Terms of References 
for the Implementation of the Online Courses for University Students on Sexual and Reproductive Health

I.    Background 

Every young person will one day have life-changing decisions to make about their sexual and reproductive health. China is home to 175 million youths aged 15-24 , yet research shows that the majority of adolescents lack the accurate information and formal education on sexual and reproductive health, leaving them vulnerable to coercion, sexually transmitted infections and unintended pregnancy .

As the UN’s sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) agency, UNFPA is dedicated to fulfilling young people’s potential and rights through capacity building, policies and investments promotion, and advocacy. We believe that when empowered and given the right opportunities, youth are effective drivers of change.

In 2018, UNFPA China in collaboration with Beifang International Education Group (BIEG), one of the biggest education groups in China engaging with more than 200,000 university students, co-established the “Belt and Road” Youth Leadership and Participation project. The project aims to provide youth an inclusive platform for knowledge exchange and mutual learning, bridging the education gaps to improve their access and engagement in global actions. After two years of cooperation and exploration, the two organizations agreed to improve young people’s knowledge related to their sexual and reproductive health so they can be leaders of their own bodies, lives as well as supporters of their peers in the community.  

In the digital education environment, young people are responding to the challenges of the day with innovative approaches. UNFPA and BIEG plan to develop an online course for university students to touch base on concepts related to comprehensive sexuality education (CSE), which includes discussions about sexual and reproductive health, relationships, culture and gender roles, and also addresses human rights, gender equality, and threats such as discrimination and sexual abuse.

II.    Objective 

The course aims to help young people develop self-esteem and life skills that encourage critical thinking, clear communication, responsible decision-making and respectful behavior in their college lives and future development. 

An implementing agency will be recruited to manage the development of the online course with the support of UNFPA.

III.    Scope of work

The agency will be responsible for the following tasks:

•    Instructionally designing the content of the online course based on accurate information, evidence and consultations with experts.
•    Designing and developing a functional prototype of the online course for review and validation;
•    Producing the self-paced, well-structured and interactive online course. 
•    Managing the course designing and the video producing process and accountable for the quality of the final product. 
•    Conducting regular meetings and updates with UNFPA while collaborating with each stakeholder in the process.

Topic of the online course: Comprehensive sexuality education concepts for university students

Rational: The sexual and reproductive choices of young people can have a cascading effect on their human rights. Unintended pregnancy, for example, can lead young women to drop out of school, which deprives them of their right to education. Poor understanding of gender equality can lead to discrimination and gender-based violence. Adequate information on sexual and reproductive health enables young people to protect their health, well-being and dignity. 

Learning objectives: Through a comprehensive learning on age-appropriate, evidence and skills-based CSE concepts, students would be empowered to make responsible decisions for their own bodies and lives in the college years and in their future development. 

Modality:

•    The online course should quiz based, age-appropriate and human-centered, in consideration of the younger generation’s needs, with a combination of videos, scenario based information, videos and interactive activities. 
•    The online course is expected to take no more than 60 minutes to complete.
•    Participants who complete the course and pass the quiz will be awarded with certificates, and those who cannot pass the quiz should restudy. 
•    The format of the online course can refer to BSAFE, an online security awareness training developed by UNFPA: https://training.dss.un.org/course/category/6 

Target audience: The online course is designed for university students mainly aged 18-21. It will be piloted in 18 BIEG affiliated universities, covering a total of 200,000 students. 

IV.    Expected milestones and deliverables

•    Visual materials for the presentation and teachers’ scripts for the online course. 
•    A list of speakers’ bios for the online course. 
•    A functional prototype of the online course.
•    A package of the finalized online course (English course with Chinese subtitles) and supporting materials in English, accepted by UNFPA.

Please note, UNFPA China will reserve all copyrights on the online-course materials for nonprofit educational purposes; Without agreement and permission, the course shall not be distributed for other purposes. 

V.    Qualifications 

•    The implementing agency must be comprised of qualified experts, with a demonstrated track record in developing quality online courses. 
•    The implementing agency should have extensive expertise in sexual and reproductive health, especially for adolescents and youth.
•    The implementing agency should have a strong project management ability and excellent communication skills, with innovative, can-do attitude and detail-oriented working approaches.
•    Previous working experience with the UN is appreciated. 
•    The crew of the implementing agency should be able to work in an English-speaking environment

VI.    Timeframe 

The implementation period is three months from the date of contract signing. The online course is expected to be launched in the Spring semester of 2021 at 18 pilot universities.  

VII.    Payment plan 

•    25% of the total installment will be dispatched upon signing of contract and submission of a detailed project work plan using UNFPA’s template. 
•    50% of the total installment will be dispatched upon the submission of a functional prototype of the online course, supported by visual materials for the presentation and teachers’ scripts, and a list of speakers’ bios for the online course. 
•    25% of the total installment will be dispatched upon the submission of the final package including all products and supporting documents for the online course.

*the proposal will follow a template provided by UNFPA. 

VIII.    Submission

Please submit a detailed proposal in English, indicating your work plan, initial design of the online course, qualification, examples of past work and a budget plan using UNFPA’s template to gaoshan@unfpa.org and haoran@unfpa.org. The deadline of the submission is 10 January 2021 at 9:00 am (GMT+8).