Development of high-quality eLearning course content and essential multimedia assets
REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST
(CONSULTANT SERVICES – SELECTION OF FIRMS)
Country: SAUDI ARABIA
Project Name: ISDB INSTITUTE EDX ELEARNING PROGRAM
Sector: ISLAMIC FINANCE CAPACITY BUILDING AND ONLINE LEARNING
Mode of Financing: ISLAMIC FINANCE GRANT
Financing No: ZZZ2839
The Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI) has secured a grant to support the development of its edX eLearning Program and expand its offering of courses on the edX platform. IsDBI is seeking expressions of interest from qualified international firms for the development of high-quality eLearning course content and essential multimedia assets.
Project Background: IsDBI is expanding its offering of eLearning courses on the edX platform. This initiative aims to expand IsDBI’s educational outreach and provide accessible, impactful learning resources to a global audience. The IsDBI edX eLearning Program will feature courses developed in-house, supported by a grant focused on enhancing the learning experience through professional content and rich media.
Scope of Work: This strategic project will span approximately 36 months and is designed to deliver a total of 24 impactful learning hours of high-quality eLearning courses. The courses will be developed as dynamic Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), focusing on critical topics in Islamic Finance, Banking, and Economics.
The scope of work includes design, storyboarding, and development of engaging and impactful course content for the following modules (indicative list only):
- Basic Principles of Waqf (Arabic + English)
- Principles, Practices, and Institutional Application of Zakah in Member Countries (Arabic + English)
- Role of Artificial Intelligence in Enhancing the Islamic Financial Industry (English)
- Risk Management for Islamic Financial Institutions (English)
- Stress Testing for Institutions Offering Islamic Financial Services (English)
- Strategic Business Leadership Program (English)
- Entrepreneurial Mindset Development Program (English)
- Climate Financing through Modes of Islamic Finance (English)
The draft TOR for the assignment is attached in Annex-1.
IsDBI now invites eligible international consulting firms (“Consultants”) to indicate their interest in providing the listed services in the draft ToR. Interested International Consultants must provide specific information that demonstrates that they are fully qualified to perform the services (availability of appropriate experience and skilful staff confirmed by brochures, description of similar assignments in analogous conditions, etc.) including expertise in developing similar studies.
Shortlisting Criteria: Interested firms will be shortlisted based on the following criteria. Submissions should provide clear and detailed information to demonstrate qualifications against each criterion:
- Firm's Experience and Capacity:
A.1. General Experience: The firm’s overall track record and length of operation in the field of e-Learning content development and multimedia production.
A.2. Specific Experience: Demonstrated experience in successfully completing at least two (2) similar projects within the last five (5) years. "Similar" is defined as projects involving:
- Development of courses for international organizations, particularly in the Middle East or OIC member countries.
- E-Learning content creation on complex topics (e.g., finance, economics, technical subjects).
- Development of course materials for the edX or other MOOC platforms.
- Experience with the IsDB or other Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) is a significant advantage.
A.3. Technical and Financial Capacity: Evidence of the firm’s technical resources, tools, and financial stability to successfully execute a project of this scale and duration.
- Expertise of Key Personnel
B.1. Instructional Design and Subject Matter Expertise:
- Availability of qualified instructional designers with a minimum of [5-7] years of relevant experience in developing engaging e-Learning courses.
- Subject matter expertise (or a demonstrated network of such experts) with proven knowledge in Islamic Finance, Banking, Economics, and related topics as outlined in the Scope of Work will be an added advantage
B.2. Technical and Multimedia Production Expertise:
- Availability of qualified multimedia specialists, including animators, graphic designers, and video producers, with a strong portfolio of work relevant to e-Learning; with minimum 5-7 years of relevant experience.
- Demonstrated experience with e-Learning authoring tools and the edX Studio environment.
B.3. Language Proficiency: Proven capacity to deliver content in both English and Arabic, as required by the specific courses. The firm may associate with other firms to form a joint venture and/or a sub-consultancy to ensure adequate language proficiency. Please refer to the clause/requirement of associating with other firms to form join ventures in the following paragraphs.
- Proposed Methodology and Approach
C.1. Understanding of the Project: A clear and concise statement demonstrating the consultant’s understanding of the project's objectives, target audience, and the technical requirements of the edX platform.
C.2. Quality Assurance and Project Management: A brief description of the firm’s approach to project management, communication, and quality assurance to ensure timely delivery and high-quality outputs.
The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to Paragraphs, 1.23, and 1.24 of The Guidelines for the procurement of Consultancy Services under lsDB project financing (April 20.19, revised in February 2023) (the “Procurement Guidelines”), setting forth IsDB’s policy on conflict of interest: Guidelines for the Procurement of Consultancy Services under IsDB Project Financing_1.pdf
Consultants may associate with other firms to enhance their qualifications but should indicate clearly whether the association is in the form of a joint venture and/or a sub-consultancy. In the case of a joint venture, all the partners in the joint venture shall be jointly and severally liable for the entire contract, if selected.
A consultant will be selected in accordance with the Quality and Cost-Based Selection (QCBS) method as set out in the Procurement Guidelines.
Interested consultants may obtain further information at the email address below during office hours; 8:30 to 16:30 hours Jeddah Local Time.
All expressions of interest must be submitted in writing to the email address below by 30 November 2025.
Attention: The Islamic Development Bank Institute
Email: cp.isdbi@isdb.org