TERMS OF REFERANCE FOR SCHOOL ACCESSIBILITY IN NINETEEN SCHOOLS OF GAKENKE DISTRICT, NORTHERN PROVINCE

1. About us 

At Chance for Childhood (CFC), we believe that no childshould have to fight for a safe & happy childhood. We exist to ensure that every child can thrive from their early years through to adulthood. Together with partners, supporters, children and their communities, we protect, educate and create lasting change for every child threatened by violence, neglect and conflict.

We specialise in ensuring access to inclusive education and safe spaces so that children in Africa can play, grow, learn and thrive. We have staff and offices in the UK, Rwanda, Ghana and Uganda as well as community partners across East and West Africa.

In Rwanda, we are seeking for an outstanding Inclusion Trainer to deliver training and offer guidance to support the implementation of our Rwanda Interventions in the areas of inclusive education and safer spaces. 

Republic of Congo (DRC).

CHANCE FOR CHILDHOODis seeking proposals fromqualified and authorized construction companiesfor therehabilitation of school infrastructure to promote inclusive education in nineteen (19) schools of Gakenke District, Northern Province. This includes Construction of accessible pathways connecting different buildings, adjusting the chalkboards, refurbishment of wash facility etc

Participation in this tender is open on equal conditions, to all national companies or individuals specialized in construction and holding a valid construction license. Eligible companies or individuals must be duly registered with the Registry of the Republic of Rwanda and must not appear on the blacklist of any recognized national or international institution or organization.

2. About the Assignment

The company will base its work on the findings of the situational analysis conducted by Chance for Childhood, which assessed existing school facilities, identified physical barriers, and proposed cost-effective, sustainable, and disability-friendly modifications.

To address these challenges, a comprehensive programme of accessibility improvements is required. The selected company will be responsible for repairing and adapting school infrastructure, as well as constructing accessible pathways and toilets in the model schools, in accordance with the Bill of Quantities (BOQ). These interventions are essential to ensure that all children regardless of ability can learn and thrive together in safe, inclusive, and welcoming environments.

3. Objectives

3.1. Main objective

Enhance physical accessibility in schools by repairing and adapting infrastructure (pathways, classrooms, chalkboards, toilets, and entrances) to ensure safe and equitable access for all learners, including children with disabilities and special educational needs (CWD/SEN).

3.2. Specific objectives

• Conduct site-specific repairs and modifications to school infrastructure, including entrances, classrooms, pathways, ramps, and toilets, based on the accessibility audit findings (See BOQ).
• Ensure compliance with universal design and national accessibility standards, making school facilities safe, inclusive, and user-friendly for children with disabilities and special educational needs (CWD/SEN) see Rwanda building code.
• Collaborate with project teams, school leaders, and local authorities to ensure that all repairs and modifications align with the priorities of the needs of children with disabilities and SEN, schools and RISE project and.
• Document and report progress on repair works, including before-and-after evidence, to demonstrate impact and accountability.

3.3. Expected Outputs/Results

• Improved school accessibility: Identified barriers in entrances, classrooms, toilets, and pathways are repaired or removed, infrastructure modifications comply with universal design and national accessibility standards.
• Inclusive learning environment established:Schools have safe, child-friendly, and disability-inclusive facilities that enable children with disabilities and special educational needs (CWD/SEN) to enroll, attend, and learn without barriers.
• High-quality and sustainable expertise delivered: Repairs are durable and meet quality standards to ensure long-term usability.
• Evidence of work completed: Comprehensive completion report submitted, including photographic documentation (before and after), work descriptions, and confirmation of compliance with the agreed scope.

4. Scope of work

The selected company will be responsible for: Reviewing the accessibility audit report and site-specific requirements in 19 schools, developing a work plan and detailed designs for repairs and modifications, executing construction, repair and conducting site visits with CFC/RISE staff and school authorities to ensure alignment, submitting completion reports with photographic documentation.

Interested construction companies are advised to carefully review the present Terms of Reference (ToRs) and Bill of Quantities (BoQ) below or available to the link BOQ in 19 schools in Gakenke District.xlsx

5. How to apply

Interested candidates should submit ONE SINGLE PDF file containing the following documents (except the financial offer):

• A technical proposal, with a clear specification of what will be done (An Excel sheet indicating the bidder’s quoted prices against the items listed in the Bill of Quantities (BoQ).
• A financial offer detailing the various costs associated with the construction service provision.
• Evidence of the service prviders’ experience in doing similar assignments: Copies of similar assignments (with evidence for good completion of the previous similar assignments);
• Submit at least 3 reference certificates of good completion with their contacts and addresses. 
• Each proposal must clearly specify the shortest possible execution period for the work.
• The following supporting documents must also be included:
  • Company profile. 
  • RDB certificate, 
  • VAT registration certificate.
  • RRA tax clearance certificate.
  • RSSB tax clearance certificate (when applicable). 

Site visits are planned to take place at site location from 1st to 10th November 2025.

The work shall be carried out in accordance with the Terms of Reference (ToRs) and Bill of Quantities (BoQ).

Interested individual, company or group of suitable candidates are requested to submit their application via the email: apply@chanceforchildhood.orgwith subject line “ School infrastructures repairs Gakenke)”, not later than the 15th of November 2025 at 12:00‘ Rwandan time.

6. Ethical consideration 

The company is expected to conduct the construction works in a professional way, considering that CfC has zero tolerance for any misconduct against the beneficiaries, including children with disabilities. Therefore, the consultant should indicate in their application how they will protect the rights of the vulnerable population. This includes CfC policy of not exposing a child’s face or any other over exposure. In any case, the company will seek the informed consent of the participants first before any data is collected.

7. Safeguarding

Chance for Childhood promotes and upholds the principles of equal opportunities and its policies. Chance for Childhood has a zero-tolerance approach to any harm to, or exploitation of, a vulnerable adult or a child by any of our staff, representatives, or partners. Recruitment for all jobs at Chance for Childhood includes criminal record checks/police background check and the collection of relevant references. Safeguarding our beneficiaries is our top priority in everything we do.

The successful company will therefore need to review, agree, and sign Chance for Childhood’s Global Safeguarding Policy (CPP) prior to starting the works.

8. Prevention from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA)

The successful company shall not be involved in any sexual exploitation or abuse. The company shall ensure that it complies with the highest standards of moral and ethical conduct. Any incident of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse shall be reported to Chance for Childhood.

For the purposes hereof, the following definitions shall be used: 

Sexual exploitation means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. 

Sexual abuse means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions.

Done in Kigali 28th October 2025

Felicien Turatsinze 

Country Representative Chance for Childhood/Rwanda

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