AHDR has opened a call for Children's Book Authors! 

 EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (EOI)

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

ROSTER OF CHILDREN’S BOOK AUTHORS

ASSOCIATION FOR HISTORICAL DIALOGUE AND RESEARCH (AHDR)

Terms of Reference for Children’s Book Author

Background

The Association for Historical Dialogue and Research (AHDR) is an inter-communal, non-profit, and non-governmental organization established in 2003 in Nicosia, Cyprus. The AHDR envisions to contribute to the advancement of dialogue, critical thinking and intercultural understanding amongst teachers, students, and the general public by providing access to various learning opportunities for all. More specifically, the AHDR promotes the study and research of the History of Cyprus in a critical and comprehensive way; develops supplementary educational material for educators and students in relation to History and Peace/ Anti-racist Education to be shared and used in and beyond classrooms; increases public awareness on the importance of dialogue and multiperspectivity; promotes a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence through education at a local, national, and international level. In 2011 the AHDR opened the Home for Cooperation (H4C), a unique educational, cultural and community centre in the heart of Nicosia, in the UN Buffer Zone.

To support its work, the AHDR requires professional services to help support the current and future project needs of the AHDR.

Expression of Interest & Roster of Children’s Book Authors

The overall objective of this expression of interest is to create a roster of children’s book authors for the AHDR’s projects. Qualified authors will be placed in the roster for the next one year in order to expedite the hiring process. Under the understanding for registering for the children’s book author roster the selected candidates will be contacted to see if they are available to author stories for children (10-15 years olds) when needed. The book aims to introduce social justice concepts and encourage critical thinking and empathy towards social issues. The book will be published in English, Greek, and Turkish and it will include illustrations and interactive activities to engage the children. The author will be responsible for writing the book in English, in consultation with AHDR.

The Roster will be maintained for a period of one year and will be reviewed and updated yearly based on performance and needs.

Scope of Work and Responsibilities

The author will ensure effective and efficient provision of services, full confidentiality in all aspects of assignment, management of information flow and follow-up on deadlines and commitments made. Below are the key responsibilities:

- Research and develop the content of the book: The author will be responsible for researching and developing the content of the book in consultation with AHDR. The book will need to cover key social justice concepts, and it should be age-appropriate and engaging for students aged 10-15;

- Coordinate and work collaboratively with the AHDR Director, Project Officer(s) and Project Technical Consultant;

- Work with the team to understand the vision and concept of the project and working in line with the vision, mission and objectives of AHDR;

- Ensure that the stories are respectful to the sensitivities to the different stakeholders and communities;

- Not disclosing any confidential information, materials, design, or copyrights to third parties (all documents used within the project should be considered confidential);

- The author will be responsible for writing the book in English. The content should be clear, concise, and engaging, with a focus on storytelling that captures the attention of the target audience;

- Work closely with the illustrator, providing guidance and direction to ensure that the illustrations align with the content and theme of the book;

- The content of the book should engage the students and deepen their understanding of the content, which should include discussion and reflection prompts, and suggestions for action related to social justice issues;

- The author will be expected to incorporate feedback from AHDR and other stakeholders in the development of the book. This includes editing and revising the manuscript as needed;

- Have a firm understanding of the topics at hand, consulting with experts in a specialist field, if required;

- Maintain consistency and flow in the stories;

- Ensure the timely response to the AHDR team’s requests and the timely delivery of all agreed deliverables;

- Adhere to copyright and trademark laws, and ensure that all content is original and does not infringe on existing intellectual property;

- State the cost of extra changes, if any;

- Ensure high quality, effective and efficient provision of services as well as confidentiality in all aspects of the assignment.

Children’s Book Authors Requirements

Required Qualifications & Competences

- Bachelor’s degree or above in literature, children’s literature, language, creative writing and/or in relevant fields;

- Experience in writing children's books and stories, with a focus on educational, engaging and age-appropriate content;

- A good understanding of social justice concepts, including issues related to human rights, equality, diversity, and inclusion;

- Excellent storytelling skills, idea generation and creative ability, with the ability to create compelling characters and narratives that engage and inspire the target audience;

- Strong collaboration skills and the ability to work closely with the illustrator, AHDR, and other stakeholders to ensure that the book meets the project's objectives;

- Flexible and adaptable, with the ability to incorporate feedback and adjust the content and approach as needed throughout the project;

- Strong awareness and sensitivity to cultural differences and be able to create content that is respectful and inclusive of diverse perspectives;

- Proficient in English, with excellent writing and communication skills and attention to detail;

- Provide a portfolio of their previous work, including children's books, to demonstrate their experience and skills in writing and storytelling;

- Committed to meeting the project's deadlines and delivering high-quality work on time;

- A commitment to ongoing learning and growth in the field of educational storytelling and social justice themes;

- Ability to grasp new concepts quickly.

Evaluation & Selection of Applications

Authors will be selected in accordance with their qualifications and demonstrated level of experience. This Expression of Interest does not entail any commitment on the part of the employer, either financial or otherwise. The shortlisted applicants will be contacted by the AHDR team.

 Contracting & Rates

Successful authors will be awarded an Agreement for Professional Services – Children’s Book Authors Services and become part of a Roster for the AHDR projects.

The rates do not include VAT. Where applicable, the employer shall be liable to pay VAT taxation for the services upon receipt of a valid VAT invoice from the Contractor.

It is the responsibility of the contractor to ensure that they comply with all other relevant income taxations and social insurance payments. The employer has no liability for such taxes and duties (except VAT) payable by the contractor under this Contract.

The contract will establish a framework agreement for services when needed.  This does not form a financial obligation or commitment from the employer at the time the contract is signed.  Financial commitments will only be established each time the services are requested within the scope of the contract.  Payments will be made upon completion of design services and submitted invoice by the Contractor. The rate of the contract is determined by the employer.

Submission Details

Please submit your: 1) CV, 2) Expression of Interest letter briefly stating your experience in this field, 3) Portfolio, 4) Financial Proposal and 5) any other relevant documentations (optional). 

Submit via email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by May 1, 2023.

Interested applicants may obtain further information by sending any requests to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..