RFQ for Hiring of Consultant for Mapping and review relevant provincial policies, practices, processes and curricula, while assessing healthcare staff capacity and training needs for delivering sustainable, climate-resilient, gender-responsive and inclusive RMNCH-WASH services at selected PHC sites

 Procurement Reference No. PMU/WA/2026/08/22

1. Indus Hospital & Health Network (IHHN) is a Non-Profit organization, which is growing rapidly and expanding its Health Programs all over Pakistan. It has supported health programs in Pakistan since 2007. IHHN provides quality healthcare absolutely free of cost to millions of deserving patients through its countrywide network of hospitals in Pakistan. IHHN is now managing multiple tertiary and secondary care Hospitals, Physical Rehabilitation Centres, Regional Blood Centres, Community Health Centers, and various Public Health Programs spread across Pakistan. IHHN is also a recipient of grants funded by international organizations.

2. IHHN invites your quotation for the services as described in Part 1.

3. The procurement shall be conducted in line with the Request for Quotation (RFQ) procurement method contained in the IHHN Procurement Manual and procedures stated in Part 2.

4. Any resulting contract shall be subject to the terms and conditions detailed in Part 3.

5. The planned procurement schedule for this procurement (subject to changes) is as follows:

6. Any queries should be addressed to the attention of Mr. Aamir Aslam through the email address [email protected] prior to the request for quotation closing date.

7. Please prepare and submit your quotation in accordance with the instructions in Part 1: Request for Quotation Procedures or inform the undersigned if you will not be submitting a quotation.

Indus Hospital & Health Network (IHHN), Project Management Unit (PMU), Community Health Directorate (CHD), Islamabad, Pakistan

T: +92 51 8312595-6 www.indushospital.org.pk

RFQ for Hiring of a Consultant, Procurement Reference No. PMU/WA/2026/08/23

Part 1: Terms of Reference (TORs)

IHHN through this document requires “Hiring of a Consultant for Mapping and review relevant provincial policies, practices, processes and curricula, while assessing healthcare staff capacity and training needs for delivering sustainable, climate-resilient, gender-responsive and inclusive RMNCH-WASH services at selected PHC sites.

1. Background and Context

Indus Hospital & Health Network (IHHN), in partnership with WaterAid Pakistan, is implementing the Strengthening Wholistic and Inclusive Systems for Health (SWISH) project through Integration, Prevention, and Women's Empowerment. The project is focusing 10 selected Primary Healthcare Facilities in District Lodhran, Punjab. The project also seeks to institutionalize climate-resilient, inclusive, and sustainable WASH services alongside improved Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health (RMNCH) services, ultimately driving better quality of care, infection prevention and control (IPC), and health outcomes across Punjab.

While, field-level interventions and facility infrastructure improvements are critical in the selected primary healthcare facilities, the long-term sustainability and scale of integrated health and WASH services rely heavily on enabling provincial policies, strategic frameworks, and institutionalized practices. 

In this context, the SWISH project design includes a set of activities aimed at assessing and strengthening the policy environment, institutional practices and capacity for integrating WASH within primary MNCH programmes, with particular attention to gender responsiveness, inclusion and climate resilience. The key activities planned to achieve these objectives are outlined below: 

1. Mapping and review of existing relevant Provincial practices, processes, curriculum, policies (National IPC guidelines/framework, provincial health strategy, ADP, PHCC etc.) to deliver and sustain integrated, gender responsive RMNCH and WASH programs. 

2. Conduct Training Need Assessment of Climate Resilient, gender responsive, Inclusive WASH awareness and knowledge amongst healthcare staff cadres (selected PHC sites)

The purpose is to generate actionable, government-owned recommendations that can inform ADP and PC-I formulation, facility-level improvement planning, costing, supervision and convergence between health and WASH investments. The assignment therefore goes beyond a generic review or data-gathering exercise. It will provide a context-specific and practical assessment of policy, institutional and capacity gaps, identify opportunities for better integration of WASH within primary MNCH programming, and assess the readiness and training needs of healthcare staff. The findings will provide actionable recommendations and clear pathways for strengthening the integration of WASH, RMNCH, IPC, gender responsiveness and climate resilience within Punjab's health policies, strategies, planning frameworks and institutional practices.

