Call For Expression of Interest- Consultant Film Maker  

SUMMARY 

ActionAid Nigeria (AAN) is seeking the services of a skilled filmmaker to produce a high-quality video documentary to celebrate its 25 years of impact, community engagement, and empowerment. The documentary will highlight the organisation's achievements, its journey, and its impact on communities across Nigeria, documenting stories of change, challenges, and progress over the years. This video will serve as a key piece of content to support AAN’s legacy while inspiring continued support from stakeholders, donors, and the wider public. 

AA Nigeria is an affiliate of ActionAid International, which is a global alliance of organisations working towards achieving a world without poverty and injustice in which every person enjoys the right to a life with dignity. As a large and visible development organisation, we work in more than 40 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe and America. Our expertise lies in community-led approaches to development and working through partnerships with the poor and other grassroot organisations.  

Background: 

Since its establishment in 2000, ActionAid Nigeria (AAN) has been at the forefront of advocating for human rights, social justice, and transformative change in Nigeria. The organisation’s journey has been shaped by its unwavering commitment to fighting poverty, injustice, and inequality through a rights-based approach. AAN has worked closely with marginalised communities, empowering them to take control of their own development and advocating for systemic change at local, national, and international levels. 

Over the past 25 years, ActionAid Nigeria has undergone significant transformations, marked by evolving strategies designed to address the changing socio-economic landscape of Nigeria. The organisation has adapted its approach to remain relevant and impactful, guided by its mission to end poverty and injustice. AAN’s leadership has also seen transitions over the years, each contributing uniquely to the development of the organisation and its strategic direction. From its early leadership to the present, these changes have reinforced AAN’s position as a key player in the Nigerian development sector, ensuring the continuity of its mission. 

The organisation's first strategic phase, Fighting Poverty in the Midst of Plenty (2004–2008), laid the groundwork for ActionAid’s focus on economic injustice and the paradox of poverty in a country with abundant resources. Building on this foundation, the second phase, Fighting Poverty in the Midst of Plenty II (2009–2013), deepened AAN’s engagement with grassroots communities, emphasising empowerment and capacity-building to challenge systemic barriers to poverty eradication. The third phase, Take Action: End Poverty (2014–2018), shifted focus to amplifying the voices of marginalised groups, particularly women and youth, and mobilising them to drive systemic change. The fourth phase, Social Justice to End Poverty (2018–2023), highlighted the critical intersection between poverty and social justice, calling for stronger accountability from governments and stakeholders to ensure the rights of citizens, especially the most vulnerable, are upheld. 

Now, under its fifth strategy, Citizens’ Action to End Poverty and Injustice, AAN continues to build on the successes and lessons of its previous strategies. This current framework prioritises the mobilisation of communities, movements, and actors to drive transformative change.  

Twenty-five years on, it is important to reflect on the milestones, challenges, and successes that have defined ActionAid Nigeria’s journey. From its early days as an anti-poverty organisation to its immediate past on social justice and current focus on citizens’ action to end poverty and injustice, AAN’s work has made a profound impact on the lives of countless individuals and communities across Nigeria. The organisation's deep-rooted community engagement and strong partnerships with local actors have allowed it to remain a leading force in the fight against poverty and injustice.  

This book not only documents AAN’s rich history but also serves as an inspiration for future generations of activists and change-makers who will continue the work towards a just and equitable world. The book is a space to share our story—how we started, how we have grown, and what we have become. It also offers an opportunity to document the lessons learned over the years and highlight the impact of our work in shaping both community and national development. More than a historical record, it is a reflection of our influence, values, and continued commitment to ending poverty and injustice in Nigeria. 

 
Target audience/s 

The target audience for the book includes Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs); current and former staff of ActionAid Nigeria; academics, researchers, activists and students; board members and governance structures; community stakeholders and the people we work with; as well as members of the public interested in development work in Nigeria. 

The publication seeks to serve as both a legacy document and a knowledge product, providing insights into AAN's evolution and impact over the last twenty-five (25) years. 

The documentation should help the audience to: 

• Recognise the transformative impact of ActionAid Nigeria’s work in improving the lives of women, men, youth, and children across communities. 

• Understand the integrity and transparency of ActionAid Nigeria’s processes. The organisation has consistently involved communities in decision-making, ensuring that initiatives are rooted in local needs and priorities. This approach fosters strong community ownership, making the programmes more resilient and self-sustaining, with impacts that endure well beyond the initial intervention. 

