Development of Digital Learning Content

TERMS OF REFERENCE

 

Title     Long Term Arrangement: Development of digital learning content     

 

Purpose   To create a pool of institutions proving creative content digitization services, especially conversion of paper-based content (word files or PDF scripts) to interactive multimedia content including videos, graphics, images, transitions, animations, jingles, simulations, and other effects for video enhancement.  

 

Location  Rwanda   

 

LTA period     May 2024 – May 2026

 

Duration  Pre-qualified firms will enter a Long-Term Arrangement with UNICEF Rwanda initially for two (2) years for future assignments   

    

Activity  Employment and entrepreneurship

Passport to Earning Rwanda Content mapping, development, and digitization in consultation with young people of all categories and gender.              

 

I. BACKGROUND

 

Over 20 years, Rwanda has accelerated the implementation of several national development agendas to achieve middle-income status by 2035. The country continues its development journey, particularly in human capital and the socio-economic development of its population. Significant policies have been put in place to lay a solid foundation for the achievement of robust results in education, health care and job creation.

 

Rwanda’s 13.2 million population is relatively young. Youth, defined as persons aged 16 to 30 years represent 27.1 % of the population. While representing a significant proportion of the population, youth are still faced with a range of challenges, especially unemployment. The latest data shows youth unemployment has been steadily increasing, peaking at 25.6 % in 2022. And 34.2% of youth are neither in employment, education nor training. Increasing youth unemployment hinders the achievement of the country’s economic transformation initiatives. Continued youth unemployment will not only hamper the country’s socio-economic development ambitions but will potentially contribute to widening social inequality when young people are not able to get jobs and progressively improve their socio-economic status.

 

The Government has therefore identified youth employment as one of its top priorities. Improvement in youth employment is being approached from multiple angles, including by ensuring that there is better alignment between education/training programmes and skills required in the labour market. The government has also intensified focus on job creation opportunities for and by young people.

 

UNICEF, The Ministry of Youth and Arts (MOYA) and Rwanda Development Board (RDB) are launching passport to earning (P2E) Rwanda to bridge the skills and employment opportunities gap for youth by providing them with access to courses that will empower them with skills that will enhance their chances of securing decent employment by connecting them to professional opportunities. The overall aim of the P2E initiative is to support young people to realize their full potential by providing them with the right, and job-relevant skills and opportunities so they can contribute to creating a better and prosperous nation.

 

UNICEF, MOYA and RDB have been mobilizing courses to be delivered through the P2E platform.  However, many relevant courses identified are not designed to be delivered through digital learning platforms such as P2E. Such courses need to be concerted to interactive digital formats to enable delivery through the P2E platform. UNICEF, on behalf of the implementing partners, requires the services of multimedia production firms that can convert paper-based modules into engaging, iterative audio-visual content, including videos before they can be uploaded to the learning platform. The courses need to be presented in creative ways to maximize course consumption and retention, keeping in mind the unexclusive target audience of young learners between 16-30yrs.

 

II. SCOPE OF WORK

The overall objective of the Content digitization LTA services is to have a pool of multimedia production firms that can support digitization/conversion of courses from paper-based content (word files or PDF scripts) to interactive multimedia content including videos, graphics, images, transitions, animations, jingles, and other effects for video enhancement.

 

1.   Video Production

To support the conversion of courses from PDF format to digital format, the multimedia production agencies responsibilities will include shooting a narrator presenting the course modules (word by word) in different camera angles and using the agency’s videography tools such as cameras, teleprompter, lights, microphones, recording studios, etc. The agencies will shoot narrators presenting the course in English, Kinyarwanda, and Sign language. The prototype for each course should be pre-approved. The agency will first share the prototype for each course with the technical team for review and approval before developing the full course.

The agencies will also be responsible for on-set directing to ensure adherence to the course module as well as the post-production editing, sound-mastering, and adding of subtitles to the final video. The agencies will incorporate subtitles and the sign language translation in each of the three videos (English, and Kinyarwanda). The agencies will work closely with the Ingazi (Passport to Earning Rwanda) technical teams throughout the production phase, gradually consulting the team and incorporating required changes, and will provide the final courses, partitioned into multiple segments.

 

2.   Narration

The agencies will provide narrators to present the courses in English, Kinyarwanda, and Sign language. The agency will source well-spoken and articulate young people who can recite the modules confidently and calmly as they will play a key role in driving the consumption and retention of the courses. The narrators should study the course in advance to avoid constantly reading from the teleprompter. The Ingazi technical team should also approve narrators before production.

The agencies will also oversee on-set costumes and make-up for the narrators. For each subject, the narrators are required to be accordingly dressed, well-groomed and presentable. Make up and accessories should be very minimalistic. (Avoid bright/flashy tones)

 

3.   Sound mastering

The agencies will be in charge of providing audio recording tools for use on set and will also be responsible for cleaning the sound once the raw video is produced. The agencies will ensure that the submitted videos do not have any noises and are clear and audible.

