South Sudan: Request for Proposals for Production Case Study Publication

Background

World Vision is a global Christian relief, development and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children, families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice. World Vision has been working in South Sudan since 1989 and was one of the few humanitarian agencies that provided emergency assistance during war to the displaced populations in what was then the Southern Sudan region of Sudan and continued to do so after the birth of the Republic of South Sudan. WVSS’ mandate is working towards the empowerment of the South Sudanese people, especially the children, to enjoy the benefits of peace including justice, basic human rights, access to essential services, and sustainable economic development.

South Sudan Context

The Republic of South Sudan, the world’s youngest nation, gained full independence in 2011. With an estimated population of 8.2 million, South Sudan performs poorly across all developmental indicators, with high levels of malnutrition and food insecurity, and weak service provision. The humanitarian situation in South Sudan was further compounded by an outbreak of conflict in December 2013 between the SPLA in government and SPLA in Opposition (SPLA-IO). Since December 2013 the combination of under-development and the conflict has displaced 1.46 million people, leaving an estimated 4.6 million people in urgent need of aid, with the States of Unity, Upper Nile and Jonglei particularly badly affected.

Dutch Relief Alliance context

In response to the challenges of the humanitarian system and the growing gap between humanitarian needs and humanitarian funding, the Dutch Minister for International Trade and Development Co-operation set-up of a Dutch Relief Fund (DRF) to increase effectiveness of Dutch humanitarian aid. The DRF is a pilot funding window for relief operations for the period 2015 – 2017, with a total budget of €570 million of which €120 million has been reserved for Dutch NGOs.

The Dutch Relief Alliance (DRA) is an alliance of 12 Dutch NGOs which respond to chronic crises as well as acute crises, for which they receive funding from the DRF. The DRA currently funds nine joint responses, of which the South Sudan Joint response is one.

The specific objectives of the Dutch Relief Alliance are:

1. Deliver fast humanitarian aid in major crises;

2. Deliver humanitarian aid linked to needs and gaps in response to major crises in a timely, appropriate, effective and efficient manner;

3. Generate synergies and cooperation between the Members aimed at increasing efficiency and effectiveness in providing humanitarian aid in crisis situations;

4. Increase the visibility of this Dutch contribution towards the Dutch constituency, Parliament and in-country.

5. Work together, also with other parties, to tackle the major bottlenecks in the humanitarian practice through co-created innovation, joint learning and research;

   Joint Response South Sudan

   The South Sudan Joint Response is an emergency lifesaving, humanitarian program targeting both the Internally Displaced Persons and Host communities who are chronically food insecure and affected by ongoing conflict. The SSJR operates in the following states in South Sudan: Abyei area (disputed), Western Bahr-el-Ghazal (WBeG), Central Equatoria (CE), Eastern Equatoria (EE), Western Equatoria (WE), Jonglei, Unity, Upper Nile, and Warrap States.

   The SSJR consortium is led by Save the Children International (SC) and includes CARE, Cordaid, Dorcas, HealthNet-TPO, ICCO & Kerk in Actie, OXFAM-Novib, PLAN, Save the Children, Stichting Vluchteling/IRC, World Vision International, ZOA.

   World Vision Project Scope

   World Vision successfully completed implementation of a 12-month Dutch-funded project, NGO’s Joint Humanitarian Response for South Sudan Phase 1 (SSJR1) from January 2015 up to December 2015. The completed phase, SSJR I, concentrated its activities in the water supply, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) and food security and livelihoods (FSL) sectors in Melut County of Upper Nile State. The project improved food security among the displaced/vulnerable people in Melut County by increasing food production as well as improving access to nutritious foods. The project also ensured access to clean and safe water supply, sanitation facilities and promotion of good hygiene practices to the displaced/vulnerable people in Melut County.

   A new phase, SSJR 2, was approved towards the end of December 2015 to continue providing support and expand activities both geographically and in activity scope to the displaced/vulnerable people of Upper Nile State. Aligned to the HRP 2016 thematic focus and the mid-review of HRP 2015, WV’s response is focusing on Emergency Food Security, Livelihoods, and WASH in mainly IDP settlements but also includes the conflict affected host community. Geographic area to be covered is Upper Nile State; Melut.

