Documentary Producer

About the Ethiopian Red Cross Society

The Ethiopian Red Cross Society (ERCS) was established in 1935 and is one of the oldest and largest humanitarian organizations in Ethiopia. ERCS provides services to communities affected by natural and manmade disasters through the provision of emergency responses, ambulance and first aid, family reunification, essential drugs, water and sanitation, and other humanitarian services. ERCS also runs disaster risk reduction programs with the aim of creating resilience households and communities. Currently the ERCS has a structure consisting of 12 Regional Offices, 34 Zonal Branches and 131 District/Woreda Branches, 599 Woreda Red Cross Committee and 5871 Kebele Red Cross committees.

ERCS also runs disaster risk reduction programs relating to food security, climate change adaptation, livelihood diversification, and institutional capacity building interventions, with the aim of creating resilience households and communities. ERCS works in partnership with the Ethiopian Government, International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent (IFRC), International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), partnering National Societies, members, volunteers and the communities we serve.

Job Summary:

The Documentary Producer at ERCS is responsible for planning, directing, producing, and editing documentary films and video content that highlight humanitarian challenges, ERCS interventions, and the impact of its programs. The role requires storytelling expertise, technical proficiency in video production, and a deep understanding of humanitarian principles and ethics.

Key Responsibilities:

Content Development & Storytelling:

• Research, develop, and pitch documentary concepts that align with ERCS’s mission.
• Identify compelling humanitarian stories and work with field teams to gather footage.
• Develop scripts, narratives, and storyboards for documentaries.
• Plan and coordinate on-location and in-studio shoots.
• Direct and film interviews, field operations, and humanitarian responses.
• Ensure ethical representation and informed consent of beneficiaries.

Production & Filming:

• Plan and coordinate on-location and in-studio shoots.
• Direct and film interviews, field operations, and humanitarian responses.
• Ensure ethical representation and informed consent of beneficiaries

Editing & Post-Production:

• Edit raw footage into compelling stories using industry-standard software.
• Integrate voiceovers, subtitles, music, and animations as needed.
• Maintain consistency in branding, messaging, and visual quality.

Project Management:

• Oversee documentary production timelines and budgets.
• Coordinate with internal teams and external production partners.
• Secure necessary approvals from ERCS leadership and partners.
• Ensure documentaries are tailored for different platforms (social media, TV, fundraising events).
• Work closely with the Communication and Humanitarian Diplomacy teams to align messaging.
• Support fundraising and awareness campaigns by producing impactful audiovisual content.
• Ensure adherence to ERCS and Red Cross Movement principles.
• Maintain a well-organized archive of raw and edited footage.
• Secure copyright and legal permissions for content use.

Advocacy & Engagement:

• Ensure documentaries are tailored for different platforms (social media, TV, fundraising events).
• Work closely with the Communication and Humanitarian Diplomacy teams to align messaging.
• Support fundraising and awareness campaigns by producing impactful audiovisual content

Compliance & Archiving:

• Ensure adherence to ERCS and Red Cross Movement principles.
• Maintain a well-organized archive of raw and edited footage.
• Secure copyright and legal permissions for content use.

• Master’s or Bachelor’s degree in Film Production, Journalism, Communications, or a related field.
• Minimum of 6/4 years of experience in documentary filmmaking, video production, or media content creation.
• Prior experience in humanitarian, nonprofit, or development organizations is highly preferred.
• Proven track record of producing impactful humanitarian or social documentaries.

Technical Skills:

• Proficiency in video editing software (Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, DaVinci Resolve).
• Strong cinematography and photography skills.
• Experience with drone videography and advanced camera equipment is a plus.
• Knowledge of motion graphics and animation is an advantage.

Key Competencies & Soft Skills:

• Strong storytelling and journalistic skills.
• Excellent project management and organizational skills.
• Ability to work under tight deadlines in challenging environments.
• Strong ethical judgment and understanding of humanitarian sensitivities.
• Fluency in Amharic and English; knowledge of other local languages is a plus.
• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse teams.

  Work Environment & Conditions:

• Frequent travel to field locations, including conflict-affected and disaster-prone areas.
• Work may require long hours, especially during humanitarian crises.