Terms of Reference: Veterinary/Livestock Expert for Supporting Digital VAHW Curriculum

Terms of Reference: Veterinary/Livestock Expert for Supporting Digital VAHW Curriculum Development

Background:

Heifer International Nepal (HPIN) is implementing a four-year project entitled“Designing and evaluating innovations for development of smallholder female livestock cooperatives in Nepal”. The project is being funded using a grant awarded by USAID to HPIN and its implementing partners (University of Florida, Montana State University, University of Georgia from USA; Nepal Agricultural Research Council and Interdisciplinary Analysts from Nepal). The project is being implemented in 22 different districts of Nepal and has three broad objectives:

Increase feed and forage production through preservation, improved varieties and access to other forage resources for improved livestock productivity
Increase access to markets of meat goats for smallholders in order to improve household income, nutrition and food security
Increase the percentage of female CAHWs for improved livestock productivity and the reduction of animal diseases

HPIN is seeking a consultant to accomplish specific tasks as described below.

Objectives of this Assignment

Objective 3will be achieved by designing a multimedia distance learning (DL) platform that will be pre-loaded onto tablet computers and distributed to VAHW trainees. DL will be incorporated into a hybrid training system, combining studying at home with the DL platform and hands on practice/assessment in training centers. Reducing time spent in training centers should make it easier for women to participate in VAHW training. As part of the USAID grant awarded to the implementing partners, the effectiveness of the DL platform in increasing completion of VAHW training by women as well as the effect of DL training on VAHW quality will be assessed through an evaluation led by the U.S.-based partners and Interdisciplinary Analysts.

The primary responsibility of the Veterinary/Livestock Expert will be to identify which components of the existing VAHW curriculum can be moved to the DL platform, and which components would require in-person instruction at a training center. Two additional consultants, an Education Expert and a Multimedia Content Expert/Programmer, will be contracted to determine how curriculum material will be presented on the DL platform. The Veterinary/Livestock Expert will work in close collaboration with the other two consultants, as well as with the Technical Working Group (TWG) and the U.S.-based partners. The TWG consists of individuals from HPIN and the Directorate of Livestock Training and Extension.

Duties and Responsibilities:

All activities associated with the responsibilities listed below will be done while maintaining close in-country coordination with the HPIN project coordinator and the TWG, as well as with the U.S.-based partners in this project (University of Florida, University of Georgia, and Montana State University). Activities will be carried out in collaboration with the other consultants mentioned above as appropriate.

Specific duties and responsibilities include:

Review of the existing government approved 35-day VAHW course.
Recommend amendments needed to the course.
Identify the parts of the 35-day curriculumthat are suitable for digitization and as well as which parts require face-to-face training, all in close coordination with the TWG,the Education Expert, and the Multimedia Content Expert/Programmer.
Provide support to the Education Experts as they prepare their reports detailing the proposed design for the DL platform.
In collaboration with the TWG, organize a meeting with relevant government authorities (DLS, MoLD) in order to present the digitization recommendation.
Provide support to the Technical Coordination Committee in obtaining government approval for the DL platform.
Provide technical guidance to the Education Expert and the Multimedia Content Expert/Programmer for proper digitization of the DL curriculum.
Develop DL platform in collaboration with the Education Expert and a Multimedia Content Expert/Programmer.
Provided any materials requested by HPIN or the U.S.-based partners for the purposes of reporting to USAID.

Educational Qualifications and Experience

The consultant should possess a Master’s degree in Veterinary Science/Animal Science with 15 years of working experience or a PhD in Veterinary/Animal science with 10 years of experience in the research and development sector in Nepal. The following past experiences would have additional benefits:

Working experience in district/village level with VAHWs.
Exposure to Distance Learning.
Experience in teaching at least some of the techniques used by VAHWs.
Possess a clear understanding of Nepalese farming and livestock systems.
Good communication skills and experience engaging with government to achieve policy goals.
Familiarity with Information and Communication Technology (ICT).

Duration:

The duration of the consultancy is projected to last six working months (intermittent within 1 year).

Deliverables:

A report detailing the distribution of the VAHW curriculum betweenthe DL platform and training center instruction as described under item 3of “Duties and Responsibilities”. The report should be produced independently by the consultant. However, the other consultants will be developing similar documents describing the proposed DL curriculum, and it is expected that all three consultants will coordinate their work so that they form a coherent whole.
Supporting materials for the meeting described in “Duties and Responsibilities” item 5, for examplePowerPoint slides and handouts.
A brief document describing updates to the proposed curriculum following the stakeholder meeting described in “Duties and Responsibilities” item 5.

