REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (REOI)
(CONSULTING SERVICES – FIRM SELECTION)

Project Name: National Plan for the Teaching and Learning of French in Rwanda (NPFL)
Source of fund: MINEDUC/AFD

Grant Agreement Number: CRW105901R

Submission deadline: Refer to Umucyo

Assignment Title: Consultancy service for developing new French programmes at university level in Rwanda



1.PROJECT BACKGROUND

Recognized by the 2003 Constitution, French is one of the 4 official languages in Rwanda. Language of instruction until 2008, it was replaced by English upon Rwanda's membership to the East African Community (EAC). In 2016, French was reintroduced as a foreign language, without adapting the teaching methodology. Consequently, the level of French proficiency at the end of secondary school does not allow for professional or academic integration of the Rwandan students in French speaking contexts.
In response to the October 2018 Government of Rwanda’s to promote the use of French across all sectors, a National Plan for the Teaching and Learning of French in Rwanda (PNFR) was formulated. The PNFR addresses the identified gaps for teaching French as a Foreign Language (FFL) at all levels of education: from primary to higher education in general and technical institutions. The main objective of the Plan is to equip young Rwandans with communicative skills in French, allowing them to interact efficiently in French in a professional and academic environment.
To reach this goal, the studies conducted identified as a priority the adaptation of the methodology for teaching FFL: innovative content and techniques, contextually relevant, and geared towards real-world application. The PNFR will address this priority through (1) pre-service and in-service teachers training in French language and methodology, (2) facilitated access and development of adequate material and resources for teaching and learning FFL, (3) the development of the use of French in link with professional skills to enhance employability.
The Ministry of Education (MINEDUC) officially endorsed the plan on April 1st, 2022, (The Grant Finance Agreement was signed on the 18th of February 2022), and it is set to conclude in June 2026. MINEDUC is responsible for overseeing and supervising the implementation of the project.

2.ASSIGNMENT SCOPE

This assignment aims to support the development and to improve the quality of programmes related to French language at the University of Rwanda. To do so, it is required to assess, review the current state of French teaching at university level and to propose necessary adjustments by revising or creating new French programmes. The primary UR colleges to be targeted (but not limited to) are the College of Education (UR-CE), the College of Arts and Social Sciences (UR-CASS) and the Centres for Language Enhancement (UR-CLE), to open the curriculum to new career opportunities. Needs for French language teaching have been expressed in the college of medicine and health science (UR-CMHS) for example. The assignment includes the following points:

a)Assessment, review and practical recommendations for improvement of all existing programmes related to French teaching and learning at university of Rwanda
•Assessment and review of all bachelor’s programmes with a French component at UR-CASS (one programme) and UR-CE (three programmes)

•Assessment and review of all master’s programmes (MA) with French language at UR-CASS: one in Translation & Interpreting and one in the school of arts, languages and communication studies

•Assessment and review of the master’s programme (MA) in Education of UR-CE.

•Assessment and review of research programmes at UR-CE for French as a Foreign Language

•Need analysis in other UR colleges (e.g. UR-CMHS) resulting in a report with recommendations on identified gaps.

•Provide the assessment report for validation by Education sector stakeholders


b)Workshops for strategy development

•Plan and facilitate workshops to define a development strategy for the programs of UR-CASS and UR-CE, based on the assessment results.
•Ensure participation from the Higher Education Council (HEC) to maintain alignment and coherence but also accreditation of revised/created programmes
c)Development of UR-CLE modules
•Design pedagogical training of teachers and the creation of three new modules: (1) French for communication, (2) French for Business, (3) French for Science

d)Advise about the selection of pedagogical resources for each French Resource Centres (FRC) created (it is planned to have one in the School of Journalism and communication, Department of Translation & Interpreting, UR-CLE, UR-CASS and UR-CE, with provision of IT equipment and books).

e)Support UR-CE to develop its research activity in the field of French as a Foreign Language (FFL) teaching and linguistics.

