The International Science Council (ISC) is a non-governmental organization with a unique global membership that works at the global level to catalyse change by convening scientific expertise, advice and influence on issues of major importance to both science and society.
The project aims to understand how Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) organizations in the Global South can achieve digital maturity. This will be done by providing strategic and technical assistance to selected organizations and learning from this experience.
The goal is for more STI organizations in the Global South to benefit from digital technologies. By widely sharing what is learned, it is hoped that other organizations will replicate and expand these interventions.
Additionally, the project aims to create a reflexive community of practice among science organizations in the Global South. ‘Reflexive’ refers to a community where members continuously test, pilot, exchange ideas, engage in peer learning, and formalize their knowledge.
The project builds on the exploratory work done in 2023, summarized in this publication Science organizations in the digital age.
The ISC is looking for a consulting firm or a group of consultants who can provide strategic and technical assistance to up to ten selected organizations from the ISC Membership (‘Participants’) and produce a report synthesizing learning and recommendations occurring from this experience.
1. Technical assistance: Conducting individual sessions with Participants over the course of 3-6 months (depending on the frequency of sessions), resulting in the development of a strategy document for each organization to put them on a path towards their digital transformation project. Indicative budget: up to 45,000 EUR (excl. VAT).
2. Knowledge gathering and reporting: Collecting and recording knowledge and experience over the course of these consultations, with a view to turning them into a comprehensive report, which should serve as a blueprint for action for other STI organizations in the Global South. Indicative budget: up to 9,000 EUR (excl. VAT).
3. Training, workshops, supporting tools (e.g. benchmarking, diagnostics, various templates): Additionally, we are interested in supplementing the experience with various training and useful tools, the contents of which will be agreed by the ISC and the Consultants. Indicative budget: up to 10,000 EUR (excl. VAT).
Total indicative budget: 64,000 EUR (excl. VAT).
Optional additional services:
4. Report editing and design: Consultants are invited to also include services for proofreading, editing, and design of the report in their proposals. Indicative budget: up to 7,000 EUR (excl. VAT).
5. Report distribution and promotion: Consultants with access to relevant communication channels and audiences are invited to include this information in their proposals. Indicative budget: up to 10,000 EUR (excl. VAT).
Total indicative budget: 17,000 EUR (excl. VAT).
Experience and expertise
Research and knowledge management
Project management
Communication skills
Global South presence
The ISC will assess offers on the following criteria:
The project must commence, be carried out and completed between 2024 and 2026. The tentative timeline is as follows:
A detailed timeline of action will be co-developed between the consulting firm and the ISC.
Please apply by uploading your offer, in English, in one document, through the online form below. Your submission should contain the following:
Introduction: a brief description of your company, highlighting your understanding of the project and summarizing your relevant experience and qualifications.
Executive summary: A concise overview of your proposed approach, including key deliverables, methods, processes and a tentative timeline of action.
Detailed proposal:
Budget proposal: A breakdown of costs in accordance with section 2 of this document (Services and indicative budget).
Supporting documents (optional): Any additional materials that support your proposal, such as certifications, awards, or additional examples of your past work.
If you would like to have an introductory call and discuss the project in more detail before making the official submission, contact Zhenya Tsoy, Senior Communications Officer at [email protected].
We look forward to receiving your proposals.