The Assignment

Under the direct supervision and guidance of World Vision’s Communications Manager the consultant firm will work with World Vision’s SSJR programme team to write and produce a high quality SSJR case study publication that shows the impact of the response. (S)he will produce the content and is also responsible for outline and layout of the publication

The consultant firm will be responsible for producing the outline, layout and content of the report, including beneficiary stories. The WV SSJR will provide the consultant firm with relevant documentation and as much as possible but the consultant firm will also go to the field to conduct interviews with the various stakeholders including beneficiaries.

Tasks and responsibilities

1. The consultant firm will document the impact the SSJR on displaced/vulnerable communities in conflict-affected areas in a 25 – 30 page publication.

2. The consultant firm will provide initial drafts for review by World Vision and incorporate revisions to ensure that the publication reflects the objectives of the SSJR.

3. The consultant firm, with guidance from the Communications Manager, will that the publication adhere’s to World Vision’s branding standards and styles.

4. In addition to the text, the publication will include images, graphics and charts to creatively convey key messages/data.

5. The consultant firm will also proof read the texts as the designer lays them out.

Deliverables/Output

Key outputs for the consultancy are:

1. Final publication in both word and pdf formats

2. Final document with proper layout and design for print.

Required Education and Competences

1. A master’s degree in communications or related field such as social sciences or international development

2. Excellent writing and editing skills

3. At least 5-7 years of experience in report writing, documentation and publication of corporate products such as annual reports, journals, among other publications preferably for international organizations- proof will be required.

4. Demonstrated experience in design and layout – proof will be required

5. Understanding of humanitarian and development issues

6. Flexibility and willingness to respond to changes to content as part of the review and feedback process.

7. Strong interpersonal skills, able to communicate and work with diverse people both at the national office and field office levels.

8. Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines and work under pressure

Duration and Location of the Assignment

The consultant will work for 20 working days spread over a two-month period. It should be noted that due to the nature of the project, there will be periods of time when no actual writing or research will occur because the consultant will be waiting for either text clearances from World Vision.

Application Procedure

• Interested and qualified candidates should send their application letters and CV to: (

• Incomplete applications or/and applications received after the closing date will not be given consideration

• Please note that only applications that are short-listed will be contacted

World Vision’s Responsibility

• Establish and facilitate contact with field staff involved and any external contacts needed;

• Coordinate with project staff for the field visits to set appointments, identify content, and capture the footage;

• Review and approve the work plan, including the approach to be used;

• Provide reference material;

• Identify thematic cases for documentation;

• Provide feedback when and where necessary;

• Review and approve the draft and final publication as stipulated in the deliverables section of contract;

• All accommodation and transportation/travel cost whilst in South Sudan during the field visit.

  Intellectual Property

  All information pertaining to this project (documentary, audio, digital, cyber, project documents, etc) which the consultant may come into contact with in the performance of his/her, duties under this consultancy shall remain the property of World Vision who shall have exclusive rights over their use. Except for purposes of this assignment, the information shall not be disclosed to the public nor used in whatever form without written permission of World Vision in line with the national and International Copyright Laws applicable.

  Code of Conduct on Images and Messages

  The consultant agrees to abide by the Code of Conduct borrowed from the Dochas Code of Conduct, specifically the following main principles;

  1) Choices of images and messages will be made based on the paramount principles of:

• Respect for the dignity of the people concerned;

• Belief in the equality of all people;

• Acceptance of the need to promote fairness, solidarity and justice.

  2) Accordingly, in all our communications and where practical and reasonable within the need to reflect reality, we strive to:

• Choose images and related messages based on values of respect equality, solidarity and justice;

• Truthfully represent any image or depicted situation both in its immediate and in its wider context so as to improve public understanding of the realities and complexities of development;

• Avoid images and messages that potentially stereotype, sensationalize or discriminate against people, situations or places;

• Use images, messages and case studies with the full understanding, participation and permission of the subjects (or subjects’ parents/guardian);

• Ensure those whose situation is being represented have the opportunity to communicate their stories themselves;

• Establish and record whether the subjects wish to be named or identifiable and always act accordingly;

• Conform to the highest standards in relation to human rights and protection of the vulnerable people

How to apply:

Interested and eligible bidders are invited to send the following documents by email to sdno_scmquotations@wvi.org starting from 26 September, 2016. Bids close on 1^st November, 2016 at 5pm (East African Time). Please quote ‘**SSRJ2: Production Case Study Publication** “in all your correspondences. Due to the nature of the bid, there will be no bid public opening for this offer. WVSS reserves the right to accept or reject part or all of any or all bids. Documents to include in the bid include:

1. Technical and Financial Proposal
2. Resume of proposed consultants
3. Sample of Previous work
4. References