1. Introduction
We Effect is inviting consultancy services, companies, or individuals to submit tenders to develop documentary materials showcasing the impact and outcomes of the Women’s Economic Empowerment Project.
We Effect is a global development organization founded in 1958 by the Swedish cooperative movement. Operating in over 20 countries across Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America, and Africa, the organization focuses on poverty reduction and sustainable development through a human rights-based approach. It partners with member-based organizations, including farmer groups, housing cooperatives, and savings associations, to empower communities, especially women, by ensuring equal access to resources and opportunities.
In Zambia, We Effect collaborates with local organizations to support smallholder farmers, promote gender equality, enhance climate resilience, and strengthen housing and financial inclusion. The Women’s Economic Empowerment Project, implemented in selected districts of the Southern, Eastern, and Western provinces, aims to advance women’s participation in agricultural value chains, affirming their contributions and promoting equality.
To ensure timely and quality delivery across the project's geographical scope, We Effect intends to engage a qualified consultant to cover four provinces of operation 1. Southern Province (Choma, Kalomo and Zimba districts), 2. Eastern Province (Chadiza, Chipata and Lundazi districts) 3. Western Province (Kaoma district) and 4. Central Province (Mumbwa district).
The project objectives are to:
1. To increase women’s agency and decision-making power at household and community level to address barriers to women’s economic empowerment.
2. Address institutional barriers that limit women’s economic advancement in agricultural value and market chains.
3. Strengthen women’s voice and collective power at community level to increase access to, control of and ownership of productive (e.g. physical assets, land) and financial assets among women through women-led cooperatives, land tenure and financial inclusion.
4. Increased resilience to environmental and climate change by women, men and youth (male, female).
The core strategy is to strengthen cooperatives of women and men living in poverty through membership-based democracy, long-term economic thinking, social responsibility and transparency.
On this call, we are seeking the services of a qualified consultant to produce the following:
· One (1) 5–7-minute documentary
· Ten (10) short 3-5minute short videos extracted from the main documentary forsocial media posting
· 6 high-resolution photos of each respondent in both landscape and portrait highlighting the impact, lessons, and key outcomes of our project.
· 300 -400 success stories in text (Explaining the introduction, project intervention as well as impact of the project) for each theme identified.
The videos must explicitly highlight the project successes, challenges, and community stories from the: Mumbwa, Chadiza, Chipata, Lundazi, Kaoma, Choma, Kalomo, and Zimba Districts. The District Women Development Associations will support the consultant with respondents and locations. The final documentary will serve as a closing highlight of the project, while the short videos will be shared on social media to increase outreach. ____________________________________________________________________________________
2. Objectives of the Assignment
Guided by the We Effect Communications and Advocacy Officer, the consultants will apply their skills and knowledge to:
- Document the achievements and impact of the project through a 5–7-minutedocumentary (highlighting women’s participation at different nodes of the value chain).
- Create ten (10) short 3–5-minute district-based videos extracted from the main documentary interviews to be used on social media.
- Highlight the voices of beneficiaries and stakeholders explicitly with clear subtitles where the respondents use their local language.
- Add interviews with We Effect staff leading the project or the Country Manager, and relevant government officers where necessary.
- Produce success stories in text (Explaining the introduction, project intervention as well as impact of the project) for each themes identified.
- Showcase best practices, challenges, and lessons learned.
- Ensure ethical journalism standards, including obtaining consent before data collection using, We Effect’s consent form.
· Produce a high-quality documentary film using interviews, videos and photographs that were generated during the various meetings, with Voiceover commentaries in English.
· Conform to the format of broadcast and filming proposed will have to conform to the standards: 16/9, 25 pictures/sec, full HD, AVI, MPEG 2, MPEG 4 or MOOV for the diffusion and for the shooting: full HD, or 4k and with the ability to convert the same video to verbatim (audio spot).
· Ensure all final raw and edited material is uploaded to Media Flow, including consent forms and tagging.
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3. Scope of Work
The consultant/s will be expected to:
- Conduct background research by talking to the field-based Project Coordinators at We Effect, District Women Development Association Coordinators and review project documents like reports to understand the project’s objectives and impact.
- Develop a documentary concept, including storyboards and scripts, in consultation with We Effect’s Communications and Advocacy Officer.
- Visit the eight districts (8) to capture high-quality video footage, stills and interviews. to the assigned places Southern Province (Choma, Kalomo, Zimba); Eastern Province (Chadiza, Chipata, Lundazi); Western Province (Kaoma) and Central Province (Mumbwa).
- Produce one 5-7-minute documentary summarizing the project’s journey, outcomes, and impact.
- Produce ten 3-5-minutes short videos for digital and social media use.
- Provide 6 high-resolution photographs of each respondent, in both landscape and portrait formats.
- Prepare thematic based 300-400-word success story per district.
- Edit and refine the videos, ensuring clear storytelling, high production quality, and engaging visuals.
- Provide 6 high-resolution photos of each respondent, in both landscape and portrait
- Adhere to ethical journalism standards and obtain consent from interviewees using We Effect’s official consent/data form.
