team meetings will be conducted by the consultant/research team to track progress and address any internal challenges.

10. Required Expertise of the Consultant/Research Team:

The Consultant(s) or Research team should have the necessary qualifications and experience, including:

Advanced degree in public health, social sciences, or a related field.
Demonstrated experience in conducting KAP studies, particularly on SRHR.
Experience working with adolescents and vulnerable populations.
Strong understanding of ethical considerations in research.
Excellent quantitative and qualitative data analysis skills.
Strong report writing and communication skills.
Familiarity with the local context and culture (desirable).

11. Application Process:

Submission of proposals, including the required documents (e.g., technical proposal, financial proposal, CVs of key personnel, sample of previous work ) should be done by 11th August, 2025, and the contact person/email address for inquiries is the National Procurement Officer  email : Procurement.NO@sos-zambia.org

12. Evaluation Criteria:

The evaluation criteria that will be used to evaluate the proposals, include technical expertise, experience, proposed methodology, understanding of the local context and proposed timeline.

Note:  It is crucial to ensure that all interactions with children are conducted in a child-friendly and ethical manner, with appropriate safeguards in place to protect their rights and well-being.