Media Consultant to Drift Brief Synopsis, Documentary and Storyline of USAID Advancing Nutrition Project at Helen Keller International

A.    Background

USAID Advancing Nutrition is the Agency’s flagship nutrition project, led by JSI Research & Training Institute, Inc. (JSI). Launched in September 2018, USAID Advancing Nutrition implements and provides technical support to nutrition interventions across sectors and disciplines for USAID and its partners. The project’s multi-sectoral approach draws together global nutrition experience to design, implement and evaluate programs that address the root causes of malnutrition. Committed to using a systems approach, USAID Advancing Nutrition strives to sustain positive outcomes by building local capacity, supporting behavior change and strengthening the enabling environment to save lives, improve health, build resilience, increase economic productivity and advance development.

In August 2021, USAID Advancing Nutrition received a scope of work from USAID Nigeria to begin programming for a two-year activity. The program aims to improve the diets, nutritional status, and resilience of vulnerable populations, especially women, adolescents, and children aged 0–59 months, in five  focus states through the provision of technical support to implement innovative nutrition interventions and generate evidence to enhance nutrition programming toward achieving the overall goal of improving nutrition for a healthy, productive, and resilient Nigeria. 

The media consultant will develop six qualitative videos that will present how USAID Advancing Nutrition was implemented in line with Global best practices, and will highlight how the activities can be sustained at the community level, using USAID Advancing Nutrition’s approach as a good model. The video will present evidence of Effectiveness, Efficiency, and Accuracy of Project Planning, Preparation and Implementation, as well as Monitoring and Measurement of Impact/Lessons Learned, and Efficacy of Project Implementation.

Responsibilities:

• Need a media professional with well-established experiences in media production.
• In-depth knowledge of graphical video design;
• A working knowledge of HD formats;
• Experience working with development agencies on similar projects;
• Ability to transcribe a script to an audio-visual document. 

Objectives

The purpose of the consultancy is to support the Nigeria team by providing multiple videos of the activities implemented in our focal states and a documentary that encompasses the project implementation. 

• ·   Activity 4.1.2 Engage media consultants across implementation states to generate videos

B.    Activities

The consultant will work in close collaboration with the USAID Advancing Nutrition teams based in Nigeria to do the following:

• Draft a brief synopsis and script setting out the documentary angle and storyline as well as the purpose of the documentary.
•  Work with project staff to identify the key stakeholders to be featured in the documentary, book appointments and prep them before the production.
•  Provide rough drafts of documentaries for review and feedback.
•  Edit, translate (subtitle) and make other necessary changes to the documentaries taking into account the feedback and other comments.

Activities will likely require travel to Bauchi, Kebbi, Ebonyi and Sokoto states to document activities, take photographs/ videos, conduct interviews and to meet with relevant stakeholders.

C.    Specific tasks include:

• Script development: Draft the storyboard and script indicating the documentary angle, storyline and the purpose of the documentary. This will be shared and discussed with the Knowledge Management & Comms Officer and Senior Program Advisor before sharing with Chief of Party for approval.
• Interview mapping: Work with project staff to identify the key stakeholders to be featured in the documentary, book appointments and prep them before the production.
•  Branding: Collate all necessary logos and information that will be used in the documentaries, and include graphics, subtitles and other material relevant to the documentaries and short videos.
•  Trip schedule: Develop a plan and itinerary to conduct interviews with beneficiaries, partners and other stakeholders and film clips of capacity building activities, health centers, community, and other location activities.
•  Interviews: Travel to locations conduct interviews, pictures, cutaway videos and other relevant clips based on the approved synopsis/script.
•  Consent: Work with the KM to ensure that all the people to be interviewed understand and sign the consent forms.
• Documentary draft: Provide rough drafts of documentaries/short videos for review and feedback. Edit, translate (subtitle) and make other necessary changes to the documentaries/short videos taking into account the feedback and other comments.

D.   Deliverables and Schedule

The contractor is responsible for the timely submission of the following deliverables, as part of the SOW:

• Draft a script and develop a storyboard that will guide the direction of the documentary. 
• Idenity relevant stakeholders to be interviewed for the documentary
• Capture still pictures of stakeholders
• Draft a travel schedule for all the required media development
• Travel to states and communities and start shooting. Video content includes project strategies, activities and stakeholders, etc. Engage SCFN’s. Capture beneficiaries success stories connecting them to USAID Advancing Nutrition’s strategies. Linkage activities, and interviews. 
• Documentary drafts: Reviews, edits and corrections. 
• Approved Documentary file: 15 - 20 mins. Short videos of each strategy, beneficiaries, and stakeholders interview. Time frame (120 seconds each) 
• The total LOE is approximately equivalent to 50 days. All required deliverables and reports shall be submitted to USAID Advancing Nutrition 

Proposal/Offer Submission

Each bidder must submit the following:

• A technical proposal, no more than four pages, describing how the documentary production objectives will be met within the stated timetable.
• A narrative “pitch” describing the basic film concepts and illustrative examples of how it would be structured.
• Technical qualifications of the team members (for film companies) including CVs, for all proposed personnel along with select internet links or digital copies of relevant films developed by team members as well as Creative portfolios, including internet links or digital copies of relevant short films developed by the company.
• Budget/financial proposal including a description of costs for personnel, per diems, travel, logistics, any local production company support, and all film production costs (development, pre-production, production, and post-production). Include an overall cost for the contract.

 E.   Tentative Timeline:

• The anticipated duration to complete this task is 50 LOE non-consecutive days, between April  2023 to July 2023

F.   Consultant Qualifications

The following competencies, experiences and skills are qualifying conditions/criteria for the tender and must be demonstrated in the proposals submitted:

• Have at least 8 years of working experience directing and producing high quality human-angled documentaries/short films.
•  Proficient in video editing software.
• Have In-depth knowledge of graphical video design.
• Have a working knowledge of HD formats.
• Experience working with development agencies on similar projects.
• Ability to transcribe a script to an audio-visual document.

Terms & Conditions

This is a local posting in Nigeria, and as such, is subject to local terms and conditions.

In the spirit of our founder and namesake, Helen Keller is dedicated to building an inclusive workforce where diversity is fully valued.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer where all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status.

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual with a disability and need to request an accommodation during the application or interview process, please contact us at the email above