CALL FOR PROPOSALS

Work Package 1A – Situational Analysis and Needs Assessment

Electronic Community Health Information System (eCHIS) Project

Family Development Initiatives (FDI) invites qualified firms, consultants, or consortia to submit proposals for Work Package 1A – Situational Analysis and Needs Assessment under the Electronic Community Health Information System (eCHIS) Project. This assignment will generate the evidence base required to design and deploy a nationally aligned, interoperable digital platform for community-level health data in Zambia.

Project Background

Community-Based Volunteers (CBVs), Neighborhood Health Committees (NHCs), and Community Health Workers (CHWs) form the frontline of Zambia’s primary healthcare system. However, community-level health information remains largely paper-based, fragmented, and inconsistently integrated into national systems.

As highlighted in Zambia’s National Digital Health Strategy (2022–2026) and Community Health Strategy (2022–2025), the country urgently requires a harmonized, real-time, interoperable digital solution for community health data.

FDI is therefore initiating the Electronic Community Health Information System (eCHIS) to:

• Digitize community-level data capture
• Improve timeliness, completeness, and accuracy of reporting
• Strengthen community–facility linkages
• Enable integrated planning and evidence-based decision-making

Work Package 1A represents the first step toward this national initiative.

Objective of Work Package 1A

To conduct a comprehensive situational analysis and needs assessment that will inform the design, development, and deployment of the eCHIS. The findings will shape the Business Requirements Document (BRD) and ensure the system is context-specific, scalable, and interoperable with national digital health platforms.

Scope of Work

The selected firm/consultant will be required to:

1. Conduct Stakeholder Consultations

Engage with CBVs, CHWs, community structures, district health offices, provincial teams, CSOs, and national Ministry of Health departments to understand:

• Existing workflows
• Reporting processes
• Data needs and bottlenecks
• User capabilities and expectations

2. Map Existing Community Health Information Systems

Assess:

• Current digital and paper-based tools
• Data registers and reporting pathways
• Partner-driven digital solutions and their interoperability status
• Gaps, duplications, and fragmentation

3. Assess Digital Readiness

Evaluate:

• Digital literacy among CBVs and facility staff
• Availability of devices
• Network coverage and power supply
• Current ICT support systems at district level

4. Produce a Situational Analysis and Needs Assessment Report

The report must provide:

• A clear diagnosis of challenges and opportunities
• Recommendations for harmonization and alignment
• Requirements for system design and interoperability
• Inputs for the Business Requirements Document (BRD)

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must demonstrate:

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in digital health research, health systems assessments, or similar analytics
• Proven expertise in stakeholder engagement, field data collection, and systems mapping
• Strong understanding of Zambia’s community health structures and information systems
• Experience with interoperability and/ or digital health architecture is an added advantage

Preference will be given to Zambian firms or local consortia with capacity in community health systems and digital transformation.

Deliverables

1. Inception Report with methodology and workplan
2. Comprehensive Situational Analysis and Needs Assessment Report

Duration

1.5 months (maximum)

Submission Details

Deadline for Submission: 14th December 2025

Submission Email: procurement@myfdizambia.com

Proposals must include:

• Technical approach and methodology
• Firm/consultant profile and relevant experience
• Team qualifications
• Workplan and timeline
• Financial proposal