Request for proposal for a communication consultant

Introduction

The Aga Khan Foundation (AKF), an AKDN agency, is a private, not-for-profit, non-denominational, international development agency established in 1967 by His Highness the Aga Khan. We bring together human, financial and technical resources to address some of the challenges faced by the poorest and most marginalized communities in the world. With an emphasis on women and girls, we invest in human potential, expanding opportunities and improving quality of life. In East Africa, AKF works with partners to improve the quality of life by promoting and developing innovative solutions to challenges of development in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. Reflecting the complex and multi-faceted nature of development, AKF programmes in the region encompasses Education, Health and Nutrition, Early Childhood Development, Agriculture and Food Security, Climate Resilience, Economic Inclusion and Civil Society.

In partnership with AKU-IED, an agency of AKDN, AKF is implementing the Foundations for Learning (F4L) Project in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania that aims to respond to challenges in the education sector identified in various government publications (BEST 2020, ESDP, INSET Framework, National Strategy for Gender Development, Tanzania Vision 2025, Sustainable Development Goals). By addressing these challenges, F4L equips a new generation of learners, teachers, school leaders, families, communities, CSOs, and government leaders with the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values to lead more gender responsive and pluralist quality education systems that advance equitable, quality learning outcomes for all.

Background to the Assignment

AKF and AKU-IED recognize inequality in education as a persistent challenge to education in East Africa because of the combination of historical, cultural, economic, and structural factors. For instance, cultural and traditional norms that are deeply ingrained beliefs dictate gender roles in society leading to disparities in access to educational opportunities. Poverty and economic constraints can force families to prioritize education for boys over girls. The limited number of female teachers and role models in educational institutions can contribute to gender stereotypes and discourage girls from pursuing education while gender-based violence, including sexual harassment and assault at home, in schools and in the community, may discourage girls from attending school. Where policies promoting gender equality in education exist, effective implementation and enforcement is weak because of inadequate resources and the lack of political will hinders the execution of initiatives aimed at achieving gender equality. Finally, in rural areas such as coastal Kenya, west Nile and southern Tanzania where Foundations for Learning (F4L) Project has integrative interventions to promote gender equality, the lack of proper infrastructure for education exacerbates the challenges mentioned.

It is against this background that AKF, East Africa seeks the support of a Communication Consultant to develop products showcasing the gender equality and inclusion outcomes of the AKU-IED F4L project in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.

Overall objective and scope of work

Overall objective

The overall objective of this consultancy is to develop country-specific infographics and short videos on gender equality and inclusion for AKF and AKU-IED in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.

Scope of the assignment

The successful Communication Consultant will be required to carry out the following activities/tasks:

1. Conduct visits and interviews in the F4L project sites to document primary school teacher / college tutor / headteachers stories on Gender Equality and Inclusion in Practice: The Successes and Lessons.
2. Produce 6 short videos (2 per country) and 3 infographics (1 per country).
3. Present the draft products (infographics and short videos) for feedback to the supervising and oversight team.
4. Incorporate feedback and finalize the communication products.

Key Deliverables / Expected Outputs

The following are the expected deliverables during the consultation period:

1. Inception report, outlining the consultant’s understanding of these Terms of Reference including a proposed methodology, tools to be used, work plan and budget.

2. Production plan, scripts and list of interviewees

3. Draft products for review.

4. Final Products – infographics and short videos.

5. Raw files of infographics and footage from the videography

   Timeframe

The task will take a minimum cumulative 60 days to complete.

Supervision and oversight

The Consultant will work closely with the AKF and AKU-IED Communications Focal Persons, Gender Coordinators and AKU-IED F4L Project Lead.

Budget

The budget includes the consultant’s day rates plus all incidental costs including but not limited to transport, accommodation, subsistence, stationery as well as related taxes and license fees.

Skills and Experience

• Master’s degree in communications or relevant discipline or the equivalent experience with at least 10 years’ relevant professional experience in a similar function within international development context.
• Demonstrable conceptual clarity on gender equality and inclusion.
• Regional experience an asset.
• Experience in editing videos and photos for humanitarian settings.
• Production team with bilingual skills (English/Kiswahili) is preferred.
• Work with Media Agencies, International Organizations, NGOs an asset.
• Availability and willingness to travel to different villages in selected locations within the East African region.
• Graphic design experience with NGOs proficient in producing communication pieces for humanitarian work.

Ethical Standards and Safeguarding:

The Communications Consultant must conscientiously abide by AKF’s Safeguarding Manual, and all members of the Consultant team must sign AKF’s Safeguarding Statement of Commitment upon contracting.

Requirements

Interested applicants will be required to:

• Develop a technical proposal (not more than five pages) outlining understanding of the TOR and demonstrating how you intend to deliver this assignment
• Links to sample work undertaken of a similar nature.
• CV of all key proposed team members (max. 2 pages per CV)
• Budget, inclusive of all costs.
• Include three references from similar assignments previously undertaken
• Please note that AKF East Africa is not exempted from tax.
• Please note that With Holding Tax rates are applicable as per the Income Tax Act of Kenya unless a valid WHT exemption certificate is provided.

Any queries and clarity regarding this consultancy can be directed to: akfkenya.procurement@akdn.org

How to apply

Interested applicants should share all required documents by email to akfkenya.procurement@akdn.org with the subject line: “Communications Consultant’’ Proposals should be received not later than midnight of the 10th September 2024.

AKF is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence