CONSULTANCY FOR PODCAST SERIES PRODUCTION OF CALP’s PODCAST THE ‘CASHCAST’

PROJECT BACKGROUND

The CALP Network is a dynamic global network of over 90 organisations engaged in the critical areas of policy, practice and research in humanitarian cash and voucher assistance (CVA) and financial assistance more broadly. Collectively, CALP members deliver the vast majority of humanitarian CVA worldwide.

What makes the CALP Network unique is its diversity. CALP members currently include local and international non-governmental organisations, United Nations agencies, the Red Cross/Crescent Movement, donors, specialist social innovation, technology and financial services companies, researchers and academics, and individual practitioners.

Together we seek to better meet the needs and improve the outcomes for people affected by crisis. To do this we ensure that CVA is a central, scalable component of quality, timely and appropriate humanitarian assistance, and that the need to sustain positive outcomes for people over the longer term is considered.

PROJECT OBJECTIVES

Main objective

Produce six podcast episodes for CALP’s CashCast series.

CONSULTANCY RATIONALE

We are seeking an editor/editing team to support post-production and editing of 6 new episodes of CALP’s podcast the ‘CashCast’ and, potentially, offer additional services to improve the quality of our shows, and the extend the size of our audience.

OBJECTIVE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

Specific objectives

List A – We consider the following support essential:

• Postproduction of each of the 6 episodes (each 30-45 minutes in length) I.e.:
• Editing and mixing down the podcast episodes, following guidance that will be provided by CALP’s team.
• Adding CALP sounds effects and music.
• Reviewing material and make editorial choices around where to cut and what to include.
• Making suggestions on aspects that need re-recording, in case is necessary.
• Upload the finished episode to Buzzsprout in the correct audio format.

List B – We consider the following support desirable:

• Consultancy around growing our audience base and marketing the podcast
• Advice on improving the format of the show as we go along
• Creation of show notes and transcripts for each episode
• Creation of graphic /video/audio materials that can be used for marketing purposes, especially social media
• Support in terms of cross promoting our podcast on other shows (e.g., pitching CALP staff team members to other podcasts operating in our field).
• Building the skills of CALP communications staff to improve their ability to record high quality audio in a self-sufficient manner (e.g., Recording support and advice during 1 or 2 recordings).
• Items suggested by the consultant.

We understand that the budget will not cover all the above, but we offer list ‘B’ as a menu of potential value additions which could form part of the bid, and really serve to take the CashCast to the next level.

KEY DELIVERABLES / MILESTONES

Milestone 1: Episodes 1-3 published : 50%

Milestone 1: Episodes 4-6 published : 50%

TENTATIVE TIMELINE & ACTIVITIES

This scope of work depends on the individual projects between the dates noted above. The level of effort and timeframe will be agreed upon and contracting. Any additional days and/or modification of Start/End dates must be completed before additional work is commenced. We anticipate that the first six episodes will be released during the period January-July 2023.

WORKPLAN/METHODOLOGY

About the current podcast

The CashCast was started in 2019 and since then has released 8 episodes (8 in English and 2 in Spanish). The podcasts are on diverse topics related to CVA and the first episodes were quite strongly focussed around exploring thought provoking views and ideas in the field of CVA. More recently they have been used for skill building/training type purposes or for promoting recent papers/research. Episode length and format have been variable, however, each episode typically last 30-70 mins and are in the format of a roundtable discussion involving subject matter experts, facilitated by a CALP staff member acting as host.

Technology

The recordings are captured virtually, and we have recently started using Riverside FM to record the show (in a bid to improve sound quality and capture promotional video). We use BuzzSprout as our Podcast hosting website (which distributes the podcast through a variety of podcast streaming services).

Future aspirations for the podcast

We would like to bring the CashCast back into the thought leadership space, by booking high profile guests and hosts and focussing the topic of each episode around questions which address points of tension within the humanitarian sector. We’re also considering changing the format from a roundtable discussion (which can end up sounding like a series of monologues) to something more in depth – a one to one format or two to one interview.

We would also like to do more to elicit inputs and ideas from listeners before shows and use these inputs during the recordings. In terms of a schedule/rhythm we feel it’s important to maintain a more predictable and regular show than we are currently managing, to take listeners with us. However, we do not have the capacity to record weekly or fortnightly, and we believe a monthly podcast would be too infrequent. Therefore, we plan to record two series a year, each consisting of six episodes, released on a weekly/fortnightly basis – though we would be open to discussion a different approach should be considered.

MANAGEMENT ARRANGEMENTS

This consultant will report administratively to directly to the Responsible Manager, listed above, who will be responsible for approving deliverable(s) and invoice(s). Technical work will be overseen by Jo-Anne Witcombe, CALP’s Head of Communications based in Oxfam GB.

Action Against Hunger is a host of the CALP Network; we are a U.S.-based organization, and as such must comply with U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) rules and regulations. If you are selected for the consultant work, and choose to work with Action Against Hunger USA, you must provide the proper IRS form to determine your tax status either with a W-9 form or W-8 form, depending on your tax situation. Please visit www.IRS.gov for more information. Any tax questions should be directed to your tax advisor. Contracts and payments are dependent upon receipt of the signed IRS form. Payment of Invoices are net 30 days. Additional details provided in service contract.

MINIMUM DETAILS IN APPLICATION

If you are interested, please submit:

• Your CV
• At least three samples of previous related projects,
• A proposal (max 2 sides) detailing an itemised package of services, your approach to delivering these including budget breakdown.
• Proposals should include costings for all items from ‘List A’, and costings for any items from ‘List B’ that you are proposing as part of your offer. Please provide a rationale for your selection of items from list ‘B’ – which can be based on financial factors and/or an assessment of where you feel you could add the most value to the CashCast.

PROFILE OF CONSULTANTS

The applicant company/group/consultant should have the following essential skills and knowledge:

Essential

• Fluent English speaker.
• Proven knowledge of digital editing technology and of multimedia platforms.
• Previous experience in podcast production.

Desirable

• A background in journalism, communications, broadcasting, or marketing.
• Previous work on humanitarian topics.