Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA) is a United States-based non-profit organization dedicated to creating, evaluating and replicating innovative solutions to poverty and policy problems worldwide. IPA specializes in using the randomized controlled trial methodology to evaluate the impact of development programs.

Request for Proposals for the Creation of Informational Video about

Ghana’s Computerised School Selection and Placement System

Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA) Ghana seeks the services of a media consultant or firm to create an informational video about the Computerised School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS) and secondary education in Ghana.

IPA discovers and promotes effective solutions to global poverty challenges. We work with development partners and academic researchers to design and rigorously evaluate approaches to addressing pressing issues and we refine these solutions together with decision-makers to ensure that the evidence created serves to improve the lives of people around the world.

Background

The Guidance and Information for Improved Decisions in Education (GUIIDE) project aims to improve the secondary school selection process through improved provision of information. Each year, 400,000 students in Ghana complete junior high school and compete for admission to secondary schools through the CSSPS. Many of these students lack information about the available options and have little guidance about the selection process. IPA is working with the CSSPS Secretariat to provide a low cost, scalable information package for junior high school students. The first phase of GUIIDE will target 600 junior high schools in the Ashanti region. The intervention will include an information booklet and 15-20 minute video that will be shown to students, parents, and teachers as they prepare to select secondary schools.

Key Objectives of Assignment

The main objectives of the informational video are to:

•   Explain the key features of the CSSPS and dispel common misconceptions;
•   Explain how to calculate raw BECE scores (out of 600) instead of aggregate scores (6 to 30+);
•   Emphasize that senior secondary schools vary in their students’ academic performance and admission standards;
•   Provide advice on the school selection process; and
•   Demonstrate how to use the information booklet to learn more about secondary schools.

Specific tasks of media consultant or firm:

•   Develop and test user-friendly messages tailored to the target audience (junior high school students, parents, and teachers in the Ashanti region);
•   Design and produce a short video (15-20 minutes) to be used as part of an information session;
•   Provide regular (weekly) updates and reviews on the progress of video production;
•   Collaborate with IPA to develop a guide that would accompany the video (guide should include facilitator script, supplementary resources, responses to frequently asked questions, etc.); and
•   Prepare and submit a final report on all production activities along with copies of the final video.

Duration of assignment

Timeline

14 Aug. Submission Deadline

28 Aug.- 25 Sept. Deadline for First Draft

21 Aug. Shortlisted Candidate Interviews

26 Sept. - 2 Oct. Feedback

24 Aug. Selection of Media Team

2 Oct. - 16 Oct. Deadline for Second Draft

The duration of assignment will be two months from August 28, 2015 to October 30, 2015 with a two-week post-production period for any additional editing, as necessary.

Qualification Required & Experience

The consultant or firm must have:

•   A high degree of technical, practical, and theoretical expertise in social marketing campaigns and/or training programs using diverse production formats (film, digital media, animation, etc.);
•   Ability to map out activities at each stage of the production cycle (from ideation to production to presentation of final product);
•   At least 5 years of demonstrated experience in social marketing and/or production of training programs, preferably within Ghana/Anglophone West Africa;
•   Demonstrated ability to create content that is persuasive, clear, concise, and able to convey and present technical ideas and knowledge in an engaging manner for target audience;
•   Experience sourcing and managing content development;
•   Evidence of strong local network in media;
•   Experience working on education-related projects.

How To Apply

Proposals should be submitted in electronic form to:

kajayi@bu.edu copying info-ghana@poverty-action.org with the subject “GUIIDE MEDIA CONSULTANT”.

Proposals should include:

•   Letter of interest;
•   Profile of the consultant/firm;
•   CV of consultant/relevant team members;
•   Proposed creative plan for completing specified tasks above;
•   Proposed budget for services rendered;
•   Examples of previous work; and
•   Legal/financial documentation (business registration certificates, tax certificate, etc. for firms).

Submission Deadline: Proposals must be received at the addresses above by Friday 14th August, 2015.

Closing Date: 14 August, 2015