Consultancy Services for the Development of Distance Learning Content for Radio (Radio Broadcast Option) in Somalia

Type of Service Development of Distance Learning Content for Radio (Radio Broadcast Option) in Somalia
Location Mogadishu
Positions Consultant Firm
Send documents to CSS.LOGISTICS@savethechildren.org
Deadline 5th December-020
1 Title of Consultancy Development of Distance Learning Content for Radio (Radio Broadcast Option) in Somalia
2 SCI Contracting Office Save the Children – Southern state Somalia Area Office
3 Period of Consultancy 3 months based on performance
4 Consultant type required Firm
5 Responsibility for Logistics arrangements and Costs The FIRMs will cover his/her   admin and travel arrangement within Mogadishu. Please note ONLY firms/companies with the required experience can apply.
6 Taxation Provisions The FIRM shall be responsible for all Taxes arising from the consultancy in line with the local Tax regulations applicable at the SCI contracting office named above
7 Travel requirements None safe for the local movement within and to the premises of developing the assignment in Mogadishu.
8 Security requirements The FIRM will comply with standard Save the Children Security procedures, including the completion of SCI online security training prior to travel to Somalia
9 Qualification and Experience To qualify for this assignment, the consultant Firm must be a registered firm/company and must have the following mandatory professional experience and knowledge:·       The firm/company must have host of qualified teachers, subject matter experts, IT Experts and other relevant personnel and equipment required for the development of radio lesson. Evidence on the same is a MUST (Testimonials/CVs)

·       At least seven (7) years of experience in the development of instructional/content expertise preferably online/radio lessons

·       Evidence of having successfully completed a similar assignments i.e management or development of distance learning content for radio broadcast

·       Understanding the key issues involved in basic education; gender mainstreaming through content development and training in the Somalia.

·       Experience working in Somalia or neighboring countries preferably on the same subject is an added advantage

·       Outstanding communication skills, with excellent command of spoken and written Somali and English

10 Evaluation Criteria Compliance with Consultancy requirement–       Provision of required information & documents; responsiveness to ToR’s

Consultant Experience

–       Qualifications and general experience of the individual/team

–       Proven specific experience in performing similar assignments especially in Somalia.

Adequacy of Work Plan & Methodology

–       Methodology and techniques to be applied well stipulated

–       Clear description of tasks in their Scope of Work

Bidder’s Price Quotation

11 Application Procedure Interested consultant firms should submit their applications via email to css.logistics@savethechildren.orgThe applications should be submitted in PDF format as one document comprising Technical and Financial sections as detailed below.

a)     Technical proposal – including but not limited to :

b)    Consultants understanding of the assignment and context

c)     Approach to the assignment

d)    Methodology

e)     Tools

f)      Deliverables

g)     Workplan

h)    Key staff biodata

i)      Financial proposal – providing a breakdown of all charges related to the assignment.

j)      An inception report elaborating the draft work plan. The inception report should include detailed and comprehensive tools and techniques to be used in capturing the information required/consultations.

Applicants should also indicate the date they are available to start working on the consultancy

All applications MUST be submitted on or before the closing date below to be considered for the assignment.

12 Closing date for Applications Interested consultant firms shall submit their applications through the email address provided below on or before 5th December 2020

Shortlisted candidates will be requested for an interview.

13 Terms of Reference (ToR) Complete ToR with details appended below attached herewith as   Annex 1.

  • Purpose of the consultancy,
  • Background of the consultancy,
  • Objectives of the consultancy,
  • Scope of work,
  • Specific deliverables / outputs
  • Responsibilities of MoECHE
  • Responsibilities of SCI
  • Key qualifications
  • Expression of Interest
  • Activity timelines

ANNEX 1 : Consultancy Terms of Reference

Development of Distance Learning Content for Radio (Radio Broadcast Option) in Somalia

Background

The prevalence of COVID-19 has greatly affected the global socio-economic aspect with Education sector being among the greatly affected sector following the closure of academic institutions to curb the spread and transmission of the virus in the school communities. However, few countries had alternative learning option to ensure learning continues. The Federal Government of Somalia Ministry of Education, Culture and Higher Education (MoECHE) with the support of Global Partnership for Education is developing alternative learning options. The primary focus of the program is to focus on continued access to education by developing distance learning platforms: online and radio options. The former is already progressing well, however, this platform will benefit less than 30% of the target learners. Thus, there is no doubt, however, that amongst all the available means of communication, radio has the maximum reach in Somalia. While television is rapidly expanding in urban and rural areas, access to radio networks and ownership of radios is far more spread.

