The Aga Khan Foundation (AKF), an agency of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), is a private, non-denominational, international development agency established in 1967. It seeks sustainable solutions to long-term problems of poverty, hunger, illiteracy and ill-health with special emphasis on the needs of rural communities in mountainous and other resource poor regions, primarily in Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Its main areas of focus are education, health, rural development, environment and strengthening civil society.
The Aga Khan Foundation (Pakistan) [AKF(P)] is seeking high caliber professional/firm for the following Short Term Consultancy in Gilgit and Chitral:
Consultant(s)/Firm(s) to develop videos of CASI – Central Asia Stunting Initiative project in Gilgit Baltistan and Chitral
A: Background:
Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) will undertake key strategic interventions to address the causes of stunting in most remote and marginalized communities in Gilgit Baltistan. The stunting levels in these areas, all above 30%, are unacceptably high, further compounded by high levels of micronutrient deficiency and acute malnutrition (wasting) in children under five.
The programme will target the first 1,000 days focusing on pregnant women and children under 2 years of age. In addition, programme will continue to track progress and ensure a strong growth trajectory for children ages 24-59 months across all target communities.
The objectives of CASI are:
1. A reduction in stunting amongst under-five children
2. Improved nutritional status of children in remote communities with a strong growth trajectory for children 1 – 59 months promoted through nutritional counseling, growth monitoring, and early identification, treatment, and support for stunted, wasted, and growth faltering children.
3.A strong start for newborns (0 – 28 days old), including early identification, care, and support provided for small for gestational age and low birth-weight neonates.
4. A reduction in the prevalence of low birth weight babies with improved nutritional status of child-bearing age women, including pregnant and lactating women, in target communities.
B: Scope of Work
The consultant will prepare videos focusing CASI objectives, study findings, important themes of 1000 days including pregnancy, breastfeeding, complementary feeding, and promotion of diversified dietary practices for; children 6-23 months and 24-59 months age, adolescent girls, women of reproductive age, pregnant and lactating women.
Videos will be used for the Behavior Change Communication Strategy approach and strategy to educate caregivers. The following factors need to be considered while preparing the videos.
Knowledge, attitude, and practices related to the promotion of age-specific dietary needs for children 0-23.
Appropriate use of local recipes for the diversified balanced diet for children 6-24 months, 24 to 59 months, pregnant and lactating women.
Socio-cultural, gender, economic factors, and poverty contributing to malnutrition influencing maternal and child nutrition practices.
Food security issues in remote high altitude villages. How community initiatives can help for local food production, processing, and storage of food for the winter period.
How cooking demonstration with available local recipes can promote dietary diversity and mobilize available resources within the community.
Importance of health promotion and disease prevention at the community level for the prevention of frequent incidence of diarrhea and worm infestations. Importance of safe drinking water, sanitation services, and hygienic practices.
The disadvantages and harms due to packaged and junk food as compared to the organic food produced locally.
Importance of timely health-seeking for the common illnesses that may cause malnutrition among children.
Videos specifically will cover the following thematic areas, each video for a duration of 5 minutes:
1. Importance of care during the 1000 days concept and what measures can be taken at the household, community, and health facility for the prevention of stunting. Continuum of care during pregnancy, skilled birth, newborn, and child care for up to 23 months. Causes of malnutrition and stunting among children 0-23 months. Importance of regular checkups with the health worker and nearest health facility for the early management of common illnesses, growth monitoring for the identification of children with growth faltering and stunting.
2. Maternal nutritional needs during pregnancy and lactation period, causes, and types of malnutrition, identification, and management of mothers with low malnutrition at the health facility. Importance of regular checkups during pregnancy and measures at the household and community level. Prevention of low birth weight, newborn care at home, and community and promotion of birth spacing for the prevention of stunting.
3. Promotion of exclusive breastfeeding
4. Appropriate complementary feeding 6- 9 months with a gradual transition of sharing family meals by the age of 12 months. Importance of diversified diet for children 9-23 months and children 24-59 months for the prevention of malnutrition particularly stunting. Using locally available recipes and local best practices and examples. How to comply with the minimum diversity of diet, minimum meal frequency, and minimum acceptable diet.
5. Concept of a balanced diet and important measures for the prevention of malnutrition among adolescent girls and women of reproductive age.
While preparing videos, the consultant/firm is expected to carry out the following tasks:-
Task 1: Desk review of CASI documents to develop the overall concept and themes for video preparation.
Task 2: consultation with the project team at AKFP, AKHSP, department of Health Gilgit Baltistan and Chitral, and community representatives in order to align this video preparation with the project requirements and local needs of the beneficiaries.
Task 3: Visit to GB and Chitral to understand the context and to capture the key characteristics and information and relevant benefits of the video for the targeted population.
Task 4: Develop the video script and storyboard to be used in the preparation of the video
Task 6: Translate the project beneficiaries' voice into Urdu/English for subtitles.
Task 6: Present a draft video to AKF (P) for review/comments.
Task 7: Incorporate the comments and produce 5 videos covering important themes each with a duration of 5 minutes.
C: Timeline of the Consultancy
The expected time period of this consultancy is one month, Dec 2020.
D: Main Deliverables
The Consultant/Consultancy firm will produce the outputs below:-
1. Inception report – This report should outline in detail how the Consultant/Consultancy firm intends to implement the work in terms of activities. This should include the methodologies, implementation plan, and timelines. It should also give an overview of the consultants understanding of the technical scope and intended goals;
2. Submit a storyboard and script for the documentary to AKF (P) for approval before video preparation;
3. Present draft video to AKF (P) at the end of the field mission and incorporation of comments;
4. Produce an edited Video Recording of the scenarios captured, and the footage of the recorded stories.
5. Present a complete 30-minute video and hand over 2 master copies of each version to AKF (P)
E: Payment Plan
The following payment plan is proposed for the consultancy:
30% of the contract value as an advance on the signing of the contract.
40% of the contract value on submission of the first video documentary.
30% of the contract value on submission of the final video documentary.
Withholding tax will be deducted at the source.
F: Required Qualification and Experience
1. Must have more than 7 year’s proven experience in preparation of including video production.
2. Extensive experience of similar work with international organizations with the aim of reaching out to both local and international audiences.
3. Excellent technical capacities to ensure high-quality production.
G. Expression of Interest
Qualified and interested parties are asked to submit the following:
- A copy of the curriculum vitae (CV) of each individual which should outline qualifications and relevant experience of consultant/ key team members.
- Proposal of a maximum of 5 pages clearly demonstrating a thorough understanding of the ToRs.
- A financial proposal with a detailed breakdown of costs for developing video documentary, including:
Itemized Consultancy fees/costs Itemized Administrative expenses
AKF(P) offers a competitive remuneration package and conducive working environment. We are an equal opportunity employer, committed to safeguarding and protecting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults. Females are encouraged to apply.
Interested consultants/firms should forward their applications or profiles by December 04, 2020.
Important: Applicant/firms must submit their Profiles, Technical & Financial proposal(s) according to the scope of work. No direct or incomplete application will be entertained.
Please note that only short-listed candidates/firms will be contacted.
