Creative Associates International provides outstanding, on-the-ground development services and forges partnerships to deliver sustainable solutions to global challenges. Its experts focus on building inclusive educational systems, transitioning communities from conflict to peace, developing sustainable economic growth, engaging youth, promoting transparent elections and more. Creative is recognized for its ability to quickly adapt and excel in conflict and post-conflict environments.
Applications are invited for the position below:
Job Title: Short Term Technical Assistant (STTA) – Human Interest Story
RFQ Number: RFQ-YOL-09-22-0003
Locations:Adamawa, Yobe and Borno
From: Creative Associates International, Inc., on behalf of Nigeria Northeast Connection (NE Connection)
Funded by: USAID/Nigeria, AID-OAA-I-13-0005/72062021F00005
Period of Performance: Creative anticipates a period of performance of three months (October 17, 2022 to November 16, 2022); to be finalized at the time of award.
Overview
- Creative Associates International, Inc., acting on behalf of the Nigeria Northeast Connection in Nigeria is soliciting offers for technical expertise in accordance with the Scope of Work included in Attachment 1, and Creative’s Consultant Agreement Terms and Conditions included in Attachment 2.
Scope of Work for Engaging STTA’s to Develop Human Interest Stories Across Select Locations in Project Implementation States
Summary
- This is a call for the engagement of three (3) Short Time Technical Assistants (STTAs) who will support in the development of professionally documented human-angle stories from project implementation locations and activities across the BAY area in Adamawa, Borno, and Yobe states. The consultant, during the timeline of the activity, which is expected to last for a 10-day period, will engage with community focal persons in mapped locations to identify and document these stories, which will be a minimum of 24 in number across the three (3) states.
Background
- The purpose of the Northeast Connection project is to strengthen the resilience of communities vulnerable to violent extremist infiltration and conflict. By targeting communities in Adamawa, Yobe, and Borno states not yet under the control of violent extremist organizations (VEOs), this project will seize the opportunity to mitigate the grievances that make communities vulnerable to violent extremism, while building social cohesion within and across communities in northeast Nigeria.
- In addition to helping northeastern Nigerians create a stronger foundation against the violent extremist and conflict threats, the activity is designed to develop local capacity to respond to emerging threats. Northeast Connection includes a rigorous analytical component to develop a better, shared understanding of local and sub-regional VEO and conflict risks, dynamics, and windows of opportunity. Leading the coordination of implementing partners on such CVE initiatives will also be a key feature of the project.
Scope of Services
- Creative Associates under the Northeast Connection project seeks to engage the services of three (3) highly skilled STTAs who will carry out the development of professionally written human interest success stories across the three states and locations of project implantationin the BAY area (Borno, Adamawa and Yobe). There will be 1 STTA in each of the 3 states.
- The assignment will be conducted under the direction of Northeast Connection and in consultation with key state institutions, partner CSO organizations and community stakeholders. It is expected that theselectedindividuals are conversant with the local language and culture in the above stated terrains.
- The successful STTAs will partake of an onboarding, and a number of brainstorming sessions to be guided accordingly with the project deliverable and expectations.
Northeast Connection will contract these individuals to:
- Develop and share a comprehensive workplan of how they intend to engage stakeholders in the communities to be visited for optimal story harvest.
- Ensure all demographic (Men. Women, IDPS and Youths) are reached and engaged during the harvest timeline.
- Develop at least 24 human interest stories across the project locations to be visited (8 per STTA).
- Ensure consent forms are signed by individuals interviewed and or reached for the use of their stories and images in a publication.
- Develop these stories in accordancewiththe states and locations assigned to them in close coordination with the program staff.
- Determine the willingness of community groups to engage in the conversational phase in a conformed way to narratives in the local context for better storytelling and capture.
- Identify respected local leaders and community groups especially those focused on youth, women, internally displaced persons, and other marginalized groups for an all-inclusive product.
- Identify areas of opportunity for resilience and conflict mitigation programming as well as emerging threats to develop a transformative human angle story that appeals to the conscience of those from and for whom the story is developed.
- Incorporate a gender approach and conflict sensitive lens
- Note key evolving trends in communities visited, and how they affect cohesion in these climes.
