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Tender description :
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Expression of Interest (EOI): Baseline smart nutrition survey (khartoum & darfur states, sudan)
Request for expressions of interest
(consulting services - firms selection)
country
sudan
project
thabat project
assignment title
baseline smart nutrition survey
reference no.
sd-crs-531945-cs-cqs
loan / credit / grant no.
e4710 - sd
assignment type
consulting firm
indicative duration
approximately 8-12 weeks from contract commencement
geographic coverage
mukjar and um dukhun (central darfur); abu jabra and sharia (east darfur); ag geneina (west darfur)
catholic relief services (crs), as implementing agency for the thabat project, intends to apply part of world bank financing toward the cost of consulting services for the design and implementation of a baseline smart nutrition survey in selected darfur localities. the survey will provide independent, high-quality baseline data on nutrition, mortality, iycf, child health, and wash indicators for project management, accountability, and future evaluation.
the detailed terms of reference (tor) for the assignment are attached to this request for expressions of interest. interested consulting firms are invited to submit expressions of interest demonstrating that they have the qualifications, relevant experience, and organizational capacity to perform the assignment.
1. background
the thabat project - meaning "stability" in arabic - is a world bank-funded initiative implemented by catholic relief services (crs) to improve access to basic services and strengthen nutrition outcomes for vulnerable populations in conflict-affected areas of sudan. the project primarily targets children under five years of age and pregnant and lactating women (plw), groups who face heightened nutritional risk in contexts affected by displacement, disrupted services, market shocks, and weakened livelihood systems.
across darfur, years of conflict, recurrent displacement, climate shocks, disease outbreaks, and strained service delivery systems have contributed to persistent food insecurity and poor nutrition outcomes. in this context crs will conduct a standardized monitoring and assessment of relief and transitions (smart) survey to generate robust, population-level estimates of key nutrition, health, and wash indicators, establish project baselines, validate routine monitoring data, and inform adaptive project management.
the approved assignment will be implemented in five priority localities identified through the nutrition cluster prioritization process: mukjar and um dukhun in central darfur, abu jabra and sharia in east darfur, and ag geneina in west darfur. the survey is expected to align fully with sudans national standards for smart surveys and the validation requirements of the nutrition information system technical working group (nis twg).
assignment summary
client / implementing agency
catholic relief services (crs) - sudan
financing source
world bank
assignment objective
design and deliver a baseline smart nutrition survey aligned to national and global standards
survey areas
central darfur: mukjar, um dukhun; east darfur: abu jabra, sharia; west darfur: ag geneina
indicative start
may 25 2026
indicative duration
8-12 weeks, inclusive of protocol development, training, fieldwork, analysis, validation, and final reporting
travel requirement
extensive travel to survey areas and coordination with crs, smoh/fmoh, hac, nutrition cluster, and nis twg
2. objective of the assignment
the overall objective of the assignment is to generate high-quality, representative baseline data on the nutritional status of children and women, and on selected underlying determinants of malnutrition, in the target localities of darfur using smart methodology in accordance with sudans national standards and global good practice.
more specifically, the assignment is expected to:
determine the prevalence of acute malnutrition among children 6-59 months, including global acute malnutrition (gam), moderate acute malnutrition (mam), and severe acute malnutrition (sam), using weight-for-height z-scores and bilateral pitting oedema assessment.
measure chronic malnutrition (stunting) and underweight prevalence among children through height-for-age and weight-for-age indices.
assess the nutritional status of pregnant and lactating women using muac.
estimate retrospective mortality indicators, including the crude death rate (cdr) and under-five death rate (u5dr), using standard smart recall methods.
assess key infant and young child feeding (iycf) indicators, including breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices among children 0-23 months.
measure selected child health and service coverage indicators, including recent morbidity, measles vaccination, and deworming coverage.
assess household water, sanitation and hygiene (wash) conditions, including access to improved water, sanitation, and a functional handwashing facility with soap.
provide baseline values (survey-weighted estimates) required for the thabat results framework and world bank monitoring, and reporting needs.
3. scope of services
the consulting firm will be responsible for the complete end-to-end delivery of the assignment. the role is not limited to technical analysis; it includes survey design, field management, quality assurance, coordination with government and cluster structures, validation support, and final handover of all data and documentation.
the main responsibilities of the consulting firm will include, but not be limited to, the following:
review the approved scope of work, relevant national smart guidance, prior surveys, and available project documentation, and translate these into a practical implementation plan.
develop the inception package, including refined methodology, sample size calculations, sampling assumptions, sample frame development approach, cluster selection procedure, questionnaires, work plan, and risk mitigation plan.
prepare the draft survey protocol and all supporting tools and submit them, through crs, for review and validation by the nis twg and relevant ministry structures.
develop digital data collection tools using odk, kobo toolbox, or another agreed platform, including built-in skip logic, range checks, and validation rules.
compile and validate the sampling frame in collaboration with crs, state/local authorities, and technical stakeholders, and carry out cluster selection using an approved probability-based approach.
recruit, contract, organize, and manage the field teams required for the assignment, including enumerators, measurers, supervisors, and data management personnel.
