TOR for Production of Documentary Film on the Impact of Conflict on Girls’ Education

1. Background The Network of Ethiopian Women’s Associations (NEWA) is non-partisan, non-for-profit and a non-governmental national network established in 2003. NEWA strives creating a stronger advocacy voice for women’s political, socio-economic, and legal advancements. NEWA has a twofold goal: synchronizing the individual efforts of women’s associations into an integrated collective agency and synergy to realize their common aspirations for gender equality, through a vigorous public campaign, promotions, advocacy, and lobbying for empowering and redressing the needs, asks of the girls and young women (GYW), and the creation of space for this underprivileged section of society, and women’s rights, NEWA wants to achieve among others. NEWA is a membership coalition, with 50 member associations and organizations, operating in all over the country engaged to contribute in national development, governance and democratization processes.  NEWA is currently implementing varied projects and programs under its scope of work/ thematic areas. Among others, with the support from the Malala Fund and collaboration with the Education Champions Networks, NEWA is implementing a project entitled “Enhance Girls’ Education through promoting Safe school Declaration in conflict affected regions of Ethiopia (Amhara and Tigray)”. Years of conflict in the Amhara and Tigray regions have disrupted education systems, destroyed school infrastructure, and exposed children to severe protection risks. Girls, in particular, face heightened vulnerabilities, including gender-based violence (GBV), early marriage, sexual exploitation, abduction, trafficking, and loss of access to safe learning environments. In light of these challenges. Nearly 9 million children have been forced out of school (MOE, 2025). This alarming figure reflects not only the destruction of educational infrastructure but also the lack of strong, nationally endorsed protective frameworks to safeguard education during emergencies. One critical gap is the absence of formal endorsement and implementation of the Safe Schools Declaration.  The project aimed to promote the declaration of safe schools. This initiative aims to draw the attention of governments, partners, and various stakeholders to the safeguarding of educational institutions, the education system, and the safety of students, particularly girls, through capacity building and evidence-based advocacy. The Malala grant work in Ethiopia- obstacles to girls’ education including child marriage and gender-based violence are more pronounced in conflict-affected areas. These obstacles, combined with threats to security and the destruction of schools, impede girls’ learning. But girls are courageously standing up against the forces holding them back. The Malala grant over the next five years will focus on strengthening policies that guarantee the right to education for adolescent girls in conflict-affected areas, ensuring that schools are safe and inclusive learning environments.  Currently the Malala fund works in Ethiopia for the next five years will focus on strengthening policies that promote the right to education for adolescent girls in conflict-affected areas, ensuring that schools are safe, education is protected from attack. The context, therefore demands for concrete actions to safeguard the rights of girls and access to safe, free, quality education. This will ensure as requirement by (Malala Fund, 2028 on Ethiopia)  Endorse and implement the Safe Schools Declaration and ensure that all learners and educators can learn and teach in safety.  Ensure these are accompanied with periodic, gender-responsive and publicly available monitoring frameworks to ensure effectiveness and accountability. The Safe Schools Declaration (SSD) is an intergovernmental political commitment aimed at protecting education from attack during armed conflict, strengthening the resilience of education systems, and ensuring the continuity of safe and inclusive learning environments. Since its adoption in 2015, governments, regional bodies, and civil society organizations have increasingly recognized the importance of operationalizing the SSD through national policies, coordination mechanisms, and multisectoral engagement. Despite progress, many countries continue to face challenges in translating the Declaration’s commitments into practical actions. Capacity gaps remain in understanding SSD guidelines, monitoring attacks on education, integrating risk-reduction measures, and strengthening coordination between government ministries and civil society actors. The production of this documentary film is specifically intended to shed light on the profound impact of conflict on girls’ education. It aims to raise awareness among the public, policymakers, and development actors about the unique and often disproportionate challenges that girls face in conflict-affected settings, including