TERMS OF REFERENCE (ToR) for Gender Equality MOOC Course Development

1.    About SOS Children’s Villages

SOS Children's Villages (SOS CV), founded in 1949, is the world's largest non-governmental organization focused on supporting children and young people without parental care, or at risk of losing it. SOS Children’s Villages is a global federation of 136 national SOS Children’s Villages associations, working in more than 2000 programme locations worldwide. We work together with a single vision: every child belongs to a family and grows up with love, respect and security.

We provide family-like care for children who have lost parental care (alternative care service), and we work with vulnerable families and communities to help strengthen them and prevent child abandonment. The main focus of the organization is to provide sustained support to vulnerable children who have lost or are at high risk of losing parental care. The organization offers a variety of alternative care responses, including residential family-like care and foster care for children who have been separated from their families of origin for various reasons. The goal is for children to reintegrate into their families of origin, in accordance with their best interest, or to leave care as autonomous and independent adults. Through Family Strengthening Programs (FSP) SOS CV helps parents and communities build capacities to care for their children and prevent family breakdown. For more detailed information see: https://www.sos-childrensvillages.org/.

Together with partners, donors, communities, children, youth and families, we enable children to grow up with the ties they need to develop and become themselves. We stand up for the rights of every child and advocate for change so that all children can grow up in a supportive environment.

Our work is governed by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and the United Nations Guidelines on the Alternative Care of Children. 

2.    Background

SOS Children’s Villages International is committed to advancing gender equality in childcare and protection. To further this commitment, we are developing a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) focused on gender equality. This course aims to enhance awareness and knowledge of our co-workers and partners on gender equality.

3.    Objectives

The main objective is to develop a comprehensive, interactive, engaging, and accessible MOOC covering various aspects of gender equality. The course will target a diverse audience, including SOS staff, volunteers, youth, and partners. The development and accessibility of this MOOC training on gender equality plays an important role in developing the capacity needed to integrate gender equality in our programs, policies, processes and structures.

• Specific objectives of this assignment are:-

1. Develop an inception report detailing the review process and outcomes.
2. Conduct a thorough capacity needs assessment to determine the key focus and topics of the gender equality MOOC
3. Develop an interactive, inclusive, comprehensive MOOC course addressing capacity needs including foundational understanding of gender concepts and terminologies, understand the revised gender equality policy, develop skills to conduct gender, diversity and inclusion analysis, develop competence in applying the SOS CV gender marker as well as develop a module on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR).

4.    Scope of Work

The development of the MOOC will involve technical, coordination, administrative, and logistical support. The MOOC course is expected to be 8-10 hours course with a minimum of 5 complementary modules. The modules include mandatory courses and non- mandatory ones. The tasks are divided into the following phases:

• Planning and Coordination

Needs Assessment: Conduct a needs assessment to identify key topics and target audience requirements.

Course Outline Development: Collaborate with experts to develop a detailed course outline.

Project Timeline: Establish a detailed timeline, including milestones and deadlines for each phase of the project.

Stakeholder Engagement: Ensure continuous communication and coordination with all stakeholders, including the global gender network, communications and brand team, ICT, and other technical teams.

•  Content Development

Scripting and Storyboarding: Support the creation of scripts and storyboards for video lectures, interactive activities, and assessments.

Resource Collection: Gather and organize relevant materials, case studies, and examples to be used in the course from internal and external sources.

Review and Feedback: Facilitate regular review sessions and incorporate feedback to ensure content accuracy and relevance.

•  Production and Design

Multimedia Production: Coordinate the production of multimedia elements, including videos, animations, and graphics. Each module is expected to have quizzes and practical exercises/ assessments. A motivating award should be included for completing each module and a final Certificate of completion awarded upon finishing all the modules and assessments.

Platform Selection: Assist in selecting an appropriate e-learning platform for hosting the MOOC.

Technical Integration: Ensure seamless integration of content with the chosen platform, including interactive elements and assessments.

• Testing and Quality Assurance

Pilot Testing: Organize and oversee pilot testing with a sample audience to identify and resolve any technical or content-related issues.

Feedback Collection: Collect and analyze feedback from pilot participants to make necessary adjustments.

Final Review: Conduct a thorough final review to ensure the course meets all quality standards and objectives.

• Launch and Promotion

Launch Plan: Develop and execute a detailed plan for the course launch, including timelines and promotional strategies.

Outreach: Coordinate promotion and outreach efforts to ensure maximum visibility and participation.

Support and Troubleshooting: Provide ongoing support and troubleshooting assistance during the initial launch phase.

5.    Ethical and other key considerations

Following ethical principles when engaging in research with children and other vulnerable groups are of paramount importance and must consider barriers related to participation and existing gender power dynamics. The SOS Children's Villages’ Code of Conduct as well as the Child and Youth Safeguarding Policy must be followed in all stages of data collection. 

The research approach should include gender-responsive research methodology with due consideration to feminist research approaches.  These are approaches that place gender at the center of knowledge production process and pays attention to the different lived-experiences and viewpoints of men, women, girls, boys and non-binary participants in all their diversities. 

