EOC-DICAC seeks a consultant to produce a documentary film highlighting the achievements of their Sustainable Church Forest Management Regional Program, operating across Oromia, Amhara, Tigray, and South Ethiopia regions.

Terms of Reference (TOR)

Ethiopian Orthodox Church -Development and Inter-Church Aid Commission (EOC-DICAC) Production of a Video Documentary on Sustainable Church Forest Management Regional program

background

The Ethiopian Orthodox Church Development and Inter- Church Aid Commission (EOC-DICAC) is the development wing of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church. To address the development and humanitarian gaps in Ethiopia and enhance community livelihoods, EOC-DICAC was established in 1972 by Legal Notice No. 415. It was subsequently registered as a local organization under Registration No. 1560, in accordance with the Civil Society Organizations Proclamation No. 1113/2019.

For over five decades, EOC-DICAC has been engaged in both development and humanitarian interventions across all parts of the country. Given the current national context, the Commission has adopted a Triple Nexus Approach integrating development, humanitarian response, peace building, and advocacy to ensureholistic and sustainable impact.

EOC-DICAC works with over 25 funding partners, including ACT Alliance member organizations, UN agencies, and various national and international development partners, as well as the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Agriculture. Its guiding principles includes human dignity, partnership, accountability, transparency, evidence-based practice, professionalism, sustainability, integration, inclusiveness, do-no-harm, and community-centered development.

II. Short Description of the Project

Church forests serve as critical biodiversity hotspots, preserving indigenous and endangered tree species. Although fragmented and surrounded by degraded lands, these forests play a vital role in local ecosystems by providing shade, protecting watersheds, serving as genetic reservoirs, and supporting both spiritual and community life.

The Sustainable Church Forest Management Regional Program was designed to expand and strengthen the church and monastery forest conservation initiatives, promote sustainable landscape management, and improve the livelihoods of communities living in and around church forests.

Geographic Coverage

The project operates in 14 church and monastery forest sites across four regional states, covering a total of 4,425 hectares of land.

1. Oromia Region

Zequala Debere Kewakibt Abune Gebre Menfes Kidus Monastery Forest: 143.3 ha existing; 24 ha under restoration (Phase I): 70 ha to be restored.

Zequala Kidus Medhanialem Church Forest: 10 ha existing: 50 ha to be restored.

Asebot Debere Wogege Kidus Selassie & Abune Samuel Monastery Forest: 1,360 ha existing; 5 ha restored (Phase II); 200 ha to be restored.

Assela Debere Meaza Abune Tekelehaimanot Monastery Forest: 15 ha existing; 20 ha to be restored.

Ticho Felege Hiwot Abune Gebre Menfes Kidus Church Forest: 8 ha existing; 25 ha to be restored.

2. Amhara Region

Adebabay Eyesus Church Forest (North Wollo): 25 ha existing; 75 ha to be restored.

Debere Menkerat Mitak Amanuel & Abune Tekelehaimanot Monastery Forests (Gonder): 78 ha existing; 17 ha restored (Phase II); 112 ha to be restored.

Amesteya Abune Tekelehaimanot Monastery Forest: 25 ha existing; 30 ha to be restored.

3. Tigray Region

Mahibere Bokeru Monastery Forest (South Tigray): 53.2 ha existing; 8 ha enriched (Phase II).

Kidus Merkorios Church Forest (South Tigray): 26 ha existing; 1,250 ha to be restored.

4. South Ethiopia Region

Wolayta Debere Menkerat Abune Tekelehaimanot Monastery (Wolayta Zone): 5.5 ha existing; 8 ha restored (Phase II).

Areka Mekane Hiwot Abune Gebre Menfes Kidus Andinet Monastery (Wolayta Zone): 13 ha existing; 8 ha to be restored.

Belie Menbere Tsehay Medhanialem Church (Wolayta Zone): 15 ha degraded land; 16 ha additional community land to be restored.

Target Groups

The project directly benefits 20,500 households (12,800 male-headed (62.5%) and 7,700 female-headed (37.5%)) with an estimated average family size of five members per household.

Project Duration and Budget

Duration: January 1, 2021-December 31, 2025 (5 years)

Total Budget: ETB 199,100,742 (equivalent to €4,320,000)

III. Goal, Objectives and Indicators

Goal: Sustainably managed church forests contribute to the realization of Ethiopia's Climate Resilient Green Economy (CRGE) strategy.

Objectives

Enhance resilience of food-insecure households to overcome hunger crises.

Increase the area of rehabilitated and protected soil under smallholder farmers.