The selected firm must have at least 10 years of experience in international university cooperation, specifically in the development of French language programmes. It will be required to recruit consultants who are specialists in programme analysis and development. These experts will work alongside local teams to assess, review, and develop the identified programs and modules.
A physical approach will be necessary to ensure effective follow-up on activities and to support the accreditation process.

3.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF TERMS OF REFERENCE

a)The general assignment of the selected firm will include a comprehensive approach composed of strategic planning, syllabus design and trainings.

b)The selected firm will work in close collaboration with the College of Education to assess, review and develop new programmes at bachelor and master levels. They will support UR-CE to develop its research activity in the field of FFL. That includes evaluating the creation of a FFL programme, defining a training plan for lecturers (with international workshops attendance), initiate partnerships with international universities in the field of FFL and developing guidelines for a research centre focused on FFL.

c)The selected firm will work in close collaboration with CASS teams to assess, review and develop the new school of arts, language and communication studies (department of journalism, communication, information studies). The creation of this new programme will also include the question of teacher and student mobility. Ideally there would support in creation of at least three partnerships between UR-CASS and a Francophone university (Social science, Education and Applied sciences).
The support of the selected firm will enable UR-CASS teams to restructure the MA programme in Translation & Interpreting by creating two distinct programmes: one for translation and another one for interpreting. Partnerships with other universities will be established to facilitate ongoing programme development and ensure alignment with international standards.
This support package will also extend to some private universities offering courses in the same field.
d)
UR-CLE is responsible for strengthening students’ language skills in French, English, Kinyarwanda and Kiswahili. Currently the French courses are offered in nine (9) UR campuses despite the few teachers. The selected consulting firm will collaborate with the teams to develop three (3) modules: (1) French for communication, (2) French for Business and (3) French for science. The module of French for communication will be proposed to the students of STEM, the module of French for Business will be proposed to the students at the School of Business and the module of French for science will be offered to the students of Medicine. The students of UR-CE should be beneficiaries of these modules.

e)The revised and new programmes will be accredited by HEC through the existing mechanism with other external reviewers. An expert will be recruited by the project to support the accreditation process and quality assurance. The selected firm is expected to be available if needed to follow up the accreditation process up to June 2026.
f) Firms, including joint ventures and their individual members from all countries, must comply with the eligibility criteria to provide consulting services.

4.TENDER REQUIREMENT & REGISTRATION

MINEDUC is hiring a consulting firm with the experience of assessing, reviewing and developing similar projects and activities in higher education. The firm shall demonstrate past experience (at least 10 years) and show competences in the assessing, reviewing, developing and following up of past projects. The transfer of knowledge through the training workshops and associate the local consultant (and the building of new programmes and modules) it will be important for the sustainability of the project and the creation of new professional opportunities.

The shortlisting criteria/required documents are:

1.A description and supporting documents demonstrating the firm's experience with similar assignments of comparable complexity and scope over the past 10 years. (At least one Similar refence in developing French programs as a foreign language)

2.Certificate of company registration issued by Country of registration with business-related activities.
3.Submission of EOI Letter.
4.Signed AFD’s statement of integrity

The Request for Proposals (RFP) will be issued to the shortlisted consulting firms whose EOIs are most qualified to the assignment. The shortlist of selected firms will be between 4 and 6.
All EOI can be written in English or French and must be submitted on the deadline set by the e-procurement system. EOI will be opened on the same day in the e-procurement system.
Joint Venture is allowed
The REOI is published on both e-procurement systems: AFD’s dgMarket and Rwanda Government’s UMUCYO. Bidders are required to submit their bid only on UMUCYO.
Bidders are required to register with Rwanda’s e-procurement system (UMUCYO) on the following website Rwanda On-Line E-Procurement System (umucyo.gov.rw).
For this specific REOI, the bidders can contact RPPA (Rwanda Public Procurement Authority) on the following e-mail address e-procurement@rppa.gov.rw for registration and submission of their EOI.
The candidates who are blacklisted are not eligible (each candidate will undergo a check of UN, EU, France and World Bank financial sections lists).
For further information regarding the tender, interested eligible bidders can enquire through UMUCYO e-procurement System and through the following e-mail address: info@mineduc.gov.rw