Request for Proposal (RFP) – Consultancy for photography, videography and development of human-interest stories for the RAPID+ Program

Background

Millennium Water Alliance (MWA) would like to recruit a photographer/videographer or institution who can take good quality photos, videos and video interviews and write informative human-interest stories for a Swiss Agency for Development and Corporation (SDC) funded program, Resilient Arid Lands Partnership for Integrated Development Plus (RAPID+). The firm or individuals must have knowledge, skills, and experience in efficient post-production processes and produce high-quality photos and video products. They must capture good-quality videos, collect video footage, and conduct video interviews per guidance.

The Resilient Arid Lands Partnership for Integrated Development Plus (RAPID+) program is a five-year program running from November 2021 – September 2026 convened and led by MWA. The program has primary funding from the Swiss Agency for Development and Corporation (SDC) and contributions and investment funds from private sector actors, four facilitating partners including CARE Kenya, the Catholic Relief Services (CRS), Food for the Hungry (FH) and World Vision (WV) and five hosting county governments. RAPID+ aims to improve access to water and rangeland services for 200,000 people in the five counties of Garissa, Isiolo, Marsabit, Turkana, and Wajir. RAPID+ activities are being implemented using a gender transformative lens and systems development approaches. These two aspects are expected to embed sustainability and inclusivity in the program.

Objectives

The consultant will assist the organization in documenting its various intervention outcomes, best practices and success stories through videography, photography and write-ups of human-interest stories. Besides forming part of MWA Kenya’s video and photo portfolio, the promo videos, case studies/success stories, and pictures from this assignment will be used to showcase MWA’s work among Kenyan communities that aims to improve the resilience of men, women, youth and children living in Northern Kenya counties of Isiolo, Marsabit, Wajir, Garissa and Turkana.

Specific objectives

The main objectives of the consultancy will be to:

1. Videography- video shooting of select stories of impact.
2. Human interest/success story development
3. Data collection and analysis
4. Photography – Quality photos portraying stories of impact and use by the program in communication.

Roles and Responsibilities

1. Consultancy firm/Individual consultants

• Prepare key interview questions covering the participants’ journeys before, during, and after the RAPID+ intervention, which will be shared with Millennium Water Alliance for input and finalization.
• Prepare a template of the structure of the stories and videos to be shared with MWA for input and finalization.
• Conduct in-depth interviews of the selected beneficiaries (1 from each group = 12 individuals) to document his/her story.
• Film the views of the selected beneficiaries and prepare 12 short videos for social media.
• Produce one 15-minute documentary show casing the program’s outcomes and impacts based on the interviews with the selected beneficiaries and other relevant stakeholders.
• Prepare 50 high-resolution photographs that depict the program’s outcomes and impacts.
• Human impact story development.
• Provide electronic files of all final videos and all photographs taken during the assignment.
• Cater for accommodation and make transport plans for return trips from Nairobi to the five-county headquarters.
• Maintain a high level of confidentiality and abide by MWA’s Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) policies and guidelines.
• Complete all tasks according to the agreed time frame.

1. Millennium Water Alliance

• Provide the consultant with background documents, reports, and available secondary data for review.
• Host an inception session for the consultant and implementing partners to agree on expectations and timelines.
• Review and provide input on all consultant’s deliverables.
• Ensure the smooth flow of consultancy engagement processes, including contractual obligations.
• Share the consultancy products with the relevant stakeholders.

1. Facilitating partners

The roles of the facilitating partners shall include the following:

• Support in the identification of potential stories for refinement and selection.
• Participate in the review scripts and storyboards proposed by the consultants.
• Coordinate with the consultant to plan for county level logistics and support during the field activities.
• Facilitate the consultant to engage with target communities and stakeholders by ensuring community sensitization and mobilization of selected interviewees.
• Scheduling Key Informants Interviews (KIIs) with the County Government Officers and other stakeholders.
• Provide supervision support during the field data collection.

Deliverables

1. List of key interview questions (to be shared with MWA for validation).
2. Template structure for written story and storyboard for videos (to be shared with MWA for validation).
3. Twelve (12) high-resolution two minutes (maximum) long videos. It must be compatible with social media platforms and well captioned with appropriate subtitles.
4. One (1) 15-minute documentary show casing the program’s outcomes and impacts based on the interviews with the selected beneficiaries and other relevant stakeholders.
5. 50 high-resolution photos that depict the program’s outcomes and impacts. At least 25 photos (5 per county) should have appropriate captions that are not more than 100 words long.
6. Ten (10) human impact stories that include catchy topic, a captioned photo and a quote from a beneficiary. The story should be a maximum of one page as per the agreed format with MWA.