Expand protected church forest areas with enriched biodiversity.

Key Performance Indicators

Hunger days of at least 5,000 households (2,300 women- headed) reduced from 91 to 51 days annually.

Average annual income of 1,300 women and 1,700 youth increased from ETB 25,000 to ETB 45,000.

1,600 ha of degraded land rehabilitated, including 400 ha owned by women.

400 ha of degraded forest enriched with indigenous tree species in 15 church forests.

IV. Purpose of the Video Documentary

EOC-DICAC seeks to produce a documentary film to highlight the achievements, outcomes, and impacts of the Sustainable Church Forest Management Regional Program.

Specific Objectives

Document the program's interventions, best practices, and impacts in target areas.

Showcase the roles and contributions of key stakeholders and partners.

Serve as an advocacy and knowledge-sharing tool for similar initiatives.

V. Responsibilities of the consultant

Under the direct supervision of the EOC-DICAC Communication Service Unit and the Development Department, the bid winner will:

1. Develop the overall concept for the documentary film.

2. Produce detailed case stories focusing on:

Agriculture and Food Security

Forestry and Landscape Restoration

Economic Development

Advocacy

Water Supply and Sanitation

3. Conduct interviews with:

Target farmers and community members

Government officials

Religious and community leaders

The EOC-DICAC Commissioner, Archbishop, and Development Department Head

Bread for the World/PADD Horn of Africa Representative/ Program Manager

4. Visit project sites and conduct professional video filming and interviews.

5. Apply drone filming for forest and landscape scenes, irrigation, water schemes, tree nurseries, and restoration sites.

6. Prepare a script and storyboard for EOC-DICAC's review and approval.

7. Present a draft version for feedback.

8. Produce:

A 40-minute full documentary film

A7-10-minute short version

A 1-2-minute promotional clip for social media use

Quality pictures

9. Produce documentary narration in English

VI. Responsibilities of EOC-DICAC

Provide transportation and logistical support during fieldwork.

Cover flight ticket only for the lead consultant.

Facilitate meetings, interviews, and site access.

Provide relevant documents

VII. Deliverables from the consultant

Field data and video recordings from all project sites.

Approved storyboard and documentary script.

Edited video footage and narration in English, Amharic

Final delivery of:

Two 40-minute master copies (English, Amharic)

The Amharic version should consider

EOTC background soundtrack (for EOTC-TV) (this means the background music you will use should be fit with Ethiopian orthodox church and must consider and respect the EOTCTV editorial policy

Nature-based soundtrack (for ETV Amharic & English) using music sound tracks is not allowed

150 CD copies distributed as: 50 Amharic, 100 English

Each story will include:

Program principles and rationale

Visible changes and results

Impacts on beneficiaries and local communities

VIII. Required Qualifications and Experience

Proven experience in producing documentary films for NGOs, particularly on development interventions.

The consultant must submit testimonials demonstrating previous work experience with NGOs, such as certificates of recognition, recommendation letters, or similar supporting documents.

The consultant should also submit samples of previously produced documentary videos or related work that demonstrate their experience and quality of production.

Demonstrated expertise in Cinematography or Videography filming and editing using high-definition equipment.

Experience in development communication and storytelling for local and international audiences.

IX. Project Sites for Video Documentation

1. Wolayta Sodo Abune Tekelehaimanot Monastery Sodo Zuria Woreda, Wolayta Zone, SNNPR

2. Bellie Medhanialem Church: Kindo Koyesha Woreda, Wolayta Zone, SNNPR

3. Assela Abune Tekelehaimanot Monastery: Tiyo Woreda, East Arsi Zone, Oromia

4. Mitak Amanuel & Mitak Abune Tekelehaimanot Monasteries: Basona Worana & Ankober Woredas, North Shoa Zone, Amhara

5. Kidus Merkorios Church & Mahibere Bokeru Monastery: Raya Azebo & Alaje Woredas, South Tigray, Tigray

X.Duration of the Assignment

The entire assignment shall be completed within 30 calendar days from the date of signing this TOR/MOU.

XI. Budget and Payment Terms

The bid winner should have to submit detailed work plan and required budget for the activities

Payment Schedule:

40% upon signing of the contract (advance payment)

30% upon completion of filming (submission of the draft video documentary)

30% upon submission and approval of the final documentary

Payment will be transferred to the winner's bank account based on an official fund request letter.

XII. Reporting and Coordination

The production company will report to the EOC-DICAC Communication Service Unit and provide weekly updates on progress, challenges, and upcoming activities throughout the assignment.