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:-
- Develop an inception report detailing the review process and outcomes.
- Conduct a thorough capacity needs assessment to determine the key focus and topics of the gender equality MOOC
- 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:
5. 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.
6. 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
7. Deliverables and Schedule
The major deliverables and the proposed schedule are presented below:
1 Inception Report with clear methodology including data collection, analysis tools and detailed work plan; June 20, 2025; Involves review, presentation to several key stakeholders and approval process
2 Comprehensive capacity needs assessment report.; July 05, 2025; Involves review and input from key stakeholders
3 Detailed course outline and project timeline.; July 12, 2025; Involves review and input from key stakeholders and approval
4 Scripts and storyboards for all course modules. July 31, 2025; Involves review and input from key stakeholders
5 Multimedia content (videos, animations, graphics); August 20, 2025; Involves review and input from key stakeholders
6 Fully integrated and functional MOOC on the selected e-learning platform; September 15, 2025; Involves review and input from key stakeholders
7 Pilot testing report with feedback analysis.; September 30, 2025, Involves review and input from key stakeholders
8 Final reviewed and quality-assured courses; October 05, 2025; Involves review and input from key stakeholders and approval
9 MOOC launch and promotion plan; October 30, 2025; Involves final approval from key decision makers
8. 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.
Deadline for submission
- The proposal must be received no later than June 6, 2025, CoB CET. Proposals received after the deadline will not be considered.
9. Financial Proposal Evaluation
Only once the bidders (have attained a score of at least 70 on the technical proposal in accordance with the requirements in the Terms of Reference, will their financial proposals be evaluated.
The final evaluation process is based on a 70:30 weighting, with 30 points being allocated to the financial component. The total number of points allocated for the price component is [30]. The maximum points will be assigned to the lowest-priced proposal that is opened and compared among those invited universities/consultants that obtain the threshold of points in the evaluation of the technical proposal. All other price proposals will receive points in inverse proportion to the lowest price.
10. The TOR link
Here is the TOR link for details. MOOC Course ToR-Gender Equality 010525-signed (002).pdf
How to apply
Your proposals subject line should be marked as “GENDER EQUALITY MOOC COURSE DEVELOPMENT’’ SOS Children’s Villages East and Southern Africa (ESAF) and Applicants MUST copy all these email addresses in their application. [email protected], and [email protected]
Application Deadline
All applications must be submitted by June 6, 2025, 6:00 pm East African Time.
“SOS Children´s Villages has zero-tolerance neither on sexual exploitation, harassment, and abuse nor fraud and corruption, amongst other safeguarding aspects. We also provide equal employment opportunities to all employees & qualified applicants without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital status, or class. SOS Children´s Villages complies with all applicable laws governing non-discrimination in employment.”
This position involves working with an INGO committed to children and human rights and is subject to strict safer recruitment checks. The successful company will be required to complete safer recruitment checks including police and reference checks to help verify their suitability to work for SOS CV. In addition to candidates’ ability to perform the duties of the post, in the selection process the motivation and approach of the candidate to safeguarding will also be explored.
