Consulting: Coaching and film consulting for digital film production – Iraq

ABOUT SEARCH

Search for Common Ground (Search) is a non-governmental organization working to change the way societies deal with conflict. We have over 40 years of experience in peacebuilding and are present in 53 offices worldwide. We strive to build sustainable peace for generations to come by working with all sides of a conflict, providing the tools needed to work together, and finding constructive solutions. Conflict is inevitable, but violence is not. Our mission is to change the way the world deals with conflict, away from confrontational approaches and towards cooperative solutions. Rather than tearing down an existing world, we focus on building a new one. We transform everyday interactions between warring groups of people so they can work together to build their community, choosing shared problem-solving over violent means. We rely on local staff as well as local partner organizations to ensure our work is culturally sensitive, sustainable, and well-grounded in context.

PROJECT OVERVIEW

Rights Advance: Advancing Fundamental Freedoms and Human Rights in Iraq is a project implemented by Search for Common Ground (Search) and the Iraqi al-Amal Association (IAA). The project aims to create a supportive environment for human rights defenders (HRDs) and duty bearers, promote comprehensive human rights reforms, and address political and government concerns.

The overall objective of the project is to contribute to the protection and promotion of fundamental freedoms, particularly freedom of association and assembly, thereby strengthening the human rights enabling environment. Search will support HRDs in the production of five short films focusing on human rights issues and ways to address them. Through online coaching sessions on content creation, production and post-production, they will create innovative and attractive films suitable for social media in terms of video size, length and language, and designed to appeal to a diverse audience, including community members, civil society and potential stakeholders. This advanced phase will involve 17 applicants who have previously received skills development in digital filmmaking. The focus is now on providing additional online coaching sessions to enhance their skills and support the production of these films.

GOALS

• Engage a skilled digital filmmaking consultant specializing in short filmmaking, video editing and video creation to provide advanced online coaching to 17 selected HRDs in the creation of five films on human rights messaging in Iraq.
• Conduct three online coaching sessions for each of the 17 applicants to strengthen their understanding and skills in digital filmmaking.
• Provide each participant with personalized advice to improve their initiatives by equipping them with expertise and knowledge in short film making, video editing, video creation and post-production to communicate human rights messages in Iraq in innovative ways.
• Make sure the films you produce are social media-friendly, considering video size, length and language to effectively reach different audiences.
• Train HRDs throughout the filmmaking process, from initial concept to final cut, and ensure alignment with project goals.
• Incorporate positive and inclusive messages into films to effectively raise human rights awareness, ensure they resonate with local audiences and convey important human rights messages.
• Make sure that participants’ questions and concerns are answered within 24 hours.

SCOPE OF DELIVERY

• Offer three online coaching sessions for each of the 17 HRDs, focusing on advanced aspects of digital filmmaking.
• Make sure that the films produced by HRDs are social media friendly and suitable for platforms like Instagram Reels.
• Provide detailed documentation of the coaching process, including a description of each film, challenges overcome, and lessons learned.

Task and schedule

• The coach participates in a virtual meeting with the search team to understand the project and align his approach with the search staff.
  • Provide a work plan and initial session structure for the search.
  • 11 August 2024
• The coach will first conduct a one-on-one online session with the selected candidates to develop an engagement plan for their coaching support, tailored to the candidate’s preferred coaching methods. The coach will then submit the engagement plans to Search.
  • Total 51 sessions. 3 sessions per participant.
  • 14 August 2024 – 12 September 2024
• Prepare a final report with feedback, recommendations and suggestions for improvement to support human rights defenders in future operations and capacity building in film production.

EXPERT PROFILE

• Experience in training in short film shooting, video editing and video production.
• Skills in creating engaging content for social media platforms.
• Ability to monitor the progress of each film project, provide constructive feedback and offer solutions to overcome any challenges that arise during production.
• Proven experience in supporting participants through all stages of the filmmaking process, from initial concept development through to post-production, to ensure the delivery of high quality films.
• Knowledge of gender-sensitive project approaches.
• Knowledge of human rights issues and the Iraqi context.
• Strong communication skills and teamwork ability to work effectively with HR managers and stakeholders.
• Fluent in Arabic; knowledge of English and Kurdish is desirable.