Expression of Interest (EOI) Consultancy services for the training of 200 O’level science teachers as master trainers for the Virtual Laboratory Platform
Reference Number: 83422207
Background
The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH is a federally owned international cooperation enterprise for sustainable development with worldwide operations. GIZ has worked in Rwanda for over 30 years. The primary objectives between the Government of Rwanda and the Great Lakes Region and the Federal Republic of Germany are poverty reduction and promotion of sustainable development. To achieve these objectives, GIZ Rwanda is active in the sectors of Decentralization and Good Governance, Economic Development and Employment Promotion, Energy and ICT (Information and Communications Technology), Natural Resources, Peace and Security and Sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV).

Introduction
The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH is a federally owned international cooperation enterprise for sustainable development with worldwide operations. GIZ has worked in Rwanda for over 30 years. The primary objectives between the Government of Rwanda and the Federal Republic of Germany are poverty reduction and promotion of sustainable development. To achieve these objectives, GIZ Rwanda is active in the sectors of Decentralization and Good Governance, Economic Development and Employment Promotion, Energy, and ICT (Information and Communications Technology). The GIZ project "Digital Solutions for Sustainable Development" (DSSD) has a mandate to advise Rwandan institutions on the implementation of the Smart Rwanda Master Plan (2016-2020) and its priority projects. The project also aims to promote the development of digital solutions in collaboration with sector ministries, local and international private companies, research institutions and civil society.

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The Digital Solutions for Sustainable Development project entered a new phase in 2021. In addition to digital solutions that are being developed together with the Rwandan partner authorities, more vulnerable groups such as the rural population, women and people with disabilities are to be involved in the digital transformation in line with the approach Leave no one behind. One of the project objectives is designed to develop initiatives to promote digital participation in collaboration between public and private stakeholders. The assumption here is those digital skills, combined with target-group-specific digital services, will enable a large proportion of the population to be part of the digital transformation and use these services. To reach the target groups effectively, use leveraging effects and develop user-centric services, stronger cooperation between public and private actors is being promoted. This will contribute to develop and offer services in a systematic and coordinated manner.
One of the key beneficiaries of the digitization efforts from the Digital Solutions for Sustainable Development project (DSSD) is The Rwanda Basic Education Board (REB). REB is now in the close working relationship with DSSD on several digitization efforts and one of them is in this regard.

Context
Rwanda Basic Education Board (REB) has adopted the development of a virtual laboratory platform in partnership with GIZ. Virtual laboratory of Chemistry, Biology and Physics for O’level senior Two have been developed by GIZ and it has 104 experiments covering eight (8) units for Chemistry, nine (9) units for Biology and Ten (10) units for Physics as provided by REB in the competence-based curriculum (CBC).
The Virtual Laboratory platform aims to enhance the quality of learning and educational achievements and it is a great way for educators to teach STEM subjects in a safe, online environment. Through the virtual science labs, learners will interact with elements, machines, and interfaces thus increasing their access to ICT resources and developing 21st Century skills.
It is in this context that GIZ is looking for a consulting firm to provide the training of 200 O’level science teachers as master trainers for the Virtual Laboratory Platform.
The training plan of the virtual laboratory system to teachers intends to have the following objectives:
1. To introduce the concept of using virtual laboratories as a teaching tool to teachers across Rwanda.
2. To train teachers on how to use the virtual laboratory platform (installation, running & Teaching)
3. To train teachers that will assist in rolling out the virtual laboratory platform across Rwanda.
4. To test the platform interface and experiment interaction along with the teaching journey to improve the pedagogy aspect of the virtual laboratories for teachers.
Tasks to be performed by the contractor
The overall objective for the consultancy is to train at least 200 teachers as master trainers on the usage of the virtual laboratory platform for O’level senior two (2) STEM classes (biology, Chemistry and Physics) across all districts of Rwanda and to equip them with the skillset needed to train other science teachers on the usage of the virtual laboratory platform.
Specific outputs for this training are:
• Output 1: Develop course content for the ‘train the trainer’ programme to increase teachers' capacity to train both teachers and students on the usage of the virtual laboratory platform.
• Output 2: Train atleast 200 master trainers (O’level STEM teachers) that will assist in rolling out the virtual laboratory platform across Rwanda.
The contractor is responsible for providing the following services:
3.1. Develop a ‘Train the Trainer’ programme and manual
The contractor will design and develop course content for a ‘train-the-trainer’ program for atleast 200 teachers who in turn will assist in rolling out the virtual laboratory platform across Rwanda. This will be done over a course of up to 3 days outside of Kigali. The designed/developed content will be reviewed by Rwanda basic education board before being adopted.
The contractor will also be responsible for training the teachers on the usage of the Virtual laboratory platform based on the content developed. The contractor will also be responsible for preparing training materials, including developing a methodological note that outlines the overall training process.
3.2. Provide training to the 200 teachers on the virtual laboratory platform.

