ToR – Consultancy for Documentation of the Kilimo Stahimilivu Project at Rikolto

ToR – Consultancy for Documentation of the Kilimo Stahimilivu Project at Rikolto

TERMS OF REFERENCE (ToR)

Consultancy for Documentation of the Kilimo Stahimilivu Project 

1. Introduction

Rikolto is an international non-governmental organization working with farmer organizations, agribusinesses, financial institutions, and governments to build sustainable and inclusive agri-food systems. In Tanzania, Rikolto implements programs that strengthen climate resilience, market access, and inclusive agribusiness development for smallholder farmers, with a strong focus on youth, women, and systems change. The Kilimo Stahimilivu Project (FICAP) is implemented by Rikolto in partnership with Simu solar and other stakeholders. The project promotes climate-resilient agriculture through the adoption of solar-powered irrigation technologies and climate-smart agricultural practices, targeting improved productivity, income, and food security among smallholder farmers. To effectively communicate project results, lessons learned, and human impact, Rikolto seeks to engage a qualified consultant/firm to produce a comprehensive documentary package that aligns with Rikolto’s communication standards and donor visibility requirements.

2. Background and Rationale

Smallholder farmers in Tanzania face increasing challenges due to climate variability, unreliable rainfall, and high production costs. The Kilimo stahimilivu project addresses these challenges by facilitating access to solar irrigation technologies, business development services (BDS), and climate-smart farming practices. Operating across five regions Mbeya, Songwe, Njombe, Arusha, and Kilimanjaro project has reached over 9,800 farmers, with particular attention to youth and women inclusion. Documenting these interventions and their outcomes through high-quality audiovisual products is critical for accountability, learning, visibility, and resource mobilization.

3. Objectives of the Assignment

3.1 Overall Objective

To produce high-quality documentaries and short video products that clearly and compellingly communicate the impact, innovation, partnerships, and stories of changes emerging from the FICAP project, showcasing how solar-powered irrigation and climate-smart agricultural practices are transforming the livelihoods of smallholder farmers. The documentary outputs will highlight tangible results, effective collaboration among project partners, and human-centered narratives that illustrate lessons learned, challenges addressed, and the broader contribution of the project to climate resilience, inclusive agriculture, and sustainable food systems.

3.2 Specific Objectives

3.1. To capture compelling human-interest stories from diverse beneficiaries, including women, youth, and smallholder farmers, across all five project regions.

3.2. To document the technical and institutional support system, including the roles of Rikolto, Simu solar, BDS providers, and Local Government Authorities.

3.3. To showcase the application and benefits of solar-powered irrigation and climate-adaptive agricultural practices.

3.4. To produce professional audiovisual materials suitable for donor reporting, public communication, learning, and advocacy purposes.

4. Scope of Work

The consultant will be responsible for the end-to-end production of a documentary package, covering pre-production, field filming, post-production, and final delivery, ensuring that each stage of the assignment is professionally planned and executed. This includes conceptualizing the documentary approach, coordinating and conducting field filming, managing the technical and creative aspects of post-production, and delivering final, broadcast-quality products. Throughout the process, the consultant will ensure that all outputs are coherent, accurate, and strategically aligned with the overall communication objectives of the FICAP project, effectively conveying project impact, key messages, and stories of change to Rikolto’ s stakeholders and partners.

4.1 Geographic Scope:

Fieldwork will be conducted in the Mbeya, Songwe, Njombe, Arusha, and Kilimanjaro regions, representing the full geographical coverage of the FICAP project. The consultant will be expected to travel to selected project sites within these regions to capture diverse contexts, beneficiary experiences, and implementation models that reflect the project’s reach and impact.

4.2 Key Tasks / Activities:

• Review relevant project documents and communication materials to gain a clear understanding of project objectives, approaches, results, and key messages to be communicated through the documentary.
• Develop a detailed filming plan and storyline in consultation with Rikolto, including identification of key stories, interview subjects, locations, and a narrative structure that aligns with Rikolto’s communication and donor visibility standards.
• Conduct structured interviews with beneficiaries, partners, and project staff, ensuring that voices of women, youth, and smallholder farmers are clearly represented and that informed consent and ethical standards are upheld.
• Capture high-quality B-roll footage showcasing farming activities, solar-powered irrigation systems, training sessions, demonstrations, and everyday farming practices that visually illustrate project interventions and outcomes.
• Edit and produce the final documentary and short videos through professional post-production processes, including scripting, subtitling, sound design, and visual branding, ensuring full alignment with Rikolto branding guidelines, communication standards, and donor requirements.

5. Methodology

The assignment will be implemented through a combination of on-site field visits, guided and semi-structured interviews, and visual storytelling approaches that place beneficiaries’ voices and lived experiences at the centre of the documentation. This will be complemented by a desk review of relevant project documents to ensure accuracy, coherence, and alignment with project objectives and results. Throughout the process, the consultant will apply ethical, participatory, and inclusive documentation practices in line with Rikolto standards, including obtaining informed consent, respecting cultural sensitivities, and ensuring that stories are presented with dignity, authenticity, and accountability.

6. Expected Deliverables

1. One (1) high-quality 15–20-minute documentary in Swahili with English subtitles.
2. Five (5) 2–3-minute beneficiary video vignettes (one per region).
3. Final documentary script and subtitles.
4. All raw and edited footage delivered to Rikolto.

7. Assignment Timeline

The fieldwork for this assignment will be conducted between 15 and 24 January 2026, during which the consultant will undertake all planned filming, interviews, and on-site documentation activities in the project locations. Following the completion of field activities, the consultant will proceed with post-production and submit draft documentary products within two weeks after the fieldwork, allowing sufficient time for internal review. Rikolto will provide consolidated feedback on the draft outputs, which the consultant will be required to address and incorporate in a timely manner. The final, fully revised documentary products shall then be submitted to Rikolto no later than 20 February 2026, marking the formal completion of the assignment. 

8. Consultant Qualifications

The consultant should have a minimum of five years’ proven experience in documentary filmmaking, with a demonstrated portfolio of high-quality audiovisual productions. Experience working on development programme or donor-funded projects is essential, particularly in documenting impact, learning, and results in rural or community-based settings. The consultant must possess strong storytelling, filming, sound, and post-production skills, with the ability to translate complex development interventions into clear, compelling, and human-centered narratives. In addition, fluency in both Swahili and English is required to ensure effective communication with beneficiaries, partners, and project staff, as well as accurate scripting, narration, and subtitling of the final products. 

9. Application procedures

Interested consultants or firms are invited to submit their applications in accordance with Rikolto’ s standard procurement procedures. Applications should include a technical proposal outlining the consultant’s understanding of the assignment, proposed approach and methodology, and a detailed work plan; a financial proposal indicating the total cost of the assignment; a portfolio or samples of similar work, especially in documentary production for development or donor‑funded projects; and the curricula vitae (CVs) of key personnel who will be involved in the assignment.

All submissions should demonstrate the consultant’s ability to deliver high‑quality audiovisual products, work in rural and agricultural contexts, and adhere to Rikolto’s ethical and safeguarding standards. Submissions will be evaluated based on technical quality, relevant experience, cost‑effectiveness, and alignment with the assignment objectives. Completed applications must be emailed via email: [email protected] by 18 January 2026, with the subject line clearly indicating the title of the assignment.