school disruptions, displacement, safety risks, and increased vulnerability to harmful practices. Through powerful storytelling, the documentary seeks to educate audiences, inspire meaningful action, and advocate for the protection of girls’ right to education even in times of crisis. By capturing real-life experiences and personal narratives, the film will amplify the voices of girls whose education has been interrupted or threatened by conflict. It will highlight both the barriers they face and their resilience, creating a deeper understanding of the realities on the ground. In doing so, the documentary aims to foster empathy, promote informed dialogue among stakeholders, and encourage collective responsibility to address these challenges. Furthermore, the documentary will serve as an advocacy and knowledge-sharing tool, contributing to ongoing efforts to advance safe, inclusive, and equitable education systems. It will help bring attention to critical gaps, support evidence-based advocacy, and preserve important stories that might otherwise remain unheard. To achieve these objectives, NEWA is seeking a dedicated and experienced consultant with a strong passion for storytelling, community engagement, and social impact. The ideal candidate should be committed to producing high-quality, impactful media content that not only documents reality but also drives positive change and amplifies the voices of girls affected by conflict. 2. Objective This documentary aims to highlight the impact of conflict on girls’ education by capturing the lived experiences of girls affected by conflict, showcasing the challenges they face, and amplifying their voices to inform advocacy and policy actions. 2.1 Specific Objectives Document real-life experiences of girls affected by conflict Showcase barriers to education including safety, displacement, and socio-economic challenges Provide evidence-based visual storytelling to support advocacy initiatives 3. Scope of Work The selected consultant/firm will be responsible for: Duration: 20-30 minutes. Develop a detailed concept note/storyboard and script for the documentary Prepare a production plan and timeline Arrange necessary permissions, locations, and equipment for documentary. Conduct field visits in selected conflict-affected areas  Identify key participants, including girls in diverse background (girls with disabilities, IDPs, girls in and out of school) parents, teachers, and key stakeholders to be interviewed. Capture supporting footage (schools, communities, environments) Edit and produce a documentary film (20–30 minutes) Include voice-over, music, and graphics to enhance the storytelling. Review and revise the documentary based on feedback from NEWA and stakeholders. Ensure high-quality audio and visual standards Location: the documentary will take place in various locations such as Amhara, (Bahir Dar and Dessie) and Tigray (Mekelle and Adigrat) regions where the impact of conflict on girls education.  Language: The documentary will be produced in Amharic language, with English subtitles.  4.  Deliverables   The following key deliverables are expected to be submitted to NEWA:  Inception report including concept note/story board and script Raw footage and interview recordings Final documentary film (20-30 minutes) with high quality Short version (3–5 minutes) trailer summarizing key moments from the documentary for social media use High-resolution photos from the field Specific duties/indicative methodologies include, but not necessarily limited to the following: Oversee the overall direction and management of the documentary. Lead the creative aspects of filming, including cinematography, interviewing, and editing. Collect background information, organize interviews, and gather relevant materials Editors, sound designers, and graphic designers responsible for finalizing the documentary. Duties and responsibilities of NEWA Arrange the permissions  Arrange the necessary facilitation during the production 7. Methodology The consultant/firm should propose a clear methodology, including: Participatory and ethical storytelling approaches Gender-sensitive and conflict-sensitive methods Safeguarding measures for participants  8. Ethical Considerations Ensure informed consent from all participants Protect the and dignity of girls and vulnerable groups Follow child safeguarding and protection principles Avoid any harm or retraumatization during interviews 9. Duration The assignment will be undertaken within 20 days from the date of g the contract agreement.  Reporting and Supervision The consultant/firm will report to the designated project focal person and work closely with the NEWA-program team throughout the assignment. Application Process Prepare and submit Technical Proposal  a work plan how and when the assignment is to be done; or schedule of deliverables. Financial Proposal Submit: State the total cost of the assignment; (including transportation, hotel cost…) Renewed licence, Tin No.