Terms of Reference – Individual consultant or consulting agency for crafting a coffee table book on SAGP intervention stories

About The Asia Foundation

The Asia Foundation is a nonprofit international development organization committed to improving lives across a dynamic and developing Asia for 70 years. Informed by seven decades of experience and deep local expertise, our work across the region addresses five overarching goals: strengthening governance, empowering women, expanding economic opportunity, increasing environmental resilience, and promoting regional cooperation. The Foundation opened its first office in Dhaka in 1954, and has maintained a continuous presence since, working with the government of Bangladesh, civil society, community leaders, and the private sector to promote responsive and accountable governance, broad-based and inclusive economic growth, and basic rights and security.

The Foundation also encourages innovation and creativity in tackling community challenges, raising civic consciousness, and promoting good governance among the people of Bangladesh. Foundation programs enhance civil society's capacity to build trust between elected representatives, GoB officials, and communities, engage religious and secular leaders to advance national development efforts and women’s rights and create a platform for wider discussions about Bangladesh's rapidly changing socio-political situation.

Program Description

The Asia Foundation manages the South Asia Governance Program (SAGP). The SAGP is a strategic initiative designed to bolster good governance across the South Asia region. As a commitment to public sector transparency, accountability, and the rule of law, SAGP is responsive to evolving situations and expanding opportunities. It seeks to empower local governments and civil society through capacity building, mentoring, and program support. Addressing core themes of public sector accountability, rule of law, civil society participation, and democratic institution strengthening, SAGP aims to enhance governance practices in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.

To achieve its objectives, SAGP employs tailored approaches for each country's unique socio-economic context. The program is working to increase CSO-led policy reforms, promote civic engagement, and media freedom, and boost CSOs' capacity for long-term governance reform.

Purpose

The South Asia Governance Program (SAGP) will conclude in December 2024. Launched in September 2019, SAGP has supported hundreds of grants across five South Asian countries through its over 90 partner organizations, including think tanks, research institutions, civil society organizations (CSOs), academic institutions, and media houses. In Bangladesh, 42 projects have been implemented through 25 partner organizations, addressing various thematic areas.

As part of the SAGP close-out procedure, The Asia Foundation will hire a consultant/agency to design and print a coffee table book. This book will highlight selected impact stories from SAGP interventions in Bangladesh and include key highlights, an overview of SAGP, selected project profiles, lessons learned, and overall recommendations.

Specific tasks

  • Develop a strategic plan for this specific communication material in collaboration with The Asia Foundation team.
  • Provide editorial support to design the SAGP overview, country profile, key highlights of SAGP-supported research work, lessons learned, and overall recommendations. (the office will provide specific information and documents for this assignment.)
  • Create and illustrate 20/25 impact storyboards based on SAGP impact stories. (A sample can be found here.)
  • Design the overall structure of the coffee table book (the ideal size would be a maximum of 60 pages).
  • Print 500 copies of the book in four colors, adhering to high-quality standards.

Deliverables  

  • Editorial Support: Final texts of the book, including the SAGP overview, country profile, selected project profiles, research briefs, lessons learned, and key recommendations.
  • Storyboards: 20/25 impact storyboards based on 20/25 impact stories.
  • Printed Coffee Table Book: 500 copies of printed coffee table books with approved designs from TAF. (The consultant may suggest detailed specifications for a standard and high-quality book.)

Time frame: July 2024 to September 2024

Confidentiality of Information

The consultant/consulting agency would not disclose any information in relation to this assignment without prior consent of The Asia Foundation.

Qualifications for Consultants

The consultant or consulting agency needs to possess and demonstrate the following experience:

  • Minimum of 10 years of experience in editorial design, publishing, and printing high-quality coffee table books or similar publications.
  • Proven experience in creating engaging storyboards and illustrations, with a strong portfolio showcasing work related to social impact or development projects, and proficiency in design software (e.g., Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator).
  • Strong written communication skills with a demonstrated ability to craft compelling narratives and synthesize complex information into clear, impactful content for diverse audiences.
  • Familiarity with governance, civil society, and development issues in South Asia, particularly Bangladesh.
  • Previous experience with international organizations and development programs, with references and examples of similar work.

Application procedure

  1. Please submit either a CV, limited to 4 pages, or a Company and Team profile, spanning up to 10 pages, along with a cover letter not exceeding 1 page. The cover letter should detail your experience and suitability for the role.  
  2. Provide a detailed proposal, with a maximum of 8 pages, including a work plan, methodology, timeline, and a financial proposal outlining major cost items, including Tax and VAT amounts.  
  3. Include samples of previous relevant work, such as similar coffee table books or storyboards, showcasing both design and editorial capabilities.
  4. Applications that exceed the specified page limits or fail to adequately demonstrate the candidate's suitability for the position will not be reviewed. We value all expressions of interest; however, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted further.

Note: After the initial shortlisting of applications, shortlisted candidates will be required to develop a sample storyboard before awarding the contract to the selected consultant/agency.

Application Deadline

Interested consultant/parties must submit the application by 30 June 2024 to country.bangladesh.jobs@asiafoundation.org

Termination of the Agreement

Either party can terminate this agreement with written notice within 15 days of the date of signing this agreement. The Asia Foundation reserves the right to unilaterally terminate the contract if: (i) the consultant/firm cannot fulfill any clause of the Terms of Reference and (ii) the consultant/firm cannot submit their reports within the specified time.