**Background Information on Plan International**

Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organization that advances children’s rights and equality for girls.

We believe in the power and potential of every child, but this is often suppressed by poverty, violence, exclusion and discrimination, and its girls who are most affected. Working together with children, young people, our supporters and partners, we strive for a just world, tackling the root causes of the challenges facing girls and all vulnerable children.

We support children’s rights from birth until they reach adulthood, and we enable children to prepare for – and respond to – crises and adversity. We drive changes in practice and policy at local, national and global levels using our reach, experience and knowledge.

We have been building powerful partnerships for children for over 80 years and are now active in more than 75 countries.

Plan International Nigeria was registered as a National Organization in 2014 in Nigeria. Our intervention is currently focused on basic education; improving community health services, youth and citizens’ participation in governance, creating economic opportunities and livelihoods for the neediest people and building resilient communities through our emergency and humanitarian response in the Northeast. Plan Nigeria works with communities, civil society organizations, development partners, government at all levels and the private sector.

Read more about Plan International's Global Strategy: 200 Million Reasons at [https://plan-international.org/strategy](https://plan-international.org/strategy)

Summary of the Requirement

## Project Background

Plan International Nigeria's Country Strategy (FY2024 – FY2028), titled, *"Girls are empowered to take action and drive change",* aims to reach and empower 20 million girls in Nigeria. A key pathway to achieving this is through our Education programmes, particularly those targeting Out-of-School Children (OOSC) through the Accelerated Basic Education Programme (ABEP). The FCDO-funded PLANE II project (2022-2025) successfully demonstrated the effectiveness of ABEP, mainstreaming over **17,000 learners** into formal schools and exceeding its targets.

While the success of transition is well-documented, a critical gap remains in our evidence base. There is currently no systematic understanding of what happens to these learners *after* they are mainstreamed. We do not have comprehensive data on their retention, academic performance, psychosocial adjustment, or the specific barriers they face in the formal school environment. The PLANE II endline evaluation revealed high confidence among learners to continue their education, but also highlighted systemic barriers like poverty, hunger, and insufficient school infrastructure that threaten this very continuation.

To address this evidence-gap and inform future programming, Plan International Nigeria seeks to conduct a targeted **Retention Study: "Beyond Transition."** This study will focus on learners who have been mainstreamed from ABEP into formal primary and junior secondary schools in Borno and Yobe states.

1. Purpose of the Retention Study

The primary purpose of the study is to generate robust evidence on the academic, psychosocial, structural, and household-level factors that influence the retention and sustained participation of mainstreamed ABEP learners in formal schools.

1. Objectives of the Baseline Survey

## Specific objectives:
2. **To assess retention rates** of mainstreamed ABEP learners and identify patterns of dropout or irregular attendance.
3. **To evaluate academic adaptation** by examining the academic performance of mainstreamed learners compared to their peers and identifying challenges in curriculum alignment and learning progression.
4. **To explore psychosocial adjustment**, including learners' sense of belonging, self-esteem, peer relationships, and experiences with school culture and safety.
5. **To identify structural and systemic barriers** within the formal school environment (e.g., classroom dynamics, teacher capacity in inclusive pedagogy, school infrastructure, availability of WASH facilities) that affect learner retention.
6. **To analyze household and community-level factors** such as economic pressures (poverty, child labour), family support for education, and community attitudes that influence a child's ability to stay in school.
7. **To provide actionable recommendations** for Plan International Nigeria, government stakeholders (SUBEB, SAME), and donors on strengthening retention strategies, improving transition pathways, and enhancing the capacity of formal schools to support mainstreamed learners.
8. Scope for the Retention Study

Overall, the scope of the Retention Study should cover an examination of the academic, psychosocial, structural, and household-level factors influencing the retention, continued participation, and adaptation of learners mainstreamed from ABEP into formal primary and JSS schools in Borno and Yobe States. The study should focus on quantifying retention outcomes, understanding learner experiences, and identifying systemic barriers affecting sustained schooling.

The study should also prioritize learner retention and academic progress (primary outcome), psychosocial and school environment influences (key mechanisms), household and community determinants (external conditions), child rights, gender, and inclusion dynamics (cross-cutting).