Terms of Reference: Multimedia Expert/Programmer

Background:

Heifer International Nepal (HPIN) is implementing a four-year project entitled “Designing and evaluating innovations for development of smallholder female livestock cooperatives in Nepal”. The project is being funded using a grant awarded by USAID to HPIN and its implementing partners (University of Florida, Montana State University, University of Georgia from USA; Nepal Agricultural Research Council and Interdisciplinary Analysts from Nepal). The project is being implemented in 22 different districts of Nepal and has three broad objectives:

1.Increase feed and forage production through preservation, improved varieties and access to other forage resources for improved livestock productivity.

2.Increase access to markets of meat goats for smallholders in order to improve household income, nutrition, and food security.

3.Increase the percentage of female CAHWs for improved livestock productivity and the reduction of animal disease.

HPIN is seeking a consulting firm to accomplish specific tasks as described below.

Objectives of this Assignment

Objective 3 will be achieved by designing a multimedia distance learning (DL) platform that will be pre-loaded onto tablet computers and distributed to VAHW trainees. DL will be incorporated into a hybrid training system, combining studying at home with the DL platform and hands on practice/assessment in training centers. Reducing time spent in training centers should make it easier for women to participate in VAHW training. As part of the USAID grant awarded to the implementing partners, the effectiveness of the DL platform in increasing completion of VAHW training by women as well as the effect of DL training on VAHW quality will be assessed through an evaluation led by the U.S.-based partners and Interdisciplinary Analysts.

The primary responsibility of the Multimedia Expert/Programmer will be to program DL content for use in Android tablets. Two additional consultants, a Vet/Livestock Expert and an Education Expert, will be contracted to provide subject matter expertise, determine which specific components of the VAHW curriculum are appropriate for digitization, and design the most effective ways of delivering curriculum content through the DL platform. The Multimedia Expert/Programmer will work in close collaboration with the other two consultants. More specifically, the Multimedia Expert/Programmer will work with the Vet/Livestock Expert to ensure that curriculum content and knowledge are being delivered correctly, and with the Education Expert to determine the best way to deliver content given the constraints (for example, poor internet connectivity) of working in rural areas of Nepal. The Multimedia Expert/Programmer will also collaborate closely with the Technical Working Group (TWG) and the U.S.-based partners. The TWG consists of individuals from HPIN and the Directorate of Livestock Training and Extension.

Duties and Responsibilities

Specific duties and responsibilities include:

The consultancy firm should have a course content and adult education expert and number of multimedia experts/ programmers

The roles of course content and education experts are

1.Propose and develop course content for the digitized portion of the VAHW course curriculum in close collaboration with the Vet/Livestock expert, the Multimedia Content Expert/Programmer, the TWG, and the U.S.-based partners.

2.Provide support to the Vet/Livestock Expert and Multimedia Expert/Programmer as they prepare their reports detailing the proposed design for the DL platform.

3.Provide input on how to best assess the effectiveness of the DL platform as a training tool, in collaboration with the U.S.-based partners and the Vet/Livestock Expert.

4.Present examples of course content to government authorities and other stakeholders in a meeting to be organized by the Vet/Livestock Expert and the TWG.

5.Incorporate recommendations from stakeholders into course content.

6.Provide support to the Multimedia Expert/Programmer for programming of the DL platform.

7.Provided any materials requested by HPIN or the U.S.-based partners for the purposes of reporting to USAID.

The duties and responsibilities of multimedia expert/ programmers includes

8.Produce all digital content necessary for the DL platform and program the resulting content for use with Android tablets, collaborating closely with the other two consultants to determine content and appropriate delivery media.

9.Provide support to the Vet/Livestock Expert and Education Experts as they prepare their reports detailing the proposed design for the DL platform.

10.Present samples of the DL platform to government authorities in a meeting to be organized by the Vet/Livestock Expert and the TWG.

11.Collaborate with the implementation partners in conducting two pilots of the platform with members of livestock cooperatives associated with and made available by HPIN.

12.Revise the DL platform as needed based on feedback from stakeholders and the pilots.

13.Provide technical support as needed for the DL platform in its initial months following distribution to the first cohort of VAHW to be trained through tablets.

14.Provide any materials requested by HPIN or the U.S.-based partners for the purposes of reporting to USAID.

Eligibility

1.The consulting firm should be registered at least 5 years before and have developed similar multimedia products in the past and should be able to exhibit such works.

2.The consulting firm should have a course content and adult education expert with Master’s Degree in Education or a related field as well as 15 years of working experience, or a PhD in Education or a related field with 10 years of experience along with the following experience:

Formal training in digital course development.

Previous experience developing digital instructional material.

Previous experience developing instructional material for agriculture or livestock production.

3.The firm should have number of programmers possessing at least Bachelor’s degree in Software Engineering or a related field with the following additional experiences

Experience developing information technology products for rural users with limited internet connectivity.

Experience developing information technology for educational or training purposes.

