Job Posting: Cultural Heritage Preservation Consultant; World Learning (remote position)

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World Learning: Cultural Heritage Preservation Consultant Request for Quote

Main Facts Table
Reference Cultural Heritage Preservation Consultant
Contact for Questions and Quote Submission Edith Cecchini (edith.cecchini@worldlearning.org)
Deadline for submission of Quote Submissions 11:59pm EST on October 9, 2016
Skype Interviews with Finalists October 10-14, 2016
Estimated date of notification Week of October 17, 2016
Estimated dates of service October 24, 2016 – September 30, 2017 on an as-needed basis.
Total Estimated LOE (Level of Effort): 300 hours over 11 months, with an estimated 40 hours per month from November 2016 through April 2017 and 10 hours per month May through October 2017.

 
1. Need
World Learning seeks a Cultural Heritage Preservation Consultant to assist with the U.S. Department of State’s Communities Connecting HeritageSM grant from October 2016 through October 2017 on an as-needed basis. Total Estimated LOE (Level of Effort): 300 hours over approximately 12 months, with an estimated 40 hours per month from October through April and 10 hours per month April through October.
2. Background
Communities Connecting HeritageSM (CCH), is a two-year (9/1/2016 through 8/31/2018) U.S. Department of State-funded program awarded to World Learning as the prime implementer. CCH is an international people-to-people exchange program that engages communities and empowers people through the exploration of cultural heritage issues. The program brings together U.S. and international communities, especially youth, women, ethnic minorities and other underserved groups, through collaborative exchange projects that advance cultural heritage preservation through community outreach and public education. Youth ages 12-25 will be the primary demographic both in terms of participants and outreach. The program will include three phases: first, the selection of participating organizations and the creation of partnerships that result in the co-creation of a project; second, the virtual engagement of beneficiaries and participants during project implementation; and finally, the in-person exchanges between the two partners. This is a new initiative of the U.S. Department of State.
3. Purpose and Scope
The goals of the CCH Program are to:

  • Promote mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries (six countries TBD);
  • Showcase the role of cultural organizations as vibrant, engaged and influential institutions in contemporary society and convey the importance of tangible and intangible cultural heritage to community and national identity;
  • Increase awareness and understanding of American art, culture, values and society for international participants and audiences;
  • Foster opportunities for education outreach and community engagement with diverse and underserved communities, especially youth (ages 12-25), women, ethnic minorities, and refugees;
  • Provide unique opportunities for artistic collaboration, engagement and/or public exhibition between American and international participants; and
  • Create opportunities for sustaining relationships and collaboration between U.S. and international participants and institutions that endure beyond the exchanges.

The program aims to achieve these goals through achieving the following objectives:

  1. Identify and solidify 6 collaborative and sustainable partnerships between cultural organizations in the United States and foreign countries that lead to the conceptualization of innovative, cultural preservation projects;
  2. Support the implementation of 6 cultural heritage preservation projects through dynamic virtual and in-person exchanges that engage youth, ethnic minorities, women, and other disadvantaged populations; and
  3. Provide cultural heritage organizations with the tools and opportunities to expand their impact and sustain partnerships.

In order to achieve these goals, World Learning’s CCH team will hire a consultant with expertise in cultural heritage preservation/anthropology/the arts to work with World Learning on the following activities:
(Activity 1):  Identifying Target Countries and International Partners
The Cultural Heritage Consultant will join World Learning staff in reviewing international partner applications, as well as participating in interviews with final partner candidates. S/he will ensure that selected organizations demonstrate the requisite experience and understanding of key cultural heritage preservation concepts and programming. The U.S. Department of State must approve all finalists.
(Activity 2): Selecting U.S. Partners
S/he will help World Learning staff identify U.S. organizations with a reputation for excellent cultural programming to receive the request for proposals and may also be called upon to assist with the development of the RFP. The Consultant will sit as a member of the selection committee and contribute to the development of selection criteria.
(Activity 3): Co-Creation of Project Design
S/he will participate in supporting and reviewing the project design co-creation process between the matched partner organizations, ensuring that final projects address best practices in cultural heritage preservation and align with international standards. S/he will provide advice and mentorship to partner organizations as they identify their key beneficiaries, develop community outreach plans and articulate their project ideas.
(Activity 4): Ongoing Monitoring and Evaluation 
World Learning staff will consult with the Cultural Heritage Consultant as projects are being implemented and evaluated. S/he will work with the project team to address any implementation issues and recalibrate activities as needed.
 4. Consultant Requirements

  • Must be fluent in English
  • A minimum of 5 years of experience working on cultural heritage preservation projects
  • Strong network in the cultural preservation field, preferably with an international scope
  • Experience working with cultural organizations, both in the U.S. and abroad (especially Near East and North Africa, South and Central Asia, and/or Europe and Eurasia)
  • Experience planning, promoting, and implementing a variety of public exhibitions
  • Familiarity and comfort with virtual engagement
  • Knowledgeable of latest technology used in cultural preservation
  • Excellent communication skills, including: clarity in writing and speaking, timely responsiveness, ability to juggle multiple inquiries and needs for input
  • Creativity: ability to ideate and brainstorm
  • Cross-Cultural Communication Skills
  • Flexibility: willingness to work ad hoc and at a variety of daytime/evening time hours due to expected multiple international time zones of partners

5. Required Application Components

  • Resume (no more than 3 pages): Relevant Qualifications and Current Base of Operations/Current and Expected Physical Address during the timeframe of work.
  • Cover Letter (up to 2 pages): Explain your interest, your qualifications, technical expertise, past experience designing cultural preservation projects, working with youth, working with the international community, and working virtually.
  • Examples: three to five examples of recent cultural preservation projects that you have designed, led, and/or implemented within the last 10 years. Samples should not be more than one-page executive summaries.
  • Rate Quote: Please provide a quote of your expected hourly rate in your cover letter or on a separate document. Prices should be quoted in USD. Payment is expected to be on a quarterly basis, but timing is negotiable.

6. Evaluation Criteria (Out of 100 Points Maximum)

  • Educational Qualifications: (20 Points Maximum)
  • Experience: Cultural Preservation Experience/Stength of Samples (60 Points Maximum)
  • Rate: Reasonable and Commensurate with Experience (20 Points Maximum)

Offerors will not be reimbursed for any costs incurred in connection with the preparation and submission of their offers. World Learning reserves the right to: conduct negotiations with and/or request clarifications from any Offeror prior to selection; or cancel any of the items/services described or the entire bidding process.
7. Submission Instructions:
Submission of questions, and proposal materials should be sent by email to edith.cecchini@worldlearning.org  By submitting a quote in response to this RFP, the Offeror certifies that it and its principal officers are not debarred, suspended, or otherwise considered ineligible for an award by the U.S. Government. World Learning will not award a contract to any entity or individual that is debarred, suspended, or considered to be ineligible by the U.S. Government.