Terms of Reference (TORs)

Hiring Consultant to Review the "Let's Read Urdu" Library

1. Background

In 2017, The Asia Foundation introduced Let’s Read as its digital literacy initiative. Drawing on the Foundation’s expertise and networks in communities across Asia and the Pacific, Let’s Read works on three interconnected components of reading: content, access, and support. Together, these components ensure that children and families create connections with storybooks and build strong reading skills and habits.

Let’s Read creates, translates, and offers educational content for children through the program website (www.LetsReadAsia.org) and mobile applications. The digital library, accessible free of charge, offers more than 10,000 books in over 60 languages, providing relatable and relevant reading material for young learners, parents, teachers, and communities.

In doing so, Let’s Read aims to build a world where curious and educated readers create thriving societies. The initiative nurtures reading skills and habits that enable children to reach important developmental milestones, families to share stories that affirm their culture, and communities to flourish and grow inclusively.

2. Objective

The primary objective of this consultancy is to conduct a thorough review of the existing "Let's Read Urdu" library. The consultant will ensure that all materials are free from spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors and that the vocabulary is suitable for the intended age group.

3. Scope of Work

The consultant will be responsible for the following tasks:

• Review A Sample of the Let’s Read Library: Examine a representative sample of 80 Urdu-language titles from the Let’s Read library at a variety of reading levels, representing approximately 15% of the Urdu-language books in the library.
• Assessment of Linguistic Considerations: Ensure that all elements of grammar, spelling, punctuation, and similar considerations are correct.
• Assessment of Vocabulary: Ensure that the vocabulary used in the books is appropriate for the target age group and reading level of children.
• Assessment of Story Logic: Ensure that the plots and narrative development of the stories are all clear and understandable.
• Detailed Record Keeping: Maintain clear records by filling out a spreadsheet that includes the title and level of each book, the types of errors encountered (if any), corrections made, and the severity of those errors (minor, significant, alarming). Include any additional notes as necessary, or any other necessary columns/categories you find necessary to record your assessment.
• Reporting: Provide a comprehensive report detailing the findings and suggesting necessary corrections or improvements, along with a brief summary of the review process and the records.

4. Methodology

• Timeframe: With two editors, the review of the sample should be approximately 1 week due to the brevity of most books. If required to check the entire library, the task should be completed within 4-6 weeks.

5. Deliverables

The consultants are expected to deliver the following:

• Final Report: Present a detailed report at the end of the consultancy, including:
  • Summary of the review process and key findings
  • Identified errors and suggested corrections.
  • Recommendations for improving the overall quality of the library.

• Actual Corrections: In addition to keeping records of the errors found and suggested corrections, the consultant will also make the actual corrections to the text on the Let’s Read platform.

6. Duration

The consultancy is expected to last for a period of one month, starting from August 15, 2024 to September 15, 2024.

7. Coordination

This task will involve coordination between the Consultant and the project team from the Foundation’s Let’s Read initiative. The project team will comprise the Program Manager and Program Officer for Let’s Read.

8. Qualifications

The ideal consultant should possess the following qualifications:

• Educational Background: Advanced degree in Urdu literature, linguistics, education, or a related field.
• Experience: Proven experience in reviewing educational materials for children, with a strong focus on language accuracy.
• Skills: Excellent command of the Urdu language, including grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Familiarity with children's literature and age-appropriate vocabulary.

9. Application Process

Interested consultants are invited to submit the following documents:

• A cover letter detailing relevant experience and qualifications.
• A detailed CV.
• A proposed methodology and work plan for the consultancy.
• Financial proposal

10. Evaluation Criteria

Applications will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Relevant qualifications and experience.
• Proposed methodology and work plan.
• References and previous work samples.

11.  Intellectual Property

All information about this project reports, policy recommendations, and data, etc.) belonging to the client, which the service provider may come into contact within the performance of his/her duties under this partnership shall remain the property of The Asia Foundation-Pakistan who shall have exclusive rights over their use. Except for this assignment's purposes, the information shall not be disclosed to the public nor used in whatever form without the Foundation's written permission.

12. Submission Details

Please submit the required documents to [email protected] by 09-08-2024.

13. Payment Modality

The awarded contract will be paid in Pakistani rupees (PKR) against the deliverables and upon submission of the report per the foundation's financial rules and payment conditions stipulated in the Service for Contract.

This Terms of Reference aims to ensure that the "Let's Read Urdu" library maintains high standards of quality and appropriateness for young readers, ultimately supporting their literacy development effectively.