Expression of Interest (EOI): Graphic Design and Layout Services

Expression of Interest (EOI): Prequalification of Graphic Design Service Providers

Issued by: Teaching at the Right Level (TaRL) Africa
Category: Graphic Design and Layout Services — Print and Digital Materials
Geographic Scope: 17+ countries across Africa/Region
Reference Number: TARL DG-2026

Issue Date: 19th August 2026
Submission Deadline: 2nd September 2026
1. Background

Teaching at the Right Level (TaRL) Africa is an African-led organisation working to improve foundational literacy and numeracy outcomes for children across Africa. It works with governments, education partners and other stakeholders to support evidence-based approaches that strengthen children's foundational skills and education systems.

TaRL Africa develops and adapts literacy and numeracy teaching and learning materials for different countries, languages and education contexts. These materials require professional design, contextualisation, layout, typesetting and production to ensure they are clear, accessible and appropriate for their intended users.

TaRL Africa seeks to establish a pre-qualified pool of graphic designers and design firms to provide these services on an as-needed basis. Pre-qualified providers may subsequently be invited to submit quotations or proposals for specific assignments. Pre-qualification does not constitute an award of work or guarantee any minimum volume or value of assignments.
2. Scope of Services

Depending on assignment requirements, pre-qualified service providers may provide some or all of the following:

- Contextualisation and adaptation of existing literacy and numeracy manual templates for new country and language contexts.

- Layout and typesetting of manual interiors using Adobe InDesign or an equivalent professional platform.

- Cover design, including concept development and refinement based on client feedback and selection.

- Adaptation of TaRL Africa brand and design guidelines to country-specific content and requirements.

- Preparation of print-ready PDF/X files or other formats specified by the printer.

- Preparation of digital versions where required.

- Illustration, iconography and graphic element development.

- Incorporation of feedback from TaRL Africa and relevant government or education-sector partners through agreed revision rounds.

- Application of accessible and inclusive design principles, including appropriate colour contrast, typography, font sizing and legibility for foundational learners.

- Development or adaptation of age-appropriate, culturally and contextually representative illustration styles.

- Alignment with applicable Ministry of Education or government textbook and instructional-material requirements, including trim size, page dimensions, page count, colour usage and other production specifications.

- Adaptation of designs to low-cost printing requirements, including black-and-white and two-colour production where required.

- Preparation and handover of agreed editable and final production files.

Specific deliverables, timelines, revision rounds and technical specifications will be agreed for each assignment.
3. Eligibility and Minimum Requirements
Applicants must:

- Be legally established and operating in their country of residence, or demonstrate strong local or regional presence and understanding of the relevant education and printing context.

- Have at least three years' professional experience in graphic design, publication design, print production or layout.

- Demonstrate proficiency in Adobe InDesign or an equivalent professional layout application.

- Demonstrate experience preparing professional, print-ready files.

- Submit a portfolio containing at least two examples of books, manuals, educational materials or other multi-page publications.

- Demonstrate capacity to meet agreed timelines, including expedited timelines where required.

- Demonstrate experience or capacity in multilingual typesetting, including diacritics and non-Latin scripts wher