1.1.     Request for Proposals – Service Notice

1.1.1.        Nutrition International (NI), a non-profit agency dedicated to eliminating vitamin and mineral deficiencies worldwide, invites proposals from competent agencies for Implementation of Adolescent Health and Nutrition Program (District Lodhran – Punjab, District Swabi – Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and District Pishin – Balochistan)

1.2.     Background

1.2.1.        Nutrition International (NI) is a global nutrition organization, dedicated to delivering proven nutrition interventions to those who need them most. Founded in 1992, NI envisions a world free from hidden hunger and has been working in Pakistan since 2000, implementing low-cost, large-scale nutrition programs. NI has collaborated with the Government of Pakistan to improve maternal and newborn care, enhance infant and young child nutrition practices, and pioneer adolescent nutrition interventions. One such initiative was the pilot Weekly Iron and Folic Acid Supplementation (WIFAS) project for in-school adolescent girls in one tehsil of District Lodhran, Punjab. Building on this success, NI expanded its adolescent health and nutrition program in April 2022 to cover two additional tehsils in Lodhran, one tehsil in District Swabi (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), and District Pishin (Balochistan)

1.2.2.        Adolescence is a transformative period that lays the foundation for physical, cognitive, and social development, impacting future generations. In Pakistan, adolescents comprise 23% of the population[1], with girls making up 48% of this group[2]. Despite their potential, adolescent girls face numerous challenges, particularly in nutrition. According to the National Nutrition Survey 2018, 54.7% of adolescent girls in Pakistan are anaemic, posing a critical public health concern. Anaemia, primarily caused by iron deficiency, leads to lethargy, poor concentration, and diminished academic performance, hindering the nation’s human capital development.

1.2.3.        Girls often remain marginalized due to their low social status, limited opportunities, and socio-economic constraints, making them a neglected target group for health and nutrition interventions. Early marriage and poor nutritional status are two major manifestations of this disempowerment. Alongside a high prevalence of anaemia, low dietary diversity further exacerbates undernourishment among adolescents. Recognizing the critical need for adolescent nutrition, the Ministry of National Health Services Regulations and Coordination (MNHSR&C), Islamabad, launched Adolescent Nutrition and Supplementation Guidelines in 2020. These guidelines identify IFA supplementation as a key strategy to combat anemia. The guidelines recommend intermittent iron and folic acid supplementation as a public health intervention for menstruating women and adolescents, particularly in areas where anaemia prevalence among non-pregnant women of reproductive age exceeds 20%.

1.2.4.        The guidelines also highlight barriers such as the physical inaccessibility of health facilities, lack of transportation, restricted women’s mobility, and security concerns. To ensure maximum coverage, supplementation should be integrated into the service packages of all community-based health and nutrition programs. Additionally, a strong partnership between the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education is recommended to ensure adolescent girls both in-school and out-of-school have access to essential nutrition interventions. These terms of reference aim to select an agency for implementing the WIFA supplementation Program in District Lodhran (Punjab), District Swabi (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), and District Pishin (Balochistan), providing technical and administrative support for its execution from May 01, 2025 – February 28, 2026.

1.2.5.        This Request for Proposals (RFP) and particularly the Guidelines for Preparing Proposals that follow, are designed to help Respondents to produce proposals that are acceptable to the NI, and to ensure that all proposals are given equal consideration. It is essential, therefore, that Respondents provide the complete information that is requested, and in the formats and on the terms specified.

DETAILED RFP ATTACHED FOR REFERENCE