CALL FOR PROPOSALS – COMMUNITY LISTENING LIBRARIES STARTER KIT GRAPHIC DESIGN CONSULTANCY At Aga Khan Foundation

Introduction

The Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) is an agency of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), a group of private not-for profit, non-denominational international development agencies, institutions and programmes that work primarily in the poorest parts of Africa and Asia to improve the quality of life of communities in remote and resource poor areas. Globally, AKF seeks sustainable solutions to long-term problems of poverty, hunger, illiteracy, and ill-health, with special emphasis on the needs of rural communities in mountainous, coastal, and other resource-poor areas. 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 operates a multi-sectoral portfolio that includes programming in Education, Economic Inclusion, Civil Society, Health and Early Childhood Development.

Background

In 2020, AKF led a diverse consortium of partners to generate media content to elevate the importance of reading for enjoyment and learning through play. These included, but were not limited to, Night-Time Tales, Bena and Kena (both aired on NTV), and Playkits with videos and posters (See akflearninghub.org/). Based on the success and learning from these, AKF is looking to expand this partnership to increase the reach and impact of reading and play content across Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. In 2022, AKF will be developing and distributing “Community Listening Library Starter Kits” featuring storybooks, games, audio resources, and other related materials. Through this, AKF aims to: i) enable children to access locally developed content that elevates the idea of reading for enjoyment, engaging children’s imaginations and interests; ii) share games and playful activities to enable children to further their engagement with the content and the overall experience; iii) promote local stories, and iv) engage children and their parents to become active contributors through content creation opportunities.

Consultant Scope of Work

AKF is seeking to engage partner organisations and/or consultants to work as part of a diverse team of educational and creative specialists to develop the “Community Listening Library Starter Kits” content for use across diverse media including visual, audio, and written formats in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. The scope of work includes:

• Developing a child-friendly, playful style guide for the Community Listening Library Starter Kits that is culturally relevant for Uganda
• Designing the receptacle for the Community Listening Library Starter Kits (i.e., a box or container for children’s use in a community library),
• Graphic designing the Starter Kit Guide for use by librarians and children,
• Creating cover illustrations for included written and audio materials,
• Working with other partners to adapt the design of the playful learning activities and games that will be included,
• Working with translators to ensure that all designed content is available in local languages,
• Ensuring design coherence for all materials included in the Community Listening Libraries,
• Designing other creative content for the Starter Kits as needed.

Key Deliverables

• At minimum, the deliverables include:
• All design documents and drafts of all content,
• Style guide for the Community Listening Library Starter Kit that is child-friendly and culturally relevant for Uganda
• Finalised English design of the Starter Kit Guide for adults and children (25 pages)
• Finalised English design of all activities, games, and other materials,
• Finalised design of all materials in local languages,
• Other design edits as needed.

Work Plan

The applicant can recommend different ways to ensure how the deliverables are achieved. However, the below timelines for are non-negotiable:

PRODUCT DATE

• Initial meeting on Starter Kit design 1^st April 2022
• Submit prototype style guide for the Starter Kit design 8^th April 2022
• Submit final style guide for the Starter Kit design Draft Starter Kit Guide with instructions and suggestions for use – 15^th April 2022
• Submit illustrations and designed English Starter Kit Guide with instructions, games, and activities – 1^st May 2022
• Submit finalised designed Starter Kit content in local languages – 9^th May 2022

Criteria for selection

All submissions will be assessed on the following criteria:

• Technical proposal 40%
• Technical experience 30%
• Value for Money 30%