The Study should also provide an understanding whether the school environment is safe, protective, and free from violence, while identifying factors that hinder children’s right to education (economic pressures, discrimination). Additionally, the study should evaluate whether schools uphold learners’ rights to participation, protection, and development.

In terms of gender and inclusion, the study should provide disaggregation by sex, age, disability status, and location. Furthermore, the study should explore gender-related barriers (e.g., early marriage, household chores, safety concerns), and assess inclusion practices, including support for children with disabilities and vulnerable groups.

## Research Questions, Criteria, and Indicators

Core Research Questions (Proposed)

**1. Retention and Participation**

1.1. What are the retention rates of mainstreamed ABEP learners across targeted schools?

1.2. What patterns of dropout or irregular attendance exist among mainstreamed learners?

1.3. What are the key reasons for dropout, temporary withdrawal, or absenteeism?

**2. Academic Adaptation**

2.1. How do mainstreamed ABEP learners perform academically compared to their peers in the formal system?

2.2. What academic challenges (e.g., curriculum alignment, learning gaps) do they face?

2.3. How effectively are schools supporting learning progression for mainstreamed learners?

**3. Psychosocial Adjustment**

3.1. How well do mainstreamed learners feel integrated into the school community?

3.2. What are their experiences regarding safety, bullying, stigma, or peer dynamics?

3.3. What psychosocial factors (self-esteem, belonging, motivation) influence their school attendance?

**4. School-Level Structural & Systemic Factors**

4.1. What infrastructural or environmental factors (e.g., WASH facilities, class size, learning materials) affect retention?

4.2. How prepared are teachers to support previously out-of-school, diverse, and vulnerable learners?

4.3. How inclusive and learner-friendly are classroom practices?

**5. Household & Community Factors**

5.1. What household socio-economic conditions (poverty, child labour, economic shocks) affect retention?

5.2. How do parental attitudes, expectations, and support influence continued education?

5.3. What cultural/community perceptions affect learners’ consistent attendance?

6\. Recommendations

6.1. What actionable strategies can improve transition pathways and strengthen retention?

6.2. What system-level reforms or school-level practices should be prioritized to support learners?

**Proposed Child Rights, Gender, and Inclusion Questions**

1\. Do boys and girls experience differences in attendance, retention, or dropout?

2\. What gender-specific challenges (safety, household expectations, cultural norms) affect schooling?

3\. Are mainstreamed learners, including those with disabilities, treated equitably by teachers and peers?

4\. Does the school environment safeguard children’s dignity, rights, and wellbeing?

5\. Do learners have access to gender-sensitive WASH facilities that support retention (especially adolescent girls)?

## Geographical Scope

In Borno state, the LGAs include Jere, MMC and Konduga, while in Yobe; Damaturu, Nguru and Potiskum LGAs.

**Methods for Data Collection and Analysis**

The consultant is expected to propose a robust, mixed-methods methodology suitable for a targeted retention study. The design should be grounded in the specific objectives and should prioritize the perspectives of learners, teachers, and community members. Key methodological considerations include:

Quantitative Data Collection:

- **Tracking and Analysis:** The consultant will work with Plan International Nigeria to track a cohort of mainstreamed learners (from the PLANE II project or a similar ABEP cohort) to establish retention and attendance patterns using school records.
- **Surveys:** Structured surveys with a representative sample of mainstreamed learners, their parents/guardians, and their teachers to measure factors such as academic performance, attendance, household economic situation, and perceptions of the school environment.

Qualitative Data Collection:

- **Focus Group Discussions (FGDs):** Separate FGDs with mainstreamed learners (disaggregated by sex and age), their parents, and teachers to explore their experiences, challenges, and coping mechanisms in depth.
- **Key Informant Interviews (KIIs):** In-depth interviews with headteachers, SBMC members, and education officials (SUBEB, SAME) to understand the systemic and school-level factors influencing retention.
- **Classroom Observations:** Observations of mainstreamed learners in formal classrooms to assess their engagement, interaction with teachers and peers, and the inclusiveness of the learning environment.

**Note:** It is expected that the consultant(s) will develop a detailed methodology, including a sampling strategy that accounts for the geographical spread and ensures representation of different school types and learner demographics (e.g., by sex, disability status, and socioeconomic background). This methodology will be further detailed in an Inception Report.

