Consultant for Short Movies and Trailer Production

1. Introduction and Background

For over 100 years, the Near East Foundation (NEF) has worked to build more sustainable, prosperous, and inclusive communities in the Middle East, Africa, and Caucasus through education, governance, and economic development initiatives. Working through a network of country offices and local partners, NEF currently operates in nine countries. Its programs are organized around three themes: Inclusive Economic Development, Climate Resilient Development, and Peacebuilding and Stabilization.

In Lebanon, NEF is economically empowering vulnerable individuals through capacity building and support of market-linked skills development, the development of new income-generating activities (IGAs), and access to services to support growth of existing, high-potential IGAs. These efforts are intended to support self-sufficiency and protection for target beneficiaries by expanding their access to economic and social resources, while being sensitive to competition and protection risks, reducing the potential for tension/misunderstanding, and fostering social stability between displaced and host populations.

1. Purpose

NEF is seeking a national videographer to highlight the main components of an NEF-Lebanon project, funded by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (B-PRM). The overall objective of this consultancy is to produce four short videos and a trailer to be used as a toolkit and in various communications platforms. The consultancy will involve travelling to project locations in order to collect necessary materials and footage.

1. Audience and Use

The key audiences are project stakeholders, media and donors.

1. Objectives

The overall objective of this consultancy is to produce a series of four short videos (around 3 to 4 minutes each) and a trailer highlighting key aspects of the project implemented by NEF and partner organizations, reflecting the methodology, approach and the added-value of the project.

Specific Objectives and Tasks

Under the direct supervision of the Country Representative and the Senior Project Coordinator, the production company/individual consultant will be required to:

• Identify, develop and implement the film’s overall methodology, concept, structure and scenario
• Deliver a draft script and storyboard for comments
• Plan and schedule a timeline for the project
• Conduct interviews with the pre-selected key staff members in coordination with the Country Representative
• Make all necessary logistical arrangements, including for local transportation, equipment, accommodation, communication services and any other relevant and necessary details
• Transportation and logistics for visiting the project sites should first be coordinated with NEF’s Logistics Officer
• Review all documents and materials provided (e.g., project concept note, brief activity report, and any other visibility materials produced) in order to better understand the project objectives, NEF’s mission  & vision and expected results
• Edit and produce a high-quality version of the scripted video and agreed upon background music in finest and high-quality video formats including HD, AVI and MP4
• Deliver a draft of the video for review and comment by NEF prior to finalization
• Provide, in addition to the soft version, a high-quality hard copy (DVD or hard drive) of the final, approved version of the video and all raw video files
• The product should be available in Arabic (with accurate and well synchronized English subtitles).

1. Schedule

This assignment is expected to start as soon as possible and to be completed no later than July 30, 2021.

1. Budget and Resources Required

Payments will be discussed according to the proposal and work schedule. Payment(s) will be transferred from abroad (fresh USD money).

NEF will not be responsible for any further expenses incurred by the consultant during the consultancy-related visits nor for any loss and/or damage to their possessions.

1. NEF will be responsible for:

• Service fee: The consultant will be paid a fixed rate as per the contract, inclusive of relevant taxes.
• Provision of project description and related documents for contextual background.
• Selection of beneficiaries and provisions on contextual data.
• NEF and stakeholder logos, branding, design specifications (color/fonts to be used in the design).

1. Selection Criteria

Candidates will be selected for an interview based on the following:

• Experience working with other humanitarian or social development organizations locally or regionally
• Familiarity with the NEF’s objectives and scope of work
• Familiarity with livelihoods projects
• 5-7 years of professional expertise and experience in documentary film making. A background in journalism (or an equivalent field) is a plus
• Ability to produce concept storyboards for internal coordination purposes
• Excellent writing and storytelling abilities (in Arabic and English)
• Excellent coordination, organizational management, time management, and communication skills
• Ability to travel and work under tight time constraints to NEF field sites
• Ability to do post-production work (English translations, subtitles, and editing)
• Capacity to provide necessary film production equipment
• Clear articulation of capacity and skill, and innovative approaches to carry out the assignment
• Clear work plan and articulation of expected methodologies and outputs
• Excellent technical capacities to ensure smooth and high-quality production
• Ability to start immediately

NEF reserves the right to close the procurement before the proposal deadline. Interested parties are encouraged to apply as early as possible.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Near East Foundation by visiting the NEF website at www.neareast.org.