Mercy Corps Consultancy for Production of Video Documentary for SLYI Program (Hargeisa and/or Garowe Somalia)

Somali Youth Leadership Initiative
 

Terms of Reference (TOR) 

for 

Producing Video Documentaries on SYLI Program in Somalia

Duration:  TBD, not to exceed 10 days
 

Duty Station:   Hargeisa and/or Garowe

Somali Youth Leaders Initiative (SYLI)
 

Somali Leaders Initiative (SYLI) program is a five-year USAID-funded program comprising of 3 result areas: 

1) Fair and equitable secondary education services improved for at least 50,000 Somali youth, community member and education officials through construction and rehabilitation of school infrastructure, provision of teaching and learning material, teacher training, capacity building for teachers, education officials and improved community and government participation in education management, 

2) At least 10,000 youth are more economically self-reliant with supportive systems through improved access to and quality of technical and vocational education and training (TVET) services, improved TVET standards, support for business start-ups and improved linkages to the private sector, and, 

3) 100,000 youth empowered to participate and contribute positively and productively to society through strengthening of youth groups and safe spaces for youth dialogue and support for youth-led advocacy efforts and community improvement projects.

Scope of Work
 

Mercy Corps Somalia is seeking a talented and experienced documentary filmmaker for a short project featuring SYLI. 

The short documentary (7-10 minutes), will feature a story of a beneficiary of the SYLI program. 

The successful candidate will spend one week in Hargeisa (Somaliland) and/or Garowe (Puntland) creating a compelling video that captures aspects of our SYLI program, focusing specifically on one or two unique beneficiary stories. 

Duties will include field-based filming, editing and music editing. 

The consultant is expected to travel to Hargeisa shortly after selection in order to execute the filming and editing of a documentary featuring Mercy Corps’ SYLI program.

The filming of this documentary will include field visits to SYLI program activity locations throughout Somaliland and, if needed, Puntland. 

If necessary, the consultant will travel to Nairobi to meet with USAID officials to conduct interviews and take additional video footage as needed.

The successful candidate will be required to:

• Work with the Mercy Corps communication specialist to develop a detailed work plan for final approval by Mercy Corps. All activities should be complete and finalized within two (2) weeks of contract signing.
• Research and produce informative and motivational human interest videos and participate in firsthand reportage to ensure credibility and enhance conviction of respective audience.
• Produce two versions of each original video, one with Somali narration accompanied by English translation and subtitles and another of the same video with English narration also accompanied with translation and English subtitles in situations where Somali is spoken by featured beneficiaries.
• The work will include the production of agreed storylines and outline scripts which highlight the impact and importance of Mercy Corps’ SYLI program, with particular focus paid to first-hand beneficiary accounts and the impact SYLI has had on each beneficiary’s individual life.
• Video footage will be required to follow agreed storyline and should be filmed as required, along with suitable complementary interviews and dialogue.
• Edit the final videos and have them approved by the Chief of Party and Mercy Corps’ communication team before going public.
• Support the communications and IT teams in packaging final videos and other content for use online and elsewhere.

Tasks

• Visit field projects to gather information and video for external and internal use.
• Edit and package final products for distribution.
• Write and edit script with the assistance of the communications team.
• The documentary(ies) will convey the beneficiary perspective of SYLI. It will capture existing context of education challenges in Somalia; the social, economic and political benefits of education as experienced through the lens and voice of featured beneficiaries; and other important messages pertaining to the program as outlined by the SYLI program leadership.

                          

Task	End Product
Develop Script with Storyboard in close consultation with Mercy Corps	§   A basic research on education in fragile states. §   Tested and agreed storyboard with Mercy Corps. §   At least one approved script/storyboard of a 10 minutes film. §   List of interviews with corresponding questions §   Finalize materials for post productions
Develop plan for filming, audio and post production in consultation with Mercy Corps	§   Plan of filming, audio and post-production. §   List of shooting locations
Videography	§   Sufficient footage according following video storyboards §   Carryout interviews with help of Mercy Corps communications team
Animation	§   List of Titles §   Other required Animation
Post production	§   Conversion of raw footage §   Approved edited format of film
Final Product	Complete Video Documentary film with all incorporated feedback provided by Mercy Corps in the following formats: a)    8-10 minute film in Somali and English version of same video in DVD formats. b)    Digital formats of each version of finalized film provided to Mercy Corps for publication on its website and other social media platforms. c)     Both of the two Somali versions must have subtitles in English. The English versions should have English subtitles for Somali dialogue. d)    10 DVDs for each of two versions with designed cover featuring USAID and Mercy Corps branding. e)    All raw footages provided to Mercy Corps communications team f)     All background music and voiceover raw files provided to communications team. g)    If there is time to execute a second video, all of the above will also be provided.

 

Qualifications
 

The ideal candidate will have:

• A minimum BA/BFA in film or a video production/communications related discipline. A Masters degree in communications, journalism or film is preferred.
• Relevant experience in video production/editing ideally developing human interest stories for video. 
• Preferred a minimum of 5 or more years of experience in a video production role with prior work in developing or conflict affected countries.
• Candidate must own all of his/her own production equipment, including cameras, sound equipment, computer and editing software.
• Should be an expert using Final Cut Pro, Adobe Premier or other high-end digital editing software.
• Preferably, experience producing short videos for NGOs or for organizations with a focus on international development.

Methodology:
 

The consultancy will involve a review of SYLI program documents and interview and discussion with SYLI program beneficiaries, MoE, donor, staff, as well as training staff. 

This will be followed up by field visits to at least three regions in Somaliland and Puntland to collect additional data and interview, photograph and take video clips of SYLI program beneficiaries and stakeholders. 

Compensation: The consultant will provide an itemized budget proposal for the consultancy, as well as a technical proposal stating suitability to undertake the assignment and the methodology. 

Logistics: Mercy Corps will provide the consultant with transport to and from Somalia, as well as within Somalia. 

Application Information and How to Apply

Interested candidates for this role are required to submit a work sample, resume and a technical proposal on how they intent to carry out the assignment. 

Online portfolios and links to video work are preferred. 

Portfolio and work examples should highlight your ability to perform well in this role and must include samples of short productions. 

Please submit directly to vacancy@so.mercycorps.org on or before September 30, 2013.