**Sample**

The consultant is expected to propose a sampling strategy that is both robust and practical. The sampling approach should be clearly described, including:

- **Sample Size:** Justification for the sample size, likely drawn from a defined cohort of mainstreamed learners across Borno and Yobe states.
- **Respondent Disaggregation:** The sample must allow for disaggregation by sex, age, disability status, state, and potentially school type (e.g., high vs. low resource school).
- **Location Selection:** A description of how schools and communities will be selected for the study, ensuring representation across LGAs and contexts (e.g., urban vs. rural, IDP vs. host community). In Borno state, the LGAs include Jere, MMC and Konduga, while in Yobe; Damaturu, Nguru and Potiskum LGAs.
- **Sampling Approach:** A clear explanation of the sampling approach (e.g., purposive sampling for qualitative components, stratified random sampling for quantitative surveys).

**Secondary Data/Document Review**

The consultant and team will use available project documents and relevant government policy, procedures, records/reports for review. Also, other available secondary data sources, including data from similar projects being implemented by Plan International Nigeria and other organizations.

**Data analysis and interpretation**

The consultant will outline an effective analysis plan for the data collected showing the consultant's approach to measuring and assessing each research question, ensuring accurate interpretation and ethical handling of primary data. The consultant will design a methodology that utilizes both quantitative and qualitative data sources, tailored to capture a comprehensive picture of retention realities, gains and challenges. The research questions will be answered through a combination of surveys and interview formats, including Key Informant Interviews (KII) and Focus Group Discussions (FGD), to allow for both statistical and narrative insights.

To enhance clarity and precision in the data analysis process, the consultant will implement a structured approach, proposing statistical techniques for quantitative data and thematic coding for qualitative responses. This ensures that patterns and trends are appropriately identified and interpreted within the project and research context. Data will be disaggregated by gender, disabilities, and geographic location, allowing for nuanced insights into how the mainstreamed learners and other different groups experience and benefit from the transitioning and retention processes and realities. This disaggregation is essential for understanding diverse impacts and tailoring future interventions to meet specific needs.

Ethical care is a priority in all phases of data collection and analysis. The consultant will develop protocols that uphold confidentiality, informed consent, assent, and sensitivity to participant well-being, particularly when discussing topics exploring reasons for dropout and potential psychosocial challenges. This ethical approach will ensure that data collection respects participants' rights and experiences, which is vital for the integrity of the project.

Overall, the analysis plan will serve as a roadmap for assessing retention outcomes, understanding learner experiences, and identifying systemic barriers affecting sustained schooling, focusing on a rigorous, ethical, and inclusive methodology to respond to research questions accurately. By proposing clear methods for both analysis and interpretation, the consultant will provide actionable insights to support future interventions, organizational priorities and policy influencing.

**Work plan for the Retention Study**

The consultant will be responsible for piloting the tools, ensuring that they are effective, understandable, and relevant for the context, gender, and age sensitive. The proposal must contain a description of the envisaged data validation, quality assurance, and data analysis techniques. Plan International Nigeria will make available to the consultant all relevant project documents upon request. The consultant will develop a draft work plan for the Research, to be submitted to Plan International Nigeria for review and agreement with the Project Manager and MERL Officer. This plan will also be shared with Plan MERL and Project Team.

To effectively address the Research questions and criteria, the consultant will be responsible for developing and administering a comprehensive set of tools for data collection and analysis. This will ensure the production of informed and evidence-based findings. The Plan International MERL lead, MERL team and the entire project team will review these tools.

Therefore, the consultant is expected to propose a detailed overall methodology, appropriate methods, and the necessary tools to answer the key Research questions. The proposal must clearly justify the selection of proposed methods and demonstrate the consultant's relevant skills and experience in applying them. We recommend a mixed-methods approach, incorporating both quantitative and qualitative methods, to meet the study objectives.

The consultant will conduct rigorous primary data collection using methods such as focus group discussions, Key Informant Interviews, surveys with key target groups, and other necessary approaches. Additionally, the consultant will undertake secondary data reviews of relevant documents and reports to triangulate information. Further triangulation will occur through engagement with various stakeholders and actions in the Northeast to gather robust, evidence-based findings for the final report.

The consultant is also responsible for piloting the data collection tools to ensure their effectiveness, understandability, and relevance to the context, as well as their gender and age sensitivity. The proposal should include a description of the planned data validation, quality assurance, and data analysis techniques. Plan International Nigeria will provide all relevant project documents to the consultant upon request.

**Participant Selection and Recruitment**

As a minimum requirement, representatives from key stakeholders (government, LGA structures, state structures, other potential experts operating within the context environment, e.g., public authorities, community leaders) and target participants (Mainstreamed ABEP learners, Parents and caregivers, other girls, boys, women and men, community mobilisers and members of community structures). To ensure a comprehensive understanding, the consultant is expected to engage with the following key stakeholders:

- **Mainstreamed ABEP Learners:** Children who have transitioned from ABEP into formal primary and junior secondary schools.
- **Parents and Guardians:** Caregivers of mainstreamed learners.
- **Formal School Teachers and Headteachers:** Teachers and school leaders who are currently instructing mainstreamed learners.
- **School-Based Management Committees (SBMCs):** Representatives of the school management body.
- **Government Education Officials:** Representatives from State Universal Basic Education Boards (SUBEB) and Local Government Education Authorities (LGEAs) in Borno and Yobe states.
- **Plan International Staff:** Program, MERL, and Education staff involved in the implementation of ABEP and transition activities.
- **Other** NGOs, Implementing partners, Community leaders etc.

The consultant(s) may also identify additional stakeholders who can provide relevant insights into the retention landscape.

**Quality assurance**

The consultant will be responsible for ensuring the quality, validity, consistency, and accuracy of all collected data. The final report must be well-structured, written in English, and fully adhere to Plan International’s data-sharing protocol guidelines. Should the report fall short of these standards, the consultant will be required to make any necessary amendments at their own expense to align with the specified requirements. Additionally, the consultant is expected to uphold strict confidentiality for all data gathered during the study, ensuring that participants' privacy and the integrity of sensitive information are protected throughout the process.

**Intended Users of the Assessment Report**

The findings of this study are intended to be used by a range of stakeholders to inform decision-making and improve programming:

- **Plan International Nigeria:** To inform the design of future education projects, strengthen the transition and retention strategies within our Country Strategy, and provide evidence for resource mobilization.
- **PLANE II Project Team and other education project teams:** To understand the long-term outcomes of their work and adapt implementation strategies to ensure sustainable impact.
- **Donors (e.g., FCDO, UNICEF):** To provide critical evidence on the long-term outcomes of investments in accelerated education, demonstrating value for money and informing future funding priorities.
- **Government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs):** Specifically State Universal Basic Education Boards (SUBEB) and Local Government Education Authorities (LGEAs), to use the findings to improve the capacity of formal schools to welcome and retain mainstreamed learners and to advocate for policy changes.
- **Other Development Partners and CSOs:** To share evidence and best practices on supporting the educational journeys of children who have transitioned from non-formal to formal learning.

**Ethics, Child rights, gender, and inclusion**

Plan International is committed to ensuring that the rights of those participating in data collection or analysis are respected and protected, in accordance with our [Ethical MERL Framework](https://planinternational.sharepoint.com/sites/planetapps/Programmes/MER/MERL%20Supporting%20Guidelines%20Library/GLO-Framework_for_Ethical_MER-Final-GH-Eng-May20.docx?d=wd28d53f37595466ab65ea98ed31fd2ee) (Annex 4), and our detailed guidance on [Safeguarding in MER](https://planinternational.sharepoint.com/%3aw%3a/s/planetapps/Programmes/MER/ETjcmWyUNMZPj0savCWV8okBgu7JyUN68ADMcB99Kc0vbA) (Annex 5), and our Child and Youth Safeguarding Policy (Annex 3).

All applicants should include details in their proposal on how they will ensure ethics and child protection in the entire research activity including the data collection process. The proposal should also demonstrate the consultant’s experience in ethics, safeguarding, and data protection concerning data collection on children, adolescents and youth. The consultant(s) shall explain how appropriate, safe, and non-discriminatory participation of all stakeholders will be ensured. Special attention must be paid to the needs of children and other vulnerable groups, and the consultant(s) shall explain how confidentiality and anonymity of participants will be guaranteed.

