PRODUCTION OF E-LEARNING/ DIGITAL COURSE CONTENT FOR THE GROWTH ACCELERATOR – FOR SOLIDARIDAD EAST AND CENTRAL AFRICA IN NAIROBI KENYA.

1. INTRODUCTION

Solidaridad Network is an international solution-oriented civil society organization working through eight regional expertise centres to transform markets to make them more sustainable and inclusive. Solidaridad Eastern and Central Africa, one of the regional centres, is headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya. We bring together supply chain players and engage them with innovative solutions to improve production, ensuring the transition to a sustainable and inclusive economy that maximizes the benefit for all. We facilitate the strengthening of local capacity in developing countries, support the creation of enabling environments for economies to thrive, and improve market access.

The GROWTH! programme, previously known as the ‘Gender-Specific SME Support Mechanism (GOWN)’ aims to accelerate micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) with high growth potential through education, mentorship, and financing. GROWTH! believes that learning by doing triggers business growth. MSMEs with the potential to attain visible and meaningful impact will be supported to scale and prepare them to be investment-ready. The programme shortens years’ worth of learning into learning modules with tangible results within a period of six (6) months.

The project’s three key output areas of the programme are:

Output 1: MSMEs trained in technical and business management skills

Output 2: Increase adaptation of digital solutions that allow for inclusive agri-based MSMEs in Kenya

Output 3: Build the capacity of businesses for investment-readiness.

OBJECTIVES

The main aim of the project is to to build capacities and improve financial access for sustainable and scalable inclusive agri-based MSMEs in Kenya.

The benefits of the programme include:

1. Peer-to-peer mentoring and external mentoring from multi-disciplinary coaches in the business.
2. Access to digitized business skills development training modules.
3. Business plan development support for MSMEs.
4. Linkage with financial providers (including, impact investors).

Growth approach

Growth offers a hybrid blend of digital learning and physical mentorship support to high potential SMEs in Kenya using a tailored training curriculum. The programme is designed in a way to promote “learning by doing” and tailored business planning. The following are the four training modules;

i. Customer Service

Customer service is the assistance that employees of a company provide to customers. It is offered before, during and after a purchase hence it is the lifeline of the business.

ii. Financial Management

Financial management includes bookkeeping, making accurate projections, creating financial statements and accessing business financing. The heart of financial management is cash, which is the company’s most precious non-human asset.

iii. Business Growth

This module will prepare entrepreneurs to achieve profitable growth and build a more valuable business. It will encompass modules on leadership and fundraising.

iv. Information Technology

Information Technology can equip MSMEs with plentiful tools, which can solve challenges and help to plan the future growth of the company. The entrepreneurs will be taken through disruptive technological interventions that changed business models.

1. PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

The main purpose of this assignment is to produce four (4) high-quality training modules for the accelerator. The training modules include video clips, course outline and course written materials for training the entrepreneurs.

These modules are to be arranged as per the course curation template in Annex 8.1. We intend that the Service Provider develops these courses, consultatively with Solidaridad, to cater for all learners (visual, auditory, kinesthetic, logical and reading/writing). The materials are to be adult friendly that would make the learners engaged, connected, self-reflecting with ample tests to try out new knowledge.

1. DELIVERABLES
2. The output will principally be in the form of a training course. It is expected that the materials will be of a high quality in presentation and content and will be suitable for use by the entrepreneurs, with mixed literacy levels, other than the service provider. The comprehensive accelerator digital training carries four modules;

i. Customer Service

ii. Financial Management

iii. Business Growth

iv. Information Technology

1. It is expected that the course developed will meet Solidariad’s training ethics such that the materials will allow participatory learning and suitable for a varied group of adult learners. As such, it expected that the course will:
2. Be based on principles of adult and participatory learning
3. Include sufficient opportunities for participants to engage with the materials and concepts being presented such that all sessions will involve a significant proportion of the time with participants engaged in activity
4. Include power point presentations if necessary but that these should be limited in time and length so that the balance of a session is more in favour of activity rather than presentation
5. Reflect respect for individual’s beliefs and culture and will lead to an inclusive and supportive learning environment
6. Provide room for interaction with the trainers

All photography and videos should adhere to the Solidaridad photography guidelines and brand manual that will be provided to the Service Provider.

1. CONSULTANCY PERIOD

This assignment will be conducted within a timeframe of approximately 4 months between October 2022 and February 2023 (detailed timeline to be established with the Service Provider and the project team).

1. REQUIREMENT AND SELECTION CRITERIA OF THE SERVICE PROVIDER
2. The Service Provider firm’s team must be comprised of qualified experts, with a demonstrated track record in developing high quality online learning;
3. Outstanding; top-notch videography skills matched with photography expertise;
4. Outstanding video, audio, and photo editing skills;
5. It is expected that the team have experience developing online learning and have knowledge of delivering online learning in developing countries;
6. The Service Proavider should have a strong project management ability and excellent communication skills;
7. Strong familiarity with the adult training methodologies;
8. Knowledge and experience using media for engagement of online audiences;
9. Experience working with external clients and managing partnerships;
10. Excellent computer skills: MS Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Publisher etc;
11. Strong attention to detail in all tasks, creativity and result-orientation;
12. Excellent organizational skills: the ability to manage, track and follow-up on various efforts and projects;
13. Excellent written and verbal communications skills, interpersonal skills and cultural sensitivity;
14. Flexible work attitude: the ability to work under pressure within short timelines without compromising quality.

The technical proposal should include the following:

• Organization Profile (max 1 page) explaining why they are the most suitable for the work;
• Relevant Experience (max 1 page);
• Detailed methodology framework with expected deliverables, timelines, man-days, and financial resources required (3-5 pages);
• Recent CV’s for the team;
• Company Registration and PIN certificates;
• Tax compliance;
• 3 referees form different organizations for which the service provider executed a similar assignment.

The financial proposal should include the following:

• Fixed professional fee for the assignment including preparation, fieldwork (photography & videography), data analysis, writing process, final editing and reviews;
• Government taxes (withholding tax of 5%);
• Permits;
• Proposed terms of payment
• Fee be all inclusive of incidentals and other related costs;

P.S. The service provider is responsible for his/her own equipment (e.g. cameras, laptops), including the proper insurance of such items and software.

1. COPYRIGHT CREDITS

In consideration of the fees paid, the Service Provider expressly assigns to Solidaridad any copyright arising from the works produced while executing this contract. Solidaridad herewith has non-exclusive world rights to selected images in all media (so including non-Solidaridad media) in perpetuity. Solidaridad will not use the images for other purposes than promoting Solidaridad (in the widest sense of the word).

In printed materials with a colophon, Solidaridad will credit the photographers. In external media, photographers can be credited with a combination of the name of Solidaridad with the name of the photographer, so: © Solidaridad/John Doe.

In digital media, posters, and banners photographers are usually not credited.

All images (whether used for online or print purposes) must include the videographer’s name in the metadata. The videographer may not use, reproduce or otherwise disseminate or authorize others to use, reproduce or disseminate such works without prior consent from Solidaridad.