plan and conduct enumerator and supervisor training, including anthropometric standardization tests, ethical training, safeguarding orientation, and pilot testing in a non-sampled area.
lead field implementation across all survey locations, including logistics coordination, daily supervision, troubleshooting, and communication with crs and relevant stakeholders.
put in place and actively manage a quality assurance system that includes daily review of data, plausibility checks, feedback loops, spot checks, and corrective actions where needed.
ensure all ethical and safeguarding requirements are met, including informed consent procedures, confidentiality, referral of severely malnourished cases, and appropriate conduct of field teams.
clean, validate, and analyze all survey data using ena for smart and other appropriate analytical software such as r or stata.
prepare all required outputs, including a preliminary results package for nis twg review and validation, a final validated report, cleaned datasets, analysis files, codebooks, and dissemination materials.
support the nis twg validation process, revise outputs based on technical comments, and submit the final approved package to crs.
technical expectations
workstream
minimum expectation
survey design
use smart methodology and sudan national guidance; prepare defensible sample size assumptions and sampling procedures.
indicators
cover child anthropometry, mortality, iycf, child health, immunization, wash, and maternal/plw nutrition indicators required by the approved sow.
data collection
use digital tools with validation checks; ensure daily uploads and real-time quality monitoring.
quality assurance
implement training, standardization, pilot testing, supervision, plausibility checks, and data cleaning protocols.
validation
support protocol and results validation through the nis twg and relevant ministry structures.
reporting
deliver a complete package suitable for crs, the world bank, and national technical review.
4. expected deliverables
the consulting firm will be expected to deliver a complete technical package. the products listed below are the minimum expected outputs; firms may propose additional supporting outputs if they improve quality assurance, documentation, or usability of the survey results.
deliverable
description
indicative timing
inception report
refined methodology, sample size assumptions, work plan, risk mitigation plan, draft tools, and implementation approach.
weeks 1-2
draft protocol and tools
draft smart protocol, questionnaires, sampling approach, and related annexes submitted for technical review.
weeks 1-2
validated protocol package
protocol and tools updated in response to comments and ready for field deployment following validation.
by week 3/4
training and pilot report
training summary, standardization results, pilot test findings, and final tool adjustments.
week 5
daily/periodic field monitoring updates
short progress and quality reports during field implementation.
weeks 6-7
cleaned datasets and analysis files
household, child, and womens datasets; ena files; syntax/codebooks; and relevant metadata.
weeks 8-9
preliminary report and presentation
draft findings package for crs and nis twg review and validation.
week 10
final validated survey report
comprehensive final report revised after technical validation and crs comments.
weeks 11-12
full data handover package
final datasets, codebooks, syntax, tools, permissions, validation records, and dissemination materials.
week 12
indicative work plan
phase
main activities
indicative period
inception and planning
kickoff, desk review, methodology refinement, draft protocol and tools, submission for review.
weeks 1-2
preparation
sampling frame finalization, cluster selection, programming tools, recruiting teams, arranging logistics.
weeks 3-4
training and pilot
training, standardization test, pilot survey, revisions to tools and sops.
week 5
field data collection
household interviews, anthropometry, supervision, daily uploads, and quality checks.
weeks 6-7
cleaning and analysis
data verification, plausibility review, indicator calculation, preliminary tabulations.
weeks 8-9
draft reporting
preparation of draft report and presentation for validation.
week 10
validation and revision
nis twg review and validation meeting, revisions, additional analyses as needed.
week 11
finalization
submission of final validated report and full data package.
week 12
5. reporting, coordination, and compliance requirements
the consulting firm will work under the overall oversight of crs and will be expected to coordinate closely with fmoh, state ministries of health, and the nutrition information system technical working group (nis twg). this assignment requires strong technical leadership and disciplined communication, because protocol approval, field implementation, and final use of results depend on compliance with national processes.
the firm shall report to the crs thabat project meal lead or another designated crs focal point.
the firm shall support crs in preparing documents for protocol review and results validation through the nis twg.
the firm shall ensure that field implementation does not begin until protocol validation is secured through the appropriate technical process.
the firm shall maintain regular written or verbal progress updates to crs and flag risks immediately, especially those related to access, quality, security, or timeline slippage.
the firm shall support the organization and presentation of validation meetings and respond promptly to technical comments from crs, fmoh/smoh, and the nis twg.
the firm shall maintain high standards of data protection, safeguarding, informed consent, and referral of severe cases throughout implementation.
client support and responsibilities
crs will provide overall contract management and facilitate coordination with project stakeholders. depending on final arrangements, crs may support or facilitate introduction letters, coordination with technical authorities, and certain logistics or access processes. however, bidders should assume full responsibility for proposing a feasible operational model, including staffing, travel planning, training, equipment, communication systems, and field management arrangements necessary to deliver the survey successfully.
