Job Description

‘Learn Play Grow’– Improved Foundational Learning and WASH Practices for Children in Anganwadi Centres Baseline Study

Request for Proposal, November 2024

1. Introduction 

Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit educational organization behind Sesame Street, reaches over 180 million children across more than 150 countries with research-based, tested and proven educational interventions designed to help kids grow smarter, stronger and kinder. We are active in more than 150 countries, serving vulnerable children through a range of media, formal education, and social impact programs, each tailored to the communities we serve. Sesame Workshop India (SWI) was established in 2006 to meet the unique needs of vulnerable children. Our programs focus on bringing to children and their caregiver’s language and strategies that have proven impact on the critical developmental milestones for children of 3-8 years. This includes health and over-all wellbeing, social emotional skills, WASH, literacy and numeracy. Our integrated curricula bring to fore aspects of equity, inclusion, protection as well as sensitivity towards environment. Sesame Workshop India delivers its programs on mass media and through interventions in-school, at home and in-communities.

Our programs use mediums such as storytelling, games, songs, and films to reach all children of 3-8 years across the country. For more information, log on to sesameworkshopindia.org  

Background of the program: Sesame Workshop India Trust’s (SWIT) “Learn Play Grow”, initiative is an integrated, multi- media initiative to create content for mass media audiences, caregivers, Anganwadi workers/teachers, and children with the goal of improving foundational and numeracy outcomes and improve water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) behaviours among children from marginalized groups.  

United States Agency for International Development (USAID) collaboration with Sesame Workshop India’s “Learn Play Grow” aims to enhance foundational learning and WASH practices among children in Anganwadi Centres (AWCs) in two aspirational districts i.e., Baran in Rajasthan and Bhupalapally in Telangana. The program will run for three years, covering 20,000-25,000 children and their families across 1000 AWCs in the Baran and Bhupalapally districts. It aims to reach 7.6 million people via social media, 6.3 million through SWI’s Hindi and Telugu YouTube channels, and 100,000 through the SWI’s Chalo! Sesame Street app. 

Objective 1 aims to empower government departments in delivering FLN and WASH curriculum through a multifaceted approach.  

Objective 2 focuses on improving awareness within families and communities to foster an environment conducive to facilitate FLN and WASH behaviours in children. 

Objective 3 seeks to strengthen collaboration with government and private sector partners to scale up the initiative and ensure long-term sustainability.  

2. Scope of Work 

The objective of the baseline study is to establish baseline values for beneficiaries, including children, fathers/mothers/caregivers, Anganwadi Workers (AWWs) and ICDS officials. The baseline data will assess children’s learning levels on FLN and WASH behaviours; and mother/ fathers, AWWs' & ICDS officials ‘knowledge, behaviours, and practices’ on FLN and WASH at the start of the project. It will also provide insights for content priorities for FLN and WASH based on children’s learning levels. The specific objectives of baseline assessment are- 

To understand the demographic profile of children, fathers and mothers/caregivers, and AWWs in the project area. 

To understand the state and district landscape for promoting FLN learning outcomes and WASH behaviours. 

To assess children’s current FLN learning levels and WASH behaviours at AWCs. 

To understand the current knowledge, awareness, practices, gaps, and challenges faced by fathers and mothers/ caregivers, AWWs and ICDS officials to deliver FLN learning and promote WASH behaviours. 

To assess the media consumption habits of children, Anganwadi Workers, ICDS officials, fathers, mothers, and caregivers.

Instructions and Notes for Organisation/Consultant

Inquiries and Clarificationso Organisation/consultant should send their queries at narmada.purohit@sesame.org cc jayanti.prakash@sesame.org & manvika.sharma@sesame.org before the due date for submission of queries/clarifications as mentioned in the Important Dates section.

No telephonic enquires will be entertained

Evaluation Process

All proposals shall be evaluated based on the criteria enlisted in this RFP.

Submission of Proposals:

Technical and Financial Proposal shall be sent separately to narmada.purohit@sesame.org cc jayanti.prakash@sesame.org & manvika.sharma@sesame.org in a single mail (as two separate files/attachments) with the subject line Proposal-Learn Play Grow-Baseline Study.It must be received before the deadline specified in the timeline. 

The last date to submit the proposal is 7 days from publishing the RFP

For detailed information, please check the complete version of the RFP attached below. 

About Company

We are educators. Creators. Researchers. Moms. Dads. Caregivers. Friends. We are an extended community who are passionate about one thing: helping children. We’re present in 11 states, providing over 25 million children with access to life-changing early education, critical health lessons, and helpful tools for tough situations. And joy. Lots of joy.
We reach children in their earliest years, when we know we can have the biggest impact. Before age five, a child’s brain grows faster than at any other time, laying the foundation for all the learning, behavior, and physical and mental health that follows. And Sesame is there, helping these young children grow to reach their full potential.

All Jobs posted by: Sesame Workshop India Trust