Terms of Reference (ToR)
Job Title: Consultant – Curriculum Development for Short Course on Mathematical Modelling of Communicable & Non-Communicable Diseases
Project Name: AIMS–KEMRI Collaboration – Statement of Work No.1
AIMS Centre: AIMS Research and Innovation Centre (RIC), Kigali – Rwanda (with virtual consultations and field visits to KEMRI, Kenya, as needed)
Reports to:
- Primary: Prof. Cecil Ouma – Academic & Research Focal Person
- Secondary: Mr. Joseph Ndiritu – Coordinator, Joint AIMS/KEMRI Committee (for milestone alignment)
- Engagement: Dr. Collins Okoyo – KEMRI Focal Person (technical inputs)
Duration: Three Months (Fixed Contract)
About AIMS & the AIMS–KEMRI Collaboration
The African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) is a pan-African network of centres of excellence in mathematical sciences. AIMS has entered a strategic collaboration with the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) to advance training, research, and innovation in mathematical modelling for human health across Africa.
This partnership is being operationalized through Statement of Work No. 1 (SoW1) for the 2025/26 academic year, which outlines priority activities such as capacity building, joint research, and institutional exchange. A central deliverable under SoW1 is the design and pilot delivery of a short course in Mathematical Modelling of Communicable & Non-Communicable Diseases to be offered jointly by AIMS and KEMRI by December 2025.
Position Overview:
The consultant will lead the design of a competency-based, modular curriculum for the short course. Tasks include benchmarking, stakeholder consultation, and preparation of teaching and assessment materials in line with international best practice and AIMS standards as well as integration of accreditation requirements to position the course for recognition by relevant higher education and professional bodies.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop a detailed inception report and work plan, including methodology, schedule, and risk mitigation aligned with the objectives of the AIMS–KEMRI partnership and SoW1 milestones.
- Conduct a rapid landscaping of comparable short courses/programmes in mathematical modelling for health, identifying competencies and delivery approaches.
- Design a detailed course syllabus with modules, learning outcomes, teaching hours, and recommended pedagogical methods (blended, case-based, hands-on modelling).
- Prepare teaching and learning materials (lecture notes, exercises, datasets) and propose guest lecturers or resource persons.
- Integrate accreditation requirements (credit hours, prerequisites, evaluation criteria) to position the course for future recognition by relevant bodies.
- Develop formative and summative assessment tools aligned with learning outcomes, and propose a quality assurance and feedback mechanism.
- Facilitate a validation workshop with AIMS, KEMRI, and other stakeholders to review the draft curriculum and incorporate feedback to finalize the curriculum package.
- Ensure timely execution of all activities per the developed work plan and protocol.
Expected deliverables and proposed timeline.
|
# |
Deliverable |
Proposed Due Date |
|
1 |
Inception report & detailed workplan |
By week 2 of the contract start |
|
2 |
Benchmarking/landscaping report |
By week 4 |
|
3 |
Draft curriculum package (syllabus, modules, materials, assessment plan) |
By week 8 |
|
4 |
Validation workshop facilitated & inputs integrated |
By Week 10 |
|
5 |
Final approved curriculum package ready for pilot delivery |
By Week 12 |
Qualifications
- PhD degree in Mathematical Modelling, Epidemiology, Biostatistics, or related field.
- Proven track record of designing and delivering curricula or short courses in mathematical modelling or public health.
- Experience with blended learning, adult learning methodologies, and competency-based curriculum design.
- Familiarity with accreditation processes in higher education in Africa.
- Excellent facilitation, writing, and stakeholder engagement skills.
Selection Criteria
The consultant will be selected through a competitive process based on technical competence, relevant experience, and value for money, in line with AIMS Research and Innovation Centre (RIC) procurement procedures.
Proposals will be evaluated using the following weighted criteria:
|
Criterion |
Weight |
|
Understanding of the assignment and quality of the proposed curriculum development approach |
35% |
|
Demonstrated experience in curriculum or short-course development in applied mathematics, mathematical modelling, epidemiology, or related fields |
30% |
|
Qualifications and relevant professional experience of the proposed consultant(s) |
20% |
|
Financial proposal (cost-effectiveness and clarity of budget) |
15% |
|
Total |
100% |
Shortlisted candidates may be invited for clarification discussions before final selection.
Payment Terms
Payment will be linked to deliverables, as follows
- 20% on approval of the inception report.
- 40% on submission of draft curriculum package.
- 40% on approval of final curriculum package.
Application Process
Interested consultants should submit:
- A technical proposal (max five pages) outlining methodology and workplan.
- An updated CV.
- A financial proposal with fees and anticipated costs.
- At least two examples of previous similar assignments.
- Applications should be sent to applications@aimsric.org by 15 Jan 2026