2. Purpose of the Consultancy

The purpose of this consultancy is to engage a qualified consultant to undertake a comprehensive mapping, desk review and qualitative assessment of existing policies, budgets, protocols, institutional frameworks and curricula relevant to the delivery of WASH services and practices within primary MNCH programmes. The consultancy will also assess the knowledge, awareness and capacity of relevant healthcare staff through a Training Needs Assessment (TNA), with a particular focus on climate-resilient, gender-responsive and inclusive WASH, RMNCH, Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) and Infection Prevention and Control (IPC).

The consultant should demonstrate practical expertise in IPC, RMNCH, WASH in HCFs, PHC systems, Punjab public-sector planning processes, stakeholder facilitation, GEDSI, disability inclusion, climate resilience and high-quality policy writing.

The consultant will work under the technical supervision of the IHHN project team, in accordance with the technical guidance of WaterAid Pakistan, and in coordination with relevant provincial health authorities and other key stakeholders. Consultations/coordination should include P&SHD, DGHS, IRMNCH and Nutrition Program, Punjab Health Care Commission, P&D Board, PHED, DHA, facility managers, frontline providers and community perspectives.

The component wise specific objectives of the consultancy are: 

• Mapping and review of existing relevant Provincial practices, processes, curriculum, policies (National IPC guidelines/framework, provincial health strategy, ADP, PHCC etc.) to deliver and sustain integrated, gender responsive RMNCH and WASH programs. 

1. Mapping (Identify and compile existing policy documents, processes, practices and curriculum) relevant to RMNCH, WASH, MHM and IPC. 

2. Conduct desk review and key informant interviews with provincial stakeholders (P&SHC, DG Health Office, DG M&E, P&D, PHED, RMNCH). 

3. Analyse alignment with integrated, gender-responsive health services (alignment with climate resilient models). 

4. Prepare and submit a comprehensive review report with recommendations. 

5. Follow up on recommendations to ensure that these are well integrated into planning and policy documents. 

• Conduct Training Need Assessment of Climate Resilient, gender responsive, Inclusive WASH awareness and knowledge amongst healthcare staff cadres (selected PHC sites). 

1. Develop TNA methodology and its tool. 

2. Coordinate and conduct assessments at selected PHC facilities. 

3. Analyze data to identify gaps in staff knowledge and skills. 

4. Develop TNA report and share with relevant stakeholders (WAP, DoH). 

5. Provide support and monitoring of WASH FIT and WASH IPC practices in MNCH services delivery with HCF-Staff. 

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3. Expected Outcomes

The activity will contribute to the following outcomes of the SWISH project: 

Intermediate Outcome

Increased use of WASH-enhanced MNCH services by women, men and children within targeted primary health care (PHC) settings in target districts of Pakistan. 

Immediate Outcomes

Improved capacity of PHC workforce & institutions to practice, deliver and sustain WASH-enhanced MNCH services within primary HCFs. 

4. Scope of Work

The consultant shall undertake, but not be limited to, the following tasks:

1. Desk Review and Mapping of Existing Policies, Practices and Frameworks

The consultant will undertake a comprehensive desk review and mapping of relevant national and provincial policies, strategies, guidelines, budgets, regulatory frameworks, institutional practices and curricula relevant to the delivery and sustainability of integrated RMNCH and WASH services. The review shall include, but not be limited to:

• Provincial health strategies, plans and relevant national frameworks, including National IPC Guidelines/Frameworks; 

• Annual Development Plans (ADPs) and relevant budgetary allocations; 

• Punjab Health Care Commission (PHCC) standards and regulatory requirements applicable to primary healthcare facilities; 

• Existing WASH, RMNCH, MHM, IPC and gender/inclusion-related policies, protocols and operational guidelines; 

• Relevant departmental processes, practices and institutional mechanisms for planning, financing, implementation, monitoring and sustaining WASH and RMNCH services; 

• Existing academic, professional and in-service training curricula relevant to RMNCH, WASH, MHM and IPC; and 

• Relevant assessments, studies and materials developed or commissioned by WaterAid Pakistan and other relevant stakeholders.

