Creative Design Agency

Location: Remote – Middle East

Application Deadline: 15 FEB 2024 – 17:00 CET

Last Date for Queries: 12 FEB 2024 – 17:00 CET

Duration: 1 project – Creating a full brand

How to Apply: Offers should be sent to [email protected]

Start Date: ASAP

BACKGROUND

SPARK is looking for a Creative Design Agency to develop a visual brand identity for a new programme supporting tourism in the MENA region. Brand guide should include logo design, brand toolkit (colours, shapes, etc,) as well as other branding symbols and promotion materials which highlight the role and functions of the programme and other critical information to a wide stakeholder body including donors, partners and the general public.

The Consultant is expected to work closely alongside the SPARK team throughout the duration of the programme as the programme’s design support for printed and digital promotion products.

SPARK offers a varied role, creating the visual identity for a range of products, from engaging digital marketing graphics, to playful Tiktok motion graphics, to data visualisations and design of formal reports.

BACKGROUND ABOUT THE PROGRAMME

The Middle East & North Africa region is witnessing a surge in tourism, but challenges persist due to a decentralised sector and inadequate state-level frameworks. Emerging SMEs and individuals, particularly marginalised groups such as women and minorities, confront entry barriers fueled by a lack of skills and understanding among young entrepreneurs.

Despite nascent markets, there is substantial growth potential. Post-COVID recovery has left individuals in the sector underserved, lacking knowledge, and the skills. Notably, the tourism industry grapples with capacity constraints and knowledge gaps, particularly in sustainable and green practices.

The emerging trend of green and sustainable tourism presents an opportunity for inclusive and resilient tourism sector in the region. By facilitating the upskilling of individuals and encouraging sustainable business practices, especially in rural areas, efforts can be made to benefit underserved communities.

Addressing these challenges is crucial for women and minorities, who currently have the lowest income and job participation in the MENA region, offering a pathway to create sustainable livelihoods and empower marginalised groups.

The programme aims to support underserved individuals in the chosen countries

across the Middle East Region, by providing them digital and soft skills training

and capacity building to enter the travel and tourism sector, or enhance their

existing job skills within the sector. The programme targeted countries Egypt

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Jordan, Lebanon , Tunisia

and Palestine. The programme is funded by Google.org.

OBJECTIVE

Contract a suitable branding/production agency to build the brand strategy into creative conception and execution stages to further promote one of SPARK’s programmes.

METHODOLOGY

The core objectives required of the contracted agency are divided into the following:

1. Brand Identity

In the process of the programme brand building, the company will come up with 3 creative visual identity concepts reflecting programme’s background and goals.

Execution

The agency will present 3 visual identity concepts to SPARK. Each visual identity concept will include a new logo and font direction, with different mock-ups where the logo will be applied (corporate, advertising etc.), and guidelines on how the logo shall be placed next to other logos. Through three rounds of reviews and amends, SPARK will select one direction.

ACTIVITIES, DELIVERABLES AND TIMELINES, PLUS BUDGET PER DELIVERABLE

DELIVERABLES ESTIMATED DURATION TO COMPLETE PAYMENT

Conduct a brainstorm 1 week session with SPARK team to develop a brand concept.

33% upon completion of deliverable 1 & 2

Define the target audience and 1 week understand the objectives to start the production phase of the three creative concepts for the new branding identity of the programme.

Develop 3 creative branding concepts: 1 week The concepts will be shared with SPARK and after three rounds of reviewing and amending the concepts, SPARK will select one concept.

Refine and finalize the selected branding identity based on the feedback from the previous 1 week stages and deliver to SPARK.

Develop guidelines on branding (positioning) in light of SPARK branding guidelines and the 1 week partnerships with the Private Sector under the Private Sector Coalition.

Create the brandbook, templates, icons, brand 34% upon completion of the project. elements for website, social media and printed materials, etc..

QUALIFICATIONS, SPECIALISED EXPERIENCE AND ADDITIONAL COMPETENCIES

• Professional expertise and experience in brand, communication and/or marketing strategy and creative content development.