In line with Plan International’s values and organizational ambition, the research should seek to prioritize a focus on child rights, gender, and inclusion. As a minimum, this requires:

- The disaggregation of all data points from the survey by age, sex, and disability
- The development of an ethics protocol that safeguards children, youth, and vulnerable adults
- Given the sensitive nature of exploring reasons for dropout and potential psychosocial challenges, a detailed Safeguarding and Risk Mitigation Plan must be developed and approved prior to data collection. This plan must include protocols for referral in case a child discloses abuse or neglect.

**Key Deliverables**

The following are the deliverables that are expected to be fulfilled by the successful consultant:

- Inception report including:
- An updated timeline
- A detailed methodology including draft sampling methodology and size
- Draft data collection tools
- Ethical and safeguarding considerations and risk assessment
- Consent forms for any primary data collection
- Draft methods for data analysis and quality control
- Brief justification of the methods and techniques envisaged (including relevant underlying values and assumptions/ theories) with a justification of the selection made.
- Final data collection tools
- Final sampling methodology (including unit of sampling and sampling frame) and size
- State Ethical Approvals
- Draft assessment report, including cleaned data files (e.g., Excel, SPSS), transcripts of qualitative data syntax/ code books, etc., and completed consent forms (including for children and their caregivers and adults
- Final assessment report including Executive Summary

Important Dates and Timelines

The following table outlines the key dates and timelines associated with this tender process. Plan International reserves the right to change these at any time as the tender progresses. To maintain transparency, fairness, and adequate time to prepare your offers, Plan International will inform all interested Parties of any changes to these key dates and timelines simultaneously and in a timely fashion.

The consultant is expected to lead, accomplish, and submit the following deliverables within the agreed timeframe and budget.

**Budget**

The consultant shall propose a realistic cost estimate for this assignment, including a breakdown of the budget and justification of expenses (competitive itemized budget). The budget shall include only those costs that can be directly attributed to the activities proposed. **This should be submitted separately from the Technical Proposal.**

A milestone-based payment schedule will be agreed upon and outlined in the contract. Payment will be made as indicated in the table below.

*Note: The evaluator’s proposal should include a detailed budget breakdown including fees, number of working days, social and medical insurance, translation and interpretation, software licenses, electronic devices, travel and VISA costs (if applicable), cost for the development of data collection tools, and all other output-related costs.*

The payment is in installments and subject to the delivery of outputs and their formal approval by Plan International Nigeria.

**Evaluation of Offers**

The Tender Panel will review all Bids to ensure they meet the minimum requirements listed under the ‘Compliance’ section in the above table. Following this, each Bid will be assigned a score on the basis of predetermined criteria and their associated weighted scorings.

The contract(s) will be awarded to the Bidder(s) who represent the best overall value for Plan International in terms of the evaluation criteria set out above. By participating in this tender, you acknowledge and understand that Plan reserves the right to:

- Decide not to award to any supplier
- Decide to award to one or more suppliers
- Decide to readvertise the opportunity
- Not necessarily accept the lowest cost offer

Notification of the award of the contract will be issued via email.

**Terms & Conditions**

By submitting a Bid as part of this Tender process, you also acknowledge and understand that:

- Plan International will not be liable for any costs or expenses incurred in the preparation of your offer
- You or your company will undergo vetting checks against an Anti-Terrorism and Sanctions Database as part of due diligence protocols
- Plan International reserves the right to keep confidential the circumstances that have been considered for the selection of the offers
- Part of the evaluation process may include a presentation from the Bidder and a site visit by Plan International staff, where applicable and necessary
- Plan International reserves the right to alter the schedule of tender and contract awarding
- Plan International reserves the right to cancel this tender process at any time and not to award any contract
- Plan International reserves the right not to enter into or award a contract as a result of this invitation to tender
- Plan International does not bind itself to accept the lowest, or any offer
- Any attempt by the Bidder to obtain confidential information, enter into unlawful agreements with competitors or influence the evaluation committee or Plan International during the process of examining, clarifying, evaluating and comparing tenders will lead to the rejection of its offers and may result in the termination of a current contract where applicable
- You accept in full and without restriction the conditions governing this tender as the sole basis of this competition, whatever its own conditions of sale may be, which you hereby waive
- You have examined carefully, understood and comply with all conditions, instructions, forms, provisions and specifications contained in this tender dossier. You are aware that failure to submit a tender containing all the information and documentation expressly required, within the deadline specified, may lead to the rejection of the tender at Plan International’s discretion
- You are not aware of any corruption practice in relation to this competition. Should such a situation arise, we shall immediately inform Plan International in writing
- You declare that you are affected by no potential conflict of interest, and that you and our staff have no particular link with other Bidders or parties involved in this competition. Should such a situation arise during performance of the contract, you shall immediately inform Plan International in writing
- You accept Plan International’s standard terms of payment which are **30 days** after the end of the month of receipt by Plan of a proper invoice or, if later, after acceptance of the Goods or Services in question by Plan International Ltd

