Terms of Reference (TOR): Production of Video Documentary based on the Case Stories

Terms of Reference (TOR): Production of Video Documentary based on the Case Stories

Implementing Organization: KOSHISH

Funding Partner: Disability Rights Fund

1. Background:

KOSHISH is a national non-governmental organization established in 2008, working to promote mental health and psychosocial well-being in Nepal. KOSHISH advocates for the rights of persons with psychosocial disabilities and works to ensure their meaningful participation and inclusion in society.

Since 2022, KOSHISH has been implementing a project supported by Disability Rights Fund aimed at advancing community inclusion and strengthening policy advocacy for persons with psychosocial disabilities. Through this initiative, KOSHISH has documented evidence-based best practices that demonstrate how persons with psychosocial disabilities can live independently and actively participate in community life as equal basis as others when appropriate support systems are available.

This initiative is grounded in the principles of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), particularly Article 19: Living independently and being included in the community. Article 19 recognizes the equal right of persons with disabilities to live in the community with choices equal to others. It obligates States Parties to ensure that persons with disabilities:

• Have the opportunity to choose their place of residence and where and with whom they live, on an equal basis with others;
• Are not obliged to live in long stay institutions or segregated settings as the best interest of someone;
• Have access to a range of in-home, residential, and community support services, including personal assistance;
• Have access to community services and facilities on an equal basis with others.

Although Nepal has ratified the UNCRPD, persons with psychosocial disabilities continue to face stigma, social exclusion, institutionalization, and limited access to community-based services.

The proposed documentary will serve as an advocacy and evidence dissemination tool to demonstrate practical implementation of Article 19 in Nepal and to support policy reform, legal development, and budget allocation for community-based mental health and psychosocial support systems.

2. Objectives of the Video Documentary:

The overall objective of this assignment is to produce a 10 – 13 minute high-quality video documentary that:

• Showcases evidence-based best practices of community inclusion of persons with psychosocial disabilities;
• Highlights the shift from institutional or segregated models toward community-based, rights-based approaches;
• Contributes to advocacy efforts creating a replicable model targeting policymakers, government stakeholders, civil society, and development partners.

3. Scope of Work

The Consultant shall undertake the following tasks:

3.1 Pre-Production

• Review at least five case stories provided by KOSHISH.
• Conduct desk review of relevant project documents and Article 19 of the UNCRPD.
• Develop and submit a detailed storyboard and work plan.
• Coordinate with KOSHISH for scheduling interviews and field visits.

3.2 Field Production

• Visit beneficiaries’ households (Bagmati and/or Gandaki Province) for interviews, footage, and B-roll.
• Capture high-quality 4K audio-visual content.
• Collect a minimum of 10 – 20 action-oriented, high-resolution photographs.
• Conduct interviews with persons with psychosocial disabilities, family members, community members, and relevant stakeholders (as applicable).

3.3 Post Production

• Edit the documentary into a coherent and compelling narrative.
• Incorporate motion graphics, text animations, infographics, and contextual visuals where appropriate.
• Ensure smooth transitions between sections and strong storytelling flow.
• Record and integrate voice-over narration (if required).
• Incorporate licensed background music.
• Include sign language interpretation in the final video.
• Provide English subtitles to ensure accessibility.
• Clearly link each case story to key elements of Article 19 (choice, independence, support services, prevention of isolation).

3.4 Drafting and Finalization

• Submit draft versions periodically for feedback from KOSHISH.
• Incorporate comments and revisions as required.
• Submit the final edited version in agreed formats suitable for dissemination.

4. Deliverables

The Consultant shall provide:

1. Approved storyboard and work plan
2. Raw footage and photographs (organized and labeled)
3. First draft of documentary
4. Revised draft incorporating feedback
5. Final 10 – 13 minute documentary (with subtitles and sign language interpretation)
6. All source files and editable project files

5. Assignment Period:

The assignment will be completed within 20 calendar days, distributed as follows:

6. Roles and Responsibilities

6.1 Responsibilities of KOSHISH

KOSHISH shall:

• Provide case stories and relevant project documentation;
• Facilitate coordination with beneficiaries and stakeholders;
• Review and provide feedback on storyboard and draft versions;
• Provide agreed contractual payment upon satisfactory completion.

