Terms of Reference (TOR) for Documentation of the “Increasing Resilience to Online and Offline Violence” Project

1. Background

Empathy for Life Integrated Development Association (ELiDA) is a women-led civil society organization established in 2008 and licensed by ACSO (Certificate No. 1143). ELiDA envisions empowered women and girls driving leadership, decision-making, and inclusive development in Ethiopia. Working in Addis Ababa, Amhara, and Afar, the organization focuses on girls’ education, women’s economic empowerment, peace-building, human rights, child protection, GBV prevention, and climate action. Supported by partners including UKAid, UN Women, UN Trust Fund, USAID/IRI, AWDF, UNDP, UNOHCHR, Malala Fund, and Ethiopian Aid, ELiDA continues to create transformative impact for women, youth, and communities.

Empathy for Life Integrated Development Association in partnership with Search for Common Ground, Zeleman Communications, Advertising and Production and Build Up is implementing a 24-month project which aims to create a sustainable shift in how Ethiopians perceive and respond to online hate speech and misinformation. By empowering communities and stakeholders to recognize and counteract harmful narratives, this project’s goal is that a safer, more cohesive, and peaceful online and offline environment in Ethiopia is fostered.

This overall goal of the project is supported by two intermediate outcomes.

1) Strengthened capacity and connections of relevant Ethiopian stakeholders (women and men) to address mis/disinformation and hate speech and

2) increased access and positive engagement of targeted communities in spaces that promote a safer, more cohesive, and peaceful online and offline environment in Ethiopia.

Geographically, the project focuses in Amhara, Tigray, Oromia, and Addis Ababa regions of Ethiopia based on the current conflict dynamics and tensions in the country.

2. Purpose of the Assignment

ELiDA seeks a professional production partner to conceptualize, script, film, and edit a high-quality documentary that:

• Presents the project’s objectives, strategies, and achievements.
• Shares first-person narratives of participants, survivors, youth ambassadors, community leaders, and institutional partners.
• Highlights innovative approaches and lessons for scaling or replication.
• Provides an evidence-based advocacy tool for donors, government stakeholders, civil society, and the general public.
• Generates social-media-ready content to broaden outreach and engagement.

3. Specific Objectives

1. Produce a 30–40-minute flagship documentary telling the full story of the project.
2. Produce a 10–15-minute condensed version suitable for conferences, donor briefings, and training events.
3. Produce a 2- 60 seconds /trailer for social platforms and quick engagements.
4. Supply all raw footage, B-roll, and still photography to ELiDA for future use.
5. Ensure high technical and ethical standards, reflecting ELiDA’s values of inclusivity, dignity, and transparency.

4. Scope of Work

The consultant/production house will:

• Desk Review & Orientation
  • Study project proposals, reports, case stories, and monitoring data.
  • Hold planning meetings with ELiDA’s Project Officer and Communications Lead.
• Creative Development
  • Prepare a concept note, key messages, and visual treatment.
  • Develop a detailed storyboard and script outline, identifying interview subjects and thematic focus.
• Field Production
  • Conduct on-site filming at primary project locations: Addis Ababa, Mekele, Jimma and/or Nekemte, Bahir Dar, Dessie.
  • Capture interviews and integrate footage from partners from community sessions, training and outreach events .
  • Use professional-grade video, audio, lighting
• Post-Production
  • Edit to deliver four products (30–40 min, 10–15 min, 2 60 second videos).
  • Integrate voice-over/narration, graphics, infographics, subtitles (English) and licensed music.
  • Incorporate ELiDA and donor branding (logos, disclaimers, acknowledgments to be shared by ELiDA).
• Review & Finalization
  • Present first cuts for ELiDA’s technical review.
  • Incorporate feedback to produce final master copies.
  • Submit high-resolution (broadcast) and compressed web-optimized files.

5. Deliverables

6. Timeline (6 Weeks Total)

7. Consultant/Production Team Qualifications

• Demonstrated track record in documentary filmmaking for development, humanitarian, or social-impact initiatives.
• Proven storytelling and narrative structuring skills that center community voices.
• Technical capability in cinematography, sound design, motion graphics
• Familiarity with gender, protection, and peacebuilding topics is an advantage.
• Commitment to child protection, survivor-centered approaches, and safeguarding.

8. Ethical & Safeguarding Standards

The consultant must:

• Obtain informed consent (written or recorded) from all participants.
• Protect identities of survivors or minors when disclosure may cause harm.
• Avoid retraumatization through sensitive interviewing techniques.
• Align fully with ELiDA’s and donor’s safeguarding and data protection policies.

9. Ownership & Copyright

All footage, scripts, and final products will remain the exclusive property of ELiDA and its partners and donors, with appropriate credit to the production company in line with contractual terms.