1. Context and Project Overview:
DanChurchAid (DCA) is an international non-governmental organization headquartered in Denmark. It operates in the Central African Republic in the humanitarian, development, and peacebuilding sectors. Since 2021, DCA has been implementing an integrated physical, psychological, and socio-economic rehabilitation program in the Kémo prefecture for survivors under the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court (ICC).
This program, funded by the ICC Trust Fund for Victims (TFV), coherently integrates psychosocial support, access to healthcare, economic empowerment, and the strengthening of social cohesion. The intervention covers the localities of Sibut, Galafondo, Féré, and Dékoa and has, to date, directly supported more than 1,450 survivors.
Among the project’s major achievements is the establishment of 24 Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs), some of which have demonstrated strong growth. The “Zo kwe Zo” group in Sibut, which started with 25 members, now comprises over 150 people organized into autonomous subgroups and has generated over 15,000,000 XAF in shared resources over the last two cycles. Eleven cooperatives with 396 members were also established during the project’s fifth phase, consolidating a sustainable local development model. Ninety-six more vulnerable beneficiaries received substantial support in the form of income-generating activity (IGA) kits, in addition to technical training to strengthen their resilience as a project exit strategy.
As the five-year implementation phase draws to a close, DCA aims to capitalize on these results through a 5- to 7-minute documentary film illustrating the positive impact of FPV/CPI funding on the lives of survivors and the added value of this partnership.
2. Objectives of the documentary film
2.1. General objective
To produce a 5- to 7-minute documentary film illustrating the positive and transformative impact of the program implemented by DCA with the support of the ICC Trust Fund for Victims (TFV) on the lives of survivors in the Kémo prefecture over a five-year period (2021–2026).
2.2. Specific objectives
The specific objectives of the film production are as follows:
- To visually document the individual and collective transformations brought about by the program (physical rehabilitation, psychological rehabilitation, socio-economic reintegration);
- Collect and highlight authentic testimonies from survivors that concretely illustrate the added value of FPV/CPI funding in their daily lives;
- Making visible the holistic and integrated approach developed by DCA: psychosocial support, access to care, economic empowerment, strengthening of social cohesion;
- Highlighting pathways of resilience and empowerment, particularly through AVEC groups, income-generating activities (IGAs) and cooperatives;
- Documenting good practices and the potential for replicability of the developed model in other similar contexts;
- Produce a communication and advocacy tool for FPV/CPI, institutional partners, the general public and potential donors.
3. Methodological Framework
The documentary film will be produced by an external consultant or an audiovisual production agency, working closely with the DCA team based in Bangui and in the field. The methodology proposed by the service provider must include the following elements:
3.1. Data Collection and Testimonies
The service provider will conduct interviews and collect testimonies from:
- Survivors benefiting from the program (women, men, young people), in particular those whose trajectory is emblematic of the transformation that took place;
- Members of AVEC groups and cooperatives set up within the framework of the project;
- Community partners and local actors involved in implementation;
- DCA teams (field staff and coordination);
- Representatives of local authorities, where applicable.
3.2. Visual Content
Field footage and images of beneficiaries must constitute at least two-thirds (2/3) of the film’s visual content. The footage must cover:
- Economic activities generated by the program (AGR, markets, fields, workshops);
- Psychosocial support and guidance sessions;
- The meetings and activities of AVEC groups and cooperatives;
- The infrastructure and concrete achievements of the project;
- The faces, expressions and interactions of the survivors’ daily lives.
DCA may, if necessary, provide archive images related to project activities to supplement field footage.
3.3. Narrative Guidelines and Keywords
The documentary film must adopt a human-centered narrative style, favoring direct testimonies and life stories. The narrative must structure:
- The initial situation of the survivors (vulnerability, distress, stigmatization);
- The role of the program in their recovery process (support received, changes experienced);
The current situation: autonomy, restored dignity, social and economic integration.
The following keywords are essential and must be reflected in the film’s narrative: survivors, rehabilitation, resilience, dignity, economic empowerment, psychosocial support, social cohesion, VSLA (Village Savings and Loan Associations), income-generating activities (IGAs), cooperatives, added value, impact, CPI (Victims’ Compensation Fund), and the Victims’ Compensation Fund.
The language used must remain simple, accessible, and human, avoiding any technical or institutional jargon that would distance the film from its target audience.
3.4. Geographic areas covered
The film will cover the project’s intervention areas in the Kémo prefecture, with filming planned in particular in:
- Sibut (prefectural center);
- Galafondo ;
- Féré
- Dekoa;
The final choice of sites and profiles to be filmed will be made jointly between the service provider and the DCA team during the scoping meeting.
