Request for Proposals (RFP): IAWG Global Evaluation Scoping Study

1. Summary and Background

The Inter-Agency Working Group (IAWG) on Reproductive Health in Crises is a global coalition of organizations and individuals that has worked collectively since 1995 to advance sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) in humanitarian settings. IAWG is hosted by the Canadian Partnership for Women and Children’s Health (CanWaCH), a coalition of over 100 Canadian-based organizations dedicated to advancing the health and rights of women, children and other marginalized populations around the world. 

From 2002-2004 and then again in 2012-2014, IAWG undertook Global Evaluations of SRHR in Humanitarian Settings. These Global Evaluations have historically been comprised of in-depth mixed method field studies from diverse contexts, coupled with desk research. A meta-analysis is then undertaken to provide a global snapshot of SRHR in humanitarian settings and clear recommendations for a variety of stakeholders. IAWG Global Evaluations are a unique and powerful tool used to inform decisions, address knowledge gaps, and accelerate progress for SRHR in humanitarian settings at the global, regional, national, and local levels. It provides those working in humanitarian and fragile settings with an essential understanding of the collective outcomes and progress of their SRH investments. Further, it establishes a road map for the effective investment of billions of dollars by Governments, UN agencies, private foundations, and international and national NGOs. 

In 2023, nearly a decade after the last Global Evaluation was launched, IAWG undertook planning and resource mobilization to update this critical evidence. During the planning phase, IAWG committed to documenting the global state of SRH services in the humanitarian sector, with specific attention to especially marginalized groups throughout different phases and types of emergencies. IAWG committed to identifying progress, gaps, trends, funding data, and innovations impacting SRHR availability, quality, access, and use since the last IAWG Global Evaluation, as well as exploring both clinical and policy  facilitators and barriers to preparedness, implementation of the Minimum Initial Service Package (MISP), and transition from MISP to comprehensive SRH.

Unfortunately, funding constraints in 2024 and 2025 resulted in the decision to postpone the launch of the Global Evaluation. While IAWG now has funding in hand to support the launch, in the interim, the world has experienced a seismic shift across both the humanitarian and development sectors that needs to be considered as we plan our next steps, with potential implications for both the research questions and methodologies. 

IAWG is seeking a consultant to conduct a scoping study that will help inform the direction of the Global Evaluation and make clear recommendations for realistic next steps. Findings and recommendations will be presented to the IAWG Executive and Technical Oversight Committees to guide their decisions regarding the overall focus and scope of the Global Evaluation. Outcomes from this consultancy will also inform IAWG’s ongoing fundraising efforts to support full implementation of the Global Evaluation over the next two to three years. 

2. Project Description and Scope

2.1 Objectives

• Conduct a scoping study of SRHR in humanitarian settings that will inform a possible revision or rethinking of IAWG Global Evaluation research priorities and methodologies to better align with the current political and economic context.
• Based on findings, develop recommendations to advance the objectives of the Global Evaluation a) over the next 12 months, and b) until December 2028. 

2.2 Scope of Work

• Scoping Study
  • Conduct a desk review of published and grey literature related to sexual and reproductive health and rights in humanitarian settings from 2020 through the present. We are seeking a practical and strategic synthesis of the most relevant and recent information to guide internal decision-making.
  • Undertake a mapping exercise to capture ongoing or imminent research related to SRH in humanitarian settings. This may involve an online survey and/or interviews with IAWG members and partners.
• Develop recommendations
  • Based on the outcomes of the scoping study, develop recommendations to advance the objectives of the Global Evaluation over the next 12 months (taking into consideration likely resource constraints) as well as recommendations to advance this work with additional funding from mid-2026 to 2028. 
  • Note key activities, partnerships, and opportunities that should be considered and the associated costs or risks. 

2.3 Expected Deliverables

• An outcome report that includes 1) methodologies used 2) summary of findings 3) key trends, gaps, and opportunities 4) recommendations to advance the objectives of the Global Evaluation.
• A proposed workplan to implement recommendations. 
• A summary presentation of scoping study findings and recommendations for the IAWG Executive and Technical Oversight Committees. 

2.4 Intended Audiences

Target audiences for this work include:

• IAWG leadership (IAWG Executive Committee and Technical Oversight Committee)
• IAWG funders

2.5 Reporting and Supervision

The consultant(s) will report to CanWaCH under the direction of the IAWG Coordinator.

3. Project Timeline

3.1 Completion Timeline

This contract will begin on or around July 21, 2025, with an initial contract period of 3 months.The ideal candidate would be able to start no later than August 11th to ensure deliverables are met by the end of October. There may be an opportunity to extend the contract to include implementation of short-term recommendations, pending the approval of the IAWG Executive Committee and the mutual agreement of CanWaCH and the consultant. 

3.2 Key Milestones

• Week of June 30, 2025: RFP issued
• July 11, 2025 at 11:59 PM EDT: Proposal submission deadline
• Week of July 14, 2025: Proposal selection finalized
• Week of July 21, 2025: Contract finalized
• Week of July 28, 2025: Project kick-off meeting scheduled.
• Week of October 27, 2025: Deliverable submission and project close-out

4. Budget

Proposals should include an estimated total to complete/deliver the project with a cost breakdown by activity or deliverable.

Please include the daily rate and estimated total number of days for each consultant to be engaged in the project per the proposed workplan. 

If the consultant submitting a quotation must outsource or contract any work to meet the requirements contained herein, this must be clearly stated in the quotation. Additionally, all costs included in the quotation must be all-inclusive to include any outsourced or contracted work. Any quotations that call for outsourcing or contracting work must include a name and description of the organizations being contracted. The quotation must include all applicable taxes.

All costs should be submitted in USD. 

5. Proposal Qualifications

The proposal should clearly demonstrate the following qualifications and abilities as offered by any consultant or subcontractor that will be engaged in the project proposal:

• Excellent communication skills with the ability to synthesize complex ideas and communicate them clearly to a variety of audiences.
• Strong writing; familiarity with plain language style is strongly preferred.
• Deep understanding of SRHR and humanitarian landscapes, including key stakeholders and trends.
• Strong research background, demonstrated depth and breadth of knowledge related to research methodologies, including innovative methods, applicable to resource-constrained and/or insecure settings. 
• A creative, flexible problem solver who is excited to explore out of the box solutions. 
• Fluent in English; working proficiency in French is an advantage

Please include:

• A letter of interest detailing how the proposal and consultants/contractors meet the qualifications above.
• A list of any individual consultants or subcontractors to be engaged in the projects.
• CVs for the above.
• A detailed outline of your proposed approach to meet objectives with a workplan and estimated timeline.
• Full budget details per section ‘4. Budget’ above.
• Confirmation of availability to begin work on or around July 21, 2025

Proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Adherence to the proposal qualifications and instructions in section 5. above.
• Relevance of experience in sexual and reproductive health and rights and humanitarian response. 
• Relevance of research experience.
• Demonstrated understanding and alignment with project objectives.
• Value and feasibility of proposed approach and deliverables.

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Comment postuler:

7.1 Submission Deadline

Proposals should be submitted to Sarah Knaster, IAWG Coordinator at [email protected], by July 11, 2025 at 11:59 PM EDT. Please note IAWG Global Evaluation Consultancy in the subject line. 

7.2 Notification of Selection

The successful candidate will be contacted by July 21, 2025.