Deadline for application to announced position has been extended to August 22, 2013.
Consultant Description
International Research & Exchanges Board (IREX)
Position Title: | Librarian Curriculum Specialist |
Program: | Novateca Program |
Reports To: | Program Director |
Position Location: | Chisinau, Moldova |
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SUMMARY
The purpose of this request for proposals is to identify a consultant to develop a new training curriculum on new modern library concepts for Moldovan public librarians.
The consultant will be tasked to research, conduct focus groups and interviews, and develop a high-quality training curriculum and TOT for public librarians in Moldova. The training curricula will be used as an introductory library course for the library development program, Novateca. The consultant will develop the training with the guidance of Novateca, input from Moldovan librarians and support from other local experts. The consultant will create an effective, culturally appropriate training focusing on concepts of a modern library, which includes that libraries:
· help users access information and promote new engagement with knowledge and information
· are community centers reflecting the needs and diversity of the communities they serve
· help shape the lives of the community members they serve
The consultant must conduct focus groups with experts in Moldova and at IREX to further define the scope and content of the training. The training packet will be complete with ToT and all materials (listed below). The consultant will pilot the training in Chisinau with librarians and Novateca participants, then adapt the training based on feedback.
A total of amount available for the consultant's fees and expenses is dependent upon proposed activities.
The project will be managed by the Program Director from within the Novateca program at IREX/Moldova.
The training should be written in English, but will ultimately be delivered in both Romanian and Russian.
BACKGROUND
About IREX
IREX is an international nonprofit organization providing leadership and innovative programs to improve the quality of education, strengthen independent media, and foster pluralistic civil society development.
Founded in 1968, IREX has an annual portfolio of $60 million and a staff of 500 professionals worldwide. IREX and its partner IREX Europe deliver cross-cutting programs and consulting expertise in more than 100 countries.
Summary of the Novateca Program
The Novateca program is administered by IREX in the Republic of Moldova. The program is a designed to gain an in-depth understanding of the strengths and opportunities for providing wide scale public access to the internet through the existing public library network. This will occur through networking with a wide range of stakeholders, providing training to librarians, and piloting public access to the internet in a number of libraries.
Novateca selected 68 libraries participate in the pilot network in 2013. The program engaged more than 200 librarians in trainings over the course of the year. More information on the Novateca pilot program can be found at www.novateca.md.
ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION
The training on modern library services will eventually be part of a series of three trainings for Moldovan librarians. Two trainings currently offered by Novateca are: "IT and Computer Management" and "New Library Services." The requested training course will serve as a precursor to these trainings, to better familiarize librarians with modern library concepts before they step into more technical trainings. Novateca is requesting a proposal for the development of (up to) a 3-day training covering key modern library concepts, identified by the consultant and with support of Novateca and other Moldovan partners.
Audience: Librarians in Moldova
General Theme: The workshop should focus on the concept of a modern library, including the following overall themes on modern libraries and how they:
· help users access information and promote new engagement with knowledge and information.
· are community centers reflecting the needs and diversity of the communities they serve.
· help shape the lives of the community members they serve.
The training will be focus on the philosophy of a "modern library", but this concept needs to be constructed with input from Novateca and key library leaders in Moldova. The training should bring in globally recognized concepts, while at the same time be applicable to the Moldovan environment.
This consultancy requires travel to Moldova, both to Chisinau and also to visit and meet representatives from the library outside the capital.
SCOPE AND TIMING OF WORK
1) Scope of Services and Deliverables
Overall:
1. Conduct interviews and focus groups on appropriate topics, methods, and training practices for a modern library training for Moldovan public libraries
2. Work with Novateca to define key areas and concepts for the training; on the first trip to Moldova
3. Develop an up to 3-day training curriculum on modern library concepts for Moldovan public librarians, including ToT (components listed below); can be done remotely
4. Pilot the training for Novateca and librarians and make necessary adaptations to the training, on a second trip to Moldova
5. Submit a final training packet that can be easily used for the Novateca program; can be done remotely
The selected company will:
· Consult with IREX on training needs, themes, concepts, and purpose so that the training can most appropriately fit within the context of the program
· Conduct interviews and focus groups with Moldovan librarians and research on appropriate topics, adult-learning methods, and training practices for a modern library training for Moldovan public libraries
· Compile information and make a framework for the training to be submitted for review to Novateca prior to development of the full training and TOT
· Develop the training, including:
- Training manual
- Session plans
- A sample 3-day agenda
- pre- and post-evaluations
- relevant support materials/handouts/PPTs
· Develop ToT so that Moldovan librarians can easily train their counterparts, including:
- Training methods and procedures (methods of instruction must be based on interactive techniques)
- ToT materials
- relevant support materials/handouts/PPTs
- ToT evaluation forms
· Pilot the training for Moldovan librarians and IREX
· Adapt the training based on the evaluations and feedback from the pilot delivery of the training
· Submit a final training and TOT materials to IREX within 3 weeks after pilot delivery
Novateca/IREX will:
· Offer feedback and support on the development of training areas and content, agenda, training methods, materials, etc.