2. Stakeholder Consultations and Key Informant Interviews

The consultant will undertake consultations with relevant provincial and district-level stakeholders to understand the practical application of existing policies and identify institutional and operational barriers. This will include:

• Development of structured Key Informant Interview (KII) guides and stakeholder consultation matrices; 

• KIIs with relevant departments and institutions, including P&SHC, DG Health Services, DG M&E/Training, Planning & Development Department, Public Health Engineering Department (PHED), RMNCH Programme and other relevant entities; 

• Consultations with selected stakeholders responsible for WASH, IPC, RMNCH, MHM, health infrastructure, training and service quality; and 

• Any additional consultations considered necessary based on findings emerging during the assignment.

3. Development of Training Needs Assessment TNA Tool and Methodology

The consultant will develop a context-specific Training Needs Assessment methodology and assessment tool to systematically assess the knowledge, awareness, practices and capacity of relevant healthcare staff at the selected PHC facilities. The TNA methodology and tool shall be aligned with the objectives of the SWISH project and relevant national and provincial standards and frameworks. The consultant shall:

• Develop a TNA framework covering WASH, RMNCH, MHM, IPC, GEDSI and climate resilience. 

• Define key assessment domains, indicators and competency areas for relevant staff cadres. 

• Develop appropriate data collection and assessment tools, including knowledge and practice checklists. 

• Define the methodology for staff selection, data collection, scoring and analysis. 

• Pilot/refine the tools, as required, and finalize them in consultation with IHHN and WaterAid Pakistan. 

• Submit the methodology and tools for technical review and approval before field-level assessment.

4. Training Needs Assessment (TNA) of Healthcare Staff

The consultant will conduct a TNA among relevant healthcare staff cadres at the selected PHC facilities to assess their current knowledge, awareness, practices and capacity related to:

• Climate-resilient WASH; 

• Gender-responsive and inclusive WASH; 

• RMNCH-related WASH requirements; 

• Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM); and 

• Infection Prevention and Control (IPC). 

The TNA will identify key knowledge and practice gaps, priority capacity-building needs, relevant staff cadres and areas requiring further technical support or training. The findings will inform practical recommendations for strengthening ongoing and future capacity-building initiatives. 

5. Policy, Institutional and Capacity Alignment Analysis

Based on the desk review, stakeholder consultations and TNA findings, the consultant will undertake an integrated analysis to:

• Assess the alignment of existing policies, standards, practices and budgets with integrated RMNCH-WASH objectives; 

• Examine the extent to which gender, disability/inclusion and climate resilience are reflected in relevant policies and institutional practices; 

• Identify gaps in institutional roles, coordination mechanisms, implementation arrangements and resource allocation; 

• Assess gaps between existing policy provisions and their application at PHC level; 

• Identify capacity and training gaps among healthcare staff and link these with identified policy and implementation challenges; and 

• Identify opportunities for institutionalizing and scaling integrated WASH-RMNCH practices within existing provincial health systems. 

6. Stakeholder Validation & Technical Consultation

The consultant will present the draft findings to IHHN, WaterAid Pakistan and relevant provincial stakeholders, including P&SHC, DG Health and other relevant departments, to validate the findings, obtain technical feedback and agree on priority recommendations.

The consultant shall:

• Present key findings and recommendations to relevant stakeholders. 

• Facilitate technical discussions to validate findings and identify gaps. 

• Incorporate stakeholder feedback into the final assessment and recommendations. 

• Document agreed priority actions and recommendations for policy and capacity strengthening.

7. Recommendations and Integration Pathways

The consultant will translate the findings into practical and actionable recommendations for strengthening the policy, institutional, budgetary and capacity environment for integrated WASH and RMNCH programming. Recommendations should, where relevant, identify:

• Priority policy and guideline revisions; 

• Opportunities for integration within provincial strategies, ADPs and planning/budgeting processes; 

• Institutional and coordination mechanisms required for sustainability; 

• Priority capacity-building and training interventions; 

• Opportunities to strengthen climate-resilient, gender-responsive and inclusive WASH practices; and 

• Potential pathways for institutionalizing successful SWISH approaches within the wider primary healthcare system.

