Call for External Collaborator – Videography and photography to document MSME and access-to-finance activities in Basra

I. Background and purpose
The International Labour Organization (ILO), with support from the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), is implementing a project in Southern Iraq aimed at promoting private sector development and the creation of decent employment opportunities, with a strong focus on sustainable green business practices and support for startups and micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).
The project operates at three interconnected levels. At the macro level, it supports evidence-based policy development for MSME growth through business environment assessments and related analytical work. At the Meso level, it strengthens the capacity of financial institutions and intermediary organizations to improve service delivery and enhance access to finance for MSMEs. At the micro level, it directly supports youth, entrepreneurs, and small business owners through training in business management, financial literacy, and facilitation of linkages to financial services.
Within this context, the project is actively implementing field-based interventions in Basra, including SIYB training, financial education, green business promotion, and access to finance support. These activities involve continuous engagement with beneficiaries, trainers, financial institutions, and local stakeholders, generating strong opportunities to capture visual evidence of change and impact.
Given the scale and nature of implementation, high-quality videography and photography services are required to document key project activities, including training sessions, MSME dialogue events, field visits, beneficiary interactions, and success stories

To provide professional videography and photography services to document project activities and results, and produce high-quality visual content that supports communication, visibility, and impact storytelling for the ILO AICS project in Southern Iraq.

II. Scope of work
The videographer/photographer will be responsible for providing professional visual documentation services for the ILO AICS project in Southern Iraq. The assignment will focus on capturing high-quality photo and video content that reflects project implementation, results, and impact.
The consultant will cover key project activities in Basra, including SIYB and Financial Education training sessions, MSME dialogue events, field visits, stakeholder meetings, and beneficiary interactions. This includes documenting training delivery, participant engagement, access to finance processes, and success stories of entrepreneurs and MSMEs supported by the project.
The assignment also includes producing visual materials for communication and visibility purposes, ensuring that content highlights human-interest stories, showcases project achievements, and reflects the contribution of the project to MSME development, job creation, financial inclusion, and green business promotion.
The consultant will coordinate closely with the project team to plan field visits, ensure appropriate coverage of activities, and obtain necessary approvals. All photos and videos must be of high professional quality, properly organized, and delivered in formats suitable for reporting, publications, and digital communication platforms
III. Detailed tasks
1. Inception and Planning
Hold an inception meeting with the project team to agree on priorities, field schedule, and coverage plan.
Review project activities and identify key moments for visual documentation (trainings, MSME dialogues, field visits, and success stories).
Develop a shooting and coordination plan for field visits and events, ensuring coverage of all required deliverables as follows:
o Workshop photography: professional edited photographs per training workshop (10 workshops × 20 40 images each)

o Workshop short videos: 45 90 second edited reels per workshop or cluster ( 3 videos)
o MSME photography: edited photo sets per supported enterprise ( 40 enterprises × 8 10 images each)
o MSME short videos: 60-second reel-style videos or slides ( 6 videos)
o Success story long videos: 2 3-minute documentary-style videos per selected MSME ( 6 videos)
o Raw footage archive: curated unedited footage for institutional archive, compiled per coverage cycle
2. Field Coverage and Visual Documentation
Attend and document SIYB and Financial Education training sessions, ensuring full coverage of workshop photography and short workshop videos.
Cover MSME dialogue sessions, stakeholder meetings, and field visits in Basra.
Capture high-quality visual content aligned with MSME photography requirements and success story documentation.
Conduct interviews with selected beneficiaries for MSME short videos and success story productions.
3. Content Production and Editing
Edit and produce all required visual materials in line with the deliverables above.
Ensure all videos include English subtitles and comply with ILO branding, communication, and visibility guidelines.
Ensure all outputs are professionally edited, including color correction, sound quality, and storytelling structure.
Organize and label all raw and edited files clearly by activity type, date, and location.
4. Coordination and Quality Assurance
Coordinate closely with the project team for scheduling, approvals, and beneficiary access.
Ensure informed consent is obtained for all individuals featured in photos and videos.
Ensure all materials meet ethical standards and safeguarding requirements.
5. Delivery of Outputs
Deliver all finalized photos, videos, and raw footage according to the agreed quantities and timeline.
Provide content in formats suitable for reports, publications, social media, and institutional archives.
Submit a final consolidated digital package with structured folders and metadata for all outputs.

