We are seeking a highly qualified consultant or team with experience in photojournalism, documentary photography, and community media initiatives. You must have strong intercultural communication skills, experience working in conflict settings (ideally in the DRC), and professional photography and video equipment. Fluency in French and/or Swahili is required.
This is a unique opportunity for a professional photographer/photojournalist – or a small creative team – with proven experience in documentary storytelling and participatory photography, to support International Alert’s Madini kwa Amani na Maendeleo program.
The consultancy will highlight the lived experiences, challenges and aspirations of artisanal mining communities in South Kivu and Ituri through a participatory visual approach.
In return, you will contribute to an advocacy and awareness-raising initiative aimed at promoting a better understanding of the artisanal mining sector and influencing policies for responsible sourcing and improved governance.
Context
International Alert is implementing a multi-year program called Madini kwa Amani na Maendeleo (Minerals for Peace and Development), which focuses on promoting peace, responsible mineral sourcing, and improved governance in the artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) sector in eastern DRC.
As part of its international advocacy and public awareness, the organization aims to produce a powerful visual and narrative project, highlighting the lived experiences, challenges and aspirations of those involved in artisanal gold and 3T minerals (tin, tantalum, tungsten) mining in South Kivu and Ituri.
Purpose of the consultation
Approach
This documentation aims to use a participatory photography approach. Participatory photography is a community-based approach in which cameras are given to members of the project communities so they can capture their own perspectives and experiences, which encourages personal expression and allows community members to tell their own stories.
In this case, members of mining communities, artisanal miners, their family members, and those involved in various sectors of the artisanal mining economy, under the guidance of an experienced photographer and/or photojournalist, will be invited to document their lives through photos, videos, and recorded or written testimonies with the aim of highlighting how “essential” minerals are to their lives. Participants should feel free to visually express and explain why artisanal mining and minerals are essential to their livelihoods and what their expectations and concerns are regarding artisanal mining. Participatory photography is particularly useful in situations where conventional communication methods may be insufficient or inaccessible.
Purposes
- Encourage community expression and first-hand storytelling (based on the free and informed consent of participants).
- Illustrate the importance of “critical” minerals in daily life.
- Produce a visual narrative for exhibitions and advocacy campaigns.
Main missions
- Field research and identification of target communities
- Facilitation of participatory sessions (photo & video)
- Capture of high-quality content (photos and videos)
- Developing a coherent visual narrative
Goals
- Documenting daily life, working conditions and resilience in artisanal mining (gold & 3T).
- Strengthen the photography and storytelling skills of some participants.
- Highlight gender dynamics, the role of women, youth and marginalized groups.
- Capturing stories illustrating the issues, challenges and benefits of ASM to promote a better public understanding of the challenges of artisanal mining in eastern DRC.
- Produce quality photo/video content for exhibitions, digital campaigns, websites and print reports.
Scope of work
The consultant will have to:
- Conduct a documentary review and refine the themes with the Madini team.
- Visit sites in South Kivu and Ituri (logistical support & security provided).
- Conduct interviews with formalized consent.
- Organize and lead participatory sessions.
- Capture HD photos and videos on themes: livelihood, gender, environment, conflict, dignity, resilience.
- Propose an exhibition/storyboard concept with captions, stories and video clips.
- Provide an edited selection of 100+ photographs and 3 video portraits (2–4 min each).
The Madini Project will provide the following support:
- Availability of necessary information about the project.
- Selection of field sites.
- Contacting relevant authorities and communities/individuals.
- Programmatic support and regular feedback throughout the process.
Expected deliverables
- Work plan & methodological note (2 weeks after contract), in French.
- Raw files (photos & videos), submitted post-mission.
- 100+ edited and captioned photographs.
- 3+ edited short videos.
- Narrative concept document (10–15 pages) with detailed profiles of 10 people.
- Concise final report on the process and results.
- Rights-free content with signed consent forms.
Calendar
Phase Activity Period
Inception Documentary review, methodology, planning September 1–15, 2025
Field Photography, interviews, workshops October 1–30, 2025
Post-production Editing, captions October 1–31, 2025
Delivery Submission of final deliverables < November 15, 2025
Consultant profile
- Proven experience in photojournalism, documentary & visual storytelling.
- Work in a rural/conflict context in sub-Saharan Africa (preferably DRC).
- Skills in facilitating participatory projects.
- Intercultural communication & visual ethics.
- Fluency in French and/or Swahili (local languages an asset).
- Professional equipment for photo & video.
Budget and logistics
- Competitive remuneration based on experience and candidate(s)’ proposal.
- Coverage/reimbursement of travel, accommodation and field logistics according to International Alert scales.
- Logistical support from the Madini consortium and programmatic support will be available to facilitate contacts with stakeholders and visits to project sites.
- Insurance and equipment are the responsibility of the consultant.
How to apply
Interested candidates will need to submit the following documents:
- Technical proposal (≤ 3 pages) — methodology & timeline
- Portfolio / links to previous work
- CV of the main consultant (and team if applicable)
- Detailed budget (all fees and taxes included)
The deadline for submitting applications is August 30, 2025, 6:00 p.m.
(UTC+2)
Application files should only be sent to the following email addresses.
drc-hr@international-alert.org et drc-programmes@international-alert.org
All applicants must have permanent work authorization in the Democratic Republic of Congo. International Alert does not sponsor work visas to the DRC, or any other country where this position is offered.
International Alert is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and particularly encourages applications from underrepresented individuals, including women, individuals from the Global South, BIPOC, LGBTQIA+ individuals, individuals with disabilities, and other historically marginalized individuals.
Although International Alert strives to contact all applicants within a reasonable timeframe, this is not always possible due to limited resources. Therefore, if you have not received a response from us within two weeks of the closing date, you can assume that your application has not been successful this time.