Call for Proposal: Numeracy Modules Development (English language)

I. Background:
Under the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) Education Sector Programme Implementation Grant (ESPIG), UNESCO has secured funding to implement activities towards the attainment of the undermentioned three (3) outcome areas.
• Outcome 1: Ensuring safe and equitable access to learning for children and youth in Myanmar;
• Outcome 2: Ensuring quality teaching and learning for children and youth in Myanmar by strengthening the capacities of education staff and fostering context-responsive, equity-focused learning resources and modalities adapted to the evolving situation; and
• Outcome 3: Ensuring systems strengthening, management, coordination, and monitoring.
UNESCO, through the Education Sector Programme Implementation Grant (ESPIG) project, continues this effort addressing the needs for both pre-and in-service teacher education under ESPIG Outcome Area 2: Ensuring quality teaching and learning for children and youths in Myanmar by strengthening the capacities of education staff and fostering context-responsive, equity-focused learning resources and modalities adapted to the evolving situation. As an effort to deliver the continuous learning and quality of education, UNESCO brings Myanmar Teacher Platform (MTP) to offer continuous learning for educators, learners and other interested parties to access quality learning materials, videos and other resources in a safe and secure environment and provide online modules by themes. Through ESPIG project, UNESCO is committed to improve the literacy and numeracy level of the children by equipping teachers with knowledge in literacy and numeracy and instructional strategies effectively teach students in those areas. To initiate this, UNESCO will develop online modules for teachers to do self-pace learning and those e-learning modules will be uploaded on MTP. Through online modules, this will enable teachers: 1) to equip with knowledge to create engaging numeracy lessons; 2) to enhance their understanding of effective numeracy instructional strategies; and 3) to develop teachers’ ability to assess students’ numeracy levels accurately. Therefore, UNESCO is hiring a Contractor which is responsible for developing numeracy modules aiming at community/volunteer teachers in low resource setting.

II. Work Assignment
Under the overall authority of the Director of UNESCO Regional Office in Bangkok (hereinafter called UNESCO), the direct supervision of the Head of UNESCO Project Office in Yangon and in close collaboration with Responsible Officer who is responsible for the contents of the modules and video development, the Contractor shall specifically perform the following:
1.1 Provide author services by following the requirements as listed below:
a. Discuss with UNESCO ESPIG team the content, objectives and target participants for numeracy modules;
b. Conduct research to propose module titles and provide the relevant approaches on developing module contents ensuring that concepts, contents, quizzes, teaching and learning strategies, interactive learning activities and assessment, approaches are contextualized;
c. Develop the contents and learning activities based on the discussion and agreed by UNESCO and partners;
d. Revise the contents and learning activities, incorporating UNESCO and other stakeholder’s comments, suggestions and ideas as necessary;
e. Develop PowerPoints and the video scripts for e-learning modules based on the module contents;
f. Revise PowerPoints and the video scripts for e-learning module, incorporating UNESCO and other stakeholder’s comments, suggestions and ideas as necessary;
g. Based on the video scripts, develop at least 6 videos (minimum 7 minutes for each video) for each module.
1.2 Follow the requirements of the manuals, guidelines and intellectual property rights:
a. Ensure that the module content comply with the UNESCO Style Manual (2004 version available at https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000141812) such as terminology, abbreviations, acronyms and format of footnotes, etc.;
b. Streamline UNESCO’s gender strategy, ensure the Guidelines on Gender-Neutral Language is applied throughout the module contents (https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000377299);😉
c. When referring to the region, ensure to avoid using ‘in the Asia-Pacific’ and ‘in Asia Pacific’. Instead, use one of the following terms interchangeably: in the Asia-Pacific region, in Asia and the Pacific, and in Asia-Pacific;
d. Compile a list of tables, figures (including diagram, chart, illustration), photos (including images, cartoons, icons) and other graphic elements from the third party-materials by using a template provided by UNESCO;
e. Secure the intellectual property rights by using the “permission consent form” (provided by UNESCO) to obtain a written authorization from the original source of work when include the third-party materials and inform them regarding UNESCO Open Access Policy;
f. Ensure that no plagiarized or self-plagiarized material is published without appropriate acknowledgement of the source;
g. Provide a proper credit or citation to the original work of the third-party materials. For any materials (see item e) created by author, the “Source: author” should be placed underneath aforementioned materials;
h. Avoid including maps (global, regional, country) that could be politically sensitive or that could affect the legal status of any country, territory, city, area, or its authorities, or the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. If the map must be used, seeking DPI/PAX clearance is required (refer to a memo);