The contractor will also be responsible for training the teachers on the usage of the Virtual laboratory platform based on the content developed. The contractor will also be responsible for preparing training materials, including developing a methodological note that outlines the overall training process.
The list of teachers will be provided by the Rwanda basic education board (REB)
The virtual laboratory training will mainly focus on the following areas:
• Installation and running of the virtual laboratory platform (online and offline).
• Accessing the various Virtual Laboratory features.
• Carrying out the various 114 experiments in Chemistry, Physics & Biology
This will be achieved through collaborating closely with Rwanda basic education board (REB) and its key stakeholders. The Rwanda basic education board and its key stakeholders will determine appropriate training sites and locations and ensure the training infrastructure such as devices (including laptop, computers), internet access, among others are made available. as well as the selection of the 200 teachers.

3.3. Reporting and sustainability concept
An important aspect is the monitoring and evaluation of results to ensure that the targeted 200 teachers are reached, and the training goal achieved. This is an important and key responsibility of the consultant, and as so should find a mechanism to track the results and update the Rwanda basic education board (REB) and its key partner GIZ.
The contractor is responsible for preparing the following reports:
1. Inception report: The report includes the detailed approach, methodology and tools to be used, the proposed work plan and the implementation timeline.
2. ‘Train-the-Trainer’ manual that includes the training content that will be offered to the teachers
3. Final report: The final Report will contain all the details, incorporated feedback from the teachers and recommendations how to retain the learnings gained as well as a roadmap to train more 6000 teachers in all districts.
4. Duration of the Assignment

Certain milestones, as laid out in the table below must be achieved by certain dates during the contract term:
Milestone Deadline/place/person responsible
Kick-off meeting of the project T0 / Rwanda / Team leader
Detailed Inception Report including implementation plan, methodology, etc. T0 + 1 week / Rwanda / Team leader
Training of trainers (200 master trainers are trained and onboarded as facilitators of the roll-out process) T0 + 3 weeks / Rwanda / Team leader
A comprehensive assessment and evaluation of the project is drafted (including a sustainability concept and recommendations for a future phase of this training for all other teachers in Rwanda in form of a final report T0+ 4 weeks / Rwanda / Team Leader
Period of assignment: The work should be concluded within 4 weeks from start of the contract projected to be November to December 2022

5. Expected Deliverables
The following deliverables should be submitted to the GIZ:
1. Inception report including the methodology adopted by the contractor and the proposed work plan for the execution of the assignment with the dates of the deliverables
2. ‘Train-the-Trainer’ manual that includes the training content that will be offered to the teachers
3. Final report, summarizing the progress of the teachers trained, challenges, lessons learned and recommendations as well as the findings during the training.
The contractor shall submit each report and all working documents in editable files (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) in English.

6. Concept
In the bid, the bidder is required to show how the objectives defined in Chapter 3 are to be achieved, if applicable under consideration of further specific method-related requirements (technical-methodological concept). In addition, the bidder must describe the project management system for service provision.
Technical-methodological concept
Strategy: The bidder is required to consider the tasks to be performed with reference to the objectives of the services put out to tender (see Chapter 3). Following this, the bidder presents and justifies the strategy with which it intends to provide the services for which it is responsible (see Chapter 3).
The bidder is required to describe the key processes for the services for which it is responsible and create a schedule that describes how the services according to Chapter 3 are to be provided. In particular, the bidder is required to describe the necessary work steps and, if applicable, take account of the milestones and contributions of other actors in accordance with Chapter 3.