Duration of Assignment (dates subject to confirmation)

The documentation will be conducted in August and September 2024 and will take 20 working days.

Consultancy qualifications

Below are the preferred qualifications for the consultants applying for the consultancy:

• More than five (5) years of professional experience with a proven videography, photography and content creation track record.
• Lead Consultant – A degree in journalism, communications, photography, videography, or a related field is required.
• Videographers must possess a bachelor’s degree in film or video production journalist communication with a background in video production. Photographers must possess a degree in photography, fine arts, multimedia arts, or a communication related field. In addition, be proficient with editing software such as Adobe Creative Suite, specifically Premiere Pro and After Effects. Proficiency with editing software such as Photoshop4, Adobe After Effects, Final Cut Pro X, Avid Media Composer, Lightworks, and Premier.
• Demonstrated experience and knowledge in program documentation for Integrated WASH (IWRM/3R), Climate Change, Rangelands, Agriculture, Livestock, and Private Sector focused programs in the context of ASALs (Arid and Semi-Arid Lands) areas in the last 5 years.
• Provide sample work of documentaries, videos, and photo stories that are similar or related to the program.
• Proven editing and writing experience. This includes producing human interest stories, articles, or other written program documentation.
• Ability to work under tight deadlines.
• Desirable experience working with International and Local NGOs is an added advantage.

Reporting and Communication

Internal: The consultant will report to the RAPID+ Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting and Learning (MERL) Specialist while working closely with the MWA MERL Manager, Water Interventions Manager, Rangelands Coordinator and the Program Director. During the exercise, the consultant will be expected to communicate regularly with the County Coordination Units (CCUs) across the five counties.

External: The consultant will communicate closely with other stakeholders, including County Government staff, private sector actors, communities and other development agencies. Consultants must adhere to the MWA Code of Conduct and PSEA policies when performing their duties and interactions with external parties.

Application process

Interested firms must submit detailed technical and financial proposals (in Kenya Shillings) that clearly explain their understanding of the Terms of Reference, approaches, and methodologies to be used to undertake the assignment.

Preparation and Contents of Proposals

1. The Technical Proposal

The proposal shall include, but not be limited to, the following information:

• An application/cover letter. The letter should be no longer than two pages.
• The CVs of the team leader and other key team members.
• A company profile (case of firm).
• Description of the applicant’s/firm’s experience providing similar consultancy services to international development agencies or organizations. A specific listing and description of engagements, current or prior, in the last three (3) years. Evidence of similar consultancy services can be provided via an accessible link.
• Provide contact details of three (3) referees, preferably organizations that have previously engaged the applicant/firm.
• Proposed methodology and a detailed work plan based on an understanding of the objectives of the assignment.

1. The Financial Proposal

The proposal shall include, but not be limited to, the following information:

• The total amount for the consultancy service in Kenya Shillings. With a breakdown of costs related to:
• Professional fees: The calculation of fees should indicate the cost associated with the time and effort included in your technical proposal.
• A detailed breakdown of reimbursables, including travel, accommodation, meals, communication, and any other related costs.
• Payment terms.

1. Administrative and fiscal documents to be provided

• A valid certificate of Tax Compliance Certificate
• Certificate of incorporation in case of a firm.
• KRA PIN certificate.

Evaluation Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated to ensure they meet all mandatory requirements and are responsive. To determine responsiveness, a proposal must include all documentation as listed above. The proposals that fail to meet these requirements will receive no further consideration. Responsive proposals will be evaluated and ranked according to the criteria below.

1. Technical Qualification

• Technical and educational experience of the team.
• Understanding of the scope and/or assignment.
• Proposed methodology and approach.
• Demonstrated experience in conducting and coordinating similar studies.
• Experience in conducting similar studies in the ASALs.

Consultants with a minimum score of 70% will be considered technically qualified, their applications will proceed to the financial evaluation stage, and they will be invited for an oral interview.

1. Financial Proposal

Only the financial proposal of the technically qualified consultants will be evaluated. The maximum number of points will be allotted to the lowest price proposal. All other financial proposals will receive points in inverse proportion to the lowest price.