TERMS OF REFERENCE
DEVELOPMENT OF A PRESCHOOL ACTIVITY BOOK
FOR THE VIRGIN ISLANDS
The Virgin Islands Government, through the Department of Disaster Management (DDM), developed a Comprehensive Disaster Management (CDM) Policy, Strategy and Programming Framework for the period 2009-2013. The purpose of the Policy is to establish the necessary systems, structures, programmes, resources, capabilities and guiding principles for reducing disaster risk and preparing for, responding to and recovering from emergencies and disasters caused by natural and man-made hazards. This is done in order to minimize human suffering, reduce economic losses and protect the integrity of the marine and terrestrial environment.
The strategy included 5 outcomes one of which is ¡°A population aware and educated about preparedness for and the impacts of hazards or disasters.¡± This outcome is expected to be achieved through an output which focuses on integrating comprehensive disaster management into school curriculum.
The Department for International Development (DFID) is supporting the DDM and the Department of Education in achieving the outcomes and outputs in the Strategy. Financial support has been provided by DFID for the development and printing of an Activity Book for Preschoolers ages 2-5. The introduction of an activity book into the pre-primary curriculum is expected to increase the range of activities available for enhancing knowledge and understanding of disaster preparedness in this age group.
All Pre-primary schools registered with the Department of Education will receive copies of the activity book packed with information geared towards fostering awareness and knowledge of disaster preparedness.
The activity book will contain basic information about all types of hazards aimed at promoting early childhood awareness for those hazards affecting the Territory. It will include teaching guides that will assist teachers and parents in educating their preschoolers about these hazards.
2. OBJECTIVES OF CONSULTANCY
The objectives of this consultancy are to:
¡¤ Create awareness among preschoolers of hazards that can affect the Territory through fun, creative and interactive activities;
¡¤ Increase the level of awareness and knowledge of disaster preparedness among pre-schoolers; and
3. SCOPE OF WORK
This project will require the engagement of a consultant in the area of early childhood development and an artist to develop the content for the activity book. The use of digital methods for conversion of the artwork, layout and production of the book are expected.
The Educational Consultant will be required to:
a) Develop content for the activity book;
b) Provide appropriate illustrations for the activities to be included in the activity book;
c) Facilitate digital conversion of artwork;
d) Provide graphical layout of the activity book;
e) Facilitate a local consultation with an approved focus group to test and evaluate the content of the activity book
f) Finalise the Activity Book for Preschoolers and prepare for hand over to DDM and the Department of Education
More specifically, the Consultant will:
3.1 Prepare a Work Implementation Plan that demonstrates a clear understanding of the assignment, detailing:
i. The Proposed Work Schedule with timelines and methodology;
ii. Proposed Budget; and
iii. List of material or resources required for the Consultancy.
3.2 Review and research relevant literature to support the development of suitable content for the activity book
3.3 Prepare activities for inclusion in the activity book with guidance notes for teachers and parents.
3.4 Provide illustration using local images to enhance activities.
3.5 Enhance and finalise the Preschoolers Activity Book through a process that includes:
i. Consultation with the DDM, the Department of Education and a select group of Pre-School Administrators to obtain approval for the content of the Activity books including artwork and activities;
ii. The development of guidance notes for teachers and parents to go along with the activities to be included in the activity book;
iii. Selection of a focus group (containing pre-school children age 2-5) to allow for identification of the needs of the group;
iv. Testing of the content of the draft activity book though the use of the Focus group
v. Presentation of the Final Activity Book;
4.1 Work Implementation Plan
4.2 Content for Activity Book which includes activities and illustrations;
4.3 Focus Group exercise which will include pre and post exercise questionnaires and a report on the exercise;
4.4 Final Activity Book;
5. INPUTS OF THE DDM AND THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
The DDM will provide:
i. Relevant literature or documentation that the Consultant may require;
ii. Technical comments and feedback on the outputs of the Consultancy;
iii. Logistical support for convening meetings;
iv. General oversight in the roll out of the consultancy
6. CONSULTANT PROFILE
The Consultant should have the following skills:
Qualifications and Experience:
1. A minimum of seven (7) years experience in Early Childhood Education or relevant field;
2. A minimum of five (5) years experience in the field of art or illustration.
Knowledge and Skills:
1. Demonstrated knowledge and skills in the facilitation of focus groups;
2. Demonstrated analytical and research skills in the field of early childhood development and learning;
3. Demonstrated knowledge of the Virgin Islands Educational System;
4. Creative and excellent command of illustration skills;
5. Ability to manage assignments effectively ¨C consistently ensuring timeliness and quality of work with minimum supervision;
6. Strong communication, documentation and presentation skills.
The Technical Proposal should indicate at minimum:
1. Proposed approach to be taken for the roll out of the consultancy;
2. Evidence of stakeholder participation in the development of the proposed documents;
3. Timelines and methodology;
4. Curriculum Vitae of consultant and for each member of the team (if a team approach is utilised).
Note: The financial proposal should have a detailed budget breakdown with man days for each team member identified.
7. INDICATIVE TIMEFRAME AND MAN DAYS
Development of Preschool Activity Book
Development of Content
Production of Artwork
Note: All other expenses are to be included in the financial report.
The consultancy is estimated to be no more than 15 working days in total and the successful candidate should be an individual who is able to assume duties by May 15th, 2011.
US$5,600 is available for the conduct of this consultancy.
Interested persons should submit a proposal based on the Terms of Reference outlined above complete with:
i. Full Curriculum Vitae (with two professional references);
ii. Proposed work schedule and description of approach/methodology for performing the assignment.
Note: Preference will be given to candidates based in the Virgin Islands.
Proposals should not exceed 15 one©sided pages in length (exclusive of CV and references) and must be provided no later than 23:59 on April 29, 2011. Further information may be obtained from Mr. Linton Leonard (email@example.com) at the Department of Disaster Management. Please send proposals to the address below:
Ms. Sharleen DaBreo, Director
Department of Disaster Management
#3 Wailing Road, MacNamara, Road Town
Tortola, British Virgin Islands
Fax: (284) 494-2024
Or via email to: