Content Development and Production for Transmedia Children’s Stories and Playful Gaming

[Admin]

Country: Kenya

Organization: Aga Khan Foundation

Closing date: 7 Jan 2022

1. Introduction

The Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) is an agency of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), a group of private not-for-profit, non-denominational international development agencies, institutions, and programs that work primarily in the poorest parts of Africa and Asia to improve the quality of life of communities in remote and resource-poor areas. Globally, AKF seeks sustainable solutions to long-term problems of poverty, hunger, illiteracy, and ill-health, with special emphasis on the needs of rural communities in mountainous, coastal, and other resource-poor areas. In East Africa, AKF works with partners to improve the quality of life by promoting and developing innovative solutions to the challenges of development in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. Reflecting the complex and multi-faceted nature of development, AKF operates a multi-sectoral portfolio that includes programming in Education, Economic Inclusion, Civil Society, Health, and Early Childhood Development.

2. Background

In 2020, AKF led a diverse consortium of partners to generate media content to elevate the importance of reading for enjoyment and learning through play. These included, but were not limited to, Night-Time Tales, Bena, and Kena (Both aired on NTV), and play kits with videos and posters (See akflearninghub.org/). Based on the success and learning from these, AKF is looking to expand this partnership to increase the reach and impact of reading and play content across Kenya. In 2022, AKF will assume a transmedia approach engaging diverse media platforms to increase access to children’s stories and games. Through this, AKF aims to: i) enable children to access Kenyan developed content that elevates the idea of reading for enjoyment, engaging children’s imagination and interests; ii) creating games and playful activities to enable children to further their engagement with the content and the overall experience; iii) driving Kenyan authorship, and; iv) engage transmedia principles.

3. Consultant Scope of Work

AKF is seeking to engage partner organizations and/or consultants to work as part of a diverse team of educational and creative specialists to develop the content for use across diverse media including visual, audio, and written formats. The scope of work includes

i. Generating content for 52 children’s stories – These must be generated through a transmedia lens to ensure the content can be experienced across diverse media and enables children to engage across these media. The children’s stories must target a clear child demographic. Illustrate all the children’s stories and get these print ready

ii. Produce the stories for audio-only media

iii. Produce the stories for visual media

iv. Produce additional content for diverse traditional print media as well as social media platforms (including written, e.g. Twitter, audio podcasts, and visual teasers) to attract children to the content

v. Other creative content as needed.

AKF fully recognizes not every organization or consultant will have the ability to deliver across all aspects of this scope of work and encourages applications that focus on specific aspects. If this is the case, be sure to clearly identify which aspect of the scope is being applied for and include a section on how you will effectively collaborate with AKF and other partners to achieve the larger objective. Please note, AKF’s Regional Project Manager will be responsible for the overall coordination of all partners.

4. Key Deliverables

At a minimum, the deliverables include:

1. 52 children’s stories developed for transmedia approach
2. 52 print-ready children’s storybooks with high-quality illustrations
3. 52 audio productions of children’s stories
4. 26 visual productions of children’s stories
5. Social media campaign and content
6. Other content and deliverables can be recommended by applicants

5. Work Plan

The applicant can recommend different ways to ensure how the deliverables are achieved. However, the below timelines are non-negotiable:

Product and Date

1. 25% of books ready for distribution by mid-March- 11th March 2022
2. First audio content will be aired in the first week of April- April 2022
3. First visual content will be aired in the first week of August- August 2022
4. All audio content will run weekly, every week with no breaks once it starts, audio for 52 weeks and visual for 26 weeks.-2022-23

How to apply:

1. To Apply

Consultants or organizations interested in this opportunity with AKF should submit:

• Technical proposal including a work plan for the aspects applying for
• CV of core team members
• Organisational experience
• Proposed budget

Applications should be submitted by email to the undersigned by midday EAT on Friday 7^th January 2022 with the subject line title Transmedia Children’s Stories and Playful Gaming to akfkenya.procurement@akdn.org.

**Applications that will be received after this timeline WILL NOT be considered.

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