ToR for Service Contract Documentation of Photography and Videography focusing on the struggles of informal sector labor communities

Terms of Reference (ToR) For Service Contract

Documentation of Photography and Videography focusing on the struggles of informal sector labor communities.

1. Introduction

ActionAid is a global federation working across 45 countries to end poverty and injustice, focusing primarily on the poorest and most excluded women, men, and children through long-term commitments to advancing human rights. ActionAid International Nepal, established in Nepal in 1982 and legally registered with the government, has evolved from a charity-based approach focused on basic needs to a human rights-based approach that empowers poor and excluded communities to claim their rights and live with dignity. Through grassroots to international advocacy, AAIN works to strengthen social justice movements, community organizations, and public policy reforms to address inequality and improve the lives of marginalized people.

Rastriya Mukta Haliya Samaj Federation (RMHSF-N) is a national umbrella organization representing 16,953 freed Haliyas through 518 freed Haliya groups and 12 district-level organizations across Karnali and Sudurpaschim. Registered in 2007, it played a key role in abolishing the Haliya system in 2008 and continues advocating for rehabilitation, socio-economic rights, and inclusive participation, ensuring 40% women’s representation.

Kamaiya Mahila Jagaran Samaj (KMJS) is a non-governmental organization established and led by former Kamaiyas, working across 5 districts to promote the rights of freed Kamaiyas, women, and children. Its work focuses on rehabilitation, women’s empowerment, preventing violence, securing women’s land ownership, strengthening livelihoods, and advancing education and social justice.

ActionAid International Nepal is implementing the Parishram Project (2026–2027) in Kanchanpur and Bardiya districts in collaboration with Rastriya Mukta Haliya Samaj Federation Nepal and Kamaiya Mahila Jagaran Samaj to address forced labour among former bonded labour communities. The project aims to combat forced labour by strengthening the agency of freed bonded and informal workers through advocacy, awareness-building, and systemic engagement. It seeks to empower these communities to assert their rights and actively participate in efforts to improve their social and economic conditions.

The project is closely aligned with AAIN’s Decent Labour campaign, which focuses on advancing the rights of informal workers through community-led movements and policy advocacy. Special emphasis is placed on supporting women and youth to advocate for safer working environments, fair wages, social protection, and improved labour rights. This intervention recognizes that many former bonded labourers, after gaining freedom, have transitioned into Nepal’s informal labour sector, where they continue to face exploitation, insecurity, and inadequate legal protection.

To strengthen advocacy efforts, RMHSF-N and KMJS plan to engage a media firm to raise public awareness about economic exploitation, rights violations, and systemic injustices experienced by informal sector workers from former Kamaiya and Haliya communities, thereby fostering broader support for policy reform and social justice.

2. Objectives

This Term of Reference (ToR) aims to engage a media firm to narrate the struggles of the informal laborers through story telling. The media firm or consultant are expected to develop video stories of informal sectors laborers highlighting the prevailing conditions such as lack of freedom to choose work or employers, inability to negotiate the wages or work conditions, threats and coercion for denying work and wage thefts & exploitation, abuse and violence, unsafe workplace, lack of social security, etc. to put the foundation for

the public validation as why their crucial demands need to meet. Through visual storytelling, the firm will document the stories of struggles and challenges.

3. Procedure

This outcome of this consultancy is developed on a periodic basis with tangible activities in line. The firm, AAIN & project implementing organizations; both RMHSF-N and KMJS will closely work with each other in each step of the process. Thus, the firm will follow the following procedure upon selection.

i. Pre-production

a. A joint orientation with the team members from AAIN, RMHSF-N & KMJS regarding the concept of this consultancy and its expected outcomes.

ii. Production

a. Field Visit: Stories of struggle. The firm will be having the field visit, interact with the partners and the rightsholders and collect the photographs, video-graphs and audio-graphs accordingly.

b. Have a thorough interaction/FGDs with the informal laborers and participate in the process of production, receive feedback and act accordingly.

c. Capture the audio separately, surrounding the work & community environment.

iii. Post-Production

a. Provide the draft video stories of struggles and receive feedback and finalize it.

b. Provide the final video stories incorporating the feedback and suggestions from the team.

iv. Submit a final report to RMHSF-N & KMJS.