The consultant will be responsible for developing video scripts where required, translating on-camera interviews and voice-over content from Arabic to English, preparing English subtitles/captions, and producing final videos with narration and subtitles in accordance with ILO communication and visibility guidelines. . All visual products shall, where applicable, comply with International Labour Organization (ILO) communication, branding, visibility, and ethical storytelling guidelines. The consultant shall ensure that photography, videography, editing, captions, consent procedures, and the use of logos and visual identity elements are aligned with ILO standards and donor visibility requirements. Any communication materials intended for external publication shall be subject to review and approval by the ILO project team prior to dissemination

IV. Expected deliverables

Deliverable # Deliverable Description Quantity Timeframe

1
Inception Report and Shooting Plan Detailed plan for coverage of all project activities, including schedule and coordination approach

1

Week 1, after contract signature

2

Workshop Photography

Professional edited photographs per training workshop

10 workshops ×
20 40 images each Ongoing (within 5 7 days after each workshop) (5 workshops from contract signature until 31st July 5 workshop until 12th September)

3

Workshop Short Videos

45 90 second edited reels per workshop or cluster

3 videos (Summarizing workshops activities) Ongoing (within 5 7 days after each workshop) (from contract signature 1 video until 31st July 2 videos until 12th September)

4

MSME
Photography

Edited photo sets per supported enterprise

40 enterprises ×
8 10 images each
Ongoing (within 7 10 days after each visit) 20 MSMEs from contract signature until 31st July 20 MSMEs until 12th September)

5

MSME Short Videos

60-second reel-style videos or slides

6 videos Ongoing (within 7 10 days after each visit) (3 video from contract signature until 31st July 3 videos until 12th September)

6

Success Story Long Videos

2 3-minute
documentary-style videos per selected MSME

6 videos Ongoing (within 10 15 days after filming) (3 video from contract signature until 31st July 3 videos until 12th September)

7
Raw Footage Archive
Organized unedited footage for institutional use Per coverage cycle
+ final consolidated archive Throughout assignment
+ final submission from contract signature until 12 September
The consultant shall include in the proposal the estimated number of working days required for each deliverable, as well as the total number of working days proposed for the assignment.

V. Reporting arrangements
The consultant will work under the overall supervision of the ILO Project Manager in Iraq. Day-to-day coordination will be carried out with the designated Communication Focal Point and relevant project team.
The consultant will closely coordinate with the technical team to agree on field schedules, activity coverage, and priority events. All deliverables, including photos, videos, and raw footage, will be submitted to the ILO project team for review, quality assurance, and approval prior to final use.
The consultant is expected to participate in coordination meetings as required. Final approval of all output's rests with the ILO project management team in accordance with ILO communication, branding, and visibility guidelines.
VI. Detailed qualifications, experience and skills required
Proven professional experience in videography and photography, preferably in development, humanitarian, or institutional communication settings.
Strong portfolio in documentary-style storytelling, interviews, and impact-focused visual production.
Strong capacity to identify, select, and shape compelling beneficiary and MSME stories in coordination with the project team, including supporting the selection of entrepreneurs and participants whose experiences best reflect project impact.
Strong understanding of the Basra and Southern Iraq context, including social, cultural, and business environment dynamics.
Strong ability in visual storytelling, including framing, sequencing, lighting, and audio capture in field conditions.
Experience working with youth projects in Basra is an advantage.
Proficiency in professional editing software (e.g., Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, After Effects, Lightroom, Photoshop or equivalent).
Ability to conduct interviews and develop human-interest stories in a professional and ethical manner.
Strong organizational skills and ability to meet tight deadlines.
Excellent communication skills in Arabic; working knowledge of English is an advantage, particularly for subtitles and captions.
Ability to work independently while closely coordinating with project teams and stakeholders.

VII. Indicators for evaluation of outputs
Performance will be assessed based on timely delivery, completeness of outputs, and quality of visual content. All photos and videos must be delivered according to the agreed schedule (5 15 days after field activities) and the final package submitted on time.
Evaluation will consider full achievement of deliverables, including coverage of workshops, MSME documentation, short videos, success story videos, and raw footage archives, as per agreed quantities. Outputs must also reflect effective coordination with the project team in selecting impactful stories.
Quality will be measured by professional standards of photography and videography, compliance with ILO branding and visibility guidelines, inclusion of English subtitles for videos, and adherence to ethical storytelling, especially when working with women entrepreneurs and vulnerable groups.

visual stories that demonstrate project impact in MSME development, access to finance, employment creation, and green business support.

