CONSULTANT TO FILM A DOCUMENTARY HIGHLIGHTING UNFPA’S SUPPORTED ACTIVITIES IN LEBANON FOR THE PAST 25 YEARS

Country: Lebanon

Purpose of Consultancy:

Since 1993, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency, has been working in Lebanon with one mission: delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled. For the past 25 years, UNFPA has worked with many partners namely governmental institutions such as line ministries, administrations and commissions, civil society organizations such as local, national and international NGOs, universities and research centers as well as UN agencies, funds and programmes to fulfil its mandate and ensure that sexual and reproductive health, gender equality and women’s empowerment are being promoted, and the capacities of adolescents and youth are being enhanced.

More specifically, UNFPA in Lebanon has been supporting the development of policies and national strategies as well as normative tools across various sectors such as the National Strategy for Women in Lebanon (2011-2021) in partnership with the National Commission of Lebanese Women (NCLW), the National Youth Policy with  the UN agencies and in partnership with the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the development of the Quality Standards for Elderly Institutions in Lebanon in partnership with the Ministry of Social Affairs (MOSA), the Life skills based Reproductive Health (RH) Curriculum with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, the Maternal Mortality surveillance system with the Ministry of Public Health, and currently the National Ageing Policy with MOSA, the Violence against Women Strategy with the Office of State for Women’s Affairs as well as the Women, Peace and Security Action plan with NCLW. 

In addition, UNFPA supported the implementation of several community-based projects (namely within the humanitarian response) through local partners across the country, aimed at reinforcing awareness, knowledge and the capacity of local structures (such as municipalities, community networks, local and religious leaders) on gender equality, women empowerment, Gender Based Violence and Sexual and Reproductive Health so they can become agents of positive change in their respective communities. UNFPA does this through engaging its partners in community-based needs assessments and different types of capacity development initiatives.

Since 2018 marks the 25th year of UNFPA’s mission in Lebanon, the Country Office (CO) will hold a high level event gathering a wide range of representatives from the government, delegates from the Arab region, UNFPA (HQs and region), partners, and the media. The event will include several activities, of which is the screening of a documentary that shows and highlights the work supported by UNFPA through statements and interviews with several stakeholders, think tanks and partner organizations that supported achieving and meeting the agency’s mandate.

Based on the above, and under the overall guidance and supervision of the UNFPA Head of Office in Lebanon, and with direct day to day collaboration and coordination with the Communication Associate, the Lebanon CO is seeking to engage a consultant who would be engaged to film a 4-5 minute documentary with several stakeholders, think tanks and implementing partners highlighting the work of UNFPA over the past 25 years from the beneficiaries and partners’ point of view.

Scope of Work:

Under the guidance of UNFPA, the consultant will:

• Develop a detailed timeline for the one-month consultancy in collaboration and as agreed with UNFPA;
• Engage with UNFPA and its identified partners, stakeholders and think tanks to grasp an in-depth understanding of  UNFPA activities;
• Review key documents showcasing UNFPA’s supported work;
• Conduct field visits to meet with the identified stakeholders, beneficiaries and partners for shooting purposes;
• Collect all necessary information/data/quotes/success stories/etc. to be used in the documentary
• Develop an outline and/or conceptualize a script/storyboard 
• Produce one documentary (4-5 minutes) with English subtitles and with equal amount of time (30-45 seconds) with each interviewee;
• Finalize editing and post-production of the documentary based on comments received from UNFPA;

Duration and Working Schedule:

The assignment will be for a duration of 1 month from the signing of the contract. The consultancy shall start tentatively around 17 September 2018.

Place where services are to be delivered:

Beirut, Lebanon

Delivery dates and how work will be delivered:

The consultant will

• Prepare the one-month consultancy plan that is approved by UNFPA: week 1
• Coordinate with Communication Associate, meet, develop and produce the 4-5 minute documentary (Arabic and English subtitles): week 2 – 3
• Submit the final reviews, commented and finalized documentary based on input from UNFPA: week 4

Monitoring and progress control, including reporting requirements, periodicity format and deadline:

• Under the direct supervision of the Head of Office/Assistant Representative, the consultant shall closely work with the Communication Associate to provide regular updates on the progress of work;
• Adhere fully to UNFPA M&E requirements

Milestones:

• Timeline for consultancy
• Development & production of the 4-5 minute documentary with English subtitles

Deliverables:

• Timeline
• Final reviewed and revised documentary based on input from UNFPA

Timeline:

15 October 2018

Supervisory arrangements:

The consultant shall work under direct supervision of the Head of Office/Assistant Representative, Lebanon CO

Expected travel:

N/A

Required expertise, qualifications and competencies, including language requirements:

• Advanced Degree in Production, Communication, Film Studies or related field with knowledge in development, gender issues, youth issues, and human rights.
• Minimum 5-6 year experience in film/documentary production.
• Experience/knowledge in humanitarian contexts and familiarity with humanitarian-related resources and material is an asset.
• Excellent coordination and planning skills.
• Excellent written and spoken communication skills in Arabic and English.
• Knowledge of UNFPA’s mandate and work is an asset.

Inputs / services to be provided by UNFPA or implementing partner:

The assignment will be carried out under the guidance of UNFPA Head of Office/Assistant Representative, who shall provide the following support to the consultant:

• Briefing about UNFPA’s mandate and programmatic areas
• Documents about UNFPA Lebanon key achievements
• Provide list and contact of relevant stakeholders
• Facilitate access to stakeholders for data collection/interviews

Other relevant information or special conditions, if any:

The consultant should provide the following documents:

• Updated resume with relevant experience
• Portfolio with at least two projects relevant to the consultancy requirements

The above documents must be sent to the following email address:
info-lebanon@unfpa.org by no later than September 13, 2018.

Please indicate the following title under subject when submitting applications: Consultancy for filming a documentary.

Consultants who fail to submit the required documents above will not be considered for review.

UNFPA Lebanon will only be responsible to respond to those applicants submitting the required documents above and in which there is further interest.

ONLY consultants, not companies, are eligible to apply.