Call for Applications – Consultant for Production of Video Documentary

Introduction

The ACA was set up in 2013 and works towards the articulated vision of “a Zambia in which all her citizens enjoy the full and equitable benefit of all her resources”. The Alliance for Community Action (ACA) works to grow the routine and systematic demand for public resource accountability in Zambia, with the specific aim of instituting that demand in the general public. The ACA adopts a broad view of what constitutes the public resource to include nonfinancial aspects such as the nation’s democracy, institutions of democracy, constitutionalism, and the citizenry, whose interest and advancement financial resources serve.

The Alliance for Community action invites experienced filmmakers and media houses in Zambia to apply for a consultancy to produce an expansive video documentary titled “Where is Our Money?”

The successful consultant will produce a 20-minute documentary in English about stories of successful applicants identified by the ACA who benefited from the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) in the three CDF categories of the Fund namely

  1. Secondary and skills bursary  
  2. Community projects and
  3. Women and Youth Empowerment  

The purpose of the documentary will be to show where CDF money is being spent while highlighting gaps in the system and encouraging citizens to join the fight against corruption in CDF processes.  

The ACA now wishes to engage a film producer, individual or body corporate to document 12 citizen stories from the four project sites namely, Kalulushi, Kapiri Mposhi, Katete and Mazabuka of citizens sharing their experiences on how they successfully accessed funds from the CDF.

Scope of work

  • Review literature on CDF.
  • In collaboration with the ACA local councils engage successful applicants.
  • Travel to selected sites (Kalulushi, Kapiri Mposhi, Katete and Mazabuka) to conduct video interviews after obtaining written clearance from interviewees to film and/or photograph them.
  • Handle all aspects of post-production, including video editing and voiceover recordings; and designing accompanying video graphics, subtitles, etc.
  • Obtain permission for any background music.

Deliverables

  • One 20-minute documentary film about stories of successful applicants in the three CDF categories.
  • A 2-minute trailer of the documentary to be used for promotional purposes
  • Raw footage.
  • A short report on the experience of shooting the documentary (written or visual).

Qualifications and experience

  • At least five years of experience in documentary writing, production, directing, and editing.
  • Experience working on development-related issues
  • Ability to work in the English language.

Duration of consultancy

The consultancy will run for a maximum of twenty days from the date of signing the contract.

How to apply

Interested individuals and companies should submit a proposal for the provision of services, demonstrating the required qualifications and relevant experience to execute the task.

The proposal should indicate the following:

  • Understanding and interpretation of the assignment.
  • At least 3 years of experience working in a similar field.
  • Extensive experience in producing development work-related documentaries.
  • Provide a working portfolio of similar projects carried out in the past.
  • Provide credentials of team members who would be working on the project.
  • Local knowledge of languages and people in the areas of production.
  • Documentary synopsis including a description of methodology and work plan (not exceeding three pages).
  • Demonstration of technical ability to produce the documentary.
  • A budget

Ethical Considerations

It is expected that this documentary will be ethically filmed. It should be inclusive of a range of relevant actors while adhering to principles of Do No Harm and Conflict sensitivity. Proposals submitted should include what steps will be taken by the consultant to adhere to Do No Harm and Conflict Sensitivity, and inclusion principles (i.e. gender, age, ethnicity, religion, disability etc.). Steps to ensure informed consent and where needed safeguarding of respondents should also be outlined. A risk assessment and plans to mitigate these risks should further be included.

Interested applicants should send an email to applications@acazambia.org with the subject heading ‘Application for consultancy services for the production of a documentary film on CDF’.

Application deadline: 5th December 2022.