TERMS OF REFERENCE (TOR)

For a Consultant to Produce a Project Success Story Video Documentary for the project of:

“Access to electricity via renewable energies for poor communities”

1. Background and Introduction

The Association for Community Development (ACD) is currently implementing a project “Access to electricity via renewable energies for poor communities” for communities which have historically lived without electricity. The project targets six villages in Ta Oy and Smouay districts of Salavan province where conventional grid electricity is inaccessible.

As part of the project’s documentation and knowledge-sharing efforts, ACD seeks to engage a skilled video documentary consultant to produce a two-part success story video that captures the real transformation experienced by the beneficiary communities – from life before the project to the tangible improvements brought about by access to solar electricity.

2. Objectives

The main objective of this consultancy is to produce a high-quality, two-part video documentary that:

• Authentically documents and contrasts the living conditions of targeted villagers before and after gaining access to electricity via solar cell systems.
• Captures the voices, experiences, and stories of community members through direct filming and in-depth interviews.
• Demonstrates the measurable and human impact of the project – improvements in living standards, daily routines, education, health, safety, and overall well-being.
• Serves as an advocacy and communication tool for ACD, donors, and other stakeholders.

3. Scope of Work

The consultant will be responsible for planning, filming, editing, and delivering a two-part documentary video structured as follows:

3.1 Part One – Life Before Electricity (Baseline Documentation)

This phase will take place at the end of March 2026 and will focus on capturing the living conditions of the villagers prior to receiving electricity access. The consultant shall:

• Travel to the target villages to film the daily living conditions without electricity.
• Record footage of homes, common areas, and community activities that reflect the challenges of life without electricity (e.g., use of kerosene lamps, limited study hours for children, difficulty in food preservation, lack of access to information, etc.).
• Conduct individual and group interviews with community members – including men, women, youth, persons with disabilities and elderly – asking about:
  • Their daily challenges and hardships caused by the lack of electricity.
  • How the absence of electricity affects their livelihoods, health, education, and safety.
  • Their hopes and expectations for improvement.
• Capture b-roll footage of natural and community settings to provide contextual storytelling.
• Ensure that filming is conducted in a culturally sensitive and respectful manner.

3.2 Part Two – Life After Electricity (Impact Documentation)

This phase will take place from January to March 2027 and will document the changes and improvements in the lives of the same villagers after gaining access to electricity through the solar cell systems. The consultant shall:

• Return to the same villages and households filmed in Part One.
• Film the visible changes and improvements in the daily living environment (e.g., use of electric lighting, charging of devices, use of appliances, evening activities for children, etc.).
• Conduct follow-up interviews with the same community members (where possible) and additional beneficiaries, asking about:
  • The most significant changes they have noticed in their daily lives.
  • Specific benefits experienced in terms of health, education, safety, income, and well-being.
  • Their overall happiness and satisfaction with the project outcomes.
  • How access to electricity has improved their living standards.
• Capture footage of the solar cell installations and their use in households and community spaces.
• Interview project staff or local authorities if appropriate, to add institutional perspectives.

4. Deliverables

The consultant is expected to deliver the following:

1. Filming Plan and Script Outline – A detailed plan for both filming phases including interview guides, shot lists, and production timeline, to be submitted at least 2 weeks before each filming phase begins.
2. Raw Footage – All original raw footage from both Part One and Part Two filming sessions.
3. Edited Part One Video – A professionally edited video documenting the baseline (life before electricity), with subtitles and narration as appropriate. Duration: approximately 10-15 minutes.
4. Edited Part Two Video – A professionally edited video documenting the project impact (life after electricity), with subtitles and narration as appropriate. Duration: approximately 10-15 minutes.
5. Combined Documentary (Optional) – A merged, condensed version of both parts (if requested by ACD) suitable for public sharing and presentations.
6. Progress Report after Part One – A brief summary report including key observations, interview highlights, number of people interviewed, and footage overview.
7. Final Report after Part Two – A comprehensive report covering the full documentary production process, including methodology, community feedback, and recommendations for future documentation.
8. Required Qualifications and Experience

5.1 Essential Requirements

• Proven experience in video production, documentary filmmaking, or visual storytelling – minimum 3 years.
• Strong videography and video editing skills with proficiency in professional editing software (e.g., Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, or equivalent).
• Experience conducting field interviews and filming in rural or remote community settings.
• Ability to communicate effectively with local communities; proficiency in Lao language is required.
• Cultural sensitivity and respect for local customs and traditions.
• Ability to work independently and meet deadlines under field conditions.

5.2 Preferred Qualifications (Advantageous)

• Previous experience working with NGOs, development organizations, or on donor-funded projects.
• Experience producing advocacy or impact documentation videos for development projects.
• Understanding of issues related to rural energy access, sustainable development, or community empowerment.
• Ability to produce content in local dialects or with local language narration.
• Prior experience filming in Salavan Province or similar regions.

6. Timeline and Work Schedule

Phase / Activity
Timeline
Output

Contract signing & mobilization
Upon contract signing
Signed contract

Filming Plan & Script (Part One) submission
2 weeks before Part One filming
Approved filming plan

Part One Filming – Baseline Documentation
End of March 2026
Raw footage + Progress Report

Edited Part One Video submission
April 2026 (approx. 3 weeks after filming)
Edited Part One video

Filming Plan & Script (Part Two) submission
December 2026
Approved filming plan

Part Two Filming – Impact Documentation
January – March 2027
Raw footage

Edited Part Two Video submission
Within 3 weeks after Part Two filming ends
Edited Part Two video

Final Report submission
Upon delivery of all outputs
Final comprehensive report

7. Budget and Payment Terms

The total budget allocated for this consultancy shall not exceed USD 2, 000 (Two Thousand US Dollars). The budget should cover all costs related to the consultancy including professional fees, travel, accommodation, equipment, and post-production.

Payment Schedule:

• First Payment (50%) – Upon satisfactory submission and acceptance of the Part One video and the associated Progress Report.
• Second Payment (50%) – Upon satisfactory submission and acceptance of the Part Two video, all raw footage, and the Final Report.

Note: ACD reserves the right to request reasonable revisions to the video outputs before approving each payment milestone.

8. Reporting and Coordination

• The consultant will report directly to the ACD Project Manager throughout the assignment.
• Regular coordination meetings (in-person or remote) will be held to track progress and address any issues.
• The consultant must seek prior approval from ACD before any significant deviation from the agreed filming plan or timeline.
• All footage, content, and materials produced under this contract remain the property of ACD and shall not be shared or published without written consent from ACD.

9. Application Process and Selection Criteria

9.1 How to Apply

Interested candidates are invited to submit the following:

1. Technical Proposal including: understanding of the assignment, proposed methodology and approach, preliminary filming plan, work schedule, and a portfolio or samples of previous documentary or video work.
2. Financial Proposal including: an itemized budget breakdown covering professional fees and all associated costs for both phases.
3. Curriculum Vitae (CV) highlighting relevant experience and qualifications.
4. Contact Information (Submission)

All proposals and inquiries should be submitted to:

Organization: Association for Community Development (ACD), Salavan Province

Contact Person: Mr. Vanxay PHONGPHANITH

Email: vanxay@acdlao.org with CC to boualaphet@acdlao.org and  acd.vanxay@gmail.com

Phone: 020 96111759

Submission Deadline: 27 February 2026

ACD reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals received.