• Appreciate ActionAid Nigeria’s profound role in strengthening government institutions. This is not just capacity building; it’s about creating systems that will continue to function long after the organisation’s intervention to ensure a legacy of change. 

• Be compelled to share these stories of change. These stories are not just milestones in a book - they are a clarion call for action. By disseminating them, the audience will help amplify the successes and lessons learned, ensuring that the ripple effects of ActionAid’s work reach far beyond its direct beneficiaries. 

• Be motivated to act and sustain the movement. Donors, partners, and stakeholders should see the continued impact of ActionAid’s work and feel an urgent need to continue supporting the organisation’s mission. 

3. Tone and Style 

The tone of the documentary should be uplifting, inspiring, and reflective. It should avoid being overly formal, yet convey a sense of pride, progress, and optimism while maintaining authenticity and sincerity. 

The style of the film should focus on the human stories behind ActionAid, highlighting real-life experiences. It should include personal reflections and emotional narratives from interviewees - people we work with, past leadership, current and past staff, donors, and partners. 

The film should blend interviews, available footage, B-roll shots, photos, and archival information, including footage of community activities to build a well-rounded narrative. 

The storytelling should be visual, relying on simple yet powerful imagery to convey the impact of AAN’s work.

Technical compatibility and deliverables 

All content should be shot in 16:9 aspect ratios. Standard Definition (SD) footage should be in PAL format, High Definition (HD) footage should be at 50i or 25p frame rates. If there are operational reasons for using any other format, please agree this in advance with ActionAid Nigeria’s Communications Unit. 

The consultant will provide the following specific deliverables: 

• A 30-minute documentary video showcasing ActionAid Nigeria’s journey over the past 25 years. 
• A 15-minute version of the documentary. 
• Rushes and master copies of all video footage, which will remain the property of ActionAid Nigeria. 
• All final products must be subtitled and include translation/transcriptions in English where necessary to ensure accessibility. 

All outputs for this production belong to ActionAid and cannot be used for commercial or any personal purposes. 

Competencies 

    Corporate Competencies: 

• Demonstrates integrity by modelling ActionAid’s values and ethical standards 
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of ActionAid 
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability 

Functional Competencies: 

• Proven experience in producing high-quality documentary videos, autobiographies or biographies and in the development sector. 
• Strong ability to collaborate with a diverse team of staff and external stakeholders. 
• Excellent video editing skills using industry-standard software (e.g., Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro). 
• Proficiency in capturing high-quality footage in challenging environments. 
• Knowledge of storytelling techniques that effectively communicate social justice issues. 
• Demonstrated ability to work under tight deadlines and manage multiple deliverables. 

Education and Experience: 

• A degree in Film Production, Media Studies, Communications, or a related field. 
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in documentary filmmaking, especially within the nonprofit or development sector. 
• Proven track record of producing similar video content for high-profile organisations. 
• Familiarity with Nigerian grassroots communities and issues of poverty, gender equality, and social justice is an asset. 

Assignment Location and Timeline 

The assignment will commence by June 10, 2025, with filming schedules to begin as mutually agreed upon. All filming and post-production activities must be completed no later than October 7, 2025. Key milestones, including filming schedules, editing stages, and delivery of draft and final versions, will be jointly agreed upon and strictly adhered to. 

Work Arrangement & Reporting Lines 

The consultant is expected to use their own work equipment for the duration of the assignment. 

While many interviewees are based in Abuja, some are located outside the city. The consultant is expected to adopt innovative approaches— such as virtual interviews— to engage those outside Abuja. However, if physical travel outside Abuja becomes necessary, ActionAid Nigeria will cover the associated travel, accommodation, and per diem costs. 

The consultant will report directly to ActionAid Nigeria’s Communications Team, which will provide oversight and guidance throughout the assignment. 

Submission of Expression of Interest 

Interested applicants should submit a CV detailing relevant competencies, alongside the list below. Applications must be submitted electronically as a single Microsoft Word file to Procurement.Nigeria@actionaid.org  with the subject line: Filmmaker AAN25, no later than May 23, 2025. Failure to comply with the submission guidelines may result in disqualification. 

• A proposal outlining their approach to the project, including a brief on how they plan to document AAN’s 25-year journey 
• Company or Individual profile (as applicable) 
• Evidence of previous work (secured links are allowed) 
• Proof of registration with FIRS or SIRS (state internal revenue service) 
• A minimum of 2 reference letters must be submitted showing evidence of related work 
• CAC registration certificate (for corporates) 
• Cost proposal 

If you do not receive feedback on your application within two weeks after the closing date, please consider your application unsuccessful.