Request for Proposal For Project Resource Writer
For 4-H Ontario
Project Resource Topic: Swine
Issue Date: June 16, 2021
Submission to be forwarded by email to: hr@4-hontario.ca
Closing Date and Time: Proposals must be received by 12:00 p.m. on June 30, 2021
INTRODUCTION
4-H is a non-profit positive youth development organization that spans 70 countries across the world and 10 provinces across the country. For over a century, 4-H Ontario has been working to build youth as leaders within their communities and assets to the world. With roots in rural Ontario, today 4-H Ontario is open to all youth across the province of all backgrounds. In 4-H, youth ages 6–21 and screened, engaged volunteer leaders come together to learn about selected topics through fun hands-on activities and mentorship. There are also provincial camps, conferences, competitions and national and international travel opportunities available to further develop skills in leadership, business, self-confidence and more. 4-H provides youth with a place they can be involved, accepted, valued and heard while developing valuable leadership and life skills.
1. TERMS OF CONTRACT
The contract will commence July 12, 2021 and complete November 15, 2022.
Approved out of pocket expenses will be reimbursed and pre-approved mileage will be paid at the current 4-H Ontario policy rate. This is above the writing costs included in the RFP. The writing costs must be inclusive of any applicable taxes.
Compensation would be provided in conjunction with the following milestones:
10% Retainer fee upon signing of contract – July 12, 2021
20% Delivery of 1st draft of the project – November 30, 2021
20% Delivery of 2nd draft of the project – March 31, 2022
50% Upon completion of all edits and materials to 4-H Ontario’s satisfaction – Nov.15, 2022
Piloting (Testing) Process Phase: April 1 – August 31, 2022 (4-H staff monitored, feedback received by 4-H staff from 4-H volunteers and shared with project writer to make final document edits)
2. SCOPE OF SERVICES REQUIRED
Research, writing and creation of curriculum and hands-on learning activities as part of the 4-H Swine project resource. To achieve this goal, this person will work with an expert project advisory committee and 4-H staff to develop the outline for the project which will act as a guide for their work. 4-H Ontario has a project blueprint (for an outline see page. 3) which outlines how the project will be structured; The full blueprint will be provided to the successful candidate upon selection.
3. SUBMISSION REQUIREMENT
The Request for Proposal must provide:
- • A statement of understanding of services being provided included in a cover letter
- • A resume
- • Project pricing, including any applicable taxes, and any other associated costs
- • A writing sample
4. SELECTION PROCESS
Interviews will be conducted upon the completion of the competition for selected submissions.
4-H Ontario will select an applicant who is able to provide the required services in an effective manner at the most effective cost consistent with project objectives. Neither the lowest price proposal nor any proposal will necessarily be accepted. REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL
Position Description:
Position: Project Resource Writer: 4-H Ontario Swine Project
Responsible to: Senior Manager Programming and Coordinator, Programming & Resources
Job Function: Research and writing of the 4-H Ontario Swine project resource
Location: Home office
Hours of work: As required
Scope of Responsibilities:
- • To work closely with the Coordinator, Programming & Resources to research and write the project resource
- • To develop 4-H project material (curriculum) using the 4-H Project template including hands-on learning activities relating to the subject matter
- • To meet with an expert advisory committee to review materials and determine pertinent topic information to be included in the project resource
- • To work with the expert advisory committee, 4-H staff and volunteers as needed to make edits to materials upon review
Qualifications Required:
- • Excellent writing skills
- • Excellent organizational and time management skills
- • Ability to work with a diverse group of stakeholders, staff and volunteers
- • Ability to research complex topics and communicate them in a learner-friendly, experiential manner
- • Knowledge of the subject matter, technology, is preferred
- • Ability to create various forms of learning opportunities and activities to accompany the subject matter
- • Excellent computer skills, knowledge of Microsoft Office programs (mainly Word, Adobe and Internet)
- • Ability to work as a team member
- • Must have access to a home-based office
- • Experience in the 4-H program is an asset
- • Experience writing curriculum/material for youth/students is an asset
Project Resource Topic Summary:
This project will be an update of the 4-H Ontario Swine Project. The topic areas and content for this project will be determined by the expert Advisory Committee in conjunction with the project writer and 4-H Ontario staff. This project resource will focus on how to provide consumers with lean, nutritious and residue free pork. Youth will learn about breeding, health, nutrition, housing and management, marketing, livestock traceability and emerging technologies in the swine industry. REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL
4-H Canada Project Blueprint
For over 100 years, 4-H Ontario has been one of the most highly respected positive youth development organizations in the province. Our goal is to help 4-H members to “Learn To Do By Doing” in a safe, inclusive, and fun environment. We believe in nurturing responsible, engaged, and confident leaders who are committed to positively impacting their communities across Canada, and around the world.
Projects
At the community level, 4-H participants are part of a Club and they participate in 4-H “projects”. Clubs and projects are guided by volunteers whom we refer to as 4-H Leaders. 4-H leaders play an active role in mentoring youth and supporting all club and project activities. Project topic and themes range widely from community to community across the country. The organization’s four leadership develop pillars help to categorize the project themes and topics found within 4- H clubs; they are:
1. Community Engagement and Communications
2. The Environment and Healthy living
3. Science and Technology
4. Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security
Why this Blueprint?
As a positive youth development organization committed to delivering world class experiential education programming for youth, it is important to ensure that our curriculum and resources meet standards and follow best practice so that we equip our clubs with high quality, user-friendly tools and supports. This blueprint is an outline of the standards and criteria we have set as an organization, in consultation with several experts in experiential education and positive youth development. From this process, the following key elements have been identified for all resource and curriculum development:
Elements
4-H Ontario project resources are, typically, created in a six-meeting (module) format. Project resources:
- • Should follow Experiential Education Methodology (ie. “Do, Reflect, Apply”)
- • Should be framed around an outcomes-based positive youth development approach to programming (clearly demonstrated objectives an goals tied to our PYD formula assets)
- • Include external links and resources
- • Youth-friendly language and format
- • Digging Deeper information to accommodate experienced/advanced learners
- • Take into account all learning styles
The structural elements of the project include a cover page, table of contents, acknowledgements page, references, and lesson plan format. Modules are recommended for larger projects that have a lot of material to cover. Modules have a specific set of requirements and are structured much like thematic units.
Audience:
The resource that you build will help leaders to plan and facilitate project meetings, meaning the ultimate audience is the 4-H member. 4-H members range in age from 9-21, creating a very large spectrum of learning capacities, interests and needs. Some project resources will be designed for a more specific age group, which would be discussed with the industry advisory committee. At the end of the day, writers should strive to write simply, using layman’s terms and language.
More Information: