1. Introduction

Action Health Incorporated (AHI) is a non-profit organization committed to creating opportunities for young people’s successful transition to productive adulthood. Since its establishment in 1989, AHI has served as an advocate and catalyst for creating better life options for young people in Nigeria.

AHI is issuing this Request for Proposals (RFP) to identify and engage four (4) youth-led organizations (YLOs) to promote CSE and condom programming among young people, including young people in correctional centres, married adolescents, and orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) in development and humanitarian settings.

2. Project Context and Rationale

Many young people are left behind by school-based sexuality education and mainstream youth services. Young people in correctional centres, married adolescents, orphans and vulnerable children, and young people living with HIV often face added barriers, restricted movement, early marriage and pregnancy, displacement, loss of parental care, stigma and discrimination that limit their access to accurate information on their bodies, relationships, rights and health, and to commodities such as condoms. In humanitarian settings, these risks are heightened by insecurity, disrupted services and increased exposure to gender-based violence.

The international technical and programmatic guidance on out-of-school CSE calls for programmes that are adapted to the realities of specific groups and delivered by people they trust. Youth-led organizations rooted in these communities are well placed to deliver such programmes. This activity contributes to the programme output on young people from specific left-behind groups being identified and engaged meaningfully.

3. Project Goal and Objectives

Goal: To increase knowledge of CSE and access to condoms and related sexual and reproductive health services among young people from left-behind groups, through youth-led organizations in Lagos, Kaduna, Borno and Cross River States.

Objectives:

• Enhance the capacity of peer educators within key populations and vulnerable groupS to effectively disseminate information on CSE and promote the use of condoms and lubricants.
• Deliver age-appropriate and contextually adapted CSE sessions to at least 1000 young people
• Link young people to HIV testing, STI, family planning, GBV, mental health and other youth-friendly services.
• Engage gatekeepers – correctional authorities, husbands and families, caregivers, traditional and religious leaders and camp management to create an enabling environment.

4. Scope of Work and Activities

The selected organization for each lot will:

1. Map stakeholders and services, obtain all approvals needed to access the target group, and agree a detailed work plan with AHI and the UNFPA sub-office.
2. Select and train peer educators or facilitators, using provided CSE materials adapted to the target group, and with participation of the AHI/UNFPA technical team.
3. Deliver structured small-group sessions covering topics such as puberty and the body, relationships and communication, consent and bodily autonomy, gender and gender-based violence, HIV and STI prevention, contraception and pregnancy, rights and access to services, and life skills.
4. Develop and implement advocacy campaigns to promote the use of condoms and lubricants among youth key populations
5. Establish referral arrangements with nearby health facilities and service providers and track completed referrals.

5. Target Groups and Implementation Period

Young people living with HIV: In addition to the four lots, Youth led organisation with support of AHI and UNFPA sub-offices, will engage the APYIN state chapter in each of the four states to reach at least 100 young people living with HIV per state. Selected YLOs will be expected to coordinate with the APYIN chapter in their state to provide CSE sessions and referrals where appropriate.

Implementation Period

The project is expected to be implemented between October and December 2026.

6. Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must:

• Be a youth-led organization registered in Nigeria with the Corporate Affairs Commission, whose executive director and the majority of management are aged 35 years or below.
• Have an operational presence in the state of the lot applied for.
• Have at least two (2) years of experience working with the target group of the lot, or a closely related group.
• Have demonstrated experience in CSE, SRH, HIV prevention, or youth development programming.
• Have existing access to the target group and its gatekeepers, or a credible plan to secure it.
• Have a bank account in the name of the organization and basic financial management systems.

7. Proposal Requirements

Interested organizations should submit a proposal containing the following:

Technical proposal (maximum 8 pages)

• Organization profile: Mission, vision, governance, relevant experience with the target group and organizational structure.
• Technical approach: Proposed strategies and activities, including how gatekeepers will be engaged and how content will be adapted.
• Work plan: Timelines, deliverables, and responsible persons.
• Monitoring and evaluation plan: Indicators, data collection tools, and reporting arrangements.
• Budget: A detailed budget breakdown, including all direct and indirect costs.

8. Evaluation Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Technical Merit: The quality and feasibility of the proposed strategies and activities, including the soundness of the monitoring and evaluation plan.
• Organisational Capacity: The organisation’s experience, expertise, and resources to successfully implement the project.
• Budget: The reasonableness and cost-effectiveness of the proposed budget.

 AHI may invite shortlisted organizations for a clarification meeting or due diligence visit.

9. Expected Outcomes

• Increased knowledge of correct condom use and access to condoms among eligible older adolescents and young people.
• Increased uptake of HIV testing, STI, family planning, GBV and other services through referrals.
• More supportive attitudes among gatekeepers towards young people’s access to CSE and services.
• Strengthened capacity of youth-led organizations to deliver effective CSE and condom programming for left-behind groups.

10. Submission Instructions

Proposals must be submitted via https://forms.gle/ywdbTiJY7yJUAxdT9 on or before 5:00 pm (WAT), October 16, 2026.

11. Questions and Clarifications

Interested organizations may submit questions regarding this RFP to procurements@actionhealthinc.org. Responses to all questions will be shared with all applicants.

12. Disclaimer

Action Health Incorporated (AHI) reserves the right to accept or reject any proposal, in whole or in part, and to cancel this RFP at any time without prior notice. The issuance of this RFP does not constitute a commitment to award a contract. Applicants must declare any actual or potential conflict of interest. AHI does not charge any fee at any stage of the procurement process.