- Submit raw footage, transcripts, and final edited videos in appropriate formats as guided by the We Effect’s Communication and Advocacy Officer. This will also include uploading the raw and edited photos and videos on the We Effect internal media photobank platform
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4. Deliverables
The consultant is expected to deliver the following:
- A detailed work plan and script for approval before filming begins.
- One (5-7) minute documentary that effectively captures the project's key outcomes.
- Ten (10) (3-5) minute short videos optimized for social media.
- Six (6) high-resolution photos of each respondent, in both landscape and portrait
- Interviews with We Effect staff leading the project or the Country Manager, and a relevant government officer wherever necessary
- 300 -400 success stories in text (Explaining the introduction, project intervention as well as impact of the project) for each thematic area identified.
- Full usage rights for music (or music for which copyright has been granted)
· Full usage rights for music, or music for which copyright clearance has been secured.
· All raw footage, transcripts, subtitles in Word Format and final edited versions of the photos and videos uploaded on media flow tagged and attached with consent forms
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5. Timelines
The assignment is expected to run for 2 months from the date of signing the Agreement. (subject to change based on the selection of beneficiaries).
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6. Required Expertise
We will not compromise on the qualifications as much as we will appreciate agility, versatility and creativity, so, the minimum we are looking for is:
- Proven experience in documentary production and storytelling for NGO or development projects.
· A certificate in relevant fields such as marketing, journalism, advertisement, filmmaking. A bachelor’s degree on the above will be an added advantage.
- Expertise in video editing and high-quality filming, Proven record of performance excellence regarding themes/target groups
- Knowledge of ethical journalism standards.
- Ability to effectively apply high production and technical standards for the purpose of maintaining a high level of professionalism.
- Ability to work in Lozi, Tonga, Chichewa and English Languages.
- Experience working with development organizations and community projects.
- Ability to work within the given timeframe and deliver high-quality outputs.
- Knowledge of our work or partners, areas of operation may earn you a few marks so just take time and check us out www.weeffect.org and We Effect Southern Africa on Meta.
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7. Ethical Considerations
- The consultant must ensure fair and accurate representation of all rights holders.
- Consent must be obtained before any data collection, using We Effect’s official consent form.
- The confidentiality and privacy of individuals must be respected throughout the process.
- We Effect has a Code of Conduct and Safeguarding Guidelines which must be followed and shall be shared with the consultant.
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8. Submission of Proposals
Interested firms are requested to submit the following documents.
a) Technical proposal not exceeding the 8 pages on.
- understanding and interpretation of the TOR.
- methodology to be used in undertaking the assignment.
- CVs of key personnel to be engaged in the production of documentary.
- Documentary synopsis includes description of methodology and work plan (Not exceeding three pages).
- Detailed filming plan and timetable (pre-production, production, and postproduction).
- Detailed technical information of the equipment intended for use, camera, light, sound, and other video production equipment
- Three links to relevant work samples
- Three references with contact details
- Detailed equipment list, including camera, lighting, sound, and editing software.
b) Financial Proposal
- Consultant’s daily rate.
- Film crew cost and estimated days of shooting.
- Editing process and cost related to editing.
- Cost of dubbing and subtitles captioning.
- Cost related to cost production process.
c) The consultant/s is supposed to produce or show samples of previous work done for renowned national or international organizations.
OUTPUTS/DELIVERABLES REPORTING PERIOD
Inception report 4 days
Documentary film’s overall concept and scenario. 5 days
All raw video footage/rushes captured 20 days
Documentary script and storyboard to be used in the film 14 days
final documentary film, 10 short videos
(non-English content to include subtitles) 7 days
9.0 Logistical Support
We Effect will provide logistical support including introduction to a focal point in the districts that will facilitate traveling to field sites. We will also provide some local assistance in arranging meetings with Governmental representatives, partners, and community members.
10.0 Tenders
Tenders shall consist of:
· Company profile (clearly stating full contact details, physical address and telephone lines).
· Certificate of incorporation or registration.
· VAT registration.
· Tax clearance certificates,
· Membership or affiliation to a relevant professional body.
· References/samples of three similar assignments completed working with communication for an NGO/INGO or similar within the past three years.
· CV of the proposed consultant(s).
· Fee rate per workday in ZMW; and
· Declaration of any business or personal relationships connected to We Effect.
· Payment fees will be based on the delivery of outputs, as follows:
ü 25% upon signing of the contract
ü 25% upon approval of the gathered footage
ü 50% submission of the final project.
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9. Evaluation Criteria
For the evaluation of the expression of interest the following criteria will be applied.
a) General experience of the firm and expertise in Communication for Development (20 points)
b) Experience Related to the Assignment (15 points).
c) Technical approach and methodology (25 points).
d) Financial Plan (20 points)
e) Work plan (10 points).
f) Language (10 points).
10. Contact Information
Proposals should be submitted to We Effect at procurement.zambia@weeffect.org by
Friday 29th May, 2026.
We Effect reserves the right to accept or reject any proposal without assigning reasons.
