Photography and Videography Consultant

OVERVIEW

The Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) is seeking an individual or firm specializing in photography and videography to collect narrative, photo, and video content in 2022. The story collection trip will focus on collecting and editing compelling photos and video footage of Local Impact’s activities in Tajikistan and the Kyrgyz Republic.

BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT

AGA KHAN DEVELOPMENT NETWORK AND AGA KHAN FOUNDATION

Founded and guided by His Highness the Aga Khan, the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) brings together a number of development agencies, institutions, and programs that work primarily in the poorest parts of Asia and Africa. A central feature of the AKDN’s approach to development is to design and implement strategies in which its different agencies participate in particular settings to help those in need achieve a level of self-reliance and improve quality of life. While each agency pursues its own mandate, all of them work together within the overarching framework of the Aga Khan Development Network so that their different pursuits can interact and reinforce one another.

One of the specialized agencies of the AKDN is the Aga Khan Foundation (AKF), which brings together human, financial, and technical resources to address some of the challenges faced by the poorest and most marginalized communities in the world. Special emphasis is placed on investing in human potential, expanding opportunity and improving overall quality of life, especially for women and girls. AKF works in an integrated way in primarily in seven areas: Agriculture and Food Security; Work and Enterprise; Education; Early Childhood Development; Health and Nutrition; Climate Resilience, and Civil Society. The Foundation is largely a field-based organization with program units located in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, India, Kenya, the Kyrgyz Republic, Madagascar, Mali, Mozambique, Pakistan, Portugal, Russia, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, and Uganda—with resource mobilization offices in Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States and headquarters based in Geneva, Switzerland.

LOCAL IMPACT OVERVIEW

Working together through a co-created, co-funded, and community-centered agreement, AKF and USAID will implement Local Impact, a multiyear, multi-sector, multi-country partnership to achieve transformational development outcomes. To learn more about the project, please visit: https://www.akfusa.org/local%20impact/.

LOCAL IMPACT GEOGRAPHIC COVERAGE

Envisioned as a global partnership that spans multiple geographies in Asia and Africa, Phase 1 of Local Impact is focused on Kyrgyz Republic, and Tajikistan. In each of these countries, AKDN is already making substantial, long-term investments in local systems and institutions that promote a path to self-reliance and resilience.

PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF WORK

The purpose of this assignment is to collect photos and videos of Local Impact project activities.

The scope of this assignment envisages the following activities:

• Review background materials on Local Impact provided by AKF USA, including content collection guidelines

• Meet with Local Impact staff to discuss the project

• Collaborate with Local Impact staff to develop and deliver a story collection plan for Local Impact that aligns with Local Impact’s objectives and AKF USA guidelines, including an itinerary for the story collection mission

• Make pre-mission arrangements (visas, booking travel, etc.) with input from Local Impact staff

• Lead a 14-18 day story collection mission in August-September 2022. AKF staff will accompany the mission in supporting roles

• Develop and deliver a post-trip plan detailing the stories collected and how they can be used within the story strategy, and refine based on feedback

• Deliver edited story, photo, and video content:

• Minimum of 4 videos (1.5-5 min long) about Local Impact’s work in Tajikistan and the Kyrgyz Republic, including

• one video about human-centered design,

• one video about Local Impact’s work to support youth,

• one video about Local Impact’s work to support women entrepreneurs, and

• one video about Local Impact’s vision and potential reach

• Minimum of nine human-centered photo essays with 100-125 high quality images and 2-3 strong quotes about:

• Human-centered design process

• Impact of the program on youth

• Impact of the program on women

• How Local Impact supports entrepreneurship

• Local Impact’s work in helping people access basic services

• Local Impact’s work in early childhood development

• Local Impact’s work related to energy efficiency/climate-resilience

• Youth Employability Skills Program

• Coalition of Employers Program

• Deliver all raw content, including raw video and shot list, photos with embedded captions, and any additional notes

• Be available for follow-up with Local Impact staff as necessary

DELIVERABLES:

• Story collection plan approved by AKF

• Raw content, including video and shot list, photos with embedded captions, and any additional notes

• Minimum of 4 videos (1.5-2 minutes long) about Local Impact’s work in Tajikistan and the Kyrgyz Republic, including

• one video about human-centered design,

• one video about Local Impact’s work to support youth,

• one video about Local Impact’s work to support women entrepreneurs, and

• one video about…

• 20-45 high quality images around each activity mentioned above

• 2-3 strong quotes around each activity mentioned above

• Minimum of nine human-centered photo essays with 100-25 high quality images and 2-3 strong quotes about:

• Human-centered design process

• Impact of the program on youth

• Impact of the program on women

• How Local Impact supports entrepreneurship

• Local Impact’s work in helping people access basic services

• Local Impact’s work in early childhood development

• Local Impact’s work related to energy efficiency/climate-resilience

• Youth Employability Skills Program

• Coalition of Employers Program

• Post-trip plan connecting raw content to the initial story collection plan to guide the final edited content

• Edited story, photo (accompanied by captions including who, what, when, where, why, and relevant quotes), and video content with English and other language subtitles as needed

• Editable video files

• Consent forms

PROPOSED TIMELINE

The story collection trip will take place between August- September 2022, with delivery of all raw content immediately and edited videos and photos by October 2022.

SUPPORT FROM AKF

AKF will provide support during all phases of the story collection process. Additionally, AKF staff will accompany the individual/firm in Tajikistan and Kyrgyz Republic, support logistics during the travel period, and provide translator contacts.

ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS

• Reasonable travel and production expenses will be reimbursed by AKF, with the submission of original, itemized receipts. These expenses may include costs such as visas, media storage, or equipment rentals.

• AKF pays a standard per diem for meals while traveling, in accordance with the United States Government.

• The above excludes travel insurance and travel medicine costs (vaccinations, etc.). However, the consultant will be required to obtain and maintain insurance coverage including medical,
  travel, life, injury, etc., during the period of service at their own expense, and may be required to provide proof of insurance.

• Consultant’s professional fees will be contracted and paid in US dollars. For expenses in other currencies, supporting documentation for the exchange rate will be required (credit card bill, online conversation calculator, currency exchange receipt, etc.).

• The consultant will be required to submit a detailed expense report including a copy of receipts for all expenses and invoices where professional fees are charged in line with the travel and expense policy that AKF will share.

QUALIFICATIONS

AKF anticipates that this consultancy will be carried out by an individual or a firm. The entity will specialize in:

• Story strategy

• Collecting and producing high quality communications products, including photography and video

• Working in international contexts

• Communicating complex social issues

• Previous experience working in Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, and Central Asia preferred

• Demonstrate sensitivity and adherence to Safeguarding policies and procedures.

• Firm’s staff or individuals must be able to obtain a visa and to travel to Tajikistan & the Kyrgyz Republic, between mid August and October 2022.