TERMS OF REFERENCE: COPY EDITOR AND GRAPHIC DESIGNER – CARTA CURRICULUM AND ToT MATERIALS

The African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC) is a leading Africa-based, African- led, international research institution headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, and engaged in multidisciplinary, evidence-based policy research. Our researchers address important issues and challenges facing Africa in areas such as education, health, population, aging, urbanization and well-being. We engage with policy makers in the region to disseminate our research findings to influence policy decisions and improve the quality of life in Africa.

The Consortium for Advanced Research Training in Africa (CARTA) is a collaboration jointly led by the African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC), Kenya, and the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), South Africa.

CARTA was formed to support the development of a vibrant African academy able to lead world- class multidisciplinary research that impacts positively on public and population health. CARTA enhances the capacity of African universities to be more research active by supporting junior faculty members to undertake their doctoral training locally and to become internationally recognized research leaders. CARTA strengthens university-wide systems to support research. CARTA is making its curriculum available so that others can use it in PhD training.

CARTA seeks the services of a team consisting of persons who can carry out the following:

1. Professionally edit Curriculums and Training of Trainers documents.
2. To do graphic designed work and present a web-based series of curriculums.

Deliverables (set 1)

Editorial work

• Copyediting 7 curriculum documents (average 50-pages each) and 4 ToT training Materials (average 50 pages each) to make the language more reader-friendly without diluting or changing technical content. This includes ensuring references are complete and accurate.
• Proofreading text and correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors.
• Checking the text for style, readability, and adherence to APHRC editorial policies.
• Rewriting the text to improve clarity and readability.
• Point out any argument or thought that seems incomplete.
• Package the content into a web-design adaptability format.

Qualifications (Editor)

• University Degree in Communications, Journalism, English, or related field.
• Proven experience  in  copy  editing  and  proofreading  publications  specifically  on curriculum development/ or similar materials.
• Excellent track record as a copy editor.
• Advanced grasp of the English language.
• Ability to digest educational content and reframe language to make it accessible to a broader audience without changing meaning and context.
• Ability to work rapidly and in coordination with the CARTA team.

Deliverables (set 2)

Graphic  designed  work  (web-based  series  of  curriculums) for  the  following ToT  training materials;

• Joint Advanced Seminars (JASes) for interdisciplinary PhD training (4 weeks of training- number of pages to be determined).
• Supervisors training (1 week of training – number of pages to be determined).
• Faculty and Staff training to support research (3 days of training- number of pages to be determined).
• Graduate workshops (1 week of training- number of pages to be determined).

Important considerations

These curricula will be open access on a web page. They are support material for teachers who may want use and or adapt what CARTA has to offer to strengthen university-wide systems to support research.

The curriculum will incorporate links to other supporting material such as reference articles, videos, web based content such as voice over PowerPoint presentations, web links to open access sites etc.

Each of the curriculums is divided in sessions – some sessions are 1 hour long, another may be an afternoon, others can be an entire week of linked activities. The successful team will be expected to:

• Attend an inception meeting where the project and materials will be discussed in detail.
• Present a template of the approach they will use to lay out and organize the page, to present to the CARTA secretariat for approval and adaptation if required.
• Work with one curriculum at a time and allow for interactive feedback (Review and approval of each finalized section will be required).

Minimum Qualifications for a Graphic Designer and E-content editor.

1. At least a Master degree in Communications, Graphic Design, or related field. A Bachelor degree with 5 years’ relevant experience in same would be considered.

5. Minimum of three years of relevant work experience in Graphic Design, Possession of creative flair, versatility, conceptual/visual ability, and originality.
6. Demonstrable graphic design skills with a strong portfolio and evidence in working with educational materials.
7. Up to date with and highly skilled in industry software and excellent (In Design, Illustrator,  Photoshop,  Adobe  InDesign,  Adobe  Bridge,  Adobe  Acrobat,  Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, and other graphic design software. etc.).
8. Should be skilled in photography and videography editing.
9. Professionalism regarding time, cost, and deadlines.
10. Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English with knowledge of printing processes (offset and digital) and color management.
11. Initiative and sound judgment and demonstrated ability to work in harmony with persons of different national and cultural backgrounds.

Interested candidates kindly send completed proposals to consultancies@aphrc.org and cc procurement@aphrc.org  with the subject line “Copy Editor & Graphic Designer – CARTA” by March 27, 2022. Short-listed candidates will be contacted for further discussion.

APHRC is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to the protection of vulnerable persons.