Likewise, radio as a mass medium that can be harnessed to enhance an education campaign since it can span great distances and reach a large number oflisteners. Because of its wide coverage, relatively low unit cost, ability to reach those who are illiterate and without the use of mains power, it has proved to be an effective educational medium. The features of the radio medium are: it is a ‘blind’ (ie non‐visual) medium; it functions in real time; and its codes are purely auditory, consisting as they do of speech, music, sounds, noises and silences.

The fact that it is non‐visual can be harnessed to improve education quality since the listener is compelled to support the sound message by using his/her own imagination. No other medium has this educational power of stimulating and developing the abstract thinking of its audience and enriching and activating the listener’s imagination. Above all, the choice of a particular technology – be it television, radio, computers, or other – must be guided not merely by its availability or wide accessibility, but by the innate characteristics that make it appropriate for the educational goals, curricular objectives and pedagogical styles we want to promote on a large scale, in keeping with our National Curricular Framework.

It is on this backdrop, that MoECHE is willing to engage qualified firm to develop the radio content for distance learning platforms (radio option) for primary education based on the national curriculum/syllabus in order to ensure learning continues for hard to reach areas as well as densely populated IDPs camps that are on transition and children might not have opportunities to access free formal education.

The Assignment will be accomplished within 3 Months. 

  1. SCOPE OF WORK

The Firm is expected to develop radio lessons based on the national education curriculum by engaging teachers, subject content experts, IT experts, amongst to ensure quality works is delivered. More importantly, the teaching and learning through radio should be interactive and the setting of lessons within situations, dramas and stories that echo the real lives of children, and the use of believable radio characters engage student-listeners complete attention. Therefore, the 20 minute per lesson should have a clear audio/sound must be clear devoid of background noise – clarity is key. Cultural relevance can be brought to content.

SPECIFIC DELIVERABLES

The firm will be responsible for:

  • Deliver one-way audio instruction comprising of 20 minutes for 2,000 radio lessons for Grade 1 – 8 based on the national curriculum with quality audio. This should be both in the form of live or pre-recorded broadcasting
  • The mode should be interactive, lively and should echo real lives of the children and use believable characters that is known to the learners where applicable. Basically, equate learning to real life.
  • Having a center or proper studio with the required facility is a MUST for the consultancy.
  • Collaborate with ministry of Education, Culture and Higher Education on quality assurance
  • Engage educational script writers and curriculum experts for quality assurance
  • Upload the content developed into 17,324 radios USBs. The radios are in Adado, Beletweyn, Kismayo, Mogadishu and Baidoa. The uploading will commence after the development of the lessons, however, the consultant firm should include travel, accomodation, and other necessary costs in the quotations.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF MoECHE

The Ministry of Education, Culture and Higher Education (MoECHE) is the owner of the final product, therefore, their quality assurance aspect remains paramount. Besides; the ministry will evaluate the quality of teachers, subject matter expert, as well as the quality production. MoECHE Quality Assurance Department jointly with Curriculum Department will conduct regular monitoring and supervision to ensure quality control and provide prompt feedback on daily basis.

Furthermore, the Ministry will play critical role in sanctioning the selection process for the teachers and subject matter expert to ensure there are quality personnel from the onset. The Consultant/Firm is expected to coordinate this closely with the MoECHE upon selection.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF SCI

SCI shall monitor and supervise the work and review progress of the work, provide regular technical support and feedback as when required.

Payments of the consultants will be in USD dollars and will be paid in installment after successful milestone completion and on submission of report as per SCI rules and payment conditions that will be stipulated in the Service for Contract

The Assignment will be Accomplished within 3 months from December 2020 to February 2021.

Key Qualifications
To qualify for this assignment, the consultant preferably a firm must have the following mandatory professional experience and knowledge:·       The company/firm must have host of qualified teachers, subject matter experts, IT Experts and other relevant personnel and equipment required for the development of radio lesson. Evidence on the same is a MUST (Testimonials/CVs)

·       At least seven (7) years of experience in the development of instructional/content expertise preferably online/radio lessons

·       Evidence of having successfully completed a similar assignments i.e management or development of distance learning platforms

·       Understanding the key issues involved in basic education; gender mainstreaming through content development and training in the Somalia.

·       Experience working in Somalia or neighboring countries preferably on the same subject is an added advantage

·       Outstanding communication skills, with excellent command of spoken and written Somali and English .

Individuals cannot apply. Only firms/companies can apply. Please attach proof of similar experience signed/scanned documents.

EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

The minimum required documents;

  1. Technical proposal clearly capturing the approach and methodology
  2. Financial proposal
  • Past similar experience – please attach previous stamped contract
  1. Relevant CVS of the lead consultants
  2. Firm profile
Interested applicants should submit the minimum required documents with email; CSS.LOGISTICS@savethechildren.org with the subject line of the email body, “Consultancy Services for the Development of Distance Learning platforms (Radio option) in Somalia”

Applications will close by 10:00 AM on 5th December 2020 

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