Deadline: 05-Sep-2025
The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund is inviting expressions of interest for the adaptation, deployment, and management of the Oky app in Zambia, with a specific focus on child protection and empowering adolescent girls.
The initiative targets regions within Central Zambia and aims to support girls’ access to information on sexual and reproductive health (SRH), gender-based violence (GBV), and menstrual health and hygiene (MHH) through a digital platform tailored to their unique needs.
The project involves a comprehensive approach to understanding and responding to the lived experiences of girls. One of the key early activities is conducting in-depth consultations with adolescent girls and members of their immediate social environments. These discussions aim to explore their current use of digital technology, their experiences and needs related to GBV, SRH, and MHH, and their feedback on the current global version of the Oky app. This participatory approach ensures that the final product is shaped by the voices of the girls it is designed to serve.
In addition to community engagement, a knowledge review or landscape scan will be carried out to map the digital environment in Zambia as it relates to girls. This includes analyzing existing platforms, understanding where Oky fits within that ecosystem, and identifying what makes it uniquely valuable—or what changes are needed to ensure it stands out and delivers effectively. The scan will also identify potential partners and clarify their roles in the success of the app.
Another critical element of the project involves identifying and defining the technical and software requirements for adapting Oky locally. Insights gathered from the consultations and landscape review will guide the compilation of a detailed scope of work. This document will outline the functional and technical changes needed, either for an in-house development team or a selected technology partner.
The deployment of the Oky app in Zambia represents a significant step forward in using digital tools to promote the wellbeing, autonomy, and protection of adolescent girls. Through locally informed design and implementation, the initiative aims to build a culturally relevant, user-friendly platform that supports girls in making informed choices and accessing vital health and protection information.
For more information, visit UN Partner Portal.