VIII. Payment terms
IX. Progress payments, payment schedule and timeframe shall be based on the number of days corresponding each deliverable quoted by the applicant.
X. Payment schedule shall be as below:

A. First Payment ( approximately 50% of the contract value)
Payment equivalent to approximately 50% of the total contract value will be made upon satisfactory completion of the following deliverables:

(deliverable#2)
(deliverable#4)

note: the total payment shall be equivalent to the totally number of days quoted by the applicant for each one of the above deliverables

B. Second Payment (approximately 50% of the contract value) ) Payment equivalent to approximately 50% of the total contract value will be made upon satisfactory completion of the remaining deliverables:
each (deliverable#2)

videos) (deliverable#3)
each(deliverable#4
MSME Short Videos: remaining 3 videos (total 6 videos) (deliverable#5)

Success Story Videos: remaining 3 videos (total 6 videos) (deliverable#6)
Full raw footage archive (final consolidated delivery) (deliverable#7)

Final submission of all edited materials in line with ILO branding, visibility,

and quality standards (deliverable#7)
(deliverable#7)
note: the total payment shall be equivalent to the totally number of days quoted by the applicant for each one of the above deliverables

2. The daily fee shall be established within the fee range corresponding to the complexity of assignment and the
of residence, as per the ILO Daily Fee Range Table.
3. If the external collaboration contract is to be established in local currency, the amount will be converted from USD to local currency using the United Nations Operational Rate of Exchange effective at the time of establishing the contract.

XI. Travel arrangements (if applicable)
Not Applicable

Additional information on the ToR (for internal use)

Title of advertisement:
(*to appear on UNGM)

Summary of work to be performed:
(*to copy in in Jaggaer for display on UNGM)

Complexity of assignment (as per IGDS 695):

A Projects or technical tasks of a narrow scope and low complexity
B Projects or technical tasks of moderate complexity with either broad scope/limited depth or restricted scope/considerable depth
C Projects or technical tasks of broad scope and considerable depth

D Projects or technical tasks of broad scope, high complexity and impact
E Projects or technical tasks of exceptionally complex programmatic scope, unusual complexity and/or sensitive nature

Required experience and qualifications (as per IGDS 695):
1 Limited technical skills and less than 3 years of relevant experience
2 Limited technical skills and more than 3 years of relevant experience
3 Specialized degree or training in the relevant field and more than 5 years of relevant experience
4 Specialized or technical knowledge and skills and more than 10 years of extensive relevant professional experience
5 Highly specialized skills and expertise with more than 15 years of extensive relevant experience

Expected contract duration:
Expected start date of assignment: 20 June 2026
Expected end date of assignment / full delivery: 12 September 2026

Confirmation:
The external collaboration contract is the appropriate type of contract for the work to be undertaken.
The Terms of Reference are timebound and clearly output-based and the complexity vs experience/qualifications matrix has been carefully assessed above.
Is this Excoll selection process subject to an exception as defined in paragraph 23 of IGDS 695?

Yes No
Note: If it is in the interest of the ILO, due to urgency of delivery or specialisation, an exception may be approved by the Deputy Director-General, the appropriate Assistant Director-General or Regional Director for a specified contract. The requesting organisational unit will enter the terms of reference and payment terms in the ILO e Sourcing platform, selecting the specific process for exceptions, which will be published by the UNGM/on the UNGM website for the directly selected external collaborator to submit their application. The report of the exception process should be uploaded in IRIS, together with the finalized terms of reference, payment schedule and a copy of the email approval from the Deputy Director-General, Assistant Director-General or Regional Director.
If exception, please confirm that the approval of DDG/ADG/RD has been obtained:

DDG/ADG/RD approval obtained and provided to Buyer Yes
Not applicable
Please select the appropriate Excoll template type to be used in Jaggaer

How to apply

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UNGM Link: https://www.ungm.org/Public/Notice/303314