Current Opportunities at African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS)

Production of Short Documentary (Video)

• As part of the project, we seek to develop a short video to shed light and perspectives by sector stakeholders on the opportunities and challenges for valorization of side streams in the Kenyan dairy sector. The documentary will serve to highlight current practices related to side stream utilization, show cases businesses that have tapped into the opportunities, and bring out perspectives from other players in the dairy industry beyond Kenya.
• This expression of interest is inviting consultant firms that can offer the service of producing this short documentary. We invite interest parties to submit an expression of interest (EoI) that outlines the concept (including an outline of the script) and process (including timeline that will not exceed 1 month) of producing the short documentary.
• The selected firm will work with the VALORISE team to fine tune the concept and agree on the potential list of stakeholders to be approached for the video.

Key details of the services to be provided:

Below is an outline for some of the key elements and expectation for consultants contracted to undertake this assignment:

• Production of video (script writing, videography, editing, audio balancing, sub-titling, format exporting, archiving raw and edited work etc.)
• Interview key informants including select dairy processors and experts (about 6-7) in the dairy sector; some of the interviews will be done online.
• All videos produced must be of the highest quality.
• The consultant shall use their own HD quality video camera and professional editing software;
• Edit the footage in line with the script agreed and approved by ACTS and produce a professional quality package.
• Record and edit narration / voice over where needed.
• Embed sub-titles in the video as appropriate.
• Audio balance the final product and convert it in formats for use on TV, radio, web.
• Include appropriate branding of project partners.
• Perform appropriate video filming and shoot interviews with selected experts and industry actors.

Key deliverables

The key deliverables for this assignment are outlined below:

• Documentary overall concept/script/story-board and scenario. This will be co-created by the ACTS team and the consultant
• A draft documentary for comments on contents and presentation.
• A final edited, high quality documentary
• Appropriate cover shots/B-rolls
• Provide the ACTS with raw footage and photos that would have been taken during the assignment.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in producing documentaries especially in the agrifood sector for international organizations with the aim of reaching both local and international audiences.

Duration of the Assignment

• The assignment is expected to take 30 days from the date of signing the contract.

Expressions of Interest for this assignment should be submitted by 13th October, 2023.

go to method of application »

Consultancy to develop ACTS Website

ACTS is looking for a consultant to develop and implement all elements of the front-end user interface for several web-based initiatives tailor-made for the needs of the Centre. The tasks will include but not limited to:

• Design, and develop a dynamic, responsive and world-class website capturing the latest trends for website presentations such as strong SEO/placement guarantee compatible and easily accessible to most common devices browsers (laptops, mobiles and other handheld devices);
• Liaise with relevant ACTS staff to understand users' needs and identify corresponding user interface requirements, workflows, and functionalities.
• Transfer all archived content from the current ACTS website into the new website (images, text, embedded video, PDFs, HTML, photo albums, etc.)
• Develop corresponding user interface components (web templates, style sheets, scripts, images, etc,) as needed.
• Create visually appealing sites that feature user-friendly and clear navigation
• Ensure a consistent visual language on the new site by introducing fixed styles in templates ensuring consistency in fonts, formatting, icons, images, layout techniques.
• Develop a user manual and deliver a training for the support staff and system administrators to perform content upload, system maintenance and administration.
• Provide administrative and technical support for a period of 6 months;
• Hand over full source-code including all developed libraries to ACTS ICT officer.
• Link the site with other platforms and other ACTS microsites.
• Embed social media sharing features – including twitter share by text selection and twitter feed by handle and hashtags.

Qualifications and Experience

The ideal candidate should be a reputable firm with at least 5 years of prior experience designing visually appealing and navigation friendly web sites;

• Bachelor or master’s degree in information technology management or any other relevant filed - Minimum 7 years of experience in Web Development and Application Management.
• The web developer should have expertise and deep understanding in the following areas:
• Deep expertise and hands on experience with Web Application and programming languages such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP and APIs.
• Deep functional knowledge or hands on design experience with web services REST, JSON and SOAP - Strong grasp of security principles and how they apply for external/public hosted applications.
• Familiarity and relevant experience in using different Content Management Systems (CMS), particularly WordPress;
• Have a broad knowledge of current web development technologies and design tools in the field, and new software and other web programming languages and programs including use of HTML, XHTML, CSS, XML, XSLT, Macromedia Flash, Java;
• Have excellent knowledge of recent trends in graphic design, web sites, including online video publishing, and social media networking;
• Demonstrate the ability to create innovative and visually appealing design.

Management of the consultancy

• The web developer will work in close consultation and under the supervision of the ACTS communications team and IT Officer.

Application details

Applications should contain an expression of interest, curriculum vitae, design portfolio stating relevant achievements and capacity to undertake the work.  Specifically, the application should include:

• A proposal describing the previous work done in this area; applicants are requested to submit links to websites developed and designed (particularly in Africa) to demonstrate the experiences required by this Terms of Reference.
• A portfolio of previous work of webs with similar functionalities developed in Word Press;
• A financial proposal to address the work.

Submission deadline: 15th October 2023