Terms of Reference (ToR) for Developing and launching e-Learning Platform for YA’s TVET and soft skills courses

Terms of Reference (ToR) for Developing and launching e-Learning Platform for YA’s TVET and soft skills courses

Project Name: DIGITAL VET FOR YOUNG AFRICAN (D-VETYA)

Young Africa (YA) and SERVE are looking for Consultant to develop and launch an E-Learning Platform for its ‘Integral TVET’ programme.

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Project Overview:

The Digital VET for Young Africans (D-VETYA) project will be implemented by SERVE and Young Africa (YA). The project timeframe is January 2023 to December 2024. SERVE is an international development NGO based in Ireland. YA is a confederation of independent NGOs and includes YA International Netherlands, YA International Africa Hub Trust (Zimbabwe), YA Zimbabwe, YA Mozambique, YA Zambia and YA Namibia. YA has a dissemination network with 23 organisations across 11 African countries whereby it shares successful models of its work. YA provides holistic and accredited VET to marginalised youth through 6-12 month training courses in 46 disciplines, life skills, entrepreneurship and ICT. One of the objectives of the D-VETYA Project is (a) YA’s eLearning Platform available for 8,150 disadvantaged youth across southern and Eastern Africa; and (b) YA’s eLearning platform is integrated into YA MEL system and 73 YA and dissemination partner staff are trained in the eLearning MEL system leading to improved data driven performance.

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Purpose of assignment:

To develop a pilot and full version of the YA E-Learning platform for Young Africa integral VET curriculum (available in English, French & Portuguese).

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Task 1: Delivering eLearning Pilot Test phase - Phase 1

Objective: To adapt 4 TVET and soft skills curricula to eLearning environment formats, complete all necessary post-production activities for the eLearning digital content.

Tasks:

• Review 4 TVET and soft skills curricula and make necessary adaptations for eLearning environment This, among others includes converting content into digital formats, producing voice-over scripts, videos etc
• Complete post-production activities, such as editing and quality control checks, for the eLearning curricula.

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Task 2: Development and launch eLearning Pilot Test - Phase 2

Objective: To develop a scalable Test YA eLearning platform and upload/import 4 digital curricula (developed in Task 1 above) onto the eLearning environment.

Activities:

• Review the existing YA eLearning Platforms,
• Decide on/recommend/adopt and acquire/setup of the most suitable hosting platform for the eLearning environment,
• Set up/adapt existing eLearning platform(s),
• Upload 4 test curricula on the eLearning platform,
• Test the eLearning platform,
• Troubleshoot and address any functionality issues identified during testing with users,

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Task 3: Launch the full version of the YA eLearning platform

Objective: Adapt the eLearning platform to full scale and upload additional 10 courses, re-test and launch the platform for use and dissemination.

Activities:

• Review 10 TVET and soft skills curricula, making necessary adaptations for the eLearning environment. This, among others includes converting content into digital formats, producing voice-over scripts, videos etc
• Complete post-production activities, such as editing and quality control checks, for the eLearning curricula.
• Import and integrate the 10 eLearning curricula to the full version of the YA eLearning platform.

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Task 4: Develop Monitoring and Evaluation Framework for the eLearning Platform

Objective: Integrate the YA results and and monitoring indicators into the eLearning Platform

Activities:

• Collaborate with the YA M&E and Programmes Team to identify the indicators to integrate into the platform,
• Integrate the identified indicators onto the platform,
• Test the monitoring and evaluation system with the YA M&E and Programmes Team
• Finalize the M&E system for the eLearning platform based on feedback from the test,

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Task 5: Producing User-Training Manuals and Training of Trainers & User

Objective: Produce User Manuals/Guides and conduct training of trainers and users of the YA eLearning Platform.

Activities:

• Develop User Guides for the eLearning Platform (manual and digital forms),
• Conduct training sessions for Trainers (on how to use the platform and how to effectively train others).
• Conducting training sessions for Users (together with Master Trainers).
• Evaluate the effectiveness of the training program and make any necessary adjustments.
• Provide post-launch technical back up support and assistance to partners to ensure successful implementation and use of the platform.

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Requirements for the E-learning Platform

1. Accessibility: The platform should be easily accessible by all users across different Young Africa centers and other VET organizations in Africa, even for those with limited internet connectivity.
2. Course customization: The platform should allow for customization to accommodate unique courses for individual centers.
3. Ease of sharing: The platform should allow for courses to be shared across different Young Africa learning centers and those of other VET organizations
4. Multi-language support: The platform should be designed to be multilingual, with support for English, Portuguese and French enabling users to switch between languages easily.
5. User experience: The platform should be easy to use and navigate, with an intuitive design that makes it easy for users to find what they are looking for.
6. Mobile responsiveness: The platform should be optimized for use on mobile devices.
7. Collaboration features: The platform should have collaboration tools such as forums, chat rooms, and group projects.
8. Support and training: The platform should have comprehensive support and training resources for users, including documentation, FAQs, and online tutorials.
9. Data security: The platform should have robust security features to protect user data and prevent unauthorized access.
10. Performance: The platform should be fast and responsive, with efficient code and hardware that can handle large volumes of users and data.
11. Hosting: The platform should be hosted on a reliable and secure server with sufficient storage capacity and bandwidth to support user traffic.
12. Offline functionality: The platform should have offline functionality, allowing users to access course materials and complete assignments even without an internet connection.

Proposals should address each of the requirements listed below and provide a clear plan for meeting them.

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How to apply

Requirements for bidders

If you are an IT-Support company specializing in developing and launching eLearning platforms, with traceable experience developing such for TVET or related learning programmes, this opportunity is for you. Kindly submit your expression of interest to (Email at Apply Button) by 20 March 2023, detailing;

1. Introduction Letter (brief profile and track record of your company in similar work) - 1 page
2. Your understanding of the Terms of Reference (Max half a Page),
3. Your proposed methodology/approach/process for executing the task (max 3 pages),
4. Work Plan (The time it will take you to complete each task) in a Gantt Chart,
5. Itemised budget, with adequate notes to help interpret the budget,including all costs involved in the execution of the task and launching it.
6. References to at least two clients for whom your company has done similar work,
7. CVs of Lead Experts to be assigned to the task

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