4. Deliverables

The firm is expected to deliver the following key outputs:

• Provide 3 min video stories of 6 women informal Laborers.
• 1 compiled/compact video of the same 6 videos.
• 6 short clips for the reels around 20 secs from the same videos to be shared in the social media of each informal laborer.
• Provide 6 action/life portrayals/photographs of each informal laborer.

5. Location

The consulting firm will be required to travel to 2 districts: Bardiya and Kanchanpur.

6. Required Profile of Consultancy/ Firm(s) and Experience

The consulting firm will be required to have.

a. Proficiency in photography and videography techniques, with a focus on storytelling and capturing the essence of stories.

b. Minimum 3 years’ professional experience in related field preferred working in development agencies.

c. Knowledge of best practices in case collection, development, and photography within the context of combating labor is highly preferrable.

d. Proficiency in video production, including scripting, filming, and editing, to create engaging and informative documentaries.

e. Creative skills and technical expertise in producing short video reels that capture the essence of individual and community stories.

f. Understanding of social media platforms and trends to create content that resonates with target audiences.

g. Ability to curate and present diverse narratives in a visually compelling manner, highlighting the breadth and depth of the campaigns' impact.

7. Timeline

The duration of this service contract will be 45 days effective from July 1st, 2026.

8. Reporting and Contracting Arrangements

The firm will be reporting to project leads from RMHSF-N (Hari Singh Bohara, Executive Director ed.rmhsfn@gmail.com) & KMJSF (Rajendra Parsad Tharu, Project Officer, tharurajendra081@gmail.com). The respective project leads will closely work with AAIN Communication Manager (Anish.Shrestha@actionaid.org) & AAIN Project Coordinator (Sujat.Shramanera@actionaid.org).

The firm will be required to update the progress within the contracted period.

9. Intellectual Property

All materials shall remain the exclusive property of AAIN. Unless expressly permitted by AAIN in writing, such information shall not be disclosed to the public or utilized in any manner beyond the scope of this assignment.

10. Application Procedure

Consultancy firms must submit the following documents:

• Technical proposal, which should also outline photography, and video documentation and previous work experiences.
• Financial proposal detailing fee and a breakdown of expenses including travel.
• Copy of company registration & renewal certificate along with Latest tax clearance Certificate .
• PAN/VAT Certificate
• CVs of key personnel/proposed consultants assigned for this assignment.

11. Modes of Payment

The consultancy fee for this assignment is inclusive of all applicable taxes. The hiring organization shall deduct applicable taxes at source in accordance with the prevailing Government of Nepal tax laws and regulations prior to making any payment.

The payment will be made in two installments:

• 1st Installment (40%): Upon signing of the consultancy contract/agreement.
• Final Installment (60%): Upon satisfactory completion and submission of all agreed deliverables, and approval of the final report by the KMJS.

12. The ethical standards that consultants must adhere to are as follows:

• Sensitivity to gender, Tharu, Dalit, Kamaiya, Haliya, class and disability issues.
• Non-discrimination and respect for local customs and values.
• Sensitivity to child rights.
• Adhering to the safety, code of conduct, and PSEAH policy of the RMHSF-N, KMJS & Action Aid Nepal.

13. Proposal Evaluation Criteria

All proposals received shall be reviewed following different indicators. These will be but not limited to sound understanding of the assignment, competent methodology, consistency, coherence and compliance, the experience of the proposed consultants, inclusiveness of the team, and efficient budget planning.

A clear financial proposal linked to the assignment, highlighting key costs and any reimbursable expenses (if any).

Minimum technical score of 15 points (75%) required to qualify for financial evaluation.

14. Application Deadline

The technical and financial proposals must be submitted to KMJS at document.kmjs067@gmail.com by 3 July-2026 (19 Ashar-2083 BS) before 17:00 hrs. Applicants can drop the proposal on Kamaiya Mahila Jagaran Samaj Nepal office, Gulariya, Bardiya too. No telephone enquiry is entertained.

15. Amendment of Terms

KMJS reserves the right to amend these terms of reference at any time, and any such amendments will be communicated in writing to the selected consultant. KMJS also reserves the right to cancel the recruitment process at any stage.