Experience developing and programming content for smartphones or tablets using animation and interactive media.

Duration:

The main programming and content-preparation phase of the consultancy will last for six months, followed by six months of technical support as needed during the initial distribution of the tablets with the pre-loaded DL content.

Deliverables:

1.A report detailing the design of the DL platform. The report should be produced independently by the consultant. However, the Vet/Livestock Expert and the Education Expert will be developing reports describing the proposed DL curriculum and the in manner in which it will be delivered. It is expected that all three consultants will coordinate their work so that the three documents form a coherent whole.

2.Supporting materials for the meeting as described in “Duties and Responsibilities” item 3, for example material used to demonstrate the DL platform.

3.An initial complete and ready-to-use version of the DL platform to be piloted, incorporating any feedback from the meeting described in “Duties and Responsibilities” item 3.

4.A brief report summarizing the results of the first pilot with a list of proposed revisions.

5.A revised version of the DL platform incorporating lessons learned from the first pilot.

6.A brief report summarizing the results of the second pilot with a list of proposed revisions.

7.A revised, final version of the DL platform incorporating lessons learned from the second pilot.

Terms of Reference: Mobile Application Developing Firm

Background:

Heifer International Nepal (HPIN) is implementing a four-year project entitled “Designing and evaluating innovations for development of smallholder female livestock cooperatives in Nepal”. The project is being funded using a grant awarded by USAID to HPIN and its implementing partners (University of Florida, Montana State University, University of Georgia from USA; Nepal Agricultural Research Council and Interdisciplinary Analysts from Nepal). The project is being implemented in 22 different districts of Nepal and has three broad objectives:

1.Increase feed and forage production through preservation, improved varieties and access to other forage resources for improved livestock productivity.

2.Increase access to markets of meat goats for smallholders in order to improve household income, nutrition, and food security.

3.Increase the percentage of female CAHWs for improved livestock productivity and the reduction of animal disease.

HPIN is seeking a consulting firm to accomplish specific tasks as described below.

Objectives of this Assignment

Objective 2 will be achieved by designing an SMS-based smartphone app that will serve as a “Virtual Collection Center” (VCC) for members of livestock cooperatives associated with HPIN. A report detailing a proposed structure and design for the VCC is attached to these Terms of Reference as an appendix. The appendix is meant to serve as a guide, and it is expected that the consultant will suggest improvements as well as determine what is feasible given the technological constraints of rural Nepal (for example, limited internet connectivity). As part of the USAID grant awarded to the implementing partners, the effectiveness of the VCC will be assessed through an evaluation led by the U.S.-based partners and Interdisciplinary Analysts in which 60 cooperatives are given access to the VCC app.

Duties and Responsibilities

All activities associated with the responsibilities listed below will be done while maintaining close in-country coordination with the HPIN project coordinator, as well as with the U.S.-based partners in this project (University of Florida, University of Georgia, and Montana State University).

Specific duties and responsibilities include:

1.Review the proposed structure of the VCC app as outlined in the attached appendix.

2.Engage with stakeholders, including HPIN, leaders of cooperatives associated with HPIN, and relevant government authorities in order to determine the necessary features and functionality of the VCC app.

3.Propose a design and implementation plan for the VCC app.

4.Develop and program VCC app.

5.Developing training materials to instruct HPIN personnel as well as livestock producers on the use of the VCC app.

6.Pilot the VCC app among members of cooperatives associated with HPIN. HPIN will provide access to cooperative members.

7.Revise VCC app based on results of pilot.

8.Conduct a second pilot of the VCC app among members of cooperatives associated with HPIN.

9.Revise VCC app based on results of the second pilot.

10.Finalize VCC app and assist in rollout of VCC app among selected cooperatives.

11.Provide technical backstopping as needed during and beyond project period.

Eligibility

The consulting firm should meet the following eligibility criteria:

1.Should be a registered firm/ company at least for 2 years

2.Should have experience in developing apps or other information technology for use in rural areas with limited internet connectivity.

3.Experience developing apps for use by agricultural or livestock producers.

4.Should be able to provide examples of apps developed in the past.

5.Should have human resources with minimum qualification of Bachelor in Information Technology (CV should be submitted)

Duration:

The consultancy will include three working months for development and testing of the VCC app and up to three years of technical backstopping.

Deliverables:

1.A report detailing activities carried out under items 1 through 3 as shown above in “Duties and Responsibilities”.

2.An initial version of the VCC app for the first pilot.

3.A brief report summarizing the results of the first pilot and a revised version of the VCC app, if any changes are deemed necessary.

4.A brief report summarizing the results of the second pilot.

5.The final version of the VCC app, ready for distribution to the 60 cooperatives that will be given first access.

6.An executed agreement to provide technical backstopping services for three years subsequent to the completion and approval of deliverable 5.