6.    Language

The primary language of the consultancy work is English. The MOOC should be available in English, French, Spanish and Arabic languages.

7.    Deliverables and Schedule   

The major deliverables and the proposed schedule are presented below:

8.     Qualification of the consulting team  

Educational Background:

• Relevant Degree: Advanced degree in gender studies, social sciences, education, public policy, or a related field.
• Instructional Design: Training or certification in interactive multimedia design, instructional design or educational technology.

Professional Experience:

• Course Development: Minimum of 5 years of experience in developing online courses, preferably in gender equality or related topics.
• Facilitation and Teaching: Experience in facilitating workshops, seminars, or educational programs, particularly in gender equality and diversity.
• Project Management: Proven track record of managing educational projects, including content creation, timelines, and stakeholder coordination.

Skills:

• Content Expertise: Strong grasp of gender equality concepts, policies, and best practices.
• Technical Proficiency: Familiarity with Learning Management Systems (LMS) and online learning technologies (e.g., Moodle, Coursera, or similar platforms).
• Instructional Design: Ability to create engaging, interactive learning materials (e.g., videos, quizzes, discussion prompts).
• Analytical Skills: Competence in conducting needs assessments and evaluating course effectiveness.

Competencies:

• Collaboration: Strong teamwork abilities, with experience working with diverse groups and stakeholders.
• Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, capable of conveying complex concepts clearly.
• Cultural Competence: Ability to work sensitively and effectively in multicultural and diverse environments.
• Adaptability: Willingness to embrace feedback and make iterative improvements to course content and delivery.

Additional Attributes:

• Passion for Gender Equality: Demonstrated commitment to advancing gender equality and diversity.
• Innovation: Creative problem-solving skills, with the ability to develop unique learning experiences.
• Networking: Ability to engage with subject matter experts, practitioners, and organizations in the field of gender equality

Languages: 

• The major language of the consultancy work is English, but multilingual proficiency particularly in Spanish, French, Russian and Arabic is essential.
• The MOOC should be available in English, French, Spanish and Arabic.
• The consultancy should consider the translation of key documents and tools as well as communications that will be shared with the different countries and participants in French, Spanish and Arabic languages. Similarly, language interpretation should be considered for focus group discussions and key informant interviews etc.
• It is also important to consider that the consultancy firm/team needs to review documents in French, Spanish, Russian and Arabic languages.

9.    Instructions for tenders 

• General 

Bidders are welcome to compete for the given assignment. 

This tender is open to all national and international providers (independent consultants, universities or multimedia production companies) that are legally constituted and can provide the requested services. The bidders will bear all the costs of the offer; the costs of a proposal cannot be included as a direct cost of the assignment. 

• Offer language 

The proposal and all supporting documents must be submitted in English. In addition, the bidder must cover all translation costs related to the assignment.

• Bid currency 

The financial offer must be expressed in Euros.

• Bid Submission Process  
  • Submission Procedures

General Information

• Applicants must submit all the required documents below
• Price quotations must be quoted in Euro and submitted in English in a separate form - password protected. Passwords will be released only upon request from the procurement committee at a later stage. Submitting financial quotation without password protection will result in disqualification of submission.
• Subject line of the application e-mail must be: “GENDER EQUALITY MOOC COURSE DEVELOPMENT”
• Taxes and payments: As per the applicable regulation:

Interested and qualified consulting firms are invited to submit:

Technical Proposal containing

1. Company profile and consultants/trainer CV;
2. Training contents and module details and methodology to be applied;
3. List of at least three main clients who received similar training (references may be requested later on);
4. Other information that is relevant.

Financial Proposal

• Service Fee including applicable tax. Financial proposals must show details of the training fee and other costs and be submitted protected with passwords. Passwords will be released from applicants only upon request from the procurement committee at a later stage. Note that submitting financial quotation without password protection will result in disqualification of submission.

1. Copies of renewed licenses (professional and business licenses) issued by the respective government body;
2. Copies of tax registration (TIN, VAT registration number)
3. Tax clearance documents as appropriate

General Provisions

• SOS Children’s Villages International Eastern and Southern Regional Office Reserves the right to:
• Undertake reference, credit and other checks, and by responding to this request for quotation, the service provider hereby gives SOS Children’s Villages International consent/authority to conduct such checks.
• Withdraw this request for quotation and/or amend the terms of reference by notice in writing (email or posting on the website) to only shortlisted bidders who responded to this call prior to the closing date.
• At its sole discretion, award of the contract based on the best value for money, experience and qualification of consultant, the number of proposed days, daily rate, environmental, and social benefits (if applicable), in addition to other requirements.
• To negotiate prices or rates based on available budget as part of the contracting processes.
• Selected consultant will be required to sign a service contract in adherence with the organizations policies ad regulations.

Your proposals should be marked “GENDER EQUALITY MOOC COURSE DEVELOPMENT” SOS Children’s Villages East and Southern Africa (ESAF) and Applicants MUST be sent to ioresaf.procurement@sos-kd.org

Application Deadline

All applications must be submitted by July 15, 2025, 11:30:PM East African Time.

Please follow this link to access the TOR  TOR for MOOC Course ToR-Gender Equality 20250109.pdf