Documentary and Communications Consultant – Production of Project Documentary and Impact Stories (Zimbabwe)
Consultancy, Research Jobs
Job Description
Project Background
NIRAS A/S, in collaboration with the Community Technology Development Organisation (CTDO)
and the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL), is implementing the second phase of
the Markets and Seeds Access Project (MASAP) in Zimbabwe and Zambia. MASAP is funded by
the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). The first phase ran from December
2021 to June 2025 and focused on launching project activities in five districts: Chipata,
Sesheke, and Sioma in Zambia, and Mudzi and Tsholotsho in Zimbabwe. The second phase,
from July 2025 to June 2029, aims to consolidate and scale up the results from the first phase
and increase the number of smallholder farmers (SHF) benefitting from the project. This will
involve adding two more districts in Zimbabwe, namely Buhera and Bubi, while phasing out in
Zambia by June 2028.
2. MASAP Vision
The overall goal of the project is to improve resilience in food security of smallholder
households (especially women) by increasing adoption and utilisation of improved open
and self-pollinated varieties of traditional grains (sorghum and millets) and legumes
(cowpeas and groundnuts). This will be achieved through strengthening the seed and
commodity value chains in Zambia and Zimbabwe. MASAP’s long-term vision is the creation of
a vibrant and community-driven seed and commodity market system, creating income
opportunities and resilience for SHF, in particular women, supported by strong institutions,
national and regional policies, and dynamic and innovative private sector actors. As MASAP
scales its impact, there is a growing need to document and disseminate project experiences,
innovations, and lessons learned to stakeholders, including smallholder farmers, government partners, and development agencies.
Duties and Responsibilities
3. MASAP Components and Outcomes
Component 1: Adoption and utilisation of traditional grain and legume seed by smallholder
farmers – Outcome 1: Smallholder farmers, in particular women and other marginalised
groups, have increased access to resilient varieties for increased food security and higher
incomes.
Component 2: Private Sector Engagement – Outcome 2: Sustainable and predictable
availability of affordable, quality seeds and related services by smallholder farmers through
increased engagement of the private sector and other value chain actors.
Component 3: Policy engagement and action learning research – Outcome 3: An enabling
policy environment informed by evidence and supportive of traditional grains and legumes
sectors’ needs and interests developed.
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MASAP seeks to achieve these outcomes by facilitating market systems interventions that
address the bottlenecks (underlying causes of market failure) in the commodity and seed
value chains. These include farmer access to extension services, input and output markets,
finance, and insurance services. Improved access will enable farmers to increase
productivity and output, and hence household incomes and food security. The project will also
support the growth of well-managed and governed community-owned enterprises (COEs) and
associations, which can contribute effectively to the development and growth of viable and
resilient traditional grains and legumes seed and commodity markets. Such markets will create
a more diversified and resilient agricultural system which helps SHF to improve incomes,
livelihoods, and food security, and move out of poverty. The project intends to capture
evidence and stories from the field and project stakeholders for internal learning and
communicating with stakeholders to influence behavioural change and maximise project
results and impact.
4. Purpose of the Assignment
The project seeks the services of a Documentary and Communications Consultant to
produce a video documentary and a collection of captivating written stories that capture
project activities, outcomes and impacts. These products will translate complex market
systems data into visually engaging and easy to understand stories focusing on:
• Field Innovations: Innovative and climate-smart technologies or methodologies, and
infrastructure investments in MASAP value chains
• Impact Stories: Human-interest experiences from farmers and agribusiness partners
• Learning Points: Data-driven, evidence-based lessons from project implementation
5. Scope of Work
The Consultant will work under the direct supervision of the Team Leader, and in close
collaboration with the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Manager and
Communications Specialist, to perform the following:
• In collaboration with the MASAP team, develop a script and storyline for the video
documentary, and outlines for the impact stories
• In collaboration with MASAP, visit Mudzi and Tsholotsho to take photographs, shoot
video footage and begin drafting impact stories
• Conduct interviews with project stakeholders in Harare, Bulawayo, Marondera, Mudzi,
and Tsholotsho (see below)
• Conduct professional filming (including drone footage where permitted)
• Produce a broadcast-quality 10-15-minute documentary
• Develop three (3) 2-minute highlight clips suitable for social media platforms
• Produce five (5) impact stories
As an outcome, the Consultant will deliver full-edited content, raw footage, and high-resolution
still photography. The production should be at the highest market quality standards, high
definition, full colour, with clean stylistic touches. The short clips should be suitable for use on
various multimedia platforms for information sharing with different audiences/stakeholders.
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The impact stories should be no more than 1,500 words each, with compelling photographs
and quotes from farmers.
Field Production & Interviews: Conduct high-quality video filming and interviews with:
• Ms Mildred Mapani, MASAP Co-Chair, Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanisation and
Water Development HO
• Mr Thabani Siziba, Deputy Director of the Strategic Planning, Monitoring and
Evaluation (SPME) Department, and
• Ms Vimbai Zirenga, MASAP focal point in the SPME Department
Qualifications and Experience
9. Consultant Qualifications and Experience
Consultants interested in delivering this assignment must meet the following minimum
requirements.
• Relevant qualification in Media, Communications, Journalism, Film Production and Directing, or Graphic Design.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in development communications or documentary
filmmaking. Experience in conducting such work in the development sector is an advantage.
• Proficiency in professional video editing software (e.g., Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut)
• Proven ability to capture high-quality field photography and human-interest impact stories
How to Apply