i. The structure of the module content should be following this order; cover, legal page, short summary, blank page, inside title page, foreword, acknowledgements, table of contents and list of figures and tables, executive summary and the content (refer to (1) How to Structure and (2) Foreword/Preface guideline);
j. Secure the required owner authorization using Grant of Rights form (permission from original source of work) when any photo, illustration, icon, music is used as part of the video that is not owned by UNESCO. Ensure appropriate credits are applied;
k. Ensure that the module contents are in full compliance with the international copyrights policy to avoid any illegal consequences as outline in the ‘General Terms and Conditions’ which annexed in this contract;
l. Improve and incorporate suggested changes (if required) and finalize the module contents until it is considered as satisfactory;
m. Use standard video editing software most suitable for the production and finalize in the later stages of development. Recommended software includes Adobe Premiere Pro and Final Cut Pro;
n. Propose to and agree with UNESCO on the selection of the video’s narrator(s) (if needed), and cast and record the voice-over narration in Myanmar language based on UNESCO’s final decision. Secure the authorization from the narrator on behalf of UNESCO by using the Grant of Rights form;
o. Suggest a choice of background music to UNESCO and obtain necessary usage rights on the final choice. Synchronize voice-music-images/mix sound (Grant of Rights form to be provided by UNESCO);
p. Obtain permission from the photographed/videographed persons by having them signed a consent form (provided by UNESCO);
q. Secure the required owner authorization using Grant of Rights form (permission from original source of work) when any photo, illustration, icon, music is used as part of the video that is not owned by UNESCO. Ensure appropriate credits are applied;
r. Strictly treat the module content, confidential and the rights of distribution will reside solely with UNESCO;
s. Communicate with UNESCO on a regular basis to update on the progress of the assignment.
1.3 Provide author service and video editing service for the below list work(s):
Title: 10 modules numeracy course
• Specifications for author service: 40 pages for each module
• Specifications for editing service: format: MP4 (Codec H.264) or MOV; resolution: HD (16:9 aspect ratio and at least 1920×1080) and web optimized (16:9 aspect ratio and at least 1280×720); duration: preferably less than 7 minutes
III. Submissions and deliverables:
The Contractor shall submit the following deliverables to UNESCO with original and editable files for approval:
a. Submit the draft concept note and 10 modules outlines in Standard English by 28 June 2024;
b. Submit the final version of the concept note and 10 modules outlines in Standard English by 22 July 2024;
c. Sumit the first batch (5 modules) of draft contents (narrative session) and video scripts in Standard English by 30 August 2024;
d. Submit the final version of the first batch of 5 modules contents (narrative session) and video scripts in Standard English by 30 September 2024;
e. Submit the draft videos of the first batch of 5 modules (at least 25 videos) and Powerpoint Slides by 18 October 2024;
f. Sumit final version of the first batch of 5 modules of videos and Powerpoint Slides by 8 November 2024;
g. Submit the second batch (5 modules) of draft contents (narrative session) and video scripts in Standard English by 29 November 2024;
h. Submit the final version of the second batch (5 modules) of the contents (narrative session) and video scripts by 17 January 2025;
i. Submit the draft videos of the second batch of 5 modules (at least 25 videos) and Powerpoint Slides by 7 February 2025; and
j. Sumit final version of the second batch of 5 modules of videos and Powerpoint Slides by 28 February 2025;
The Contractor is required to complete the assignment with quality that meets the satisfaction of UNESCO. The deliverables will be reviewed by UNESCO. The Contractor may be requested to re-submit the documents if they are not of satisfactory quality within an agreed timeframe upon receipt of the requests.
IV. Loca on and Travel:
The contractor will be working remotely.
V. Qualifications and Experience:
The Organization/ Institution:
Required Qualifications
• Organization should have 2 to 3 years of relevant experience in the field of Education in Emergencies; and
• Ability to produce high quality content on tight deadlines.
Desirable Qualifications:
• Previous experience in module/course development in numeracy and video development; and
• Previous working experience with international organizations, UNESCO and/or the UN System including World Bank Group.
Project Lead
Required qualifications:
• Bachelor’ degree in social sciences, development, education, or other related discipline;
• Minimum 5 years of relevant work experience;
• Experience in module/course design content development and video development;
• Excellent planning and organizational skills;
• Excellent communication and a concern for transparency and diligence;
Desirable qualifications:
• Master’s degree in social sciences, development, education, or other related discipline;
• Minimum 10 years of relevant work experience; and
• Previous experience working with UN organizations.