Consultant - Radio Drama at Farm Radio International

Background

• Between October 2022 and September 2023, Farm Radio International (FRI) is implementing a project with funding from the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) contributing to their “Green Innovation Centers for the Agriculture and Food Sector” (GIAE) programme. This project builds on two earlier phases where Farm Radio International supported radio stations in eight states to produce radio programming focused on the GIAE project topics.
• The overall aim of this project phase is to improve agricultural productivity and income of smallholder women and men farmers in Maize, Rice, Cassava and Potato value chains by promoting uptake of Good Agricultural and Business Practices, especially for women smallholder farmers, through gender transformative sustainable agricultural radio programming.
• Farm Radio piloted two 5-7 minute radio drama episodes on gender-related issues in the previous project phase. These dramas were well-received by listeners, particularly women and demonstrated promise as an approach for addressing gender inequality issues.
• This project plans to strengthen gender-responsive agricultural radio programming through fully implementing the gender strategy elaborated in the previous project phase.
• This includes specifically leveraging partnerships with women’s rights and gender equality-focused organizations to reinforce the integration of gender-related considerations into the radio programming through the development of drama and integration of drama into programs.
• Farm Radio International will use the Drama Plus Discussion (Drama+) radio approach wherein selected radio stations will produce radio programs for eight targeted states in Nigeria.
• The planned Drama+ programming will include identifying and addressing the specific information needs of women.

Scope of Work & Activities / Deliverables

• We are seeking a consultant/consulting team to write a 12-episode radio drama (in English to start) by contextualizing relevant episodes from an existing 20+-episode English-language radio drama script.
• With support from key staff at Farm Radio International (FRI) the consultant will begin by identifying key gender equality themes and selecting existing drama episodes for contextualizing.
• The consultant will then draft a 12-episode drama script (5-7 minutes per episode) in English for review by Farm Radio International staff and other key stakeholders.
• Once this script has been reviewed and necessary changes made the consultant will produce a sample episode in Pidgin which will be reviewed by staff and a group of test listeners for final feedback.
• Then the consultant will produce the 12-episode drama in 3 languages (Hausa, Pidgin and Yoruba) to be aired by the radio stations involved in the project.
• The consultant is expected to make some additional contextualization when producing the different language versions (e.g. language, terminologies, humour, socio-cultural underpinnings etc.)

Key Expected Activities / Deliverables

• Participate in an inception meeting with FRI team - to meet key people in the FRI team involved in supporting the radio drama activity
• Desk review of (1) gender analysis report, (2) gender strategy, (3) existing 20+-episode English radio drama script and (4) other relevant project documents
• After review of all documentation, deliver a presentation to FRI staff of (1) selected gender themes and topics for the 12 drama episodes and (2) relevant existing drama episodes to be contextualized.
• Together with FRI, finalize themes and topics to be included in the 12-episode drama script, including plan for additional contextualization when producing the different language versions (e.g. language, terminologies, humour, socio-cultural underpinnings etc.)
• Contextualize scripts for 12 episodes and present first draft to FRI Project Team, GEI Team and partners for review
• Update draft scripts with FRI feedback integrated
• Produce sample episode in Pidgin for FRI and test audience review and approval
• Produce a 12-episode radio drama in Hausa, Pidgin, and Yoruba using suitable voice actors and sound effects.

Timeline

Consultant / Consulting Team Profile

• The Consultant/Consulting Team should have substantive experience in writing and producing radio drama for social and behavior change communication projects, as well as passion for and knowledge of issues related to gender equality and women’s rights.
• Similar work experience in Nigeria is required, and the consultant should have great communication skills and excellent written and verbal skills in the English language.
• The consultant should demonstrate capacity for producing radio drama in varied languages and cultural contexts, and quick delivery on the assignment. The consultant will be under the supervision of the Nigeria Program Coordinator and will work closely with the Global FRI team.

The consultant must have:

• A University Degree or equivalent Education / Training in Theatre for Change or other relevant fields
• 6 - 12 years experience.
• A commitment to and understanding of issues related to women’s rights and gender equality, including nuances regarding empowering communication;
• Practical experience is a must
• Excellent interpersonal communication and time management skills
• Previous experience in the areas of communication for development is an added advantage
• Ability to manage the scripting of radio drama for the different target groups
• Ability to work under pressure and produce quality work within a short deadline
• Fluency in English written and oral communication.

Remuneration
Farm Radio International will pay up to Three Million One Hundred and Seventy Six Thousand Naira (N 3,176,000) for this assignment.