Data Quality Audit (DQAs) in Kenya 2026

Background and context

Tiko is an African non-profit organization established in 2014, dedicated to leveraging technology and behavioral insights to empower adolescents and young people (AYP) aged 15-24 in low-income communities. Our focus is on improving the sexual and reproductive health (SRH) of adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) in Sub-Saharan Africa, specifically addressing the "Triple Threat" of early pregnancy, HIV, and sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV).

Our approach is technology-enabled and community-driven, working with local and national health systems. The Tiko platform is an end-to-end technology accessible via SMS, WhatsApp, or Tiko cards for AYP, and through a light Android app for mobilizers and service providers. Our model places AGYW at its center, empowering them to choose how, when, and where they access SRH services. We employ a peer-educator model where community "mobilizers" engage AGYW, guide them to available services, and enroll them on the Tiko platform. Tiko also trains tiko-participating partner health facilities to provide high-quality, stigma-free care and covers the cost of services for AGYW.

Tiko emphasizes data-driven decision-making, using real-time data to analyze trends, adjust programming, and maximize impact. The organization adheres to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) as its primary data protection standard, along with local laws, to ensure privacy and responsible data handling.

In Kenya (one of Tiko's seven operating countries), Tiko Africa has established strategic partnerships with private franchised and non-franchised health facilities, public health facilities, and the Ministry of Health (MoH) to ensure AYP have access to relevant services supported by trustworthy data. This Request for Proposals is critical to maintaining the integrity and reliability of this programmatic data.

Scope of Work

Tiko Africa seeks a qualified consultant to execute the routine, systematic Data Quality Audit (RDQA) process for selected indicators at tiko-participating health facilities within Tiko-implementing Counties in Kenya. The consultant will be responsible for executing the monthly DQA cycle on a rolling basis across Tiko-participating health facilities. This includes:

1. Coordination and Joint DQA Participation: Working closely with Tiko, the consultant will support Tiko in coordinating with the County Health System Management to facilitate and participate in joint on-site RDQA activities. The consultant shall provide a monthly coordination log detailing communication and scheduling alignment with the County Health Management Team (CHMT).
2. On-Site RDQA Execution: Conducting the full audit process, including data extraction, tallying, comparative checks between reported services on the Tiko platform and the official primary source registers, and reconciliation against the secondary registers.
3. Documenting key process observations, facility capacity gaps, and the condition of health records at the facilities visited. The RDQA must also include gathering intelligence on broader contextual factors (e.g., donor funding shifts like USG/PEPFAR, or new health policies) that could potentially impact data quality or service delivery. Assess how system gaps may be leading to underreporting of AYP data, specifically, and provide mitigatory action points for Tiko's Program team.
4. Root cause analysis and action planning: Identifying the root causes of discrepancies (e.g., staff attitude, stock-outs, misunderstanding of the Tiko app, transcription errors, or intentional data falsification). Findings must be triangulated, and observations and action points developed collaboratively with facility staff.
5. Reporting: Submitting compiled raw data and clean datasets, along with a detailed Comparative Checks Report documenting all variances, root causes, and recommended corrective actions.

Objectives of the Routine Data Quality Audits (RDQAs)

The primary aim of this activity is to support Tiko's continuous data quality improvement efforts by ensuring that data for AYP (15-24 years old) served in Tiko-enabled health facilities meet high standards of quality, in alignment with the national best practices.

The RDQAs will focus on:

1. Data Authenticity and System Strengthening: To rigorously assess Tiko programme data against the five critical data quality dimensions: Validity, Integrity, Precision, Reliability, and Timeliness.
2. Indicator Verification: Assessing the alignment and reconciliation of AYP service data between the Tiko platform, the source documents, and the DHIS2 platform. The audit must calculate and report the Data Verification Rate (DVR) for each key indicator, classifying discrepancies by type (over-reporting, under-reporting, missing).

The key indicators for verification are:

• Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW) accessing Family Planning (FP) services
• AYP (AGYW & Adolescent Boys and Young Men - ABYM) accessing HIV testing, PrEP, and ART services
• AGYW accessing SGBV services

1. Capacity Building Insight: Providing clear, actionable recommendations to address identified data shortcomings and weaknesses in the facility's data management process, supporting Tiko and MoH teams in subsequent capacity building efforts.

Methodology

The RDQA employs a mixed-methods approach rooted in quantitative data verification, supported by qualitative inquiry. The core activity is the quantitative audit of service counts; however, a concurrent qualitative audit is essential for root cause analysis and context.

RDQA Process Support:

Tiko will share the list of facilities flagged for DQAs on amonthly basis. The consultant shall then liaise with the respective County Health Management Teams for a joint DQA and actively participate in the audit activities at the facility. Before visiting the facility, Tiko will share with the consultant the performance data from the Tiko platform to support a deep review and root cause analysis.

The methodology will use the agreed-upon DQA tool, collecting quantitative data from primary registers and qualitative data through semi-structured interviews with facility health management teams participating in the Tiko programme. Qualitative data collection should capture insights on data flow bottlenecks and staff training needs as they relate to the Tiko program registers and DHIS2 reporting.

Deliverables

The timelines below reflect the monthly operational cycle for Q12026, which feeds into Tiko’s quarterly learning and reporting routines

1.Activity: Project Inception. Time Frame: Jan 15, 2026. Deliverable: Inception Report (.ppt slide deck) detailing: The proposed team, detailed work plan, and proposed timelines. The Inception Report should include a Risk Matrix detailing potential logistical, technical, and political risks, and proposed mitigation strategies.

2. Activity: Monthly RDQA Submission. Time Frame: By the 25th of every month. Deliverable: Final cleaned data set (in Tiko RDQA tools) and Individual Facility Report (documenting variances, root causes, MoH feedback, and recommended action points).

Technical Requirements
We are looking for a consultant with the following skills and qualifications:

1. Demonstrable experience and expertise in conducting routine data quality audits for Non-Governmental Organizations or development projects in Kenya, particularly in the health or M&E sector
2. Must demonstrate a strong local presence (e.g., be based in or have staff located in) the specific region(s) they are applying to cover: Coastal, Nairobi, Western, and/or Nyanza
3. In-depth technical knowledge of the Kenya Health Management Information System and MoH reporting tools/registers.
4. Submission of a detailed activity plan, CVs of proposed key staff, and client references
5. Familiarity with digital data collection tools (e.g., KoboToolbox, ODK, or SurveyCTO)

Evaluation Criteria

• Technical proposal (80%)
• Budget: Value for Money (20%)

How to apply

Interested consultants should submit proposals to procurement@tiko.org with the subject "Tiko Data Quality Audits - Kenya 2026" by November 28, 2025. Proposals should include:

• Demonstrated experience in similar data quality audit activities.
• Proposed approach, work plan, and timelines (must align with the monthly/quarterly cycle detailed above).
• Detailed budget breakdown.

Applications should not exceed 10 pages and must be clear, concise, and complete in their content.