• Similar experience with the INGOs sector is a distinct advantage.

• Industry recognised accolades, including creativity and results-based awards.

• Must provide a designated team to service the ongoing needs of the contract period.

• English and Arabic are essential.

• Previous experience in tourism projects or/and Gulf countries is a plus.

• Exceptional creativity and innovation;

• Accuracy and attention to detail;

• Ability to stay abreast of the latest tools and software in order to produce the best work possible;

• Understanding of the printing process, specifications and rendering methods, including drawing, offset printing, photography, interactive media and colour management;

• Excellent organisational and project management skills to focus and prioritise workload and manage competing demands to ensure that projects are always delivered to time and quality targets;

• Experience of working to brand house style guidelines;

• Strong interpersonal skills including the ability to communicate confidently and assertively with colleagues in and outside SPARK’s team and manage expectations effectively;

• Ability to use industry standard IT systems (Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, email, internet) proficiently;

• Ability to work legally in implemented countries;

• Ability to work flexibly and on an ad-hoc basis, working hours within an CET time zone;

• Experience working within creative agencies, international development or with international non-governmental organisations is a plus.

NOTE FOR CONSULTANTS AND INDIVIDUAL CONTRACTORS:

Please submit a financial offer along with your proposal in USD including VAT, which contains the following information:

• The overall fee for services to be provided – based on the deliverables in the Terms of Reference.

CRITERIA FOR EVALUATION

SPARK is committed to conducting a fair and transparent proposal process, as well as ensuring that all bidders are treated and evaluated equally throughout the proposal process. Bidder responses will be weighted in three categories: Essential Criteria, Capability Criteria, and Commercial Criteria.

1. Essential Criteria (Exclusion if not met)

1.1. Possess legitimate business premises.

1.2. Registered for trading and tax.

1.3. Banned party or on any government blacklists.

2. Capability Criteria (70%) (Any technical proposal scoring less than 3 out of 5 points will be automatically disqualified from the competition.)

2.1. Technical Proposal (20%)

• Proposed branding concept outline
• Agency experience developing and executing advertising or marketing campaigns focused on brand positioning
• The overall quality and experience of the proposed team to service the needs and achieve the goals stated in this RFP in a comprehensive manner
• Client references
• Agency experience developing and executing Brand, Advertising or Marketing campaigns for non-profit organizations, IGOs or NGOs and other UN Agencies

2.2. Overall Response (20%)

• Completeness of response
• Overall concord between TOR/needs and proposal

2.3. Proposed Methodology and Approach (30%).

• Innovation approach
• Creative strategies
• Evaluation of presentation provided by the agency, if they are requested to provide one

3. Commercial Criteria (30%)

3.1. Financial proposal (30%)

About SPARK

SPARK develops higher education and entrepreneurship to empower young, ambitious people to lead their fragile and conflict-affected societies into prosperity. SPARK is a dynamic and growing, international not-for-profit development organisation with 150+ staff members, in more than 14 offices around the world. SPARK supports refugees in the Middle-East by providing them with scholarships in universities and higher education institutions in the region. SPARK also supports young entrepreneurs in fragile states, to start or grow their own businesses.

How to apply

How to apply?

The deadline for submission and closing of queries is February 12th ,2024.

The deadline for submission of applications is February 15th ,2024.

All applications should include the following:

• Cover letter (maximum 1 page), confirming the candidate(s) availability during the duration of this project
• CVs of the team members,
• Three references with contact details
• Please provide a minimum of three letters of recommendation from past clients in the similar area
• Financial proposal in USD, which should include VAT and all relevant taxes
• Technical proposal, which should clarify explicitly the following:
• Candidate(s) understanding of the evaluation’s ToR
• Preliminary methodology / work plan
• The company registration certificate or business licence
• Tax clearance letter

Interested agencies or firms should submit their applications to: [email protected]

Further information may be requested, and questions may also be discussed with SPARK’s through Yousif, Spark’s Admin/Procurement Officer through email [email protected]

Please note that incomplete applications will not be considered.