Consultancy – Learning Knowledge System expert

The COVID-19 pandemic that emerged with startling speed in early 2020 has served to underline the essential role of parliaments in holding the government to account and ensuring that human rights are not undermined during times of crisis. The IPU is being innovative in using technology to continue its capacity building work in support of national parliaments.

A series of learning modules on the functions of parliaments will consolidate IPU’s knowledge over forty years in parliamentary capacity development and support MPs, staff and stakeholders engaging with parliament to take effective action to address key global and national issues and agendas. IPU’s role in inter-parliamentary communication and collaboration allows a unique opportunity to tap into best practice experience and practical examples of how parliaments undertake their functions.

The modules will be used to guide both training for MPs and staff of member parliaments and will provide valuable material approved by parliaments for use by the community of practice in parliamentary strengthening. A comprehensive and accessible package of material can also be used to enhance public understanding and build trust and engagement with parliament.

The objectives of IPU are to:

• Increase access to principles and best practice in the functions of democratic parliaments for MPs, parliamentary staff, and all stakeholders engaging with parliament;
• Support parliaments to identify practical action to address key global including peacebuilding, human rights, gender equality, youth empowerment and sustainable development, helping to meet international agreements and standards in these areas;
• Strengthen peer-to-peer learning, inter-parliamentary dialogue and comparative understanding;
• Provide a comprehensive training resource for the community of practice in parliamentary strengthening, helping address the Common Principles on Support to Parliament.

The ultimate outcome of the modular training is stronger democratic parliaments through consistent and effective capacity development material on core functions of parliament, based on democratic norms and standards, which facilitates enhanced parliamentary engagement and action on key global and national issues and agendas.

Scope of Work

The modules will be designed in two main areas: the core functions of parliament of oversight, law making and representation and thematic modules on gender, human rights, development, and other relevant areas identified by IPU members and partners. Modules will also be designed for specific groups such as women and youth.

Apart from seeking to strengthen knowledge, learning, and understanding on the work of parliaments the training modules will be designed in a manner that facilitates interaction and engagement among MPs, Parliamentary staff, subject experts, facilitators and IPU staff. It will also encourage reflection and identification of actions for participants on relevant themes to promote organizational changes that support the improved functioning of parliament.

Key Product Features and Processes

During the next phase of the modular training project, IPU will identify and select a learning management system (LMS) and develop and trial at least two modules. The selection of a suitable LMS is essential to the success of the project. The LMS must allow for various types of functionalities to meet the needs of end users, including:

• Be usable by both Internal and External users
• Personalised training records
• Access to different learning pathways to meet the needs of different participants
• Ability to deliver support in formats suitable for end users of IPU’s modular training, eg. micro-learning for MPs
• Support for blended learning
• Integration of webinars
• Ability to provide content in varied ways – both ‘synchronous’ and ‘asynchronous’
• Means for participants to interact with each other during and following training
• Adaptability to different languages
• Accessibility for participants who may have lower speed internet/unreliable internet connections by having offline capability
• Ease of integration with IPU website and communication channels
• Portal (desktop and mobile) that allows course content to be easily integrated
• Be the unified and single training delivery platform
• Consolidated Training catalogue (internal catalogue and external catalogue)
• Provide Registration, Approvals, Tracking, Scheduling, Certification
• Allow self-based training, learning and development. Have reporting and overall visibility of training needs / accomplishments
• Allow basic publishing workflow to ensure editorial approval before publishing
• Be multi-media capable at each stage of the learning cycle at both a push and pull level for example allowing users to upload video from mobile phones when completing training, learning or development models to be assessed.
• Allow users to record on-the-job training
• Include Social Network features
• Have Mobile as well as desktop access capability – Online and Office functionality.
• Be based on a SCORM (Sharable Content Object Reference Model).
  • A reference model which allows learning content from any vendor to play in any SCORM conformant LMS
• Able to integrate multimedia types (Web training, YouTube, e-learning modules, classroom training etc)
• Seamless integration that provides a user interface with a consistent look and feel.
• SaaS based service delivery
• Sharing information across applications and the ability to move among apps seamlessly.
• Single Sign on
• Disability access functionality e.g., speaking screens, large font print.
• Distribution and reporting of content in multiple languages.

The selected consultant will advise on learning management systems (LMS) and the development and use of online learning software and tools relevant to the modular training project. Three key responsibilities will be to :

Other duties are expected to include:

• Advise on emerging best practice and innovations in the online learning field in developing an approach suitable for IPU
• Presentations of deliverables and progress updates to IPU Senior Management, programme heads and modular training project team
• Support to conduct needs assessments on technical aspects of the project with end users, including focus groups with different IPU stakeholders to assess LMS and online learning needs
• Advise on integration options of LMS into IPU ICT systems

This work will go alongside completion of a needs analysis to inform the final proof of concept, as well as design the modules in English, in coordination with IPU staff across its seven programmatic areas and in response to identified needs and priorities in the realm of each programmes strategic plan. The work will therefore require consultation and interaction with each programmatic team within the IPU.

The following deliverables are expected:

Objective 1

Objective 2:

Competencies

The consultant – online learning expert will have overall responsibility for technical inputs to the modular training project. The consultant is expected to follow an agreed methodology and workplan and in close collaboration with the IPU focal point.

The consultant must comply with the following requirements:

Corporate competences:

• Demonstrates integrity by modelling the IPU’s values and ethical standards;
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of the IPU;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;

Functional competences:

• Knowledge of the functioning of parliament and additional related categories desirable..
• Knowledge of online communication, networking and collaboration tools;
• Excellent analytical, communication and writing skills;
• Ability to produce high quality outputs and in a timely manner;
• Sound judgment, strategic thinking and the ability to manage priorities;
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work under pressure and in a team;

Required Skills and Experience

• Minimum of 5 years’ experience as an LMS administrator or Training/L&D Coordinator
• LMS administrator experience within a development/governance organisation
• Technical skills including troubleshooting, and understanding of directory, file structures, and systems
• Ability to troubleshoot and resolve technical issues timely and efficiently
• Ability to collaborate with others at all levels of the organization as well as vendors
• Ability to gain new technical skills quickly
• Experience in managing data electronically, data feeds, APIs, etc.
• Experience in managing multiple projects
• Communicate effectively and possess strong business writing skills
• Proficiency or ability to gain proficiency in eLearning software
• Knowledge of adult learning principles and instructional design process
• Effective organization and time management skills
• Possess outstanding customer service skills
• Advanced degree in relevant fields, such as Information Technology.

Language:

• Applicants must be fluent in English, the course materials must be designed in English, and will be translated into French.

Criteria for Evaluation of Proposal:

Only those applications which are responsive and compliant will be evaluated. Offers will be evaluated according to the Combined Scoring method – where the educational background, experience on similar assignments, letter of interest and brief methodology will be weighted at 100% and the price proposal will weigh as 30% of the total scoring. The applicant receiving the Highest Combined Score that has also accepted IPUs General Terms and Conditions will be awarded the contract.

Technical Criteria -– max. 100 points:

• Criteria A – Relevant work experience especially Clous and IT Procurement– max points: 50;
• Criteria B –Knowledge and experience in developing LMS for non-profit organisations – max points: 15;
• Criteria C – Knowledge and experience working with bilateral development agencies and/or IPU- max points: 15;
• Criteria D – Methodological approach – max points: 20.