1.Introduction

The USAID Healthy Behaviors Activity works to increase the sustained adoption of health and nutrition behaviors in Ethiopia using evidence-based, theory-informed SBC strategies. We achieve this goal by increasing the adoption of optimal household-level behaviors, increasing demand for health services, and improving the enabling environment for gender-equitable and healthy behaviors.

USAID Healthy Behaviors Activity is planning to conduct an ethnographic study in Ethiopia. This study proposes a qualitative approach, using hearsay ethnography to elicit a valuable body of knowledge by empowering participants to observe and interpret their experiences, interactions, and relationships surrounding an issue in a real-life context.

This study will take place in Amhara, Oromia, Central, South Ethiopia, Tigray, Benishangul-Gumuz, and Gambella regions.

1.Purpose and Objectives

Purpose: The purpose of the Hearsay ethnography study is to understand the daily lives of the study population as it relates to health through the examination of a cultural lens and observe and analyze how the study communities interact with each other and with their environment to understand their culture related to health.

This inquiry will address the following objectives:

• Understand the daily lives of the study population as it relates to health through the examination of cultural lens.
• Observe and analyze how the study communities interact with each other and with their environment to understand their culture related to health.
• Produces actionable recommendations for context-specific healthy behavior interventions.

3. Methods

Data collection will be conducted with selected individuals, families, and communities who reside in the USAID Healthy Behaviors Activity operational woredas. This inquiry will use the hearsay ethnography approach, supplemented with data collector observation, to collect data. In this approach, participants act as their own data collectors, documenting day-to-day experiences related to the constructs of interest of this study namely, how they interact with healthcare services; and what events or activities at individual, family, and community levels are related to health are interesting and worth exploring

A total of 7 woredas from the seven regions Amhara, Oromia, Central, South Ethiopia, Tigray, Benishangul-Gumuz, and Gambella (1 woredas per region) and 1 kebeles from each of the woredas =7 kebeles. Approximately 77 individuals will participate in the ethnography study (see RFA Table 1 for details).

3.Timeline

FHI360 anticipates awarding the contract by early June 2024 and the selected firm should be prepared to commence in June 2024. The proposed period of performance is from June 2024 to August 2024Please note: FHI 360 reserves the right to adjust the timing based on the needs of the Activity.

Criteria for Evaluation:

All proposals received by the stated closing date will be evaluated and ranked according to the conditions described in the evaluation criteria below. Each proposal will be evaluated based on evidence of the following items:Evaluation Scoring:Proposals will first be evaluated from a technical standpoint. Those proposals that are technically acceptable shall then be evaluated in terms of cost. Technical Approach (20 points), Organizational Capabilities (10 points), Staffing (25 points), Past Performance (10 points), and Price/Cost Proposal (20 points).