Consultancy on Whiteboard Animation on Area-Based Approaches – RFP No. RO01-001975 At Danish Refugee Council

Please find complete bidding documents in the following link: Whiteboard Animation on Area-Based Approaches – RFP No. RO01-001975

Whiteboard Animation on Area-Based Approaches

Terms of Reference – November 2022

ReDSS seeks to hire a firm or consultant to develop and produce a short, high-end animated video that explains Area Based Approaches, their application, and how they can be adapted to different contexts, making it accessible and easy to understand to durable solutions stakeholders, donors, and a general audience.

Background

Durable Solutions are achieved when displaced persons no longer have protection and assistance needs related to their displacement and when they have access to their rights without discrimination. Creating a conducive environment for achieving durable solutions is a long-term process and the primary responsibility of national authorities with the support of humanitarian and development actors.

In recent years, there has been an interest in responding holistically to the growing complexities and protracted nature of displacement among aid actors. Area-based approaches mark a paradigm shift in humanitarian assistance – they are an approach that moves away from aiding individuals or target populations to improving the conditions in the areas in which they occupy It is a recognition that for durable solutions to be achieved, there is a need to recognize all population groups in an area as well as the ecosystem of existing systems such as governance and service delivery systems.

ReDSS has designed a training curriculum on area-based planning to strengthen the capacity of actors involved in durable solutions in the East and Horn of Africa region. The main goal of the training is for practitioners and policymakers to be better equipped to lead and take part in area-based solutions planning for Displacement Affected Communities. The training was first piloted in Jigjiga, the capital of the Somali Regional State in Ethiopia, in March 2020. Since then, it has been rolled out in Ethiopia at the Woreda, regional, and federal levels. It has also been used in Somalia and Kenya to support area-based solutions planning at local levels.

Consultancy objective

With support from the EU Emergency Trust Fund for Africa (EUTF), ReDSS seeks to hire a firm or consultant to develop and produce an animation that serves as an explainer for the Area Based Approaches and how they can be adapted in different contexts. The animation will be used for, among other purposes:

• As a tool used by ReDSS in their durable solutions training to introduce the concept of Area Based approaches in a simple and visual way
• To showcase the success stories and benefits of deploying area-based approaches and demonstrate their application in different contexts

Target audience

The primary target audience for the animation are donors, technical program staff at national and/or regional levels (NGOs and UN) and in other development contexts, i.e., practitioners in the field (NGOs), development organizations, durable solutions stakeholders, civil society organizations, research and knowledge management outfits as well as policymakers (government).

The animation will be developed through:

• Solid script: ReDSS will develop a script collaboratively with the consultant/ company to use in the development of the animation
• Suitable flow: The company will be required to produce short and smooth animations with a distinct beginning, middle, and end – like in a story
• Powerful imagery: A vital element of the animations will be the illustrations and images. In the absence of words, the powerful imagery created by the company matching the script, will enable the audience to understand the content better. Illustrations should be developed while keeping the audience’s profile and cultural or social predispositions in mind.
• Accompanying audio: Audio is an essential accompaniment to the illustrations in animation. The company will consider the region that ReDSS operates in and provide appropriate voice-over options, which will aid in `humanizing’ the e-content.
• Subtitles: The company will include suitable English subtitles to make the video accessible to everyone, including persons with a hearing impairment. The company will also develop a second video option with Somali language subtitles (translated script will be provided).
• Background music: Music and sound effects are powerful tools to jazz up the video and create a more significant impact. They help create realistic scenarios even when the scene presented before the learner is an illustration. Sound effects and music might be included depending on the script and flow.

