1. Background

The International Center of Insect Physiology and Ecology has a country office in Addis Ababa, located in Gurd Shola. icipe’s mission is to improve the health and food security status of the people of the tropics through research and development of environmentally friendly tools and strategies. As part of its research and development efforts, icipe is partnering with the Mastercard Foundation, IIRR, ORDA Ethiopia and implementing partners to implement the Mass Youth Employment in Apiculture (MaYEA) program, which aimed to transform Ethiopian apiculture by tripling the national honey and beeswax production by 2028, while creating wage and self-employment to over one million youths (80% young women) through skilling and access to finance.

As a result, it is important to showcase the success stories, and best practices to demonstrate the lucrative opportunities within the apiculture industry, from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to commercial or large-scale operations, highlighting its potential for growth and economic impact. Thus, icipe is looking for an experienced national broadcasting medium to develop an empathy-driven and motivational documentary film and radio content that inspires and mobilizes young people to observe apiculture as attractive business and to explore the potential of apiculture sectors for job creation, societal and economic transformation, as well as maintaining environmental health. 

The filming and radio content development activity will be carried out in seven districts of the MaYEA program areas located in Tello, Bitta, Kacha Bira, Tahtay Maichew, Tsimbla, Mekdella and Ambasel woredas. The film will be produced primarily in Amharic at the highest quality standards and high definition and must be able to accommodate the inclusion of subtitles in English. The total running time of the documentary video will be 30 minutes. Radio content for 30 minutes will also be prepared for radio broadcasting. The broadcasting through TV channel will be twice per week every other week for two months and the radio transmission will be once every week for two months. The film director is expected to review all available MaYEA Program documents and report materials, audio and video earlier products in order to better understand the objectives and goals of the program and the icipe activities. The main sources of information for this documentary film are the youth partners engaged in beekeeping activities, beekeeping input supplier SMEs, honey aggregators and processors, bee flora and honeybee colony multipliers, marketing cooperatives and stakeholders such as federal, regional, zonal and district authorities, icipe’s and the Mastercard Foundation management, and other informative stakeholders in the areas.

The icipe-MaYEA Program team will oversee the production process, in collaboration with IIRR, ORDA Ethiopia and implementing partners while the Mastercard Foundation icipe headquarters team will review and provide inputs. 

2. Objective

• To showcase success stories and best practices from MaYEA program youth partners engaged in primary products (honey and beeswax production), honeybee flora propagation and colony multiplication to enhance the natural resource base for apiculture business.

• To explore the diverse aspects of apiculture including honey production, pollination services, and related value-added products.

• To highlight the economic significance of apiculture as a viable business venture, particularly for SMEs seeking growth opportunities.

• To inspire entrepreneurs, investors, policy makers, financial service providers and stakeholders to recognize and invest in the potential of apiculture for economic development and environmental sustainability.

3.  Expected outputs

At the end of the partnership the selected service provider is expected to deliver the following 4 outputs: 

• Submit the final 30-minutes master documentary video, image footages, in an appropriate format for multiple media platforms (TV, web and other digital channels).

• Submit the final 30-minutes radio content for radio broadcasting in an appropriate format for multiple media platforms (web and other digital channels).

• Broadcast the documentary video with its TV channel two times per week on every-other week basis for two (2) months. 

• Transmit the 30-minutes radio content through its radio channel once every week for two months.

Deliverables:

The service provider is expected to provide the following deliverables: 

• Technical and financial proposal describing the procedures and methods of filming, and the financial plan.
• A detailed preproduction, production, and post-production schedule for the filming and radio content production process.
• A 30-minute documentary film or video and 30-minutes radio content on the success and impact stories of beekeepers, SMEs, honey aggregators and processors, bee flora and honeybee colony multipliers, marketing cooperatives and partners, concerned authorities, icipe’s, implementing partners, the Mastercard Foundation management, and other informative stakeholders in the areas.
• The main language to be used as a communication medium throughout the film will be Amharic with English subtitle
• Broadcast documentary video with its TV channel two times per week on every other week basis for two (2) months. 
• Broadcast radio content with its radio channel once every week for two months.
• A final ready product in broadcast HD standards and online formats.

4. Methodology

The service provider should handle all aspects of film production, including writing, filming, editing, voicing/narration, radio content preparation etc., and broadcasting through TV and radio channel. The following are the methodologies that the service provider is expected to employ. 

4.1 Pre-production stage

• Write the story line of the documentation to be captured and submit to icipe

• Develop the documentary film’s script and storyboard to be used in the film, overall concept, and scenario. 

• With the assistance of icipe, IIRR, ORDA Ethiopia and implementing partners identify the main characters/interviewees of the film. 

• Prepare interview questions for all interviewee with assistance and approval of icipe and develop detailed work plans (filming schedules, locations, etc.) for the assigned task including travel days.

4.2 Filming and Production stage

• Produce standardized videos using high-quality video camera, high-quality sound recorders and lighting equipment. 

• Record the necessary stories, learnings, interviews, and exposures with youth partners and other stakeholders as arranged by icipe. 

• Documentary film/video and radio content producer must adhere to icipe’s safeguarding principles and policies. The character’s consent must be obtained and their privacy maintained or respected. 

• Storytelling/develop a compelling narrative structure that captures the journey of apiculture entrepreneurs, and commercial farms from inception to success, while addressing key themes such as innovation, resilience, and community impact.

4.3 Postproduction and broadcasting

• Edit footage, incorporate visual elements, graphics, and sound design to enhance storytelling and overall production value.

• Present a draft documentary and radio content to icipe-Ethiopia for comments about contents and include all appropriate feedback, icipe’s and Mastercard Foundation branding, credit of participant on the production, a note of gratitude and ownership for the produced videos. 

• Develop and narrate an Amharic-language documentary film or video with English subtitles featuring all interviews and narrations and Amharic radio content for radio broadcasting.

• Submit 30-minutes master documentary video, image footages, 30-minutes radio content for radio broadcasting in an appropriate format for multiple media platforms (TV, web and other digital channels).

• Distribution and outreach: broadcasting documentary videos and radio content to reach wider audiences. 

5.  Timeframe

The total project duration is 2 months.

Required experience of the service provider

The service provider will be required to have the following experience:

• Extensive experience in producing development-related documentaries and radio content for international organizations targeting both local and international audiences.

• Excellent technical capacities (state-of-the-art filming equipment, preferably High-Definition) to ensure smooth and high-quality production.

• Previous experience working with icipe and other international organizations, development actors, including donors, research & development institutions, civil society, government ministries, bureaus, and departments. 

How To Apply

Application Procedure and Requirements

Vendors must submit the following documents:

1. Company profile and relevant experience.

2. Technical proposal outlining the approach, methodology, and timeline.

3. Financial proposal with a detailed budget breakdown in ETB.

4. CVs of the proposed team members.

5. References from similar projects.

   Submission deadline

Applicants must submit their application details via emails to icipe-ethiopia@icipe.org in PDF format by 8th May 2025. Lately submitted applications will not be considered for evaluation.

icipe is an equal opportunity employer. It fosters a multicultural work environment that values gender equity, teamwork, and respect for diversity.