Job Description

The Voluntary Media Council of Zimbabwe (VMCZ), as part of the Partnership for Social Accountability (PSA) Alliance Project, is seeking a skilled and innovative animation studio or professional to create an engaging and informative educational animation for a course on Social Accountability Reporting. This course aims to strengthen journalists' ability to effectively cover issues of transparency, governance, and accountability, equipping them with the necessary tools and knowledge to enhance their reporting on these critical topics.

Background
The PSA project aims to enhance social accountability by empowering citizens to hold duty-bearers responsible for delivering essential services in sectors of health and agriculture. Social accountability reporting plays a vital role in this process, amplifying community voices and ensuring the transparent and responsible management of public resources. To support this, VMCZ is developing an educational/course animation as a key learning resource to simplify and visually explain the essential elements of social accountability reporting. This animation will help journalists easily grasp and apply best practices in their reporting, serving as a valuable tool for both in-person workshops and online learning platforms, ultimately strengthening their knowledge and skills in governance and accountability reporting.

Duties and Responsibilities

Key Objectives
The animation should cover the following core areas:

1. Introduction to Social Accountability Reporting
• The importance of social accountability in journalism.
• Understanding the role of media in holding government institutions and public officials accountable

2. Investigative Techniques in Social Accountability
• How to conduct thorough investigations into public sector practices and service delivery.
• Gathering and verifying data, using open data sources, and obtaining public documents.
• Engaging with local communities to amplify their voices in governance issues.

3. Best Practices in Reporting
• Ethical considerations in social accountability reporting, including protecting sources and handling sensitive information.
• Tools for fact-checking and ensuring accuracy in stories on governance and public resource management.
• Case studies of impactful investigative reporting on issues like health and agriculture

4. Challenges and Opportunities in Accountability Reporting
• Overcoming obstacles such as government pushback, lack of access to information, and the risk of censorship.
• Strategies for collaborating with civil society organisations and utilising whistle-blowers effectively.
• Exploring the use of new digital tools and technologies to enhance reporting.
4. Engaging Audiences and Advocating for Change
• How journalists can engage audiences through storytelling and data-driven reporting to foster accountability.
• Strategies for using social media and digital platforms to maximize the reach of investigative reports.
Scope of Work
• The animation should be 5-7 minutes long.
• The format should be 2D or 3D, with a preference for visually engaging, professional, and easily digestible content.
• The animation should include diverse characters in various contexts, showcasing gender balance and cultural sensitivity. Visual metaphors and simple graphics should be used to illustrate complex concepts.
• The animation should be informative, empowering, and aligned with the journalistic principles of truth and objectivity.
• A professional English voiceover is required with the addition of subtitles. Options of Shona, Nbebele and Tonga will be added advantage.
• Incorporate feedback from VMCZ and key stakeholders during the development process.
• Deliver the final product in formats suitable for distribution on various platforms, including social media, websites, and presentations

Deliverables
• Storyboard and Script: Submit a detailed storyboard and script for review and approval before moving into production.
• Final Animation Video: The finished product should be delivered in MP4 format, compatible with online learning platforms and training sessions.
• Source Files: Editable source files should also be provided for future updates or modifications.

Qualifications and Experience

• Ability to design and develop computer programs
• A proven track record in producing high-quality educational animations.
• Experience in working on governance, transparency, or journalism-related content is a strong advantage.
• Familiarity with social accountability, investigative journalism, or public sector reporting is preferred.
• Strong storytelling ability to convey technical and complex ideas through engaging visuals.

How to Apply

Duration
The consultancy is expected to last approximately two weeks.

Application Process
Interested consultants are invited to submit a completed Proposal using the provided form by 6 November 2024. Download the form on https://docs.google.com/document/d/1a46XVZJ27p3-MKdAJv6Rg403oaf0BPYn/edit?usp=drive_link&ouid=107980438368914810355&rtpof=true&sd=true

Selection Process
The selection will be based on the consultant’s qualifications, experience, and proposed methodology.