TargetLGA’s / Place of Performance
Northeast Nigeria: Adamawa, Yobe, and Borno states, with concentration on the following LGAs:
| Borno | Yobe | Adamawa |
| Maiduguri | Potiskum | Demsa |
| Biu | Damaturu | Mubi South |
| Kwaya Kusar | Fune | Mubi North |
| Jere | Guyuk | |
| Hawul | Numan | |
| Shani | Lamurd |
Anticipated Tasks / Deliverables
- Participate in a kick-off session/meeting with Northeast connection program staff to familiarize with the team.
- Do a walkthrough of the approved workplan for NE Connection support and or technical input.
- Travel to mapped locations of project activity to engage with stakeholders and develop the human angle stories.
- Firm up delivery timelines in accordance with the activity due date.
Required Qualifications and Skills
- A minimum of Bachelor’s Degree in Mass Communications or any related Social Science courses.
- Background in storytelling for development or conflict sensitive organizations
- Individuals are expected to have a minimum of 5 years minimum experience in content writing for mainstream media, whether print or electronic.
- Proven experience of working on similar projects especially in Northeast Nigeria
Desired Qualifications and Skills:
- a minimum of 5 years minimum experience in content writing for mainstream media, whether print or electronic.
- Proven experience in, and familiarity with using the conflict sensitive approach in copywriting or storytelling.
- Experience in development assistance programming with USAID or other international donors.
- Knowledge of local language(s).
Supervision and Guidance:
- The individual(s) will be supervised by the Nigeria Northeast Connection Project Team, led by the DMEL Manager. The DMEL Manager will be responsible for deliverables review, and overall technical guidance. The consultant, firm or organization will participate in relevant meetings with Nigeria Northeast Connection, as required and under the supervision of the project team.
- The firm or organization is expected to exercise the highest degree of individual initiative, resourcefulness, responsibility, and authority, consistent with USAID’s overall policy and procedural framework.
Compensation Schedule
This activity will be compensated based on delivery and approval of submissions made per time, as illustrated below:
| Schedule | Activity Description | Payment Amount (%) |
| Delivery No. 1 | Submission of at least 4 stories | 40% |
| Delivery No. 2 | Submission of all products. (Reviewed and approved) | 60% |
Application Closing Date
5:00 PM: 11th October, 2022.
Questions Due Date
2:00 PM: 30th September, 2022.
Method of Application
All correspondence and / or inquiries regarding this Request for Quotations (RFQ) must reference the above RFQ number and be directed via email to: [email protected] Creative intends to award a fixed price consultant agreement but reserves the right to make multiple awards or no award.
Application Documents
Please submit the following documents to provide a quote in response to this RFQ:
- Confirm that you have the qualifications and experience to perform the work as defined in the scope of work AND are available to perform the work during the period of performance required.
- An updated CV that reflects the education, skills, and experience required in Attachment 1, and demonstrates the ability to carry out the scope of work;
- Confirm that you can perform the work within the not-to-exceed level of effort (LOE) stated in the scope or provide an alternate LOE and justify. Also include any non-labor costs expectations.
Questions
- Any questions should be submitted in writing and emailed to: [email protected] no later than the above date.
- No questions will be entertained if they are received by means other than the specified email address, and any communications to alternate e-mail addresses may result in the disqualification of the bidder. The RFQ number listed above should be stated in the Subject line.
Answers to Questions:
- Answers will be compiled and distributed before close of business on 05/10/2022. Sincerely, Creative Associates International.
Click Here for Scope of Work (MS Word)
Click Here for Request for Quotation (RFQ) (MS Word)
Click Here for Terms & Conditions (MS Word)
Click Here for Annex A Consents, Certifications and Representations (MS Word)
Click Here for Vendor Information Form (PDF)
Click Here for W-9 Form (PDF)
Note
- Attachment 2 (Terms and Conditions), Annex A (Reps, Certs and Consents form) and AnnexesB/C/D (W-8; W-9; Vendor forms, as applicable)are provided for your information at this stage in the solicitation process. Completed forms will be required only if you have been selected for the consulting opportunity.However, you may complete, sign, and submit the forms as part of your response to this request.
- A Budget Template is also provided. You are not required to use this template and can submit pricing in any format that allows Creative to evaluate the realism and reasonableness of your price in relation to the work required.
- Selection will be made on the basis of technical capability and overall best value. Modifications to this RFQ, including closing date extensions, will be posted on the same medium/website where the original solicitation is posted. Please check the website for updates.
- Also note that Creative desires to keep potential consultant personal data on an internal database for the sole purpose of searching for qualified individuals for future opportunities. If you wish to be entered into our database to be considered for potential future work, please click HERE.
