iNSTRUCTIONS AND DETAILS OF THE RFP ARE POSTED UNDER (https://www.ungm.org OR
http://procurement-notices.undp.org/)

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL:  Design, Development and Administration of a Tutored E-Learning Course based on the LenCD Learning Package on Capacity Development

LenCD website: www.lencd.org

1.0       Background

In 2011, a partnership between LenCD and Train4Dev supported the development of the CD Learning Package (see: http://www.lencd.org/learning).

The CD Learning Package is an open resource on capacity development, which aims at addressing the learning needs of capacity development practitioners and serving as a resource for CD training facilitators. The process to develop the learning package has been a consultative one, involving a working group of LenCD and Train4Dev partners, working under the guidance of the learning package coordinator.

The package’s core concept provides an overview of the main approaches to CD followed by development organizations. It does not intend to present a LenCD approach to CD, nor promote one approach over another, but to serve as a resource that offers users a way to assess what they will find helpful for any given context or specific need. The package ‘how to’ pages provide more specific guidance on how practitioners can approach different parts of the capacity development process.

The CD Learning Package was launched in December 2011 and has already been piloted in Cambodia, as well as by UNHABITAT and Train4Dev, and is currently being adopted by GIZ in the context of the Joint Learning Journey.

Against this, LenCD and Train4Dev partners have agreed to bring this initiative forward and to launch PHASE II.

PHASE II of this initiative will entail the following activities: 1) the development of a tutored e-learning course (distance learning course); 2) the establishment of a scholarship fund to support the participation of Southerner practitioners; 3) translation into Spanish and French of the current CD Learning package and of the tutored e- learning course; 4) evaluation of the piloting of the CD learning package and adaptation of the facilitator’s guide; and 5) Promotion of application of the CD learning package in country/regional learning events or joint learning journeys.

This objective of this work is to design, develop and manage a tutored E-Learning Course based on the Learning Package on Capacity Development. The tutored E-Learning Course on Capacity Development will make the LenCD CD Learning Package (http://www.lencd.org/learning ) easily accessible and widely applied by LenCD and Train4Dev partners.

2.0       Objectives of the assignment

The assigned organization/institution will be expected to undertake the design and development work required to translate the CD Learning Package (http://www.lencd.org/learning ) into an easily accessible and widely applied tutored e-learning course. The assigned organization will also be expected to manage the tutored e-learning course.

There are four main objectives:

1)      Design the tutored e-learning course based on the Learning Package on Capacity Development, including the functional details (e.g. types of media & examples)

2)      Develop a solution of the tutored e-learning course

3)      Administer the tutored e-learning course.

The assigned e-learning course developer will carefully review the Learning Package on Capacity Development available at: http://www.lencd.org/learning.

The assigned e-learning course developer will consult with LenCD-Train4Dev guidance group on the initiative, to clarify the audience of the E-learning course, learning needs, expectations, and others. It will also keep consultations open with the LenCD coordinator, project manager and knowledge manager as well as the LenCD-Train4Dev guidance group to guide the development of the tutored E-learning course.

3.0       Description of tasks

The assigned e-learning course developer is expected to:

Research

• Carefully review the Learning Package on Capacity Development available at: http://www.lencd.org/learning.
• Consult with LenCD-Train4Dev guidance group on the initiative, to clarify the audience of the e-learning course, learning needs, expectations, and others. Keep consultations open with the LenCD coordinator, project manager and knowledge manager and the LenCD-Train4Dev guidance group to guide the development of the e-learning course.

Pedagogical approach

• Develop the concept for the e-learning course, describing the pedagogical approach, the assessment approach and the action learning principles underpinning it. Share with LenCD-Train4Dev guidance group and incorporate feedback.

Design proposal

• On the basis of the concept approved by the LenCD-Train4Dev guidance group, prepare the design proposal for the tutored e-learning course.
• The design proposal should include the IT platform requirements or technology environment (system) which should be a widely used, standard one.
• The design proposal should also include the functional designs, such as the types of media & examples, the interactive learning environment, the graphic style, animations to be used, videos and/or narration, navigation tools, etc...
• Present the design proposal to LenCD-Train4Dev guidance group and revise it based on feedback from the LenCD-Train4Dev guidance group, until the final design is approved.

Develop the e-learning course

• Develop the alpha version of the e-learning course and test the technical and pedagogical aspects of the course with a control group comprising LenCD-Train4Dev partners/guidance group and other capacity development practitioners.
• On the basis of the feedback received from the control group, develop a beta version of the e-learning course and test the technical and pedagogical aspects and the course with the LenCD-Train4Dev partners/guidance group and other capacity development practitioners. Incorporate comments received.
• Produce the final version of the e-learning course on capacity development and launch it online.

Administration of the tutored e-learning course

• Administer the e-learning course and issue certificate/and or academic credit’ to participants who successfully complete the course. The course will be a fee-based e-learning course; enrollment of CD practitioners from developing countries may be supported by a LenCD-Train4Dev scholarship depending on availability of funds.
• The design of the tutored e-learning course on capacity development, including its functional features;
• The tutored e-learning course available online.
• Administration of the tutored e-learning course

4.0 Summary of Deliverables

5.0       Expected expertise and qualifications

The e-learning developer(s) assigned to the project should possess the following expertise and qualifications:

• For the design: University degree or professional qualification and experience in Educational Psychology, Education Studies, Learning Methodologies, Pedagogy and Instructional Design.
• For the development: University degree or professional qualification and experience in Instructional Design, Learning Technologies, Computer Science, Information Technology and Information Systems or Management Sciences, Graphic Design or similar fields. Experience in structuring course materials for collaborative online learning and using multimedia to support learning.
• For the delivery: University degree, professional qualification or equivalent experience in online teaching and facilitation. Experience with facilitating online learning and collaboration in multicultural groups. 
• Experience in, and understanding of the international development cooperation is an important asset.
• Good communication skills, fluent in English.
• The team or organization undertaking the delivery of the course should demonstrate the capacity to administer and manage online course from the participation registration phase to the distribution of certificates and support for alumni community.
• Structured approach to problem solving.

6.0       Proposal

Proposals should contain proposal submission form, a technical/operational proposal, and a price proposal.

Please submit your proposal no later than 24 August 2012, 5:00 PM (Eastern Time)

By hard copy

UNDP Knowledge, Innovation and Capacity Group

304 East 45^th Street, FF-1093

New York, 10017 NY, USA

Telephone: +1 212 906 ext. 6694/5086/6315/6074

Attention: Elizabeth Opero

Or via email:

 elizabeth.opero.@undp.org  (Email attachments must not exceed 10 MB)