Request for Proposal for Communications Agency

Top Line Objective

Girl Effect India is seeking an experienced communications agency to develop and execute a strategic communications plan that strengthens Girl Effect India's visibility, credibility, and impact through high-quality content creation, documentation, storytelling, and stakeholder engagement across digital platforms (primarily LinkedIn) and offline IEC materials.

Project Context

Girl Effect India is currently implementing multiple donor-facing programmes across a range of thematic areas, including public health and immunisation, technology-facilitated gender-based violence,mental well-being and  menstrual health management, among others. Each programme is designed with specific objectives and outcomes, supported by innovative interventions that leverage media and technology to drive impact.

Scope of Work

1. Communications Plan

• Develop a monthly & quarterly communications plan aligned with organizational priorities and different themes
• Define key messaging, content pillars, and storytelling framework
• Create a structured content calendar for LinkedIn and key milestones
  
  

1. Content Development (LinkedIn Focus)

• Create engaging, insight-led LinkedIn content (posts, carousels, thought leadership pieces)
• Translate program updates and impact data into compelling narratives
•  Design visually aligned creatives as per brand guidelines

3.  Impact Documentation & Storytelling

• Conduct field visits (as required) to document program implementation 
• Produce high-quality photography and short-form videos
• Develop case stories and human-interest narratives highlighting impact
• Create photo stories and short impact films for digital use

4. IEC & event Materials

• Develop content and design for brochures, impact snapshots, program briefs, and other communication collaterals
• Create visually compelling, print-ready and digital-ready IEC materials aligned to brand standards
• Adapt existing IEC materials in different formats, branding, languages
• Edit existing videos - subtitles, branding, language 
• Develop event materials and branding 

1. Testimonials

• Identify and document testimonials from participants, partners, and stakeholders during on ground activities or programs
• Produce written and video testimonial assets for multi-platform use

Deliverables

• A comprehensive communications plan document
• Monthly LinkedIn content calendar and agreed number of posts
• High-quality photo and video documentation assets
• Case studies and impact stories (as agreed per quarter)
• Designed IEC materials (as per approved plan)
• Testimonial assets (written and/or video)
• Monthly performance and progress reports

What we value

• Alignment with our mission and commitment to empowering adolescent girls
• The agency should demonstrate flexibility and availability to support weekend requests when required, as some campaign activities linked to Government initiatives may necessitate work outside standard working days.
• Empathy, curiosity and excellent communication skills
• The ability to really listen to our needs and drive to strive for the best solutions
• Portfolio of work demonstrating experience working on projects targeting youth, public health initiatives and possibly health outcomes

Who you are:

Skills and expertise:

• You are based in India and primarily work with a target audience based in different regions with specialization in Hindi speaking belt.
• Fluency in Hindi, Hinglish, and English, both written and spoken, is required for this partnership. 
• Experience in creating health-related content/behavior change content production in the fields of Health and Immunization, Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights and Economic Empowerment would be a massive bonus.
• Capacity to adapt and translate IEC materials in different Indian languages
• Project Management: Ability to effectively manage projects, coordinate teams with diverse skill sets, develop project strategies, and ensure successful execution from start to finish with timelines. 
• Local Market Knowledge: Strong understanding of local trends, media landscape, and cultural nuances to tailor creative solutions that resonate with the target audience in the Indian market. 
• Creative Ideation: Skill to generate innovative and unique ideas aligned with our objectives and target audience, fostering creativity and pushing boundaries to deliver outstanding creative work.
• Strategic Thinking: Ability to analyse client goals, target audience preferences, and market trends to develop a strategic approach that drives results and provides effective creative solutions.
• Multi-platform Expertise: Proficiency in creating content for diverse platforms such as digital, social media, and emerging media channels (chatbots), leveraging each platform's unique features to engage the target audiences.
• Storytelling: Capability to craft compelling narratives and storytelling techniques that effectively communicate the Girl Effect message, create emotional connections, and build brand loyalty.
• Collaboration and Teamwork: Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with clients, creative teams, designers, and stakeholders to bring ideas to life, fostering a collaborative and productive work environment.
• Basic safeguarding and digital safeguarding knowledge are a plus

Expected Commitment

• March 2026 to December 2026 [10 months]

Location

The consultant must be based in India and have extensive experience in the country. The assignment(s) will be carried out in India.

Management

The agency will have a primary point of contact within our India Programs team. The language of the materials and reports shall be English. The contract supervisor shall approve all deliverables submitted before any payment is made.

Tentative Timelines:

• Terms of reference published: 9th March 2026

• Deadline for responses: 23rd March 2026

• Commencement of contract: 1st April 2026

Proposal submission

Your proposal should cover:

Your understanding of the brief: A presentation/document showcasing your understanding of the brief and your vision for this project credentials: 

1. i) Please showcase a minimum of 3 examples of previous work relevant to what we are trying to achieve and the audience that we cater to (it need not be a direct example but perhaps the closest one)

2. ii) Link to  your core team's CV and portfolio of work 

• Reference - Provide at least three references for similar contracts with a description of the service provided, the value of the contract, and the contract periods of performance

• Financial proposal with a breakdown of cost in INR

Evaluation Criteria

The criteria against which proposals will be evaluated are listed below:

Technical Evaluation

Understanding of Brief- 25%Examples of previous relevant work/portfolio - 25%Staff credentials - 20% 

Financial Evaluation

• Value for money/proposed budget breakdown - 30%

Technical and Financial proposals will need to be submitted as separate documents. Financial bids will not be opened until the technical evaluation and then only for those proposals deemed qualified and responsive.

In their Technical proposal, the bidder must demonstrate an understanding of the requirements described in the RFP and demonstrate how the bidder will meet the requirements of the evaluation criteria.

Please note that Girl Effect is not liable for any cost incurred during the award/contract preparation, submission, or negotiation of the award/contract. All submitted documentation and/or materials shall become and remain the property of Girl Effect.

VALIDITY of the proposal shall be for 90 days from the date of bid closure.

How To Apply

To apply for this opportunity, please submit a proposal by email with the subject line "Proposal for Communications agency” to [email protected] by  23rd March 2026

Tax

Girl Effect India is obliged by the Indian tax authorities to ensure all taxes are charged where applicable. Applicants are advised to ensure that they have a clear understanding of their tax position regarding provisions to Indian tax legislation when developing their proposals.

Disclaimer

GE  reserves the right to determine the structure of the process, number of short-listed participants, the right to withdraw from the proposal process, the right to change this timetable at any time without notice and reserves the right to withdraw this tender at any time, without prior notice and without liability to compensate and/or reimburse any party. GE shall inform ONLY successful applicant(s). The process of negotiation and signing of the contract with the successful applicant(s) will follow. 

Safeguarding

You may be required to undertake safeguarding checks. Shortlisted consultants will be assessed on our organizational values at the interview stage. The successful consultant will be expected to adhere to our safeguarding policy. We encourage you to read and understand our safeguarding policy, the executive summary of which can be found Here. We have zero tolerance for all forms of violence against children, beneficiaries and staff.

Equal Opportunities

Girl Effect is committed to equal opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, gender, gender identity or expression. We are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace.

We are committed to building an organization that is increasingly representative of, and works extensively with, the communities that we serve. To this end, due regard will be paid to procuring consultancy service organizations and individuals with diverse professional, academic and cultural backgrounds.