For the delivery of self-paced training courses x 3 for the Commonwealth Blue Charter

Background to the assignment

The Commonwealth Blue Charter works through a set of Action Groups, each devoted to a particular ocean issue. Action Groups are driven by member countries, led by ‘Champion’ countries. So far 16 countries have stepped forward to be Champions on 10 topics:

• Commonwealth Clean Ocean Alliance
• Coral Reef Protection and Restoration
• Mangrove Ecosystems and Livelihoods
• Marine Protected Areas (co-championed by the Barbados and Seychelles)
• Ocean Acidification
• Ocean and Climate Change
• Ocean Observation
• Sustainable Aquaculture
• Sustainable Blue Economy
• Sustainable Coastal Fisheries.

These 10 Action Groups have been setting priorities and developing their individual Plans of Action that reflect their regional needs and resource requirements.

To support the member countries, the Commonwealth Secretariat is seeking to engage a qualified consultant to develop remote training courses for government officials on three topics for the Commonwealth Blue Charter:

• Policy considerations when developing a sustainable blue economy
• Bridging the Science – policy divide
• Effective Compliance in Coastal Fisheries

Objectives and purpose

The purpose of this consultancy is to develop 3 x SCORM-compliant self-paced learning courses that build upon existing training materials. The courses will be made available across the Commonwealth. The course materials have been developed already, in PowerPoint and Word formats and are accompanied by a live video recording but will need to be organised for SCORM self-paced learning format, including additional revisions appropriate for the online delivery of the courses, such as adding voice-overs, reviews, quizzes and case studies.

The courses will be for virtual learning (with each of the 3 courses lasting up to 2 hours per course), whereby participants are able to work at their own pace using the materials and exercises, through viewing of pre-recorded videos, lectures, alongside a workbook and other materials, as appropriate. Participants will be required to achieve an 80% pass rate to receive a completion certificate

These self-paced courses should use the training materials previously developed. The consultants may also add information based on their own expertise or available in the public domain. Basic tests for comprehension will need to be added. The consultants may, upon request, be provided contact with the initial content developer for clarifications and content-related queries, if required.

Qualifications and competencies

The preferred Contractor or consultancy firm should hold the profile below:

• Demonstrated experience in the creation of SCORM-compliant self-paced online learning modules.
• Demonstrable experience in developing teaching materials.
• Experience in training government officials is advantageous.
• Related science, marine or environmental experience is advantageous.
• Provide examples of recent self-paced modules using the Model platform

This opportunity is open to individuals, teams and consortia.

Please apply for this contract by submitting a CV, a brief proposal (up to 5 pages), and a concise cover letter (1-2 pages, including links to previous online self-paced modules) to [email protected] by 11 February 2022 explaining the relevant experience and your approach for completing this work. Evaluation will be based on competency and cost.

For proposals that score closely, priority will be given to consultants that are Commonwealth citizens or entities registered in a Commonwealth country. The cover letter should show how the consultancy would be carried out to meet the specific objectives set out in the TOR. It should include a short statement of the candidate’s relevant expertise and experience along with the bid amount. Examples of previous work may also be submitted.

 Prices quoted should include VAT but must indicate clearly where VAT is applicable and where items might be zero-rated. The total budget payable under this contract is £14,000.00 (including VAT and all costs).

Evaluation will be based on both competency and cost.

Closing date: 17:00 GMT, 11 February 2022