EoI - for Midline assessment of Health & Nutrition Interventions

Expression of Interest (EOI) for Midline assessment of Health & Nutrition Interventions

A) About Organization

CINI is an Indian NGO that has been working for the welfare of communities in India for almost 50 years. CINI emerged from the community-based management of childhood malnutrition work in the villages and communities of South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal in the mid-1970s. Over the years CINI’s work has been recognized as a Mother NGO, Regional Resource Centre in the Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) and as Collaborative Training Institute by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of India. CINI now constitutes the largest capacity building and training facility in West Bengal for training of government Frontline Workers in nutrition, safe motherhood, early childhood development and HIV awareness of the Department of Health & Family Welfare and the Department of Women & Child Development and Social Welfare, Government of West Bengal. The organization has twice been awarded the National Award on Child Welfare in 1985 and 2004 by the Government of India.

CINI‘s current work focuses on the interconnection and holistic development of health, nutrition, education, child protection and adolescent empowerment in vulnerable urban and rural situations, to address the critical issues during the stages of life cycle through CINI Method. CINI’s core Health programs include first 1000-Days’ care, positive deviance approach against child malnutrition, and community health care management initiatives. CINI also has significant research experiences in the field of public health nutrition over the years in many states of India through partnership with ICMR, IIHMR, NNMB, NFI, MI, UNICEF, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health (USA) and Georgetown University, USA. CINI has set up Education, Health, Nutrition, and Child Protection units to provide specialized services to public and private sectors in operations research and studies; technical support to Government Departments, professional courses in the field of public health, nursing, nutrition, education, and protection as well as policy research & advocacy, and knowledge repository.

B) Purpose

Background

CINI is committed to improving the health and nutrition status of communities, particularly women, children, and adolescents, by fostering health-seeking behavior at the household level and facilitating access to quality health care services. This is achieved through community mobilization, behavior change communication, and awareness generation on diseases, healthy lifestyle practices, and the importance of early diagnosis of Non-Communicable Diseases among the Pregnant women. Central to CINI’s health and nutrition initiatives is its focus on the first 1,000 days and beyond, with special emphasis on pre-conception care, which forms the cornerstone of its approach.

Objective

The midline assessment under the Health & Nutrition interventions aims to:

Evaluate the impact of CINI’s interventions on reproductive, maternal, newborn, and child health outcomes, with a focus on reducing mortality and morbidity.

Assess changes in health-seeking behavior, service utilization, and household practices related to nutrition, disease prevention, and early diagnosis.

Examine the effectiveness of CINI’s approach during the critical first 1,000 days (from conception to a child’s second birthday) and beyond, with particular emphasis on pre-conception care.

Generate evidence to inform program improvements, guide course corrections, and strengthen the sustainability of health and nutrition initiatives.

C) Scope of Work

The midline assessment will be undertaken in close collaboration with CINI’s project management team across selected districts in West Bengal (8 blocks approx.), Odisha (2 blocks approx.), and Jharkhand (4 blocks approx.). The scope includes:

Midline assessment of target groups: Evaluate pregnant women and eligible couples in intervention and comparison areas using the agreed study design and protocol.

Tracking maternal and child outcomes: Assess maternal, newborn, and child health across the continuum of care—from pregnancy and delivery through the child’s first year—covering nutrition, care practices, service access, and outcomes.

Comparative analysis: Identify differences in maternal, newborn, and child health outcomes between intervention and non?intervention blocks, incorporating baseline data and contextual factors.

Process evaluation and rapid appraisals: Apply quantitative and qualitative methods to identify barriers, enabling factors, and contextual variations in implementation.

Evidence generation for course correction: Provide timely, actionable insights to strengthen intervention delivery, improve effectiveness, and guide program adjustments.

Reporting and recommendations: Present findings in clear reports and presentations, with practical recommendations for program improvement and sustainable application of effective approaches.

D) Deliverables

The consultant/ institution is required to conduct the study in the intervention areas/blocks and comparison areas and come up with the detailed midline report.

Midline and follow-up data collection: Conduct systematic data collection in intervention and comparison blocks to assess maternal, newborn, and child health outcomes.

Methodology development: Design a robust study methodology for intervention and non?intervention areas, ensuring scientific rigor and contextual relevance.

Data collection tools: Develop and validate survey instruments in collaboration with program teams, covering health, nutrition, and service utilization indicators.

Support for community-based interventions: Provide technical assistance in implementing and monitoring community-based health and nutrition interventions.

Monitoring and evaluation framework: Draft a comprehensive framework to track progress, measure outcomes, and assess program effectiveness.

Comparative analysis and reporting: Analyze collected data to compare intervention and non-intervention areas, and prepare a final report with evidence-based insights and recommendations.

Collaboration with project teams: Engage regularly with CINI’s Health & Nutrition Division, Program / Data Managers.to ensure alignment, incorporate feedback, and deliver high-quality outputs on time.

E) Basic Requirements

Proven at least eight to ten years of experience partnering with government agencies, NGOs and research institutions assurvey or research partners.

Extensive experience in conducting research study in health or nutrition

Demonstrated expertise in survey tool development, field-team and people management , with the capacity to directly coordinate and liaise with the organisational team.

Strong technical expertise in content development, preparation of manuals, research protocols and other technical documents.

Proven ability to engage and collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders , incorporate feedback, and ensure timely delivery of high-quality outputs.

F) Timeline and Budget

The engagement of the selected agency/organization/consultancy will be for a period of up to six months, commencing from the date of signing the Terms of Reference, and concluding no later than March 2027 . The actual duration may be shorter depending on the start date.

The duration of the assignment may be extended , subject to the availability of funds and the organization’s interest in continuing the collaboration.

The budget allocation will be aligned with agreed deliverables and milestones, ensuring timely disbursement of payments as per CINI’s financial policies.

G) Payment terms

Payments would be made through CINI’s payment policy after completion of desired deliverables, upon submission of proper invoices.

H) Proposal Submission Details

Proposal (technical and financial) to be sent at reception@cinindia.org . Proposal to be received by 26 th October 2026.