Terms of Reference (TOR) for Children’s Storybook Selection for Community Listening Libraries

1. 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 programs 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 the 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. 2. 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 Play kits 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) drive Kenyan stories, and iv) engage children and their parents to become active contributors through content creation opportunities. 3. Consultant Scope of Work

AKF is seeking to engage partner organizations 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:

1. Selecting locally developed children’s storybooks in English and local languages to be included in the Starter Kits




2. Vetting the children’s storybooks for age-appropriate, diverse, representative, linguistically and culturally appropriate content, etc.




3. Advising on the Playkit activities and materials that will be included in the Starter Kit based on the selected storybooks




4. Other creative content for the Starter Kits as needed.

4. Key Deliverables

At a minimum, the deliverables include:

1. At least 50 vetted children’s storybooks in various languages




2. Recommendations for activities, games, and further content-development opportunities based on the vetted storybooks




3. Other content and deliverables can be recommended by the applicant




4. Work Plan

5. Work Plan

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

Product /Date:

• Initial meeting on Starter Kit development process and development of a vetting strategy for book selection -7th March 2022


• First set (50%) of vetted books shared with AKF -14th March 2022


• Second set (50%) of vetted books shared with AKF -21st March 2022


• Advising on other materials to include in Starter Kits -28th March 2022

How to apply

1. To Apply

Consultants or organizations interested in this opportunity with AKF should submit:

• Technical proposal including work plan




• CV




• Organizational experience




• Proposed budget

2. Criteria for Selection

All submissions will be assessed on the following criteria:

• Technical proposal 40%




• Technical experience 30%




• Value for Money 30%

Applications should be submitted by midday EAT on Friday 25th February 2022. akfkenya.procurement@akdn.org with “**CHILDREN'S STORY BOOKS**** On the subject line.

Only shortlisted organizations will be contacted.

AKF is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to Safeguarding and Promoting the Welfare of Children and Vulnerable Adults and Expects all Staff and Partners to Share this Commitment.

The Aga Khan Foundation is an agency of the Aga Khan Development Network (www.akdn.org)

https://jobcenterkenya.com/terms-of-reference-tor-for-childrens-storybook-selection-for-community-listening-libraries/