Video Documentary – Improving Access to Education in Conflict-Affected Areas in Nigeria

Published 07. Jul 2025
Consultancy.

Application deadline: 22 July 2025

1. Background Information and Context

Nigeria is facing one of the most severe education crises globally, with over 20 million children currently out of school. In Adamawa and Borno States—epicentres of the protracted conflict in North-East Nigeria—decades of insecurity, widespread displacement, poverty, and systemic neglect have denied an entire generation access to safe, quality education. These challenges are particularly acute for girls, children with disabilities, and those living in hard-to-reach or conflict-affected areas.

In Adamawa State, thousands of children and youth remain excluded from the formal education system due to a combination of barriers, including lack of civil documentation (such as birth certificates), damaged or non-existent school infrastructure, protection concerns during school commutes, cultural norms, and psychosocial trauma stemming from displacement and violence. Even when children manage to enrol, high dropout rates persist due to poor learning environments, lack of trained teachers, and competing family responsibilities.

To respond to this urgent crisis, the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), is implementing a three-year multisectoral initiative in Nigeria

This project specifically targets out-of-school children in Adamawa and Borno States, helping them transition from non-formal education (NFE) programmes to the formal school system. NRC’s approach combines flexible NFE classes with birth registration support, rehabilitation of school facilities (including WASH and classroom infrastructure), and the innovative PASSA Youth methodology—empowering learners to lead school improvement efforts through participatory planning. The intervention also integrates psychosocial support to help children recover from trauma and improve their capacity to learn.

As part of its advocacy and public engagement strategy, NRC seeks to produce a compelling video documentary that captures the human stories behind the statistics—bringing to life the hopes, challenges, and resilience of children, families, teachers, and communities impacted by this crisis. The documentary will also showcase NRC’s integrated programming approach and its broader efforts to support national education systems, strengthen school readiness, and promote inclusive and equitable access to learning for all children, regardless of their background or displacement status.

This documentary will serve not only as a powerful storytelling tool but also as an evidence-based advocacy product to engage donors, government stakeholders, and the general public on the urgent need for sustained investment in education in crisis-affected regions like Adamawa. 

2. Purpose and Intended Use

The documentary will serve to:

  • Demonstrate the impact of NRC’s multisectoral intervention on education.
  • Support advocacy and donor engagement.
  • Highlight successful practices and lessons learned.
  • Showcase localisation efforts and collaboration with local partners.

Inform stakeholders in Nigeria, West Africa, and Europe of achievements and challenges.

 

3. Scope and Lines of Inquiry

Supervised by the Media & Communications Coordinator with inputs from the Advocacy Manager, the consultant will:

  • Showcase how the project has transformed the learners (Academic, psychological and emotional).
  • Capture testimonies of learners, parents and teachers.
  • Document non-formal education classes.
  • Document on the PASSA youth initiative.
  • Showcase Birth registration efforts and transitioning to formal schooling.
  • Include case studies from targeted communities.

4. Objectives of Consultancy Assignment.  

  • Highlight the challenges and progress in education access among displacement-affected children.
  • Feature stories of change that underline NRCs integrated, child-centred approach.
  • Provide compelling, rights-based visual content for NRC’s communication, advocacy and fundraising purposes.

5. Methodology

Working together with the selected consultant, a comprehensive interview guide will be developed collaboratively with the Communication Coordinator.

The consultant will:

  • Develop a visual storytelling approach aligned with NRC values.
  • Use participatory methods to ensure community voices are authentically captured.
  • Work closely with the communications coordinator to finalise scripts and interview guides.
  • Ensure all media content is rights-cleared and ethically gathered.

6. Deliverables.

  • Inception report detailing the approach and shooting plan
  • Final Feature Length documentary (10 to 12 minutes)
  • Highlight Video Reel – Teaser (2 – 3 mins)
  • Photo Booklet featuring at least six case studies
  • Portraits and action shots of project participants selected to be interviewed
  • Five (5) short-form social media videos following this story arc: hook – middle – end with a maximum duration of 90 seconds.

7. Timeframe

The consultancy is expected to start in July/August 2025 and last for a minimum of 30 working days.

8. Ethical Considerations

All materials must respect the rights of interviewees, ensuring confidentiality and security. Staff and consultants involved must comply with NRC's Safeguarding Policy and Code of Conduct.

9. Copyright

All materials arising from the consultancy shall remain the property of NRC.

10. Profile

    The consultant/firm should possess:  

  • Excellent videography and photography skills- Ability to work in a multicultural environment.
  • Willingness to travel to hard-to-reach locations.
  • Integrity and ethical standards
  • Educational background relevant to the field
  • Minimum of three years of experience in video and photography for NGOs
  • Good communication skills
  • Excellent coordination and organisational skills
  • Capacity to provide necessary equipment.
  • Preference for local language skills and experience in development-related documentaries.

11. Responsibilities.

NRC will:

  • Select and manage the consultant
  • Facilitate access to field locations
  • Provide contextual briefings and oversight

The consultant will:

  • Develop the concept, shoot, edit and deliver content requested
  • Work closely with the communications Coordinator to produce the deliverables of the consultancy.
  • Adhere to the project timeline and ethical standards.

12. Applications.

Technical (The applicant must provide samples of work done in through a google drive link as part of their submission) and financial proposals should include methodology, team composition, CVs, detailed budget, relevant experience shown (bidders should make available their portfolio of similar projects which should include links to work that has been done previously), availability, and confirmation of no prior involvement in the project.

Attach your CAC, TCC, Company profile Including CV of staff and Evidence of similar experiences to your application.

All applications must be submitted to ng.tenders@nrc.no no later than 22nd July 2025 at 15:00 p.m Nigeria time. Late submissions will not be considered.

The application should be titled: “23/NRC-NAT/NG/2025 – Consultancy – Improving Access to Education in Conflict-Affected Areas in Nigeria” in the e-mail subject.