Terms of Reference (TOR) to Produce Video for Lower and Upper Primary Learners to Acquire Basic Skills of Kinyarwanda Sign Language (KSL) Federation at Handicap International (HI)

Introduction

HANDICAP INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION (HI), operating name Humanity & Inclusion a not-for-profit association governed by the French Act of July, 1st 1901, domiciled at “138, avenue des Frères Lumière – 69371 Lyon cedex 08, France” and registered in Rwanda under RGB with the registration number TIN No 100600244, Rebero Village, Rugando Cell, Kimihurura Sector, Gasabo District, City of Kigali, 14 KG 624 St. P.O. Box 747 KIGALI.

Preamble

• HI is an independent international aid organization working in situations of poverty and exclusion, conflict and disaster,
• HI works alongside persons with disabilities and vulnerable persons; its action and testimony are focused on responding to their essential needs, their living conditions,
• HI is committed to promoting the respect of their dignity and their fundamental rights
• To that end, HI retains service providers who are reputed for their skills in their field of activity, 
• HI and the Service provider have agreed to work together in a working relationship devoid of any form of hierarchical subordination. 

Our Vision

Outraged by the injustice faced by people with disabilities and vulnerable populations, we aspire to a world of solidarity and inclusion, enriched by our differences, where everyone can live in dignity.

Our Mission

Humanity & Inclusion is an independent and impartial aid organization working in situations of poverty and exclusion, conflict and disaster. The organization works alongside people with disabilities and vulnerable populations, taking action and bearing witness in order to respond to their essential needs, improve their living conditions and promote respect for their dignity and fundamental rights.

TERMS OF REFERENCE AND SERVICE SPECIFICATIONS

1. Introduction

HANDICAP INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION, invites companies to submit their competitive proposals for the “Production of video for lower and upper primary learners to acquire basic skills of Kinyarwanda Sign Language (KSL)”

Well-signed offers, written in English or French, must be submitted to the below email address by Monday, 24th November 2025 mid-night; Late proposals will be rejected. 

HANDICAP INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION requires you to send your proposals by email to: dao@rwanda.hi.org

A. TECHNICAL ASPECT 

2. Project background and rationale

• Background: Early exposure to a visual language is critical for the cognitive and linguistic development of deaf and hard-of-hearing children. Research has shown that early

intervention, including accessible learning materials, significantly improves educational outcomes.

• Rationale: To create high-quality, culturally-sensitive, and linguistically-appropriate

content that supports the acquisition of early sign language skills for preschoolers and other early grade learners.

2. Objectives

1. • To develop a set of educational resources (video materials) that teach basic sign language to early learners (P1-P6).
   • To produce content that is engaging, easy to understand, and focuses on core vocabulary relevant to a young child's daily life, such as family, routines, feelings, and objects.
   • To ensure the content is accessible for deaf children and their families, as well as for hearing children and educators learning and teaching sign language.

3. Scope of work

The consultant or team will be responsible for the following tasks:

• Content research and curriculum design:
• Research age-appropriate vocabulary and developmental milestones for early sign language acquisition.

Develop a structured curriculum or content plan covering a range of thematic areas (e.g., animals, food, colors, emotions).

Material production:

• Video content: Create a high-quality, accessible video. The video must feature a clear and expressive signer against a solid, contrasting background to ensure optimal visibility of signs.
• Include native signers and deaf community members in the production process to ensure linguistic accuracy and cultural relevance.
• Incorporate creative elements like animation, music (with captions), and on-screen text to enhance engagement.

 Written/Digital content:

• Ensure all written text is clear, uses accessible fonts, and is appropriately sized.
• Accessibility and inclusion
• Ensure the content is linguistically sound and reflects the natural grammar and syntax of the target sign language. 
• Integrate strategies such as "sandwiching" and "chaining" to connect signs with fingerspelling and written text, supporting literacy development.

4. Deliverables 

The consultant will:

• Develop and validate a list of basic KSL words and expressions for inclusion in the video.
• Prepare a teaching script and filming plan.
• Coordinate and oversee video production, ensuring sign accuracy, visual clarity, and learner engagement.
• Conduct post-production editing, including subtitles and review of sign precision.
• Prepare a teacher/production guide with key instructions for classroom application.
• Deliver all final outputs in digital and physical format.

5. Final products 

1. Final list of Kinyarwanda Sign Language words/signs.
2. One (1) educational video (45–60 minutes) demonstrating basic KSL for early learners.
3. A teacher/production guide including:
   • Tips for sign accuracy and pacing.
   • Guidance for classroom engagement.
4. All materials provided in:
   • Digital format (MP4),
   • External hard drive for project archive.

6. Methodology

The video will be filmed in a studio or classroom setting with clear lighting and backdrop. Each sign will be demonstrated with natural facial expressions and repetitions for clarity. All content will strictly follow the Kinyarwanda Sign Language Dictionary and will be reviewed by the entire production team guided by a senior sign language interpreter before finalization.

7. Proposed Timeline

Final products to be delivered in 15 days starting from the day of SPO reception.

8. Quality Assurance 

• All signs verified against the Kinyarwanda Sign Language Dictionary. 
• Review by a whole production team prior to final delivery. 
• Inclusion of quality control checklist for sign clarity, pacing, and visual engagement. 
• Products to be validated by RNUD
• Consents for participants to be provided with the products
• The products will be a property of the client (HI)

9. Reporting requirements 

The consultant will provide regular progress reports to the Project Manager / Senior Inclusive Education Specialist. 

10. Management and supervision 

The assignment will be carried out and managed by both the consultant (Company) in collaboration with Project Manager/Senior Inclusive Education Specialist herein referred as the supervisor. 

11. Submission Instructions

The following information to be included by the hotel in the quotation:

1. Quoted price in for each item specified in Rwandan francs. (This price should be inclusive of all taxes).
2. Validity period of offer (Offer should be valid for at least 30 days)
3. Payment modality: HI is preferable payment after delivery of services by Bank transfer
4. The Quotation must be on official letterhead with an authorized signature and stamp
5. Technical proposal referring to the ToR details provided

B. ADMIN AND FINANCIAL ASPECT 

12. Administrative documents and team composition

The service provider will submitt the following as part of his submission:

• Team composition to accomplish the task 
• Business Registration Certificate 
• Valid and notified RRA tax clearance 
• Valid and notified RSSB clearance
• 2 reputable organizations with which you provided the same service for reference
• Evidence using EBM 
• Signing HI declarations and Safeguarding Polices 

13. Financial Proposal

• Detailed Financial proposal 
• Validity of the quotation 
• Payment modality 
• Payment method 
• Bank details 

Electronic submissions must be received at the address specified below by 24th November 2025 mid-night, Kigali Time. Make sure that the submission is titled with the following reference number Ref: RFP/2025/035 Submissions must be forwarded in separates 2 PDF files (Technical and Admin &Financial) to dao@rwanda.hi.org.