RFP Reference: RFP-ISH-11-12
Issuing Organization: inSupply Health
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Issue Date: 12 November 2026
Proposal Submission Deadline: 20 November 2026 at 12:00 noon EAT
About inSupply Health
inSupply Health is an East African health advisory firm that designs people-centered, scalable, sustainable supply chain solutions. We focus on optimizing data visibility and use, workforce development, and continuous performance improvement. inSupply operates as a social enterprise, aiming for business sustainability while achieving our social mission. We aim to transition short-term supply chain fixes into sustainable solutions that transcend specific projects or funding streams. Our work focuses on democratizing access to quality, affordable, contextualized supply chain learning and innovations so local and regional supply chain actors can improve the performance and efficiency of their supply chains and health systems towards better health outcomes.
inSupply Health is headquartered in Nairobi, with a subsidiary office in Dar es Salaam and is affiliated with JSI Research & Training Institute, Inc. (JSI). Our team of dynamic local consultants works closely with public and private sector clients to design optimized, responsive and resilient supply chain systems that deliver essential health products such as antimalarial and HIV medications, vaccines and contraceptives in complex settings. We pioneer innovative approaches by taking proven methodologies from the commercial sector to adapt them for the context, but also co-create solutions with our clients so they can own, implement and continuously improve their systems independently in the long term.
Purpose of the RFP
inSupply Health invites qualified and experienced professional background screening service providers to submit proposals for the provision of comprehensive background screening services to support its recruitment and human resource management processes.
The selected provider will be expected to deliver reliable, timely, confidential and legally compliant background screening services across African countries relevant to inSupply Health’s operations and recruitment needs.
SCOPE OF WORK
The provider shall offer the checks below as requested for each candidate or staff member, subject to applicable law, candidate notice and consent where required, and the availability of reliable records.
- Identity and name verification: Confirm identity details using appropriate, lawful sources.
- Academic and professional qualification verification: Verify qualifications, certificates, licences and other credentials with the issuing institution or relevant authority, where feasible.
- Employment history verification: Confirm employment dates, positions held and other agreed employment details with previous employers or authorised referees.
- Professional membership verification: Confirm current or historical membership, registration or good standing with relevant professional bodies, where applicable.
- Reference and character checks: Obtain structured references from agreed referees to assess relevant work history, conduct and professional suitability.
- Criminal record checks: Obtain available criminal record or police clearance information through lawful channels in the relevant jurisdiction.
- Sanctions and watchlist screening: Screen against relevant sanctions, restricted-party and other legally appropriate watchlists, and provide context for any potential match.
- Credit checks: Conduct only where relevant to the role, lawful, appropriately authorised and supported by applicable consent or other legal basis.
- Statutory and regulatory compliance checks: Where relevant to the role and legally permissible, verify specified regulatory or statutory compliance information. Any business-level checks must be separately authorised and clearly distinguished from checks on an individual.
- Safeguarding-related checks: Conduct relevant checks permitted by law to identify substantiated or recorded concerns related to child protection, sexual misconduct or other safeguarding risks, where reliable records and lawful processes are available.
The provider shall identify which checks can be conducted directly and which rely on local partners or third-party databases. The provider must not represent a search as completed where records are unavailable; such cases should be reported as “unable to verify” or an equivalent clear status, with the reason and any recommended next step.
Geographic Coverage:
The provider should be able to conduct checks in Africa relevant to inSupply’s recruitment needs. The proposal must specify:
- Countries and jurisdictions covered, distinguishing direct service delivery from partner supported checks.
- Types of checks available in each country and any limitations or exclusions.
- Local partner arrangements and quality assurance measures, where applicable.
- Country-specific pricing, additional fees, taxes and currency.
- Expected turnaround times by check type and country.
Deliverables and Service Standards
- A clear, candidate specific screening report covering each check requested, the method or source used, the result, the date completed and any limitations.
- A summary of verified discrepancies, potential matches, safeguarding concerns or other material findings, with supporting details sufficient for inSupply to assess them.
- Prompt notification to the designated inSupply contact of material concerns, potential safeguarding risks or delays; urgent safeguarding concerns should be escalated without undue delay.