 

4.   Video editing

The agencies will also be in charge of finetuning the video once the shooting is complete. The agencies should balance the narrator's on-screen presence with icons/graphics, images, animations, or other visuals. The digitization company should pay attention to transitions. Make sure they’re smooth. The animation will include pop-up icons that help learners visualize what is being narrated, sliding text of key points the narrator is capturing as well as the Ingazi (Passport to Earning Rwanda) logo animation at the beginning of every section(sub-chapter). The Logo animation page will have a logo of the course provider, under the line ‘created by’.

The agency will cut down the video chapters into multiple chunks as indicated below Each video will have the Ingazi logo animation at the close. The agency will also incorporate animation and/or simulation features to keep learners engaged while the narrator speaks and to drive retention of key course components.

 

5.   Content creation

The agency will be in charge of dissecting the course, developing a storyboard, breaking the course down into multiple videos per chapter, identifying matching icons for visual animations and other enhancement features. This will require the expertise of an educator or course developer with an advanced understanding of course context and best delivery methods.

In addition, the agency will submit quality assured videos of the course with a focus on grammar, context, and structure/flow. This will require for the team to include members with experience developing learning modules for young people.

 

III. OBJECTIVES

 

The following are the objectives of putting in place Long-Term Agreements with a service provider for the following digitization services:

 

·    UNICEF Rwanda Country Office (RCO) and government partners for Ingazi (Passport to Earning Rwanda) will have ready access to a pool of agencies that can evaluate and transform the script and PDF content of courses into a compelling video narrative, ensuring clarity and audience engagement. The agencies should have the capacity to propose modern creative features, styles and approaches that would resonate with the target audience.

 

·    UNICEF RCO and Government partners for Ingazi (Passport to Earning Rwanda) expect the agencies to use proficient local young narrators with strong language proficiency and integrate visuals, multimedia elements, and accessibility features to enhance the video's appeal and inclusivity.

 

·    UNICEF RCO and Government partners for Ingazi (Passport to Earning Rwanda) expect the agency to conduct video recording and editing of the digitized content while integrating visuals, multimedia elements and accessibility features like sign language and subtitles, to enhance the video's appeal and inclusivity.

 

·    UNICEF RCO and Government partners for Ingazi (Passport to Earning Rwanda) expect the agency to conduct a comprehensive quality check and remain open to revisions and feedback from all Ingazi (Passport to Earning Rwanda) partners, guaranteeing clarity, structured flow, and accurate representation of the content in the finalized videos.

Key tasks

Under the guidance of the Chief of Education, the selected firms will provide content digitization services to UNICEF Rwanda and Government Partners according to agreed rates under the Long-Term Agreement. In summary, the multimedia firms will provide the following support for each course:

·    Evaluate the PDF content of a courses, identifying key messages, context, and potential visual elements.

·    Read and understand the script, align it with the structure for clarity and engagement, defining narration, dialogues, and additional audio elements.

·    Create a detailed concept note or video outline based on the PDF content, determining the sequence of information and presentation style. The visual storyboard will serve as a guide for video creation outlining scenes, transitions, shooting angles and key visuals. Each course will have a separate note outlining the respective sequence and components of production.

·    Choose proficient young narrators, fluent in English and Kinyarwanda, with an emphasis on clear pronunciation, well-paced delivery, engaging presentation.

·    Ensure the narrator has professional attire aligned with the course requirements as requested and according to agreed daily rates under the Long-Term Agreement.

·    Ensure the narrator rehearses the script prior to the recording session

·    Conduct word-to-word video shooting sessions of a narrator presenting the content of all 15 courses issued in book format.

·    Shoot the sign language interpretation of the course, simultaneously or sequentially, ensuring that the sign language translation Is accurately included in all videos, and in alignment with the audio narrator’s speech.

·    Ensure a calm shooting location for a conducive recording environment.

·    Integrate relevant visuals, graphics, images, transitions, simulations, animations, and effects during video editing process in line with Ingazi (Passport to Earning Rwanda) quality and branding guidelines.

·    Seamlessly embed charts, graphs, or multimedia elements from the PDF into the video editing process in line with Ingazi (Passport to Earning Rwanda) quality and branding guidelines.

·    Include accurate subtitles at the bottom of the video ensuring consistency with the narrator’s speech and with respect to Ingazi (Passport to Earning Rwanda) brand guidelines.

·    Conduct a thorough quality check to ensure video and audio accuracy, flow, and overall quality, before submitting the digitized course to the Ingazi (Passport to Earning Rwanda) team for review.

·    Obtain team approval for each course, allowing for a thorough evaluation process.

·    Remain flexible for necessary revisions and iterations based on feedback from all stakeholders.