6. eligibility, qualifications, and shortlisting criteria
crs now invites eligible consulting firms to indicate their interest in providing the services. interested firms should provide information demonstrating that they have the qualifications and relevant experience required to perform the assignment. at the shortlisting stage, assessment will focus on the consulting firms corporate qualifications, core business, relevant experience, and technical and managerial capacity. key experts will not be evaluated at the shortlisting stage.
minimum institutional qualifications
at least seven (7) years of institutional experience in delivering nutrition surveys, public health surveys, or comparable field assessments.
demonstrated experience conducting smart surveys or equivalent nutrition surveys in humanitarian, fragile, or conflict-affected contexts.
demonstrated experience in sudan is strongly preferred; experience in darfur is a major advantage.
evidence of successful completion of at least two similar assignments, preferably including assignments validated by national technical bodies, clusters, or major donors.
institutional capacity to recruit, train, deploy, supervise, and manage field teams in multiple locations within demanding operational environments.
demonstrated capacity in digital data collection, data quality assurance, ena for smart analysis, and production of high-quality technical reports and datasets.
shortlisting criteria
criterion
evidence expected in the eoi
core business and years in operation
firm profile, legal registration, years in operation, and summary of organizational mandate and service lines.
relevant technical experience
list and brief description of similar assignments completed, with client name, country, dates, scope, and relevance to smart or nutrition surveys.
experience in sudan / comparable settings
examples of work in sudan or similar humanitarian/conflict contexts, particularly large-scale field surveys.
technical and managerial capacity
description of the firms survey management systems, data quality assurance approach, digital data capabilities, and operational footprint.
track record of delivery
references, completion certificates, validation evidence, or other proof that the firm successfully delivered comparable assignments.
indicative team composition (for information only)
although key experts will not be evaluated at the shortlisting stage, interested firms should note that the assignment is expected to require, at a minimum, a strong survey leadership and field management team. shortlisted firms should therefore be prepared to field an appropriate team that may include a national team leader / lead survey manager, a national survey manager or deputy, field supervisors, enumerators/measurers, and a data manager/analyst with strong ena and survey analysis experience.
7. content of the expression of interest
to be considered responsive at the shortlisting stage, interested firms should submit an expression of interest package containing sufficient information to allow crs to assess corporate capability and relevant experience.
required eoi component
details
cover letter
signed letter expressing interest in the assignment and confirming availability to undertake the work.
corporate profile
legal name of the firm, registration details, ownership/structure, years in operation, countries of operation, and primary service lines.
relevant experience statement
concise narrative describing the firms experience in smart surveys, nutrition surveys, mortality/iycf/wash surveys, or comparable assignments.
list of similar assignments
table of at least two similar assignments completed in the past five to seven years, showing client, location, dates, contract value if available, and brief description of services.
technical and managerial capability
summary of systems and tools used for field survey implementation, quality assurance, data collection, analysis, logistics, and safeguarding.
references
contact details of clients who can verify the firms performance on similar assignments.
association details, if applicable
if applying as a joint venture or with sub-consultants, clearly indicate the proposed arrangement and the role of each party.
important note: detailed cvs of key experts are not required for shortlisting and will not be used as the primary basis for shortlisting. however, firms may include a brief indicative staffing note if it helps demonstrate organizational capability.
8. selection method, conflict of interest, and association
a consultant will be selected as per qualification based selection (cqs) in accordance with the world bank procurement regulations and as specified in the approved procurement plan. the attention of interested consultants is drawn to the world banks policy on conflict of interest as set out in the applicable procurement regulations for ipf borrowers.
consultants may associate with other firms to enhance their qualifications. such associations should clearly state whether they are proposed as a joint venture and/or sub-consultancy arrangement.
in the case of a joint venture, all partners in the joint venture shall be jointly and severally liable for the entire contract, if selected.
any potential conflict of interest relevant to the assignment should be disclosed in the eoi submission.
9. practical information for interested firms
item
information
duty stations
field-based assignment across the target darfur localities, with coordination through crs and relevant authorities.
travel
firms should assume responsibility for proposing and costing all travel and field deployment arrangements needed to deliver the assignment.
language
working documents and final reports are expected in english. field tools will need arabic translation/adaptation.
data collection platform
digital data collection is expected, using odk, kobo toolbox, or a similar approved platform.
analytical software
ena for smart is expected for anthropometric analysis; firms may also use stata, r, or similar tools for expanded analysis.
ethics and safeguarding
the selected firm will be expected to comply with crs safeguarding requirements, consent procedures, confidentiality, referral pathways, and any national ethical approval requirements.
validity of eoi
firms should indicate that they are willing and able to take up the assignment within the expected implementation period.
10. submission of expressions of interest
expressions of interest must be delivered in written form by 4th june, 2026 at 4:00pm sudan standard time (gmt+2). submissions may be accepted in person, by mail, or by e-mail, depending on the final procurement arrangements approved by crs.
further information can be obtained from the address below during official working hours:
office / client
catholic relief services (crs) - sudan
attention
muhammad faheem akbar
street / postal address
[insert full address]
city / country
el geneina , darfur, sudan
telephone
n/a
e-mail
sudan.rfgs@crs.org
issue date
3rd may 2026
submission deadline
4th june 2026 at 4:00 pm sudan standard time (gmt+2)
expressions of interest should be clearly marked: "expression of interest - baseline smart nutrition survey, thabat project."
Deadline: 04 june 2026
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