Call for Ideas: Strengthening Health and Food Security – Daykundi (Afghanistan)

UNICEF, in partnership with the World Bank and Asian Development Bank (ADB), is inviting qualified service providers to implement essential health services under the HER AF2 and SAFE projects in Daykundi, Afghanistan. The initiative focuses on maternal, newborn, child, and general health, immunization, and emergency obstetric care, aiming to improve health outcomes while strengthening service delivery capacity and accountability.

Program Overview

The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), co-financed by the World Bank and Asian Development Bank (ADB), has launched a call for proposals for qualified service providers to implement Health Emergency Response Additional Financing 2 (HER AF2) and SAFE projects in Daykundi province, Afghanistan.

The program continues the contracting-out model, where NGOs serve as service providers under the joint oversight of UNICEF, the World Bank, and ADB.

Focus Areas

• Health systems strengthening

• Maternal, newborn, and child health, including emergency obstetric care

• Child health and immunization

• Health in emergencies

• General health service delivery

• High-Impact, Value-Added interventions

Objectives

1. Improve health outcomes: Reduce maternal, newborn, infant, and child mortality.

2. Enhance equitable access: Ensure delivery of Basic Package of Health Services (BPHS) and Essential Package of Hospital Services (EPHS).

3. Strengthen service quality: Build capacity and accountability of health service providers.

4. Address public health priorities: Curb communicable diseases and improve maternal and child nutrition.

Funding and Partnerships

• World Bank: HER AF2 grant supports BPHS and EPHS delivery in 17 provinces (1 July 2025 – 31 December 2026).

• Asian Development Bank: SAFE project financing ensures continuity of BPHS and EPHS across the remaining 17 provinces.

• UNICEF: Acts as the Executing Agency, overseeing project implementation, monitoring, and complementary interventions.

Who Can Apply?

• NGOs or service providers with:

  • Proven experience in maternal, newborn, and child health

  • Capacity to deliver immunization and emergency obstetric care

  • Ability to operate in low-resource or emergency contexts

  • Compliance with multi-donor accountability and reporting standards

Expected Outcomes

• Improved maternal, newborn, infant, and child health outcomes

• Strengthened capacity and accountability of health service providers

• Expanded access to BPHS and EPHS in Daykundi

• Reduced prevalence of communicable diseases

• Improved nutrition among women and children

How to Apply

1. Review the official Call for Proposals from UNICEF.

2. Submit a comprehensive proposal including:

   • Organizational profile and experience

   • Technical approach for BPHS and EPHS delivery

   • High-Impact, Value-Added interventions

   • Monitoring, evaluation, and reporting plan

3. Submit the proposal before the stated deadline.

4. Evaluation criteria include technical capacity, organizational experience, feasibility, and alignment with project objectives.

Tips for Applicants

• Highlight previous experience in maternal, newborn, and child health programs

• Provide evidence of capacity to implement immunization and emergency obstetric services

• Demonstrate understanding of working in low-resource or conflict-affected areas

• Address accountability and compliance with multi-donor funding requirements

FAQ

1. What is the main goal of this initiative?
To enhance equitable access and quality of essential health services in Daykundi through BPHS, EPHS, and High-Impact, Value-Added interventions.

2. Who is eligible to submit proposals?
Qualified NGOs and service providers experienced in health service delivery in emergency or resource-limited settings.

3. Which health areas are prioritized?
Maternal, newborn, infant, and child health, immunization, emergency obstetric care, nutrition, and general health systems strengthening.

4. What is the project timeframe?
1 July 2025 – 31 December 2026.

5. How will proposals be evaluated?
Based on technical capacity, organizational experience, feasibility, and alignment with project objectives and donor accountability standards.

6. Who oversees project implementation?
UNICEF as the Executing Agency, with joint oversight from the World Bank and ADB.

7. What outcomes are expected?
Improved maternal and child health, reduced mortality, enhanced service quality, and expanded access to essential health services.

Conclusion

This UNICEF-led initiative offers NGOs the opportunity to strengthen essential health services in Daykundi, Afghanistan. By participating, service providers can significantly improve maternal, newborn, and child health outcomes while contributing to sustainable health system strengthening.