8. Report Development, Validation and Policy Follow-up

The consultant will prepare a comprehensive draft policy review and TNA report consolidating the findings from all workstreams. The draft will be presented to IHHN, WaterAid Pakistan and relevant provincial stakeholders for review and validation.

Following validation, the consultant will:

• Incorporate stakeholder feedback and finalize the report; 

• Conduct technical briefings with relevant departments, as required; 

• Develop a concise set of priority actions, recommendations and policy briefs for consideration by relevant authorities; and 

• Support strategic follow-up with key departments, where required, to facilitate consideration and potential integration of agreed recommendations into policy, planning, budgeting, training and institutional processes.

5. Key Deliverables

6. Duration of Assignment

The consultancy will be implemented over a period of six (06) months, commencing from the date of signing/award of the contract. The consultant will be expected to undertake the assignment in a phased manner, allowing sufficient time for desk review and field-level assessment, stakeholder consultations, analysis, validation, finalization of the consolidated report, and follow-up with relevant authorities. 

An indicative timeline is presented below: 

7. Supervision and Reporting Arrangements

The consultant will work under the technical supervision of the Project Coordinator, IHHN Islamabad. Project Coordinator will seek guidance in-house from concerned departments and provide technical inputs to the consultant. Manager Advocacy (SWISH Project) will support consultant in coordinating with relevant government departments/officials/stakeholders at Lahore/Lodhran 

8. Required Qualifications and Experience

The consultant should have the following qualifications and experience:  

1. Advanced degree (Master’s or Ph.D.) in Public Health, Public Policy, Health Systems, Health Economics, Social Sciences, Environmental Health, or another relevant discipline. 

2. Minimum 7–10 years of proven professional experience in health systems strengthening, public-sector policy analysis, institutional assessment, policy mapping, or related assignments in Pakistan, with substantial working experience in Punjab. 

3. Demonstrated and in-depth knowledge of the Punjab Government health system, including the roles and functions of relevant health departments, programmes and institutions, health sector policies, regulatory frameworks, planning and budgeting mechanisms, ADPs, PC-Is and related institutional processes. 

4. Strong understanding of WASH, RMNCH, IPC, MHM and primary healthcare systems, including relevant national/provincial policies, standards, guidelines and regulatory requirements applicable to healthcare facilities in Punjab. 

5. Proven experience in mapping and reviewing health policies, institutional practices, protocols, curricula and implementation systems, preferably with a focus on integration of WASH within primary healthcare/RMNCH services. 

6. Demonstrated experience in conducting Training Needs Assessments (TNAs) and assessing knowledge, practices and capacity of healthcare staff, particularly in WASH, IPC, RMNCH, MHM, gender-responsive and climate-resilient healthcare. 

7. Strong understanding and demonstrated experience in gender, equity, disability and social inclusion (GEDSI) and climate-resilient health systems, with the ability to translate these considerations into practical policy and institutional recommendations. 

8. Proven experience in stakeholder consultation and high-level engagement with Punjab Government departments and health-sector institutions, including the ability to facilitate KIIs, technical consultations and validation workshops. 

9. Excellent analytical, technical writing, report development and policy advocacy skills, with demonstrated ability to translate complex findings into practical, evidence-based recommendations for government planning, policy and budgeting processes. 

10. Experience working with development partners, international NGOs, UN agencies or government programmes on health systems, WASH or related policy and institutional strengthening assignments will be an advantage.

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9. Financial Proposal and Payment Schedule

Payments will be made in installments against the satisfactory completion and acceptance of the respective deliverables/milestones by IHHN, in accordance with the following schedule:

Annex 1: Indicative List of Existing National and Punjab-Level Documents for Review

National health, PHC and RMNCH policy documents

1. National Health Vision Pakistan 2016–2025.

2. Universal Health Coverage Benefit Package of Pakistan / Essential Package of Health Services, Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination.

3. National Maternal, Newborn and Child Health and Family Planning policies, strategies, standards, technical guidelines and relevant service delivery packages issued or endorsed by the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination.