Expected Profile of Consultant(s)

• University degree in information and technology, computer animations, graphics/ design, or relevant field
• Minimum 7 years of proven experience in conducting similar assignments
• Demonstrated competency in developing and producing video animations and infographics for video infomercials.
• Experience working with video editing tools and video streaming for the web and other multimedia services
• Ability to operate the video production and editing equipment
• Ability to edit materials from a culturally sensitive perspective
• Professional work ethic, integrity, and initiative
• Advanced graphic design and typography skills coupled with the ability to weave a meaningful and compelling story
• Artistic vision with a can-do attitude and the skills to back it up
• Self-motivated, highly organized, collaborative, and able to create in a fast-paced and growing environment
• Remain current on industry trends and styles, able to integrate new techniques and/or technology when appropriate
• Proficiency in Non-linear editing – Adobe Premier, Audition, Photoshop, Final Cut Pro, 2D/3D motion graphics – After Effects, HTML5, Flash (animation, composition, VFX, title sequencing is a plus) Color grading – Color or equivalent software.
• Post-production workflows, appropriate media formats, and optimizing video for various outputs
• Fluency in spoken and written English is essential.

Application process

Interested applicants who meet the required profile are invited to submit an expression of interest, including:

• CV of participating consultant(s) with details of qualifications and experience.
• Technical proposal (not exceeding 4 pages) that summarizes understanding of the TOR, methodology, proposed budget and workplan.
• Financial proposal with a budget, providing cost estimates (including both administrative professional fees)
• Portfolio with at least three examples of past video animation productions they have directly designed and produced (provide relevant links in proposals)
• Previous contacts of three organizations that have recently contracted the applicant to carry out similar assignment

*****Failure to provide any of the above will automatically disqualify the consultant(s) or firm from the call for proposal.

Management and timeframe

The consultant will report to and work with the Ethiopia Country Manager and ReDSS Communication and Learning Coordinator.

Timeline: The assignment is scheduled to start mid to latest, end of November, with draft products delivered at the end of December 2022 and final products delivered by end of January 2022.

Technical qualification

For the award of this project, the evaluation criteria below will govern the selection of offers received. The evaluation is made on a technical and financial basis. The proposed offers by bidders will be evaluated using, inter alia, a weighted in percentage below:

Technical qualifications (70 %)

Documented with the filled-out Supplier Registration Form and present a strong portfolio with at least two past similar assignments and a technical proposal showing a good understanding of the assignment

• Proven ability to perform the required tasks by demonstrating similar tasks (30%).
• Interest in supporting and working with a diverse group of staff during the implementation of the activity (20%)
• Showcasing good knowledge of digital animation and whiteboard techniques (20%)

Proposed services (30 %)

Documented with the technical proposal

• Demonstrate through a workplan availability and flexibility for the duration of the assignment (20%)
• Proposed process, approach, and methodology are suitable for meeting the requirements (10%)

Total 100%

All bidders must obtain an average score of at least 50% for the total technical scoring in order to proceed to the financial evaluation. The financial offer will then be weighed against the technical offer.

Note: DRC is a VAT Withholding agent appointed by KRA

If any information required during the administrative evaluation is not provided by the bidders, DRC may choose to request bidders to supply this information within 48 hours of the tender opening. Please note that this is only applicable for documentation that does not alter the details in the bid, such as price information.

Financial Evaluation

All bids that pass the Technical Evaluation will proceed to the Financial Evaluation. Bids that are deemed technically non-compliant will not be financially evaluated.

Requirements

1. Financial proposal – should be itemized to show translation fees either per page or words. Also note that the total cost of financial offer will be indicated in the DRC Request for Quotation Form and the fees should be quoted in USD.

Proposals failing to meet the minimum requirements stated above will not be considered further.

Confidentiality

All information presented, obtained, and produced is to be treated as DRC’s property and is considered confidential for all other purposes than what is outlined in the ToR.

The selected consultant/ company is, upon signing the contract, required to sign a confidentiality agreement. The material prepared by the consultant/ company cannot be sold, used, or reproduced in any manner (partially or in full) by the developer without prior permission from DRC.

Additional information

For additional information regarding these terms of reference, please send your questions to Molley Akeyo, Regional Supply Chain Manager EAGL: molley.akeyo@drc.ngo