Call for Partnership with a Production Agency / TV Network

Request for Quotations (RFQ) Mini-Series Production and Airing

Search Lebanon office wishes to invite bids from reputable and experienced local production houses/TV Networks for the production of a mini-series to be aired on national television networks in Lebanon. We kindly request you to submit your quotation for the provision of production and airing services for a total of 8 episodes minimum and 12 maximum, of 7 minutes per episode as detailed in the approved design in Annex 1 of this RFQ. 

All quotations will be assessed based on the following criteria; price, time frame for production and airing of the mini-series, technical expertise, past performance, and each supplier passing the pre-qualification process as set by the organization.

Following the issue and opening of received RFQs, Search will issue a contract to the most competitive compliant offer. Quotations may be submitted on or before November 01, 2021, via applying on “Lever” and “Daleel Madani”.

Reference: Call for Partnership with a Production Agency / TV Network 

Quotations that are received by Search after the deadline indicated above, for whatever reason, shall not be considered for evaluation.

a) Selection shall be based on meeting the minimum requirements as detailed in the approved program design in Annex 1; 

b) Search Lebanon reserves the right to waive minor deviations if they don’t materially affect the capability of an applicant to perform the contract.

1. Context

About “Towards a Gender Equitable Society” project

Towards a Gender Equitable Society is a project that is being implemented by ABAAD-Resource Centre for Gender Equality (ABAAD) in partnership with Search. The project’s overall objective is to help reduce sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), including intimate partner violence and child marriage. Under this partnership, and in close coordination and collaboration with ABAAD, Search, and through a media component, will focus on breaking down gender stereotypes which will help enable the environment for women and girls to be conducive for discussing violence openly, better understand pathways for reporting, and engage an audience of millions in a social shift on public discourses on violence against women and girls (VAWG). This will be realized through two objectives: 1) Strengthen the capacity of media professionals and film students to produce gender-sensitive programs and films that break down stereotypes, especially towards survivors of SGBV, and 2) Shifting perceptions of TV and film audiences away from the stigmatization of survivors of SGBV. To achieve these objectives, Search will organize a workshop for writers, producers and film students, and will provide mentoring and coaching sessions for participants on how to create media for social change. Finally, Search will support TV productions and film students to produce gender-sensitive programs and films on the issues of VAWG. 

2. Goal and Objectives of Assignment

Search is seeking to engage with a production agency/TV Network at the onset of the project, to co-produce a gender-sensitive mini series.

The roles and responsibilities of the consultant will include:

• Attending an induction meeting with Search and ABAAD;
• Participate in the project baseline and endline studies;
• Nominate and commit 5 to 7 staff screenwriters and producers to attend a nine-day capacity-building programme (including trainings on gender, media for social change, and the common ground approach), also including a coaching scheme;
• Work with ABAAD and Search to co-produce a primetime mini-series of at least 8 to 12 episodes of 7 minutes each, dedicated to highlighting issues related to VAWG;
• Air the show on one of the three top national television channels during primetime;
• Design, implement, and create a marketing campaign to promote the mini-series and project updates;
• Contribute to monitoring, evaluation and learning efforts related to the project's activities and their realisation
• Report on the activities conducted within the project, in line with Search reporting requirements and standards.

THEME: Sexual and gender-based violence

OBJECTIVE:  Raising awareness on SGBV and understanding of issues related to gender.

TARGET AUDIENCE: Primarily, the audience of this mini-series is youth, adults, families, including survivors of sexual and gender-based violence. The targeted age category is between 15 and 35.

EXTENDED AUDIENCE: On a large scale, this mini-series will be watched by people aged above 35, who might be community members, business owners, and decision-makers. It will also be watched by community leaders, religious leaders, local government officials, security officials, civil society organizations, and non-governmental organizations’ employees.

THE AIRTIME (SCHEDULE, DURATION, AND EXPECTED REACH): The schedule of this mini-series will be aired on weekdays in the primetime (around 8 to 9 p.m.), targeting the intended audience.

There will also be repeats as will be determined by Search and the partner, and based on viewership levels and feedback on the content produced.

NUMBER OF EPISODES:

• Eight to twelve episodes;

FORMAT:   

 (1) 1 minute for the intro; (2) 5 minutes for drama; (3) 1 minute for the outro.  

• Intro: The intro jingle will be developed by the producer of the program in collaboration with Search and ABAAD, who will advise on its content/what to include.
• Drama: Each episode will target an issue that is pre-selected and approved by Search and ABAAD.

Episodes don’t need to be connected.

• Outro: The outro will be the project and partners branding in addition to relevant information such as names of SGBV services providers and contact information that can support any person from the audience who is in need, and for survivors in need of assistance to contact

REVIEW OF THE PROGRAM:

SHARING OF MATERIAL: Copies of the mini-series are to be received in cloud sharing, hard storage device, USB, or CD format.

PROMOTION AND VISIBILITY:

Search and ABAAD will leverage their social media platforms to promote the mini-series.

QUALITY CHECKS AND CONTROL:

• Production quality will not be compromised, i.e. making sure that the message intended is fully and well put across;
• Search project team will give the go-ahead in writing to the producer to air an agreed version of the program;
• The mini-series produced will not be affiliated in any way, shape, or form with politics or partisan or partial views;

• Any changes made for example in regards to airtime, will be agreed upon between Search and the producers before they are made; Actors will be briefed first by the producers of the program in close collaboration with Search and ABAAD Media and Communications teams before the shooting;
• All topics are flexible, Search and ABAAD staff together with producers will agree on what to include, and also where to adjust.
• An Editorial Committee will be responsible for giving the approval on the topics and direction of the episodes, critic them and provide comments that improve their quality, and remove sensitive statements before its aired.;
• Only after the editorial committee has signed off will the program be aired.

3. Geographic Locations

On a national level.

4. Ethical Considerations

The contracted party shall take into consideration all factors to ensure that the work is done in a conflict-sensitive manner and that no harm is done while implementing the activity. This includes social, security, safety, environmental, economic, and gender-related factors.

Remain alert and responsive to any child safeguarding risks, acquire relevant knowledge and skills which will enable promoting strong safeguarding practices, understanding the child safeguarding policy and procedures.

5. Timeline

November to June: Selecting and Contracting the Production Agency / TV Network

March: Approval of the work plan

April: Production of the mini-series

May: Airing of the mini-series

June: Metrics and reporting

6. Requirements of Consultant

Selection Criteria

The production house/TV network is expected to demonstrate:

• A minimum of five (5) years of progressively advanced TV and production experience in Lebanon;
• Demonstrated experience of conception, production, and editing of mini video documentaries
• Knowledge of international standards in terms of video production, photography, social media management;
• Excellent leadership and a solid understanding of the project cycle phases and tools;
• The ability to communicate and work in English is mandatory;
• Ethical professional with due diligence given to the sensitivity of project materials;
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and meet deadlines;
• Excellent knowledge of gender equality, diversity, and inclusion related concepts;
• Proven familiarity with Lebanese context with a good understanding of VAWG and gender-related issues;
• Sensitivity to cross-cultural dynamics and experience working with NGOs;
• Strong analytical and conceptual thinking skills; able to understand highly complex issues and translate them into simple, workable actions and plans;
• Experience in creating, designing, developing and monitoring media outputs online and offline related to human rights, gender equality, diversity and inclusion, women’s issues, etc; and.
• Excellent communication skills and high flexibility.

Applicants shall nominate 5 to 7 screenwriters and producers to participate in the project activities, including a training on gender, a media for social change workshop and coaching sessions, and work on the production of the mini-series, taking into consideration a gender-balance representation.