4. Lady Health Worker Programme policy, operational guidelines, training curriculum and supervision tools.

Punjab health sector, PHC and RMNCH planning documents

1. Punjab Health Sector Strategy 2019–2028.

2. Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department, Government of Punjab, policy, reform, service delivery and PHC strengthening documents, including any current roadmap or implementation plan.

3. IRMNCH & Nutrition Program Punjab strategies, annual operational plans, service delivery guidance, training manuals, supervision checklists and monitoring tools.

4. Directorate General Health Services Punjab programme guidance, PHC supervision tools, DHIS/HMIS reporting formats and quality/service delivery monitoring tools.

IPC, quality of care and health regulation documents

1. National Guidelines: Infection Prevention and Control, Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination.

2. National IPC Strategic Plan, where applicable and available.

3. Punjab Healthcare Commission Minimum Service Delivery Standards 

4. Punjab Hospital Waste Management Rules 2014 and applicable healthcare waste management SOPs or guidance issued by the relevant Punjab authorities.

WASH, water, sanitation and environmental health documents

1. Punjab Drinking Water Policy 2011.

2. Punjab Sanitation Policy 2015.Punjab Water Act 2019.

Planning, budgeting and institutionalization documents

1. Punjab Annual Development Programme, especially the current and recent Health, Water Supply and Sanitation, Women Development, Social Welfare, Local Government and Environment sectors.

2. Relevant PC-I documents for PHC, BHU/RHC strengthening, RMNCH, health facility renovation, WASH, infection prevention, climate resilience and district health system strengthening schemes.

3. Relevant district development plans and local government planning documents for Lodhran, where available.

Climate change, disaster risk reduction and resilience documents

1. National Climate Change Policy 2021.

2. Punjab Climate Change Policy and any associated provincial climate change action plan or implementation framework.

Gender, disability, inclusion, safeguarding and menstrual health documents

1. Punjab Women Development Policy and Women Development Department Punjab sector plans, where relevant.

2. Relevant national or Punjab adolescent health, menstrual hygiene management, menstrual health, safeguarding, GBV referral and respectful care materials issued or used by government departments or official programmes. 

Evaluation Criteria:

1. The technical responsiveness shall be evaluated by award of marks based on the criteria indicated below, and the pass mark shall be 49 (70%)

2. In case only one or two bidders pass technical evaluation, the purchasing entity shall proceed to evaluate financial quotation(s) of the single bidder or the two bidders.

3. However, as a last resort, in case no bidder scores 49 (70%) and above, the purchasing entity shall select three

(03) firms with the highest scores and proceed to evaluate their financial bids

Price Schedule/Financial Bid:

The price quotation needs to be sealed in a separate envelope marked as “Financial Proposal.” 30% weightage shall be assigned to the financial proposal.

Costs to be included in the bid price shall be:

• The unit and total rates in PKR including all applicable taxes.

Note: To be filled, signed, stamped/sealed by the vendor and returned together with other required documents.

Price Schedule Authorized by:

Part 2: Request for Quotation Procedure

1. Preparation of Bids: You are requested to prepare the proposal as per above mentioned TORs.

2. Validity of Bids:The quotation should remain valid for preferably thirty (30) days from the closing date for quotation submission. In case of shorter validity period, IHHN at its discretion may reject/accept the quotation.

3. Amendment of request for quotation: At any time prior to the deadline for submission of quotation, IHHN may modify the request for quotation document and changes shall be binding on all vendors.

4. Currency of the quotation: Quotation shall be priced in Pakistan Rupees (PKR).

5. Sealing and marking of quotations:Quotation should be sealed in a single envelope, clearly marked with the subject of procurement, procurement reference number and supplier’s name.

6. Address of quotation submission:Bids should be submitted by hand or courier at the below address:

Indus Hospital & Health Network, Project Management Unit,

Plot No. 32, Street No. 36, First Floor, I&T Centre, G-10/4, Islamabad.

7. Password Protected Quotes via Email:Quotations may also be submitted via email as per the below instructions:

1. Password Protected Quote should only be emailed to [email protected]

2. While the password of the same should be shared only to [email protected]

3. No one should be in CC for password email.

8. Deadline for quotation submission: Quotation must reach at the mentioned address by/before the date & time mentioned in cover note, late submission after the given date and time shall not be acceptable.

