Documentalist consultant

Ipas Africa Alliance is a Reproductive Justice (RJ) partner committed to ensuring that all who need abortion care and contraception have the right and ability to access it. Guided by the RJ framework, we address the intersectional barriers that place women and girls on the path to unintended pregnancies—barriers such as sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), limited economic opportunities, and restrictive social norms.

Through our Collaborative Fund, we resource grassroots organizations that are shifting social norms, expanding access to abortion care and contraception, and amplifying the voices of women and girls across diverse communities. Under this project, implemented in Kakamega and Homa Bay counties, our partners have catalyzed powerful change—fostering agency, resilience, and solidarity within their communities.

To document and elevate these transformative stories, we seek a Documentalist to chronicle the stories of change emerging from our sub-grantees’ initiatives—highlighting lived experiences, community innovations, and the human realities behind reproductive justice.

 

Objective:
To produce compelling, ethically grounded, and authentic stories that:

1. Capture the voices and lived experiences of communities reached by our sub-grantees.
2. Illustrate progress, challenges, and impact in advancing SRHR, including abortion care, contraception, teenage pregnancy prevention, and SGBV.

• Inspire empathy, learning, and action among diverse audiences, including donors, policymakers, and the public.

Scope of Work:

The consultant will:

1. Conduct field visits to selected sub-grantee project sites in Kakamega and Homa Bay Counties.
2. Engage with communities through in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and observation to capture authentic narratives.

• Document stories in multiple formats including but not limited to written case studies, photo essays, short videos or audio snippets.

1. Collaborate with the Ipas AA communications and program teams to align narratives with the organization’s communication goals.
2. Ensure ethical storytelling, safeguarding dignity, consent, and confidentiality, particularly for individuals sharing sensitive experiences.
3. Deliver final story packages that include written narratives, accompanying high quality photos, and where possible, short clips for social media use.

Deliverables:

• Short video documentary (8-12 minutes).
• Photo Documentation: 20 high-resolution, captioned photos per story. All images must be consented.
• Story Portfolio: Minimum of 10 human-interest stories (each 800–1,000 words)
• Raw and edited photo and video files (high resolution).
• Summary Report: Brief overview of insights, recurring themes, and recommendations for future storytelling.

Duration:
Estimated 12-15 days from contract signing including pre-production, fieldwork, post-production, and final delivery.

Qualifications:

• Proven experience in storytelling, journalism, or documentary work—preferably in SRHR, gender justice, or human rights contexts.
• Excellent writing and interviewing skills with an ability to draw out nuanced human experiences.
• Strong photography and/or videography skills (or ability to collaborate with a photographer).
• Deep understanding of ethical considerations in documenting sensitive issues.
• Cultural fluency and ability to engage respectfully with diverse communities.
• Knowledge of at least one of the local languages is highly desirable.

 

Ethical considerations

• Obtain informed consent from all participants.
• Ensure confidentiality and do no harm principles guide all interactions.
• Avoid sensationalism or re-traumatization in story framing.
• Ensure participants’ narratives remain authentic, dignified, and agency-driven.

Reporting and coordination

The consultant will report to the Program Manager, Community Engagement and work closely with the Communications focal point.  He/she will collaborate closely with sub-grantees and community focal points.

Application Requirements:

Interested consultants should submit:

1. A brief technical proposal outlining approach and methodology.
2. Samples of previous documentation or storytelling work (written or visual).

• A financial proposal indicating daily rate and estimated total cost.

All proposals must be submitted through the Ipas procurement portal by 6pm EAT 7th November 2025.