· Organize meetings and focus groups with appropriate Moldovan library leaders
· Provide the meeting/training location and facilities
· Review and offer suggestion on the content of the training, ToT, and overall process
· Provide a Novateca staff member to support the consultancy and training development process
2) Key deliverables and timeframe – The time/days allotted below does not indicated exactly the timeline or deadline for submission of deliverable. (They days allotted to not imply consecutive days.)
Research/meetings with Novateca prior to visit– 2 days
In-Moldova Interviews/focus groups and Research – 5 days
Training development – 10 days (not required to be consecutive days)
Training pilot delivery – 5 days (3 days delivery + two days prep)
Adaptation of the training – 3 days
Final submission of training within 3 weeks of the pilot training
*Novateca would like the consultancy to start as early as September 1, 2013.
3) Proposal Content
Proposals should provide the following information:
1. Description of the individual or company proposing the training development and delivery: Provide a brief description of the company's business, client base, and specific knowledge the firm has, and any specific project experience related to libraries or librarian training development.
2. Examples of Developed Curricula: Provide a list of trainings developed for other organizations, and any specific trainings developed for library-related projects.
3. Description of the Proposed Training Development Plan: Provide a description of the overall approach and process to be used in carrying out in the training preparation and development. Provide a proposed outline and agenda for the process that includes:
a. a description of the preparation process, including research, focus group meetings, interviews, etc.
b. suggested framework and themes for the training based on appropriate global library concepts and the company's philosophy on new modern library services
c. sample materials and training techniques illustrating the use of exercises and discussions during the trainings.
4. Project Expert: The proposal must describe the person who will work on training development and must include a resume. Include information on:
a. Familiarity with the topic: Include information about the expert's relevant experience and background applicable to libraries and librarian training.
b. Training planning and development: Describe any relevant experience in planning and developing trainings for relevant-scale projects. Plus describe experience conducting interviews and focus groups.
c. Training facilitation and training evaluation: Describe experience in training delivery and evaluation.
- Budget: The consultant must provide a complete and accurate itemized budget for the proposed workshop that includes the following:
a. Total cost of consultant time, with a breakdown of the time to be dedicated to the project by each person as well as the time for each set of tasks and the cost of that time.
b. Any other costs to be incurred by the consultant in carrying out the project.
*The budget should show the total cost in each category of expenditure and the total proposed expenditures.
**Expenses for the in-country meetings (space, meals) and the training pilot will be covered directly by Novateca.
***Cost of travel to Moldova will be covered directly by IREX.
6. References: Provide documentation of past performance. Such documentation is to include a list of projects with similar requirements (curriculum development, preparation of written materials, knowledge of issues in library development, adult-learning training approaches and meeting/focus group facilitation). For each reference, provide a contact person, address, telephone number, and a brief description of the project. A minimum of two (2) references must be provided.
4) Proposal Format: The proposal must follow these format guidelines.
· Proposal text should not exceed 10 pages in length (single-spaced, 12 pt. font).
· Supporting materials (collateral materials, resumes) are not included in this page limit but should be summarized in the proposal text. All personnel and subcontractors proposed for the completion of the scope of work must be named within the proposal text.
· The total bid must be on a lump sum basis, including the bidder's cost for services, materials, postage, etc.
PROPOSAL SUBMISSION AND EVALUATION
Proposal Submission
1. Proposals to undertake this work should be submitted electronically to Gina Grotelueschen at ggrote@irex.org by 5:00 PM, August 22, 2013
2. Questions must be submitted in writing to the contact person, Gina Grotelueschen at ggrote@irex.org no later than 5 p.m., July 26, 2013. All questions will be answered via email and posted on the Novateca website at www.novateca.md.
3. IREX reserves the right to cancel this solicitation without cause prior to award.
Proposal Evaluation Criteria
Proposals received prior to the submission deadline will be rated according to best value on the basis of:
- Proposal content
- Creativity and appropriateness of proposed training preparation, development methods, and process
- Qualifications and expertise of company in areas of library development and librarian training
- Quality, relevant experience, and availability of appropriate personnel in the needed timeframe
- Appropriateness of the budget for this project's purpose and scope