RFQ Girl-Centered Design

1. REQUEST
FOR
QUOTATION

2. Main Facts Table
RFQ reference RFQ FY23 – 145 Girl- Centred Design
Approach for Plan International
RFQ launch date 13th
February 2023
Contract Manager Angela Francis
Deadline for submission of offers 2nd
March 2023 at 23.59 GMT
Submission of offers to procurement@plan-international.org
Please include the RFQ reference number above in all correspondence
plan-international.org RFQ 1

3. Background Information on Plan International
Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organisation that advances children’s
rights and equality for girls.
We believe in the power and potential of every child. But this is often suppressed by poverty, violence,
exclusion and discrimination. And its girls who are most affected. Working together with children, young
people, our supporters and partners, we strive for a just world, tackling the root causes of the challenges
facing girls and all vulnerable children.
We support children’s rights from birth until they reach adulthood. And we enable children to prepare for –
and respond to – crises and adversity. We drive changes in practice and policy at local, national and
global levels using our reach, experience and knowledge.
We have been building powerful partnerships for children for over 75 years, and are now active in more
than 70 countries.
Read more about Plan International's Global Strategy: 100 Million Reasons at https://plan-
international.org/strategy
Background/Context
In line with Plan International’s global strategy, the Innovation Team at Plan’s Global Hub is exploring
potential pathways for embedding girl and youth-centred design (GCD) across Plan International and
its programmes. Both girl and youth-centred design are subsets of human-centred design (HCD), an
innovative process to improve design which is centred around those you are designing for.
Through this consultancy, the Innovation Team aims to determine how the organisation can use
GCD to bring youth, especially girls, systematically and meaningfully into the process of
programme design for Plan International. Going further, we wish to explore whether this innovative
methodology might be utilised beyond programme design, and more widely integrate its principles into
the organisation’s ways of working and overall project cycle.
We seek a consultant, or consultancy team, to help investigate how GCD can enable young
people to more meaningfully inform our work, and to develop a methodology that can be
utilised to grow the culture of innovation, enable Plan International to embed GCD across the
organisation. By answering these questions, and developing a bespoke approach customized for Plan
International’s global structure and programming, we believe the organisation will be better placed to
execute Girls Standing Strong.
1. Role, Objectives
Objective: We aim to create a GCD approach that meets the needs of the organisation; clearly enabling
Girls Standing Strong. To be successful, this we desire a GCD approach that is user-friendly and relevant
for Plan’s ways of working, and builds off of work already existing within Plan International. The
deliverables should enable Plan International staff to implement GCD within their complex
programme structures and processes, rather than deliver an isolated theoretical or process guide.
plan-international.org RFQ 2