9. Opening of quotations:Quotation shall be opened internally by IHHN management. Supplier’s representatives are not permitted to attend the opening.

10. Correction of arithmetic errors: IHHN shall correct any non-material arithmetic errors in the bid price provided that such corrections do not constitute amendment of quoted unit prices.

11. Negotiation of prices and delivery schedule: IHHN may negotiate with the selected vendor(s) to bring the prices within the market range, align prices with the previous IHHN contract prices, accommodate offer of discounts and donations and/or finalize the delivery schedule.

12. Award Decision:After identifying the market competitive rates in compliance with scope, IHHN reserves the right to issue the contract to single or multiple bidders. The selection of bidder shall not be made on the basis of lowest prices only; quality of services shall be the decisive factor as well.

13. Formation of contract:Formation of a contract shall be by either issuing a Purchase Order/Work Order or by signing a contract.

14. Right to Reject: The purchaser reserves the right to accept or reject any quotation or to cancel the bidding process and reject all bids at any time prior to contract signing.
    

Part 3: Contract Terms and Conditions

1. Payment terms:Payment shall be as per the above given schedule. All payments shall be made upon delivery/submission of satisfactory services/milestones, through Account Payee Cheque, less any statutory taxes as per the Income Tax Ordinance 2001 (as amended).

2. Liquidated damages:Liquidated damages shall not apply unless otherwise specified. When specified, liquidated damages shall be 5% of the Word Order/contract price per day of delayed delivery of services, counted from the delivery date stated in the WO or agreed by the parties. The maximum liquidated damages shall be 10% of the contract price, followed with termination of the contract. IHHN reserves the right to cancel part or all liquidated damages on mutual agreement with the vendor.

3. Compliance to specifications:Bidders shall comply with the minimum specifications and requirements/TORs in Part 1 during quotation submission and contract implementation.

4. Price variations:Within the bid validity period, any request for change in prices shall not be accepted.

5. Use of contract prices by other IHHN partner programmes and organisations:Within the contract validity period, the purchaser and its partner programmes and organisation may utilize the contract resulting from this procurement process to order additional quantities of supplies/services, without a retendering process.

6. Performance security or bond:Unless otherwise specified, performance bond shall not be required. Where required, the performance security shall be 10% of the original contract price in a form specified by the purchaser.

7. Blacklisting of suppliers:Suppliers submitting forged documents, supplying counterfeit, defective and poor-quality products and services shall be blacklisted from participating in any IHHN and donor procurements in Pakistan. A notice of supplier blacklisting shall be filed with the PPRA Pakistan.

8. Force Majeure:Force majeure clause shall apply, but shall not include any event which is caused by the negligence or intentional action of the parties; nor any event which a diligent Party could reasonably have been expected to take into account from the effective date of the contract; and avoid or overcome in the carrying out of its obligations; nor insufficiency of funds or failure to make any payment required hereunder. A Party affected by an event of Force Majeure shall take all reasonable measures to remove such Party’s inability to fulfil its obligations hereunder with a minimum of delay; and minimize the consequences of any event of Force Majeure. A Party affected by an event of Force Majeure shall notify the other party, within twenty-four (24) hours, of establishing or knowing the occurrence of a force majeure event.

9. Dispute settlement:A dispute shall be settled as per provisions of Arbitration Act 1940 (Act No. X of 1940) and Rules made thereunder and any statutory modifications thereto, and held at the purchaser’s address.

10. Whistleblowing: Indus Hospital & Health Network (IHHN) is committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and accountability in all procurement activities. Vendors are encouraged to report, in good faith, any suspected fraud, corruption, conflict of interest, or unethical conduct related to this RFQ process. All disclosures will be treated with strict confidentiality, and no retaliatory action shall be taken against any party for raising a concern in good faith. Any vendor found to have engaged in unethical practices or to have attempted to improperly influence the procurement process may be subject to disqualification, contract termination, and blacklisting. Any concerns or complaints may be reported through the designated channel at [email protected]

.Participation in this RFQ constitutes acknowledgment of and compliance with this clause.