**Plan International’s Ethical & Environmental Statement**

- The organisation should establish environmental standards and good practices that follow the principles of ISO 14001 Environmental Management Systems, and in particular to ensure compliance with environmental legislation.
- The organisation should seek to set reduction targets in areas where the organisation’s activities lead to significant environmental impacts

**Values of Plan International Nigeria**

You confirm you are familiar with and committed to the following values of Plan International Nigeria:

- **We strive for lasting impact** - We strive to achieve a significant and lasting impact on the lives of children and young people and to secure equality for girls. We challenge ourselves to be bold, courageous, focused, and innovative.
- **We work well together** - We succeed by working effectively with others, inside and outside the organization, including our sponsors and donors. We actively support our colleagues, helping them to achieve their goals. We come together to create and implement solutions in our teams, across Plan International, with children, girls, young people, communities, and our partners.
- **We are inclusive and empowering** - We respect all people, appreciate differences, and challenge inequality in our programs and our workplace. We support children, girls, and young people to increase their confidence and change their own lives. We empower our staff to give their best and develop their potential.
- **We are open and accountable** - We create a climate of trust inside and outside the organization by being open, honest, and transparent. We hold ourselves and others to account for the decisions we make and for our impact on others while doing what we say we will do.

**Ethics and Child Protection**

**Plan International Nigeria** places a high premium on **CHILD PROTECTION** issues in all its working relationships with its partners and associates and mandates all its working partners and associates to adhere to its **CHILD PROTECTION** Policy.

As such, the activity **must ensure appropriate, safe, non-discriminatory participation; a process of free and un-coerced consent and withdrawal; and confidentiality and anonymity of participants**. Consultants are required to provide a statement within their proposal on how they will ensure ethics and child protection in the development process. This must also include consideration of any risks related to the activity and how these will be mitigated.

## Disclosure of Information/Child Protection

It is understood and agreed that the Consultant(s) shall, during and after the effective period of the contract, treat as confidential and not divulge, unless authorized in writing by Plan, any information obtained in the course of the performance of the Contract. Informationwill be made available for the consultants on a need-to-know basis. Any necessary field visits must be budgeted for in your proposal. Plan staff under the coordination of the National Program Manager will support the consultant in facilitating all necessary engagements required by the Consultant. The selected consultant will commit to respecting Plan International's Child Protection Policy to prevent any harm to participating children and youth.

## Anti-Corruption

The Consultant and partners declare and guarantee that no offer, gift payment, consideration, or benefit of any kind, which constitutes an illegal or corrupt practice, has been or will be made to anyone by the Consultant either directly or indirectly, as an inducement or reward for the award or execution of this agreement.

The Firm declares and guarantees that neither they nor Partners or associates, temporary nor permanent, would be involved in the implementation of this agreement:

1. Have been convicted during three (3) years before the submission of their proposals for this project, by a court of law in Nigeria or any other jurisdiction for an offense involving bribery or corruption.
2. Are under sanction, for an offense involving bribery or corruption, imposed by a government, a governmental organization, or a development organization providing development assistance.

## Anti-Terrorism

The Firm or Partners declare and guarantee that the funds provided by Plan International Nigeria for the service shall not be knowingly used to benefit terrorist groups as defined in the criminal code of Nigeria or individual members of those groups or for terrorist activities either directly or indirectly.

## Whistle Blower Policy

**Plan International Nigeria** has a Code of Conduct including a Whistle Blower Policy (attached) and encourages its entire staff and associates to “whistle blow” (raise legitimate concerns about violation of the Code of Conduct without fear of recrimination in the course of their engagement with Plan International Nigeria).

Further information, including all Annexes can be accessed via the following link: [**https://tinyurl.com/2rptmm7x**](https://tinyurl.com/2rptmm7x)