Consultancy Services: Documentary Production to Advocate for Age-Responsive Health Services, Universal Health Coverage (UHC), and ALIGN Integrated Care Approaches

Background and Introduction

HelpAge Ethiopia is a national member of the global HelpAge network, committed to promoting safe, healthy, and dignified lives for older women and men in Ethiopia. Established as an independent national entity, the organisation operates across seven regional states and two city administrations. It works closely with government institutions, civil society organisations, and communities to advance the rights and well-being of older people.

Under its Healthy Ageing portfolio, HelpAge Ethiopia promotes equitable access to age-responsive health services and inclusive Universal Health Coverage (UHC). Older people in Ethiopia face a rising burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), financial barriers to care, limited geriatric services, and systemic gaps in prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and long-term care. The organisation works to strengthen health systems, influence policy, and amplify older people’s voices to ensure meaningful inclusion in health planning and service delivery.

HelpAge Ethiopia is implementing ALIGN – Action for Local and Global Investment in NCD and Integrated Health and Care Approaches – a multi-country initiative led by HelpAge International. ALIGN supports the integration of person-centred, community-based care for older people into national health strategies and services in Ethiopia, Tanzania, Pakistan, and Ukraine.

By implementing the World Health Organization’s Integrated Care for Older People (ICOPE) approach and targeted non-communicable disease (NCD) interventions, ALIGN strengthens health systems’ capacity to provide equitable, inclusive, and person-centred care for ageing populations.

The programme works in close collaboration with Ministries of Health and other key stakeholders to advance integrated service delivery, support policy development and reform, and promote the meaningful participation of older people in health system planning and accountability processes

To strengthen advocacy, document impact, and influence policy dialogue, HelpAge Ethiopia seeks to engage a qualified consultant to produce high-quality documentary content capturing both progress and systemic gaps in age-responsive health services

Purpose of Consultancy

The consultant will produce high-quality visual content to document progress and advocate for policy reform.

The project consists of two primary documentary strands:

• The ALIGN Project Impact Documentary: Focusing on the success of ICOPE and NCD integration.
• The Ethiopia UHC Advocacy Documentary: Highlighting systemic barriers to Universal Health Coverage (UHC) for older populations.

Core Objectives

• Document Progress: Visually capture the transition toward person-centered, integrated care.
• Amplify Lived Experiences: Feature first-person accounts from older people and frontline health workers.
• Gaps: Highlight specific barriers regarding financial protection, service quality, and equitable access.
• Influence Policy: Provide a compelling tool for engaging the Ministry of Health (MoH), donors, and partners to strengthen accountability.

Scope of Work

The consultant is responsible for the full production lifecycle:

• Pre-Production: Detailed storyboarding and script development.
• Production: High-quality interviews and B-roll filming at health facilities and community sites in Addis Ababa.
• Post-Production: Professional editing, sound design, English subtitling, and color grading.
• Photography: Capturing high-resolution stills for digital and print advocacy.

Technical Requirements & Deliverables

Key Interview Themes

• Older people at the health facility: Impact of community-based interventions; financial barriers; desired health system changes.
• Health Officials/MOH: Policy strengthening through ALIGN; service delivery shifts; remaining gaps in UHC.
• Partners: Value of collaborative governance and multi-stakeholder investment.

Expected Deliverables

The following must be delivered in Full HD or 4K resolution with professional English subtitles:

Video Style & Technical Standards

• Tone: Inspiring, human-centered, and dignified.
• Visuals: Professional lighting and clean, broadcast-standard editing.
• Ethical Framing: Avoid “poverty porn” or stereotypical imagery (e.g., focusing only on wrinkled hands). Older people must be portrayed as active participants in their care.

Ethical & Safeguarding Standards

• Informed Consent: Written or recorded consent is mandatory for all subjects.
• HelpAge Compliance: The consultant must sign the HelpAge Code of Conduct and Safeguarding Policy.
• Diversity: Ensure representation across gender, disability, and socio-economic status.

Qualifications, Timeline & Submission

Consultant Qualifications

• Proven track record in documentary production for NGOs or international development agencies.
• Advanced technical capacity for 4K video production and professional audio recording.
• Demonstrated understanding of ethical storytelling and safeguarding (especially regarding vulnerable populations).
• Strong portfolio showcasing the ability to translate complex health policies into human-interest stories.

Timeline & Deadlines

• Final Delivery: All products must be completed and approved by March 23, 2026.
• Workplan: A detailed schedule from inception to final edit must be submitted with the proposal.