Terms of References - Audio production company for a new radio drama dedicated to challenging gender negative social norms for reducing avoidable blindness and visual impairment

Who we are

The Rwanda Men Resource Centre (RWAMREC) is a Rwandan non-governmental organization, working to promote gender equality and positive masculinity and engaging men to eliminate all forms of men’s violence against women and children. The vision of RWAMREC is a peaceful Rwandan society where women and men share roles and responsibilities of raising families and governing society in equality and respect of human rights. RWAMREC’s distinctive and innovative mission is to promote gender equality through the reconstruction of a non-violent identity of men, the adoption of healthy masculine behaviours, and men’s empowerment to be positive and supportive partners, role models for other men and change agents in promoting healthy families and women’s socio-economic development, eradication of sexual and gender-based violence, positive fatherhood and men’s health in Rwanda.

Context and justification

Eye health remains a significant public health concern in Rwanda, with women and persons with disabilities facing disproportionate barriers to accessing quality eye care services. According to the World Health Organisation, women are more likely to be blind or visually impaired due to systemic gender inequalities in access to health services. Furthermore, persons with disabilities often experience compounded exclusion due to physical, social, and economic barriers.

Regarding barriers to accessing eye care services, the RAAB (2015) findings indicated that socio-cultural barriers also constitute a significant obstacle for vulnerable people seeking eye health services. Indeed, there are persistent beliefs in rural communities that cataracts and other forms of eye disease cannot be cured at the hospital, especially among older people. Such beliefs and poverty make many vulnerable people with eye health issues not to seek eye care services at a health facility.

Additionally, to this, women continue to face barriers related to heavy domestic responsibilities, with their husbands not willing to take over those responsibilities when women go to seek eye care away from home. In this framework, to reduce avoidable blindness and visual impairment among vulnerable people, including women and people with disabilities, RWAMREC funded by the Fred Hollows Foundation is implementing the project entitled; “Strengthening the health systems for eye health in Rwanda. The project aims on” gender equity inclusion by raising awareness of eye health-seeking services among community members through community awareness campaigns and male engagement. It is a pilot project of one year from July 2024 to June 2025 with the possibility of extension, and it is implemented in collaboration with Musanze district, Health centres, CHWs, and the community.

Scope of Work

RWAMREC seeks to engage a skilled social behavior change communication firm that has proven experience in developing and producing edutainment serial radio drama aimed at driving social transformation, particularly within the health sector. The focus of this initiative is on promoting “eye health.” The selected company will be responsible for developing a 12-episode serial radio drama, with each episode lasting 15 minutes. The content should address and challenge harmful gender norms while encouraging positive health-seeking behaviors related to eye care.

Responsibility

The successful applicant would realize the following tasks:

1. Pre-Production Planning

• Attend the briefing meeting with RWAMREC.

• Planning and attending the co-creation workshop with RWAMREC team.

• Develop a detailed action plan with different milestones of the assignment.

2. Script writing and Content Creation

• Write storylines, with the messages that address eye health issues and challenge gender stereotypes.​

• Write 12 original scripts, each approximately 15 minutes in length, incorporating compelling story lines that address eye health issues and challenge gender stereotypes.​

• Create relatable characters that reflect the community's diversity, ensuring representation of different genders, ages, and social backgrounds.​

• Ensure all content is culturally relevant and sensitive to the local context, avoiding content that could be perceived as stigmatising or inappropriate.

3. Production and Post-Production

• Select voice actors who resonate with the target audience and direct them to deliver performances that enhance the narrative's impact.​

• Record, mix, and master high-quality audio, incorporating sound effects and music to enrich the listening experience.​

• Implement a review process s to ensure the final product meets technical and content standards before dissemination.

• Ensuring the presence of RWAMREC team during the recording sessions, and being open to their feedback during the process.

4. Coordination and Collaboration

• Collaborate with RWAMREC and other relevant stakeholders to ensure alignment with broader health communication strategies and objectives.​

• Collaborate with RWAMREC team to ensure their feedback are given to each milestone of the project, and integrated in the final deliverables.

• Adhere to all contractual obligations, timelines, and quality standards as stipulated by RWAMREC.

Deliverables & Expected Outcomes

The selected company is expected to deliver:

• Draft and final character development

• Draft and final storyline

• Draft and final scripts

• Draft and final scripts for the drama promo

• Drama Cast & Select Voice Actors

• 12 broadcast-ready episodes: 15 minutes after integrating RWAMREC inputs and feedback

• 1 broadcast-ready promo advert: 1 minute

• Draft and final intros and outros of the drama (with the support of the RWAMREC team)

• Draft and final song for the drama, intro Jingle, and outro Jingle

• Qualifications required for the consultant

• The ideal company or individual must meet the following qualifications:

• Proven experience in writing and producing radio dramas or similar audio-based storytelling formats in Rwanda, including jingles and promos.

• Proven experience in writing and producing radio drama on health related topics.

• Flexibility to accept feedback and adapt content based on inputs from the RWAMREC teams.

• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with project coordinator and other team members that work closely on the Eye health project.

• Creativity in developing engaging audio content targeted at rural audiences with a mix of edutainment aspect.

• Openness to having RWAMREC team members present during the recording process.

• Proficiency in English

Submission documents

The applicant is required to submit the following documents;

• A detailed quotation, including a breakdown of costs for the entire project, including costs for voice actors, studio hire, costs of editing. The quotation can vary depending.

• A detailed CV or portfolio highlighting relevant experience in radio drama development and production.

• A proposal outlining how you will approach the project, including the following:

  • Approach: A detailed approach to the assignment

  • Studio: Own or lease? Describe the equipment and its suitability.

  • Casts & Voice Actors: In-house or subcontracted? Explain the casting process.

  • Team: Key team members and relevant experience.

  • Collaboration: How RWAMREC will be involved and kept informed.

  • Post-Production: Sound editing process and handling feedback.

  • Any uncertainties you may have about the timeline, project, or process

Duration of the consultancy

The assignment is to be completed 30 May 2025

Evaluation criteria

Criteria Score

Qualification and experience 40

Methodology and Work Plan 30

Financial proposal 30

Total 100

Note: Bidders who do not score the minimum of 50% points on technical requirement will

be disqualified and not be evaluated at financial level.

Procedure for submission of application

Interested individuals or companies are invited to submit their applications no later than

Sunday 4 May 2025, by 11:00 PM Kigali time.

Applications should be addressed to the RWAMREC Executive Director at the following

address: YYUSSA PLAZA Kimironko Tel-Cellular: +250 788381183; E-mail: info@rwamrec.org.

Applications submitted late or not signed will not be considered.

Done at Kigali, April 17, 2025

Fidèle RUTAYISIRE

Executive Director

TORs_Development and Production of edutainment serial Radio drama.pdf

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