7. Personnel concept
The bidder is required to provide personnel who are suited to filling the positions described, based on their CVs, the range of tasks involved and the required qualifications.
The below specified qualifications represent the requirements to reach the maximum number of points. GIZ promotes gender equality and the inclusion of people with disabilities. At least 50% of the provided personnel must be female, the assignment of personnel with disabilities is highly encouraged.
Team leader
Tasks of the team leader
- Overall responsibility for the advisory packages of the contractor (implementation, quality, and deadlines)
- Coordinating and ensuring communication with REB and GIZ, and others involved in the project
- Regular reporting in accordance with deadlines, including the responsibility for monitoring and evaluation
- Organise and conduct the training and onboarding of the 200 trainers
- Provide technical support and advice for the trainers to roll-out the training

Qualifications of the team leader
- Education/training (2.1.1): University qualification (Master) in education, ICT or other related field with experience in teaching and curricula design
- Language (2.1.2): excellent business language skills in English
- General professional experience (2.1.3): 15 years of professional experience in the education or ICT sector
- Specific professional experience (2.1.4): 10 years of experience in digital learning, with 3 evidence of curriculum design and training delivery.
- Leadership/management experience (2.1.5): 6 years of management/leadership experience as project team leader or manager in a company
- Regional experience (2.1.6): 2 years of experience in projects in Sub-Saharan Africa (region)
- Development Cooperation (DC) experience (2.1.7): 1 year of experience in DC projects
Short term Experts
Tasks of Expert Pool
- Train 200 teachers on use of the virtual laboratory platform (VLAB), offered in a face-to-face setting.
- Draft reports showing but not limited to training progress, challenges, lessons learned and recommendations and other tasks

Qualifications of Expert Pool (Up to 5 trainers)
- MSc or BSc in education, or any other related program.
- Completion of similar projects of building an automated and digitalized education system.
- Experience of designing and implementing Learning management systems.
- Communication skills.
- Must have experience teaching (Chemistry, Biology and/or Physics) in secondary schools in Rwanda.
Soft skills of team members
In addition to their specialist qualifications, the following qualifications are required of team members:
- Team skills
- Initiative
- Communication skills
- Sociocultural competence
- Efficient, partner- and client-focused working methods
- Interdisciplinary thinking

8. Costing requirements
Assignment of personnel
Team leader and expert pool: 30 expert days, of which all are in Rwanda

Travel
The bidder is required to calculate the travel by the specified experts and the experts it has proposed based on the places of performance stipulated in Chapter 3 and list the expenses separately by daily allowance, accommodation expenses, flight costs and other travel expenses.
9. Requirements on the format of the bid
The structure of the bid must correspond to the structure of the ToRs It must be legible (font size 11 or larger) and clearly formulated. The bid is drawn up in English.
The complete bid shall not exceed 10 pages (excluding CVs).
The CVs of the personnel proposed in accordance with Chapter 7 of the ToRs must be submitted using the format specified in the terms and conditions for application. The CVs shall not exceed 4 pages. The CVs must clearly show the position and job the proposed person held in the reference project and for how long.
If one of the maximum page lengths is exceeded, the content appearing after the cut-off point will not be included in the assessment.
Please calculate your price bid based exactly on the afore mentioned costing requirements. In the contract the contractor has no claim to fully exhaust the days/travel/workshops/ budgets. The number of days/travel/workshops and the budget amount shall be agreed in the contract as ‘up to’ amounts.
10. Intellectual Property
The bidder shall grant to GIZ an irrevocable, non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free, and transferable right of use to the reports and studies and other documents prepared in accordance with this contract, which GIZ may use for non-commercial purposes, including processing and translation and for use in electronic media, without limitation as to time and content. Upon request of GIZ, the bidder shall immediately hand over a copy of the materials to GIZ. GIZ shall be entitled to grant simple sub-use rights to third parties.
11. Submission of offer
The Expression of Interest should contain the following:
1) Technical Proposal:
o A cover letter expressing your interest in this assignment
o Technical proposal with a brief description of why you would be considered as the most suitable for the assignment, relevant expertise, and a detailed, clear methodology, on how will be your approach to complete the assignment
o CVs of the expert proposed
o Company registration certificate (RDB)
o VAT registration certificate
o Latest tax clearance certificate
o Proof of successful completion of related assignments.

2) Financial Proposal: indicates the all-inclusive total contract price, supported by a breakdown of all costs. The costs must be in RWF and VAT excluded.

Please submit electronically your EoI (technical & Financial offer) in 2 separated emails and should be in PDF files to this email ONLY: RW_Quotation@giz.de until latest 27th October 2022
Please you must write on each email subject this sentence: 83422207-Technical/financial offer, without this sentence, your offer may not be considered

Hard copies are not allowed this time

GIZ reserves all rights
0. List of abbreviations

AVB General Terms and Conditions of Contract (AVB) for supplying services and work 2020
BMZ German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development
GIZ Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit
DSSD Digital Solutions for Sustainable Development
DTC Digital Transformation Center
REB Rwanda Education Board
SDG Sustainable Development Goals
TOR Terms of Reference
TtT Training the Trainer