TERMS OF REFERENCE
HPV Technical Assistance Consultancy
Individual Consultant
About Girl Effect
Girl Effect is an international non-profit organisation that builds media that girls want, trust, and need. Through platforms such as chatbots, radio, TV dramas, and digital content, Girl Effect reaches millions of girls across Africa and Asia, empowering them to make informed choices about health, education, relationships, and livelihoods. By creating safe, trusted spaces and using innovative technology at scale, Girl Effect supports girls to take control of their bodies, health, learning, and futures—creating ripple effects that benefit families, communities, and countries.
Background
Since 2016, Girl Effect has designed and implemented large-scale, evidence-driven Social and Behaviour Change (SBC) programmes to increase demand for immunisation, with a strong focus on HPV vaccination and zero-dose children. Working in partnership with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, under Gavi 4.0 and 5.0 frameworks, Girl Effect has delivered integrated demand generation programmes in Ethiopia, Tanzania, India, and Nigeria.
These initiatives combine mass media, digital engagement, and community-based approaches to address behavioural, social, and structural barriers to immunisation uptake. Interventions have included radio and television programming, social media campaigns, chatbots, school engagement, and community mobilisation—aligned with health systems and frontline workers.
As part of its evolving portfolio to strengthen national Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) capacity, Girl Effect has developed a set of HPV technical guidelines. These guidelines now require comprehensive technical review, strengthening, and consolidation to ensure alignment with global best practice and effective integration of SBC principles.
Purpose of the Consultancy
Girl Effect is seeking a highly experienced HPV and immunisation technical specialist with strong expertise in Social and Behaviour Change (SBC) to lead the review, revision, and development of HPV technical guidelines.
This is a substantive technical assignment. The consultant will act as technical lead and primary writer, ensuring outputs are:
- Technically accurate and aligned with WHO, Gavi, and UNICEF guidance
- Grounded in best practice SBC-led immunisation programming
- Operationally practical for EPI programme managers and implementers
- Coherent, structured, and ready for immediate multi-country use
Scope of Work
1. Technical Review and Revision of Existing HPV Guidelines
Conduct an in-depth review and full revision of nine existing HPV guidelines, ensuring they:
- Reflect current global evidence and recommendations
- Embed SBC principles throughout
- Align with EPI systems and service delivery realities
- Include practical implementation guidance, tools, and examples
- Are suitable for low- and middle-income country contexts
The guidelines include:
- Advocating for HPV Vaccination
- HPV Risk and Crisis Management
- Interpersonal Communication for HPV Vaccination
- Digital Dialogue for HPV Vaccination
- HPV Message Framework
- Planning for HPV Communication
- Planning for HPV Demand Promotion
Substantial rewriting, restructuring, and expansion is expected.
2. Strengthening SBC Integration
Across all guidelines, the consultant will:
- Align content with behaviour change theory and practical application
- Integrate insights from Girl Effect programming
- Strengthen links between communication, community engagement, and service uptake
3. Development of Additional Technical Content
- Draft new sections to address gaps (e.g. zero-dose strategies, caregiver journeys, gender and social norms, integration into routine services)
- Develop practical tools and templates (planning frameworks, message matrices, implementation checklists)
4. Development of a Comprehensive Summary Guideline
Produce a concise synthesis guideline for EPI managers and decision-makers that:
- Distils key insights from the nine technical guidelines
- Provides clear, actionable direction for HPV demand generation
- Serves as a practical reference document
5. Collaboration and Iteration
- Work closely with Girl Effect programme and technical teams
- Incorporate structured feedback across multiple review rounds
- Support alignment with design and formatting requirements
Deliverables
- Nine fully revised HPV technical guidelines (publication-ready)
- One comprehensive summary guideline for EPI/HPV programme managers
- Embedded tools and templates within guidelines
- Up to three rounds of revisions per guideline
Timeline and Level of Effort
- Total duration: Approximately 40 working days
- Period: May–July 2026 (approx. 10 weeks)
Key milestones include staged guideline review, revision, feedback integration, and development of the summary guideline.
Consultant Qualifications
Essential Requirements
- Advanced degree in medicine, public health, infectious diseases, health policy, or related field
- 8–12+ years’ experience in immunisation/public health
- Proven experience in HPV vaccination programmes and TB/HIV contexts
- Strong expertise in SBC for health
- At least 5 years’ experience developing Global Fund or similar technical grant documents
- In-depth understanding of WHO, Gavi, and UNICEF frameworks
- Strong analytical, writing, and synthesis skills
- Excellent written and spoken English
Desirable Requirements
- Experience working with UNICEF, Gavi, WHO, or EPI programmes
- Familiarity with zero-dose and equity-focused programming
- Experience in African and/or South Asian contexts
- Knowledge of new HPV and TB diagnostic tools and WHO normative guidance
Reporting and Management
The consultant will work closely with Girl Effect’s Programmes Team. All deliverables will be reviewed and approved by the contract supervisor prior to payment. All materials will be developed in English.
Proposal Submission Requirements
Interested consultants should submit a proposal (maximum 5 pages) including:
- CV detailing relevant qualifications and experience
- At least three references for similar assignments
- Samples of previous relevant work
- A detailed work plan with timelines
- Financial proposal in USD, including daily rate, time input, and reimbursable costs
- Separate identification of applicable taxes
Procurement Timeline
- TOR published: 24 April 2026
- Proposal submission deadline: 2 May 2026
- Expected commencement: May 2026 (ideally 11 May 2026)
Evaluation Criteria
Technical Evaluation (80%)
- HPV and SBC technical experience – 20%
- Relevant CV and expertise – 30%
- Relevant work samples – 20%
- References – 10%
Financial Evaluation (20%)
- Value for money and budget clarity
Additional Information
- All outputs remain the property of Girl Effect
- Girl Effect is not liable for costs incurred during proposal preparation
- Proposal validity: 90 days from closing date
- Girl Effect reserves the right to amend or cancel this process at any time
Safeguarding and Equal Opportunity
Girl Effect has zero tolerance for abuse or exploitation and requires adherence to safeguarding policies. The organisation is committed to equal opportunity and values diversity in professional, academic, and cultural backgrounds.
How to Apply
Submit your proposal to:
[email protected]
Email subject line: HPV Technical Consultant
Deadline: 2 May 2026
Only proposals submitted in line with this TOR and to the specified email address will be considered.