Tenders are invited for Terms of Reference Podcast Set Designer Ethiopia July 2025 Closing Date: 22 Jul 2025 Type: Consultancy Who We Are Girl Effect is an international non-profit organization dedicated to addressing challenges faced by adolescent girls and youth in Ethiopia. Operating in the country since 2013, the organization leverages Social and Behavior Change (SBC) strategies, combining media and on-the-ground interventions to tackle various societal issues and empower young people. Girl Effect Ethiopia created the youth brand Yegna in 2014 and since then has reached over 10 million people through multiple products, outreach programs, girl networks, and research pieces done all for the betterment of adolescent lives. We create safe spaces for girls, sharing facts and answering questions about health, nutrition, education, relationships, etc. And we use innovative technology so we can reach girls at scale. We arm girls with the skills to negotiate and redefine what they are told is possible, so every girl can choose to be in control of her body, her health, her learning and livelihood. When a girl unlocks her power to make different choices that change her life, it inspires others to do so too. She starts a ripple effect that impacts her family, community, and country. Thats the Girl Effect. Background We are launching a flagship weekly visual and audio podcast**,** titled Our Time ( / Yegna Gizé). At the heart of Yegna Gizé is the belief that every young persons journey, with all its doubts, resilience, and quiet wins, deserves to be heard. Built on the powerful idea that Your journey is the story, this podcast creates an authentic space where Ethiopias disruptors, dreamers, and hidden giants share what it feels like to keep going. Rather than simply celebrating success, Our Time shines a light on the emotional reality of the hustle, the fears, motivations, and small joys that make the journey worthwhile. Through raw, narrative-driven conversations, the show invites listeners to see themselves reflected in stories that normalise vulnerability and inspire perseverance. Our signature format moves beyond surface-level Q&A, guiding guests through a meaningful arc of self-discovery anchored in three themes: The work: what they do and why it matters The fear and drive: what keeps them up and what keeps them moving The joy in the struggle: the moments of peace, pride, and connection along the way Our Time is more than a podcast; its a platform that affirms young peoples lived experiences and redefines what it means to succeed on your terms. What we are looking for We are seeking a creative and resourceful Interior or Set Designer to transform an existing space into a functional and visually striking podcast studio. The designer must be able to balance aesthetic appeal with the technical requirements of a multi-camera video production. The ideal candidate will: Have a strong portfolio showcasing experience in designing intimate commercial spaces (e.g., lounges, cafes) or actual production sets. Possess a keen eye for detail, texture, and creating a specific mood through design. Understand how to design for the camera, considering factors like lighting, color palettes, background depth, and camera angles. Be able to work within a defined budget and source furniture and decor locally. Be a creative problem-solver who can translate a conceptual brief into a tangible, beautiful space. Scope of Work The Set designer will be responsible for the complete design of the Our Time podcast studio from concept to execution plan. Key responsibilities include: Create a detailed design concept with mood boards, color palettes, and texture samples that align with the modern, cool, lived-in Addis vision. Develop a floor plan and layout for the existing space, optimizing for a three-camera setup, comfortable host-guest interaction, and crew movement. Select, source, or custom-design all furniture (sofas, chairs, tables), background elements (shelving, art, plants), and decor (rugs, textiles, lighting fixtures). Consult with the Director and Sound Engineer to ensure the design supports cinematic lighting and minimizes acoustic issues like echo. Create a detailed list of all furniture and decor items, with supplier information and costings, to fit within the overall set-design budget. Potentially oversee the final installation and arrangement of the set to ensure the design vision is executed perfectly. Responsibilities The Set designer will undertake the following key responsibilities: 1. Conceptual Design & Vision: Develop and present a comprehensive design concept that captures the modern, cool, lived-in Addis aesthetic for the Our Time podcast. Create detailed mood boards, color palettes, and select material/texture samples to visually communicate the intended look and feel of the set. 2. Spatial Planning & Layout: Design a functional floor plan and layout for the designated studio space. Optimize the layout to accommodate a three-camera video production setup, ensuring clear sightlines and sufficient space for crew movement. Ensure the design fosters a comfortable and intimate environment for interaction between the host and guests. 