6.2 Responsibilities of the Consultant

The Consultant shall:

• Maintain professional standards and independence throughout the assignment;
• Ensure high-quality audio-visual production;
• Adhere to ethical principles while working with persons with psychosocial disabilities;
• Ensure confidentiality and informed consent;
• Deliver outputs within agreed timelines.

7. Ethical Considerations and Safeguarding

The Consultant must:

• Obtain free, prior, and informed consent from all participants;
• Respect dignity, autonomy, and confidentiality of persons with psychosocial disabilities;
• Avoid reinforcing stigma or stereotypes;
• Portray participants as rights holders with agency and decision-making power;
• Apply a human rights-based and disability-inclusive approach throughout production.

8. Consultant Qualifications:

The Consultant/firm must meet the following criteria:

• Minimum 5 years of experience in documentary production, preferably in the disability or development sector;
• Demonstrated experience in human rights-based storytelling;
• Proficiency in Nepali and English;
• Legal registration in Nepal with valid PAN/VAT documentation;
• Ability to adhere to ethical standards when working with vulnerable populations.

9. Confidentiality

All information obtained during the assignment shall be treated as strictly confidential and shall not be disclosed without prior written consent from KOSHISH. The Consultant shall sign a confidentiality agreement as part of the contract.

10. Intellectual Property

All data, footage, photographs, reports, and outputs produced under this assignment shall be the sole property of KOSHISH. The Consultant shall transfer all materials upon completion. No materials may be used for external purposes without written approval from KOSHISH.

11. Anti-Corruption

Both parties commit to maintaining the highest standards of integrity and transparency and shall fully comply with anti-corruption policies and principles upheld by KOSHISH.

12. Mode of Payment:

The payment of the consultancy fees will be made on the following basis:

• 30% upon signing of agreement
• 70% upon submission of final video documentary

If the consultant's video documentary is deemed unsatisfactory, the consultant agrees to refund the full amount received.

The applicable tax will be deducted as per the rules of Government of Nepal (GoN) while making payment.

13. Termination

KOSHISH reserves the right to terminate the contract with seven days’ written notice if deliverables, timelines, or ethical standards are not met. Payment will be made only for satisfactorily completed work.

14. Dispute Resolution

Any disputes arising under this contract shall first be resolved through good-faith negotiation. If unresolved, disputes shall be referred to mediation in accordance with the laws of Nepal.

15. Required documents for proposal submission:

Interested eligible consultants/firms are requested to submit:

• Cover letter expressing interest.
• Technical proposal (including understanding of the assignment, methodology, work plan, and quality assurance mechanism).
• Financial proposal (detailed breakdown of fees and any other costs).
• Profile/CV of the consultant/team leader and key team members.
• Copy of company/firm registration certificate (with latest renewal).
• Copy of latest tax clearance certificate.
• Copy of VAT/PAN registration certificate.

16. Application Procedure:

All the eligible consultants, companies/firms are requested to submit the proposal along with the required documents via email at procurement@koshish.org.np or KOSHISH's central office located in Balkhu, Kathmandu. The deadline for submission of proposal is February 24, 2026 before 5:00 PM. May obtain additional information upon enquiry on +977 9768445166 or sanjit.rokka@koshish.org.np

Note:

1. KOSHISH promotes equal opportunities and encourages applications from qualified women, persons with disabilities, and individuals from marginalized communities.
2. KOSHISH is committed to ensuring the safety, dignity, and well-being of all individuals and maintains zero tolerance for sexual exploitation, abuse, harassment, or any other form of harm. All shortlisted candidates will be required to comply with KOSHISH’s Safeguarding Policy and Code of Conduct and will undergo appropriate safeguarding checks.
3. KOSHISH reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals without assigning any reason.