 

In order to cover the scope of work mentioned above, the selected firms must ensure the following:

·    Preproduction: working with UNICEF to understand content digitization needs and develop and execute creative concepts that cover these needs.

·    Understanding current trends in the provision of content digitization services.

·    Creative, brand-building, and adhering ideas.

·    Be competent in digitizing content in English and Kinyarwanda.

 

IV. DELIVERABLES

 

The multimedia firms will use their expertise and state of the art software and hardware to provide digitization services and produce high quality products according to UNICEF and Ingazi (Passport to Earning Rwanda) partner’s needs, including:

Completed and fully edited video recordings for the assigned course(s) in English and Kinyarwanda

·    Visual storyboards for each course outlining the scenes, transitions, and key visuals.

·    Word-to-word script recordings aligned with the outlined video structure.

·    Edited videos with integrated visuals, graphics, animations, simulations, and effects.

·    Videos with embedded charts, graphs, or multimedia elements from the PDF.

·    Subtitles and sign language interpretation integrated for accessibility.

·    Videos with subtle branding icons of content providers.

·    Digitized courses are to be delivered digitally in full resolution, accompanied by all relevant files, with the timeline for each deliverable negotiated at the project's outset. The agency must obtain team approval for each assigned course, ensuring a systematic and thorough evaluation process before progressing to the next course.

·    Prepare a report documenting the digitization experience, lessons learned and recommendations for each course digitized.

 

V. PAYMENT SCHEDULE

Payment will be processed after the agency is assigned to digitize a course, upon delivery of the final product and when quality and accuracy has been approved by the Ingazi technical team and upon submission of an invoice based on activities completed.

 

V. REPORTING

·    The firm will work closely with the Ingazi (Passport to Earning Rwanda) technical team and report directly to the Chief of Education at UNICEF Rwanda.

 

·    The firm will attend physical and virtual preparatory meetings with P2E Rwanda technical teams to clarify expectations on the scope of work and the final deliverables.

 

VI. GENERAL CONDITIONS - PROCEDURES AND LOGISTICS:

The firm will organize their own transport and accommodation and provide themselves with equipment, computers, office space and materials in the execution of assignments. The firm’s fee includes all administrative costs. No other payment will be made unless otherwise agreed in writing with the supervisor in advance.

 

VII. COPYRIGHT, PATENTS AND OTHER PROPRIETARY RIGHTS

UNICEF shall be entitled to all intellectual property and other proprietary rights including but not limited to patents, copyrights and trademarks, with regard to documents and other materials which bear a direct relation to or are prepared or collected in consequence or in the course of the execution of this contract.

 

VIII. EVALUATION METHODOLOGY

The prospective service providers will be evaluated based on a weighted average scoring method, with technical points weighing 70 points while the financial points will weigh 30 points.

 

Mandatory Requirements:

·    RDB Registration Certificate (3 years experience in the relevant field)

·    Tax Clearance Certificate

·    Audited 2 years Financial Statements.

·    RSS Clearance Certificate

 

Technical proposal

The prospective contractor will be expected to prepare a technical proposal based on the tasks and deliverables described in the ToR. The technical proposal should include:

 

i)   Description of company profile, relevant experience and examples of similar work recently undertaken to demonstrate capacity and expertise available to deliver the stated scope of work.

ii)  Overview of proposed technical team, including clear role distribution amongst the team, with indication of a team lead and technical team members.

iii) Approach and methodology with detailed breakdown of ways to approach tasks, proposed features for digitizing interactive courses, with a related timeline aligned to the scope of the consultancy.

 

Financial proposal

Financial points will be awarded in reverse proportion with the least costed offer obtaining maximum points (30).The financial proposal shall include any relevant costs expected to be incurred to successfully complete the assignment. The proposal should include a breakdown of quantities, unit prices and totals for every costed items.  The financial proposal shall be submitted in a separate file, clearly named “Financial Proposal”. No financial information should be contained in the technical proposal as this will lead to proposal cancellation.

 

Evaluation criteria

First, consideration will be given to technical proposals which will be evaluated out of 70%.

Secondly, the financial proposals of applicants whose technical proposals meet expectations will be assessed, for a consolidated score of the overall proposal.

The financial proposal shall be evaluated out of 30%.

 

Category  Criteria  Marks    

Technical criteria  Relevant technical expertise of the proposed team     10  

 

Demonstrated experience in digital content development evidenced by submitted relevant content previously developed by the contractor      20  

    

Quality, relevance, and completeness of the proposal       20  

 

Proposed methodology     20  

 

Financial criteria  Overall cost of the proposal and clarity of budget     30  

Total     100 

 

IX. HOW TO APPLY

 

Qualified candidates are requested to submit their technical and financial proposals to rwasupply@unicef.org indicating ability, availability, and service rates expressed in RWF to undertake the terms of reference by 05 May 2024

 

 

Applications submitted without a fee/ rate will not be considered