- A status update where a check is delayed, inconclusive or cannot be completed, including the reason and expected next step.
- Secure handling and transmission of reports and supporting records, with access restricted to authorised recipients.
- A target turnaround time of no more than 10 working days per screening request, unless otherwise agreed. The provider must state when the clock starts, identify dependencies on candidate documentation or third parties, and notify inSupply of anticipated delays.
- A named account contact and a clear process for queries, corrections, complaints and escalation.
Confidentiality, Data Protection and Ethical Standards
- Comply with applicable data protection, privacy, employment and background screening laws in each relevant jurisdiction.
- Collect, access, use, retain, transfer and dispose of personal data only for authorised purposes and on a valid legal basis, with candidate notice and consent where required.
- Apply appropriate technical and organisational security measures, including role-based access controls and secure data transfer.
- Use reputable and lawful sources; maintain an auditable record of checks and verification steps; and avoid discriminatory or irrelevant screening.
- Limit disclosure to information relevant to the requested check and the role. Clearly distinguish verified facts, potential matches, third-party statements and unverified information.
- Notify inSupply promptly of any actual or suspected data breach affecting its information and cooperate with reasonable incident response requests.
- Disclose any subcontractors or local partners involved in processing data and ensure they are subject to appropriate confidentiality, security and compliance obligations.
Provider Qualifications
The service provider should demonstrate:
- A proven track record delivering professional background screening in Africa or international jurisdictions.
- Experience verifying academic credentials, employment history, identity, professional standing and safeguarding-related information.
- Appropriate registrations, licences or authorisations required to provide the services in relevant jurisdictions.
- Established quality assurance, information security and data protection procedures.
- Access to reliable databases, issuing institutions, relevant authorities and vetted local partners.
- Capacity to meet the required turnaround times and provide responsive client support.
Contract Duration
The proposed engagement period will be two (2) years, commencing on a mutually agreed date. The engagement will be subject to annual performance reviews by inSupply Health.
Proposal Submission Requirements
Interested service providers are required to submit both technical and financial proposals containing:
- Company profile, registration details and relevant experience.
- Valid statutory documentation, including company registration documents, KRA Tax PIN and Tax Compliance Certificate, where applicable.
- Detailed methodology and workflow for each proposed screening service.
- Country-by-country coverage, available check types, use of local partners and known limitations.
- Financial proposal with pricing by check type and country, inclusive of applicable taxes, additional fees, currencies and volume-based rates, where available.
- Expected turnaround times by check type and country, including service-level and escalation arrangements.
- Data protection, confidentiality, information security, data retention and breach-response measures.
- At least three client references, preferably from corporate or NGO clients for comparable background screening services.
See full RFP Requirements Here.
Child Safeguarding
inSupply Health is committed to safeguarding children and promoting their safety and well being. The provider must demonstrate how its screening approach supports this commitment, including the lawful use of relevant safeguarding checks and the prompt escalation of material concerns. The provider must not guarantee that any check can establish the complete absence of safeguarding risk; it should clearly describe the checks performed and their limitations.
Evaluation and Selection
Proposals will undergo a preliminary review for completeness and compliance with the RFP requirements. Responsive proposals will be evaluated on a best-value basis, considering technical capability, service quality, geographic coverage, pricing, turnaround times and relevant past performance.
Proposals will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and inSupply Health reserves the right to notify successful applicants before the submission deadline.
inSupply Health reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals and is under no obligation to make an award as a result of this RFP.
How to apply
Interested and qualified service providers should submit their technical and financial proposals by email to:
Email: admin@insupplyhealth.com
Cc: stellah_mghoi@insupplyhealth.com
Attention: Stellah Mghoi
Subject Line: RFP-ISH-11-12 – Provision of Professional Background Screening Services
Deadline: Friday, 20 November 2026, at 12:00 noon East Africa Time (EAT).
Requests for clarification should be submitted in writing to the above email addresses no later than Monday, 16 November 2026, at 10:00 a.m. EAT. Responses to clarification questions will be issued by Tuesday, 17 November 2026, at 2:00 p.m. EAT.