Terms of Reference for a Documentary on Mine to Market at Oxfam

Scope of work

Produce a 5 Minute Documentary Video:

• Produce a video highlighting the experiences of grassroots women involved in the gemstone mining in Taita Taveta, including their challenges and successes in accessing markets.
• The video should be filmed in Kiswahili or the local language(s) the contributors are comfortable with.
• The production team is responsible for sourcing a local fixer and/or translator if needed.
• The video must be fully English-subtitled.

Adherence to Ethical Standards:

• The filming crew must adhere to Oxfam’s ethical guidelines, including obtaining correctly filled consent forms for every person filmed. These consent forms must be handed over to Oxfam along with the final products.
• The crew must respect cultural and religious diversity throughout the filming process.

Produce at Least 30 High-Quality Still Photos:

• Capture impactful images of the women miners, community interactions, and the local environment.
• Each photo must be properly captioned, with the image maker’s full name indicated.
• Ensure informed consent is obtained and documented.
• Ensure respect for cultural and religious sensitivities is maintained during the photography sessions.

Diverse Subject Representation:

• Select subjects that reflect the diversity of the community, including different age groups, roles in the mining process, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Focus on female contributors, with special attention to those who have shown resilience in overcoming challenges related to mining and market access.

Day-in-the-Life Footage:

• Follow selected subjects through a day in their lives, documenting their involvement in mining activities and the impact of these activities on their families and communities.
• Highlight how they are navigating challenges within the mining sector, particularly in accessing markets and advocating for their rights.

Human-Interest Story for Website:

• Develop one compelling human-interest story that captures the experiences of a woman miner or a group of women, focusing on their journey from mining to market.
• This story should be crafted for Oxfam’s website, emphasizing the personal and communal impact of the FAIR for ALL project.

Quote-Graphics:

• Create at least 3 quote-graphics that feature powerful messages or quotes from the women miners about their experiences in the gemstone value chain.
• Ensure the accompanying images are of high quality and effectively convey the intended message.

Location

Taita Taveta County.

Expected timeline.

• The contractor shall commence work as soon as possible, immediately upon signing the contract.
• A detailed timeline, work plan, and draft outline should be submitted within one day of signing a binding service contract and work be progressively delivered as urgently as would be practically possible.
• A detailed budget and shooting schedule should be provided before commencing filming.
• The rough cut of every phase of the documentary should be provided to Oxfam media lead, and program managers for review.
• All documents and materials remain the property of Oxfam.

Deliverables

The video production company will provide:

• Final Cut of one story of 5 minutes (with subtitles) as:
• Exported 4K 3840x2160 high-bitrate (1520Mbps) video file encoded using H264 compression in MP4 format with square pixels, fixed frame rate, progressive scan, and stereo AAC audio compression at 128kbps or equivalent.
• Properly filled consent forms for ALL subjects. (Consents can also be obtained audio-visually with clear voice and depicted subtitle of the consenting conversation)
• At least 30 High-quality photographs/stills on the subject matter described in the preceding sections above.
• At least one captivating human-interest story/blog of approximately 800 words possibly.
• Photos must be delivered in a Hi-Res format e.g. (JPEG or equivalent of at least 10Mbs per photo) and fulfil the following additional usability criteria: - photographed from a variety of angles (e.g., wide, and medium shots, close-up) Photos should also always depict clear donor/Oxfam and partners where possible and speak to the context of the project.
• At least three quote-graphics as detailed in the scope of work.
• Properly filled consent forms for ALL photography subjects, including separate forms for each child whenever involved. (Consent could also be obtained audio-visually where groups of people are involved)
• Upload all clean copies of the film.
• Upload all b-rolls.

Requirements

• The media company/consultant should have the following items, skills, and competencies Proven track record of content production for journalistic purposes in print, or TV – with attention to compelling storytelling.
• Access to the highest quality filming, light, sound, and editing equipment.
• Ability to operate under strict time limits and apply high production and technical standards to maintain a high level of professionalism.
• Ability to communicate and conduct interviews in English and a local language.
• Track record of successful materials filmed in the region and/or on similar topics would be an asset.
• Should have a computer with video editing software like Adobe CS pro, Final cut, or any relevant software.
• A strong command of the English language and can operate on emails and share folders.
• Should have valid registration certificates with the relevant authorities.