4. This consultancy does not ask for the delivery or tailoring of existing GCD toolkits, rather for the
development of a bespoke approach that allows Plan staff to utilise these methodologies to enhance
existing ways of working. The role calls for the consultant(s) to develop an approach which makes
GCD methodologies ‘work’ for Plan International, as opposed to requiring Plan International to
adapt its programming to existing GCD processes.
Outcome/Outputs: To ensure the deliverables of this work is responsive to our organisational needs,
we have not defined specific output formats however anticipate the following as an outcome of the
consultancy:
- a bespoke model/approach(s), including the content/tools required for its delivery, that will
allow Plan International to utilise/practice GCD methodologies within its current programming;
- a delivery plan for integration across Plan programming;
- documentation & summary of the development process over the consultancy
Phases: Therefore, the key established phases for this work are:
1. Research Analysis: The consultant(s) will analyse the resources and inputs gathered by the ,
helping to inform the Innovation Team on how a GCD approach can a) be of overall benefit for
our organisation, and b) leverage already-existing tools and structures across the Plan
International ecosystem. This will include analysis of:
• Previously conducted desk research on GCD concepts, common uses and best practices
• Tools and guidance already in use across Plan International
• Previous Key Informant Interviews conducted by the Innovation Team.
As part of the consultancy, the consultant(s) are encouraged to augment this research with their
own as required to fill any knowledge gaps and to ensure their understanding of Plan
International and its needs. Finally, it is expected that the consultant(s) will have deep knowledge
of GCD and will complement this analysis with their own expertise on the topic and additional
research sources.
2. Design of Potential GCD Approach Models: The consultant(s) will use the research analysis to
develop proposed GCD approach(es) for the organisation. We aim to create an approach that can
be integrated both within and outside of typically linear programme design work and has potential
for use throughout the programme cycle. The approach should be easily ‘adopt-able’, and will
align with and enhance, rather than disrupt, work happening across Plan International. The
proposed approach(es) should include
• Documentation of the specific components that form a comprehensive, yet achievable and
user-friendly model for GCD implementation across Plan’s global offices and programmes.
• A list and explanation of content/resources required, including both those that have
been identified as available or already in use, as well as those that are still required.
• An explanation of advantages and limitations of the approach, as well as the
possibilities for expansion.
• Content from existing tools that should be utilised or refined.
It is expected that the consultant will undertake this phase in consultation with a range of
stakeholders across Plan International, and in close collaboration with the Innovation Team.
3. Prototyping, Feedback and Refinement: The most promising approach(es) will be prepared to
gather more in-depth feedback across Plan International via prototyping. In collaboration with
the Innovation Team, the Consultant will work with key stakeholders from our Country Offices,
National Offices, and Global Hub, to test the most promising approaches, gather feedback and
refine. This phase will also use the global stakeholder group’s feedback to produce an initial
testing and potential delivery plan. International travel may be required to support a face-to-face
refinement workshop with the global stakeholder group.
plan-international.org RFQ 3

5. 4. Development: Following a refinement of the proposed content and potential delivery formats,
the Consultant will fully develop the final output(s).
Timeline: The consultancy is expected to run from 20 March through end of June 2023, with the
possibility of extension based on deliverable-development.
The role will be remote, working online with staff based around the world. We envision the work will
require fulltime equivalent level-of-effort (LoE) given the timeline, however, acknowledge this may
look different by consultant/consultant team.
Ways of Working: The consultant(s) will work in close collaboration with the Innovation Team through
ongoing dialogue and design. It is important to note that this consultancy is not committed to a specific
format for deliverables as these should be informed by learning compiled throughout the process. This
approach requires that we practice our own principles of innovative design including iterative
development, regularly eliciting feedback and responding to inputs, including a willingness to pivot as
appropriate to findings.
Working with the Innovation Team will require frequent communication with staff located in
UK/Europe, and Central America time zones as possible. The Consultant(s) will be part of weekly
online meetings with the Innovation Team, during which time progress and discussion will continue to
shape the workstream and output design.
2. Consultant Profile & Deliverables
Profile: Strong candidates for the role will possess:
• Demonstrable expertise with design methodologies centred on youth, girls and/or gender.
• Proven ability to develop packaged content that is fit-for-purpose, particularly for low-
resource settings and diverse audiences globally.
• Familiarity and experience with international development and humanitarian programming for
large global NGOs.
• Familiarity and experience with utilisation of design methodologies for international
development and humanitarian programming for large global NGOs.
• Experience facilitating investigative processes, including working with global stakeholders
and global organisations to drive processes forward.
• Experience hosting and facilitating trainings or workshops, with particular focus given
to experience in facilitating sessions on HCD, GCD or similar methods.
• Fluency in English required, additional professional-level language proficiency desirable
Deliverable Due
Bespoke model/approaches, including the contents/tools required for its
delivery, that will allow Plan International to utilize/practice GCD 30 June 2023
methodologies within its current programming
plan-international.org RFQ 4

6. Delivery plan for integration across Plan programming;
30 June 2023
Documentation & summary of the development process over the
consultancy.
30 June 2023
It is expected that drafts will be provided for review in stages before 30 June 2023, to be agreed
with Plan Digital & Innovation Team.
3. Selection Criteria
Evaluation Criteria Scoring Weight
Technical Proposal Specific Experience of the 30%
Consultant(s) relevant to the
assignment (see Profile).
Adequacy of the proposed 25%
methodology to the RFQ
Consultant(s) qualification &
Competence 15%
Gender Responsive 10%
Financial Proposal 20%
4. Submission of offers
Applicants should submit an offer package by 2nd
March 2023 via email to procurement@plan-
international.org, with the subject line “RFQ FY23 – 145 Girl- Centred Design Approach for
Plan International” which must include:
• CV for consultant(s) highlighting required and relevant experience,
• Proposal letter (1-4 pages) outlining the consultant(s)’
o relevant qualifications (see Profile)
o understanding of the role; including your approach to undertake this work.
Specifically, please explain your proposed approach to undertaking Phase 2: Design
of Proposed GCD Models
• Previous work example demonstrating relevant experience and outputs
• Detailed budget (Inclusive of VAT in £, including daily fee rates, any expenses). NB Travel
expenses, as required, will be separately covered by Plan International.
plan-international.org RFQ 5

7. • Signed Annex A – Non-Staff Code of Conduct
• Annex B – Supplier Questionnaire
• Signed Safeguarding Children and Young People Global Policy
5. Evaluation of offers
Shortlisted suppliers may be invited to discuss their proposals in more detail at Plan’s discretion. Only
short-listed candidates whose submissions sufficiently respond to the RFQ will be contacted. Short-listed
candidates will be invited to interview to share more detail on their proposed approach to undertake this
work. Interviews are anticipated to take place 9th
& 10th
of March with work beginning 20 March or
earlier. Plan International, at its sole discretion, will select the successful candidate.
Plan International, at its sole discretion, will select the successful RFQ.
Plan international shall be free to:
• Accept the whole, or part only, of any submission
• Accept none of the proposals
• Republish this Request for Quotations
Plan International reserves the right to keep confidential the circumstances that have been
considered for the selection of the offers.
Women-owned businesses and companies actively engaged or advancing gender equality
and women empowerment in the workplace are especially encouraged to apply.
Value for money is very important to Plan International, as every additional £ saved is money that
we can use on our humanitarian and development work throughout the world.
Plan International may award multiple contracts and all contracts will be non-exclusive.
6. Contract Payment terms
Please note that, if successful, Plan International’s standard terms of payment are 30 days after the
end of the month of receipt of invoice, or after acceptance of the Goods/Services/Works, if later.
7. IR35 Requirements – Only applicable for UK based or connections to the UK
Consultants
As of April 2021, all Global Hub UK-based contractors (Consultant/personal service
company/agency/intermediary) employing “people” in their chain to deliver serves to Plan
International must follow a strict process of IR35 determination.
Plan Limited will conduct a CES tool on all relevant shortlisted proposers as outlined above to
determine whether they fall inside or outside IR35.
8. Plan International’s Ethics & Safeguarding
Plan International is committed to ensuring that the rights of those participating in data collection
or analysis are respected and protected, in accordance with Ethical MERL Framework
plan-international.org RFQ 6

8. and our Child and Youth Safeguarding Policy. All applicants should include details in their
proposal on how they will ensure ethics and child protection in the data collection process.
Specifically, the consultant(s) shall explain how appropriate, safe, non-discriminatory participation
of all stakeholders will be ensured and how special attention will be paid to the needs of children
and other vulnerable groups. The consultant(s) shall also explain how
confidentiality and anonymity of participants will be guaranteed.
9. Clarifications
The onus is on the invited companies to ensure that its offer is complete and meets Plan
International’s requirements. Failure to comply may lead to the offer being rejected. Please
therefore ensure that you read this document carefully and answer fully all questions asked.
If you have any queries in relation to your submission, or to any requirements of this RFQ, please
email:
procurement@plan-international.org
Thank you for your proposal.
plan-international.org RFQ 7