3. Sourcing & Specification: Select, source, or commission all necessary furniture, including sofas, chairs, and tables. Choose all decorative elements, such as shelving, artwork, plants, rugs, textiles, and lighting fixtures that align with the design concept. Identify local suppliers for all items and create a detailed Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment (FF&E) schedule. 4. Technical & Production Collaboration: Actively consult with the production teams Director and Sound Engineer throughout the design process. Ensure the design choices support the desired cinematic lighting plan. Incorporate materials and layouts that help minimise acoustic problems like echo and reverb. 5. Budgeting & Documentation: Develop a detailed budget breakdown for all proposed design elements, ensuring the total cost aligns with the projects set-design budget. Prepare a final, comprehensive design package that includes all plans, schedules, and specifications, ready for the production team to implement. 6. Project Execution (Potential): Potentially oversee the final installation and arrangement of the set to guarantee the design vision is executed accurately and to the highest standard. Expected Deliverables A final Design Concept presentation, including mood boards and material samples. A detailed Floor Plan with furniture layout and suggested camera placements. A complete Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment (FF&E) schedule with sourcing details and a budget breakdown. The final design package ready for implementation by the production team. Expected Commitment Duration: Aug 18, 2025 - Dec 31, 2025 NB: The Set designer will commit to full delivery of all outputs within the specified timeframe. Management The Supplier will have a primary point of contact within our Ethiopia Create team. Procurement Timeline Terms of Reference Published: Jul 14, 2025 Deadline for Proposal Submission: Jul 22, 2025 Project Commencement: Aug 18, 2025 Proposal Submission Interested agencies should submit a maximum 10-page proposal that includes the following: Technical Proposal: Your proposal, should you be interested (Max 10 pages), should cover: A link to your design portfolio with high-quality images of at least 3-5 relevant past projects. Please focus on work that demonstrates your ability to create intimate, textured, and modern spaces. A short (1-page) written description and/or visual mood board showing your initial interpretation of the modern, cool, lived-in Addis brief. A CV or profile outlining your design experience. Financial Proposal: Your proposed flat project fee for the complete design service/all deliverables. All applicable taxes must be itemised separately. Evaluation Criteria The criteria against which proposals will be evaluated are listed below. Technical Evaluation (70%) Quality and Relevance of Portfolio (40%) Creative Interpretation of the Design Brief (30%) Financial Evaluation (30%) Value for money of the proposed project fee (30%) GE is not liable for any costs incurred during the award/contract preparation, submission, or negotiation of the award/contract. All submitted documentation and/or materials shall become and remain the property of GE. VALIDITY of the proposal shall be for 90 days from the date of bid closure. Copyright All materials/documents arising from this consultancy work shall remain the property of Girl Effect. Equal Opportunities Girl Effect is committed to equal opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, disability, gender or expression. We are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We are committed to building an organization that is truly representative of the communities that we serve. To this end, due regard will be paid to procuring consultancy services of organizations and individuals with a deep understanding and experience of our programming markets and diverse professional, academic and cultural backgrounds. Safeguarding You may be required to undertake safeguarding checks. Shortlisted consultants will be assessed on our organizational values at the interview stage. The successful consultant will be expected to adhere to our safeguarding policy. We encourage you to read and understand our safeguarding policy, the executive summary of which can be found here. We have zero tolerance for all forms of violence against children, beneficiaries and staff. Tax Girl Effect Ethiopia is obliged by the Ethiopian tax authorities to ensure all taxes are charged where applicable. Applicants are advised to ensure that they have a clear understanding of their tax Tender Link : https://reliefweb.int/job/4164909/terms-reference-podcast-set-designer-ethiopia-july-2025
