Tenders are invited for Podcast Production Agency Ethiopia July 2025 Closing Date: 1 Aug 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 podcast, titled Our Time (Yegna Gizé). This podcast is built on the belief that every young persons journey, with all its doubts and wins, deserves to be heard. It creates an authentic space where Ethiopias disruptors and dreamers can share what it feels like to keep going. Rather than just celebrating success, Our Time will shine a light on the emotional reality of the hustlethe fears, motivations, and small joys that make the journey worthwhile. Through raw, narrative-driven conversations, the show will help listeners see themselves in stories that normalise vulnerability and inspire perseverance. The format moves beyond surface-level Q&A, guiding guests through a meaningful arc of self-discovery anchored in three core 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. What we are looking for The ideal production partner will provide A lead Cinematographer with a strong artistic vision and the leadership skills to manage a crew effectively using Girl Effects equipment. An experienced Sound Engineer specializing in dialogue and interview recording, dedicated to capturing clean, warm, and intimate vocal recordings with our gear. A skilled and creative Video Editor with their professional editing suite, a strong sense of pacing and story, and the ability to create high-impact social media clips. A highly organized and operationally-focused Line Producer to manage the physical and logistical aspects of the production. A creative Costume Designer to oversee all wardrobe and styling. A professional Makeup Artist to prepare talent for filming. A qualified Sign Language Interpreter to ensure accessibility. A collaborative team that can work effectively with the director and the wider Girl Effect team to deliver a high-quality weekly show. The Scope The selected production house will be responsible for all creative and technical aspects of the podcasts production and post-production. This includes: Line Production & Management Develop, manage, and track the production budget for the season, handling all financial reporting to ensure the project stays within its approved constraints. Create and manage the master production schedule for all phases, from pre-production through to post-production delivery. This includes booking crew, equipment, and locations. Oversee all on-set logistics during recording, ensuring the shoot runs smoothly, safely, and on schedule. This includes managing call sheets, transport, and catering. Ensure all necessary releases (guest, location, etc.) are signed and filed correctly. Cinematography & Visual Production (Using GE Equipment) Develop the podcasts overall visual identity and design the lighting scheme to create an intimate and cinematic atmosphere. Assemble and manage a professional production crew for each shoot day, consisting of two (2) additional Camera Operators, one (1) Camera Assistant / Grip, and one (1) Gaffer / Lighting Technician. The lead Cinematographer will personally operate the main camera while directing the other operators. The crew will be responsible for the complete setup, operation, and breakdown of all Girl Effect-provided camera and lighting equipment. Styling & Grooming Responsible for all wardrobe and styling to ensure talents appearance aligns with the creative direction of the podcast. Prepare all on-screen talent for filming, with specific attention to lighting, skin tone, and maintaining continuity. Sound Engineering & Audio Production (Using GE Equipment) Set up all Girl Effect-provided audio equipment before each session, including professional microphones (e.g., Shure SM7B), mixers (e.g., Rodecaster Pro II), and boom mics. Manage the audio mixer, set levels, and monitor multiple audio sources live during the 2-hour recording to prevent issues like clipping or distortion. Work with the host and guests to ensure optimal microphone placement and technique to capture pristine, warm, and clean dialogue. Deliver organized, high-quality, and clearly labelled audio files to the post-production team after each session. Accessibility Provide a qualified sign language interpreter for all recording sessions to ensure the content is accessible to viewers with hearing impairments. The interpreter will be positioned in the bottom corner of the video frame during editing. Video Editing & Post-Production (Using Own Studio) Using their editing studio, perform a multi-camera edit of the full 2-hour podcast, cutting skillfully between angles to create a dynamic and engaging conversation. Conduct comprehensive sound mixing and professional colour grading to achieve the desired cinematic look and ensure consistency. Identify, edit, and format 3-5 engaging, short, vertical video clips from each episode, optimized for platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels. Prepare, export, and deliver all final master files for the full episode and social clips according to technical specifications and weekly deadlines. Responsibilities The production agency will undertake the following key responsibilities: A. Line Production & Management Financial Management Scheduling and Coordination Crew and Vendor Management On-Set Logistics and Operations Asset and Legal Administration B. Cinematography & Visuals Creative & Visual Leadership Develop and define the overall visual identity, look, and feel for the podcast. Design the lighting scheme to create an intimate and cinematic atmosphere. Translate the shows narrative goals into a compelling and consistent visual experience. Crew Provision & Management Assemble, provide, and manage a complete, professional production crew for each shoot day. The required team consists of two additional Camera Operators, one Camera Assistant/Grip, and one Gaffer/Lighting Technician. Lead and direct the camera team during all recording sessions. Technical Execution & On-Set Direction Personally operate the main camera during shoots. Ensure all cameras are correctly set up and matched (resolution, frame rate, picture profiles, white balance). Guarantee the lighting plan is executed perfectly on set. Oversee the complete setup, operation, and breakdown of all camera and lighting equipment. C. Styling & Grooming Costume Design Collaborate with the director to establish a wardrobe direction that aligns with the podcasts brand and creative vision. Provide and style all on-screen wardrobe for hosts, ensuring a consistent and professional look. Manage wardrobe continuity throughout the recording sessions. Makeup Artistry Provide professional makeup and light grooming for all on-screen talent. Ensure talents appearance is optimized for a cinematic, multi-camera lighting setup. Perform on-set touch-ups to maintain continuity and a fresh look throughout the 2-hour recording session. D. Sound Engineering Pre-Production & Setup Set up all audio equipment for each recording session, including microphones, mixers, boom mics, and all related recording devices. Work directly with the host and guests to ensure correct and optimal microphone placement and technique. Live Recording & Monitoring Manage the audio mixer and perform precise gain staging during the entire 2-hour recording session. Continuously monitor multiple live audio sources simultaneously to identify and prevent any potential issues like clipping, distortion, or background noise. Take sole responsibility for capturing clean, warm, and pristine dialogue from all participants. Post-Recording & File Management Deliver organized, high-quality, and clearly labelled audio files to the post-production team promptly after each session. E. Accessibility Sign Language Interpretation Provide simultaneous sign language interpretation for the entire 2-hour recording. Work with the director and camera crew to ensure optimal placement and framing for post-production integration. Review final edits to ensure the interpretation is clear, accurate, and correctly synced. F. Video Editing & Post-Production Full Episode Post-Production Perform a multi-camera edit of the full 2-hour visual podcast, skillfully cutting between different camera angles to create a visually engaging and dynamic conversation. Take the raw footage and craft a coherent and compelling narrative, identifying the most powerful moments. Audio and Visual Enhancement Conduct comprehensive sound mixing for each episode, ensuring the Tender Link : https://reliefweb.int/job/4167180/terms-reference-podcast-production-agency-ethiopia-july-2025