4. Expected Deliverables
The selected service provider must produce and submit the following deliverables to DCA:
4.1. Kick-off Report
An initial report will present the service provider’s understanding of the film’s objective, the proposed methodology, the preliminary storyboard, interview questions, a detailed activity schedule, and how gender sensitivity will be addressed in data collection and on-screen representation.
4.2. Documentary Film (draft and final versions)
A 5- to 7-minute documentary film in French, illustrating the impact of the CPI program on survivors in the Kémo prefecture. The film must include:
- English subtitles for all interviews in French or local languages;
- Subtitles in Sango if testimonies are collected in other languages;
- The logos of the Trust Fund for Victims (TFV/CPI) and DCA in the end credits;
- DCA’s visual identity (graphic charter and colours) – the graphic elements will be provided by DCA.
4.3. Raw files and editing project
All raw recordings (rushes), subtitle files (.srt format) for all interviews, and the editing project file (Adobe Premiere Pro compatible) must be submitted to DCA on digital media (external hard drive) and/or via a secure download link.
5. Qualifications and skills required
DCA is looking for an individual consultant or an audiovisual production agency with the following profile:
5.1. Required criteria
- Relevant experience of at least 5 years in the production and direction of documentary, communication or awareness-raising films;
- Proven experience in producing humanitarian, social or developmental documentaries at the national and/or international level;
- Knowledge and sensitivity to issues of victims’ rights, rehabilitation and socio-economic reintegration in a post-conflict context;
- Work experience in the Central African Republic and/or knowledge of local dynamics related to gender and vulnerable populations;
- Proficiency in French (main working language) – knowledge of local languages ​​(Sango) is a major asset;
- Excellent filming, editing and audiovisual production capabilities (professional HD or 4K resolution);
- Quick availability to begin the mission.
5.2. Desirable qualifications
- Postgraduate degree in communication, journalism, audiovisual production or related field;
- Prior experience with international humanitarian or development organizations;
- Knowledge of the procedures and communication requirements of the FPV/CPI or other institutional donors;
- Proficiency in English (for the production of subtitles and communication with international partners).
6. Ethical and Protection Considerations
The production of the documentary film involves gathering testimonies from survivors of armed conflicts, often victims of severe distress. The service provider must therefore strictly adhere to the following principles:
- Obtain the free and informed consent of all persons filmed or interviewed, in particular by signing a consent form provided by DCA;
- Guarantee the confidentiality and safety of interviewees, especially those whose situation could expose them to risks;
- Adopt a gender-sensitive approach centered on the dignity of survivors, avoiding any staging that could stigmatize or reduce their identity to their status as victims;
- Respect the “Do No Harm” principle in all interactions with beneficiaries and communities;
- Read, understand and sign the DCA Code of Conduct and Protection Policy before the start of the mission.
The documentary film is the property of DCA, which holds all rights to its use, distribution, and publication. Copyright related to the production work belongs to the service provider for internal use within its portfolio only. Both parties agree to maintain the confidentiality of all information exchanged during this project.
7. Implementation and Logistics
The service provider will work closely with the DCA team (project coordinator, field officers) throughout the mission. A preliminary scoping meeting will ensure a shared understanding of these Terms of Reference and validate the proposed methodology.
DCA will facilitate the process by providing:
- Relevant project documents (reports, results data, archive photos);
- Contact details of local partners, beneficiaries and resource persons;
- DCA’s logos, graphic charters and visual guidelines;
- On-the-ground logistical support (coordination with local teams).
The service provider will be responsible for their own filming logistics (equipment, transport, accommodation, consumables). They will also be responsible for the administration of all production tools and the management of collected data.
Note: The following annexes can be provided to interested candidates upon request for use:
- Annex 1: Summary of the CPI project (2021–2026)
- Appendix 2: Logical framework of the project
- Appendix 3: Map of the intervention area (Kémo Prefecture)
- Appendix 4: Note on the added value of the program – DCA / CPI Fund
- Appendix 5: Standard Informed Consent Form
How to apply
8. Application File
Candidates (individual consultants or agencies) interested in this assignment are invited to submit a complete application file including:
- A cover letter outlining the understanding of the mission and the proposed methodological approach;
- A detailed CV of the director(s) responsible for the mission;
- References to similar documentary films made (links or files);
- A technical proposal including the preliminary storyboard, schedule and task allocation;
- A detailed financial proposal (fees, travel expenses, equipment, post-production);
- Any other document attesting to relevant skills and experience.
Applications must be sent to DCA at the following address: cyko@dca.dk , copying nana@dca.dk , no later than April 4, 2026.