Request for Proposals

Gender Equity Program (GEP)

Supported by USAID

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Aurat Foundation is implementing a five-year Gender Equity Program (GEP) in Pakistan in

collaboration with the Asia Foundation. This is a US$ 40 million program supported by the United
States Agency for International Development (USAID). The program supports Pakistani
organizations and institutions working in the area of gender equity with a focus on the following
four objectives:
Objective 1: Enhancing gender equity by expanding womens access to justice and
womens human rights.
Objective 2: Increasing womens empowerment by expanding knowledge of their rights
and opportunities to exercise their rights in the workplace, community, and home.
Objective 3: Combating gender based violence.
Objective 4: Strengthening the capacity of Pakistani organizations that advocate for gender
equity, womens empowerment and the elimination of gender-based violence.
GEP is about to complete the third year of operations in September, 2013. During past three years
GEP has awarded 154 sub-grants all over Pakistan reaching out to 2.5 million people. Hundreds
of success stories emerged as an outcome of program interventions. The focused documentary
intends at highlighting the change that brought development and contentment in peoples lives
through narrating the success stories of the beneficiaries. GEP intends to use the documentary as
an inspirational tool for many other women. Besides, it will be used as image building production
also.
In relation to above planned interventions, GEP seeks proposals in designing and developing the
following consultancy assignment:

1- Documentary on Gender Equity Program (GEP) (up to USD $ 50,000)

Duration:

3 months (October to December, 2014)

Reporting Line:

GEP Team Lead

Geographic Coverage:
For the purpose of the documentary we will mainly be covering Punjab, Sindh, Baluchistan, KP,
GB and AJK. For covering on-ground activities we will be focusing on the relevant areas of the
success stories.
2

Consultancy Background
Gender Equity Program (GEP) aims at reducing and closing the gender gap in Pakistan, the worlds
sixth most populous country in the world. As the largest gender program in Pakistan, GEP strives
for the advancement and empowerment of women, their access to justice and resources, and the
combatting of gender-based violence.
GEP awards these sub-grants through three grant cycles each year. Each cycle is thematic in nature.
Furthermore, sub-grants, both within a grant cycle and across different cycles are linked together
to achieve programmatic synergies in order to meet the overall objectives of the program. 12 grant
cycles have been planned over the life of the program.
During the past three years of GEP implementation more than hundreds of success stories have
come up as a result of project interventions. This documentary will highlight the achievements that
the project had in past years. It will be a multi-purpose documentary which will be used at various
forums for advocacy and awareness raising. The documentary will portray positive image of
Pakistani women by highlighting inspirational stories. Moreover, these stories will help motivating
other women to come forward and fight for their human rights.
Consultancy Scope & Deliverables:
The scope of work is to produce a minimum of 30-45 minutes documentary with an abridged
version of 10-15 minutes. It should be a mix of at least 10-12 complete success stories of women,
shot in their native areas, shots of the activities conducted under the project, sound bites and
interviews that narrates how the project intervention has brought a positive change in their life.
The specific aim of this consultancy includes:
1. Recording of interviews/statements of the beneficiaries and other relevant officials;
2. Outline/ storyboard developed in consultation with GEP team;
3. Framework of the film including shoot plan along with timelines for each activity;
4. Full script developed in consultation with GEP team;
5. Outdoor and indoor shooting in the targeted areas on high definition camera;
6. Complete editing and post production;
7. 3-D animation of logo and interludes, as required;
8. Background scores;
9. Background voice over;
10. Urdu language with English subtitles;
11. High resolution still photographs of beneficiaries/ other interviewees, documentary crew and
other stake holders involved;
12. Master Copy of Digital Video Tape, (D.V) Tape for the entire documentary project;
13. 1000 High Resolution Printed packs of DVD, each containing documentary in MPEG4, AVI
and WMV formats;
3

14. The selected contractor will submit the project files to GEP before the release of the final
payment.
Applying for the Consultancy
Institution/ Firm must submit:
Technical:
A cover letter expressing their interest;
A detailed proposal for consultancy (soft and hard);
Human Resource profile including detailed CVs of lead team; including Director of
Photography (DOP), script/story writer, project coordinator, camera man any other key
personnel.
Copy of NTN certificate;
Past Experience (including work with development sector/USAID);
Work sample (DVD);
Broad work plan for the said assignment;
Organizational profile
Financial:
Budgeting for pre and post production activities
Note: Please note that Budget should clearly state cost for travel and production separately.
Short listed firms/institutions will be asked to make a presentation to selection committee.
Profile of the Institution/ Firm
The Firm must have:
Should have a well-established production house with technical human resource;
The dedicated team should have a minimum of 5 years of experience in issue-based
documentary production;
Have in house production facility (state of the art equipment and production/ editing facilities)
in Islamabad;
A portfolio of at least 3-5 documentary assignments on gender issues;
Experience of working on USAID project documentary films will be preferred
Payment Plan

20% after concept finalization

30% after shooting and field visits and submission of rush cuts
4

30% after submission of final edited documentary with approved sub-titles

20% at completion (Delivery of project files and 1000 DVDs)

NOTE:
All travel costs, boarding lodging, coordination, location arrangement and permissions for
taking general stock shots will be responsibility of the vendor.
Evaluation Criteria
All proposals will go through a stringent review process. The first will ensure that all applications
are complete with:
1. Completed application form with the relevant signatures/stamps
2. The completed package is sent before the final deadline
3. All supporting documents are present
All proposals will undergo review by the GEP review Team. Consultancy will be awarded to the
project proposal most likely to meet GEP objectives efficiently and effectively.
All proposals must be submitted through sealed bidding process by September 12th, 2014 on
following address:
Country Representative
The Asia Foundation
House no. 7, Street no. 58,
F-7/4, Islamabad.
Organizations may send more than one Proposal. Proposals received after the deadline will not be
considered. Telephonic queries will NOT be entertained.

Disclaimer: GEP will not pay for any costs for the preparation or submission of the proposal.
Who should apply?
Individuals with team, Universities and Media Consulting Firms, Production Houses are
encouraged to apply for these consultancies.
Envelop should be properly sealed and clearly state:
Proposal - Documentary on Gender Equity Program (GEP)