Video Documentaries Production - Tetra Tech ARD

Tetra Tech combines the resources of a global, multibillion-dollar company with local, client-focused delivery in more than 550 locations around the world. Our reputation rests on the technical expertise and dedication of our employees — 27,000 associates working together to provide smart, scalable solutions for challenging projects. We are proud to be home to leading technical experts in water, environment, infrastructure, resource management, energy, and international development. 

Job Description

BACKGROUND

On May 26, 2021, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID/Ghana) awarded Tetra Tech the Feed the Future Ghana Fisheries Recovery Activity (GFRA), a five-year contract aimed at mitigating the near collapse of Ghana’s small pelagic fisheries sector and fostering its ecological recovery. The project adopts a balanced and strategic approach to reduce fishing overcapacity while increasing controlled access to Ghana’s small pelagic fisheries, promoting ecological sustainability, and enhancing food security for artisanal fisherfolk and their communities.

GFRA operates across Ghana's four coastal regions—Western, Central, Greater Accra, and Volta—and targets five interdependent strategic approaches. Its priorities include promoting equity in Ghana’s fisheries sector.  Since its inception, GFRA has implemented strategic activities across Ghana’s four coastal regions to promote responsible fishing practices, supplement livelihoods, empower vulnerable groups, combat illegal activities, and foster long-term behaviour change within fishing communities.

As GFRA draws to a close in May 2026, documenting its successes, lessons learned, and best practices is essential. Video documentaries will serve as powerful storytelling tools to demonstrate the impact of USAID’s contribution to Ghana’s fisheries sector. Each video will tell a compelling story, capturing the voices of those impacted, showcasing the tangible effects of GFRA’s initiatives, and highlighting USAID’s role in the sector’s transformation. To achieve this, we seek an agency with strong storytelling skills, and the capability to produce high-quality, impactful video content.

The selected agency will be responsible for producing five high-quality video documentaries, each focusing on a distinct theme within GFRA’s work. Filming will require travel to GFRA sites across Ghana’s four coastal regions (Central, Greater Accra, Volta and Western regions), some of which may be remote and require logistical coordination. The agency must also be open to multiple review processes to ensure content accuracy, cultural sensitivity, and alignment with USAID’s objectives and branding and marking requirements.

Scope of Work

The selected agency will produce five 10–15-minute video documentaries, with shorter versions for social media distribution, covering the following GFRA themes:

1. Supplemental Livelihoods Program 

• Objective: Highlight GFRA’s role in promoting supplemental livelihoods for fishing communities.
• Content: Showcasing success stories of individuals who adopted supplemental livelihoods, and the economic and social benefits they’ve gained. The agency will conduct interviews with participants, trainers, and community leaders to capture the broader impact on poverty alleviation and resilience building. The impact, hopes, challenges, and opportunities of the supplemental livelihoods program introduced by USAID. This will include interviews with fishers, government officials, civil society organizations (CSOs), and beneficiaries. Explore the new skills learned, how they have been applied, and the financial and social impact on the communities. 

2. Post-Harvest Improvements

• Objective: Showcase USAID’s support in enhancing post-harvest practices to reduce losses, improve product quality, and increase market value.
• Content: The agency will document how USAID introduced innovations in fish processing, storage, and handling, including the development and adoption of the safe fish certification and licensing scheme. Interviews with Government officials, women processors, beneficiaries, and consumers will underscore the shift toward sustainable practices that preserve fish quality. Coverage of traditional vs. improved fish processing techniques, local markets, community members at work, and interactions with beneficiaries and local officials. Also, the change in fish processors’ behavior towards pursuing certification and modifying practices to ensure safe fish. Case studies of processors who have adopted the certification and licensing scheme, the support they received, and the challenges they faced. 

3. Fishers’ leadership in fisheries management including youth and women’s engagement in Fisheries Co-management.

• Objective: Illustrate the engagement and empowerment of fishers, youth and women in fisheries co-management and community governance. Fishers’ leadership in fisheries management and the engagement of youth and women in decision-making
• Content: Document how USAID’s initiatives have involved fishers, youth and women in decision-making, providing them with knowledge and skills to contribute to sustainable fisheries management. Through testimonials, viewers will learn how these groups now play active roles in resource management. Interviews with youth and women leaders, footage of community meetings, training sessions, and collaborative decision-making processes in action.  Interviews with fishers, youth, and women beneficiaries, showcasing their growing confidence and contributions to fisheries co-management. Include examples of new, innovative fishing methods. 

4. Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and Child Labor and Trafficking (CLaT) Prevention

• Objective: Highlight GFRA’s efforts to address and reduce GBV and CLaT in fishing communities, bringing to light USAID’s impact on social safety and human rights.
• Content: The documentary will explore how USAID raised awareness, trained community advocates, and supported local institutions to combat GBV and CLaT. Personal stories, testimonials from community advocates, and insights from GFRA   will underscore the shift toward safer, more inclusive communities. Interviews with social workers, government officials, and organizations involved in implementing GBV and CLaT programs Footage of community sensitization sessions, local advocates at work, interviews with survivors (with respect for privacy and sensitivity), and community gatherings focused on preventing these issues. 

5. Social and Behavior Change Communication (SBCC) and Media Advocacy

• Objective: Demonstrate how GFRA has used SBCC and media advocacy to promote responsible fishing, legal compliance, and awareness of conservation needs.
• Content: Document how GFRA developed SBCC campaigns and collaborated with media houses to drive behavioral change. Key SBCC activities, such as responsible fishing murals, jingles, and community events, should be highlighted. As well as capacity strengthening and grants to media organizations to advocate for fisheries.  Interviews with media professionals and community members will show the impact and reach of these campaigns.

Responsibilities of the Selected Agency

Pre-Production:

• Participate in briefing sessions with GFRA staff to understand each theme’s context and objectives.
• Develop a detailed production plan, budget, and schedule, considering travel to the four coastal regions.
• Conduct research and storyboarding, presenting story concepts and visual styles to GFRA for approval.

Production:

• Conduct fieldwork in GFRA project locations across Ghana’s coastal regions.
• Conduct field visits to relevant locations across Ghana (e.g., coastal fishing communities, fish processing sites) to capture footage and interviews. - Capture B-roll footage that illustrates the environmental, economic, and social context of the work GFRA has done. - Interview key stakeholders, including project beneficiaries, fishers, government officials, and CSO representatives.
• Capture high-quality video footage, interviews, B-roll, and community interactions, ensuring accuracy and respect for local customs.
• Coordinate travel and logistics for filming in multiple, sometimes remote, locations.
• Ensure all videos are culturally and gender-sensitive appropriate 
• Ensure consent forms are appropriately completed.

Post-Production:

• Edit raw footage into compelling narratives for each documentary, aligned with USAID’s messaging and USAID branding and marking guidelines. Provide translations and subtitles in English. Incorporate feedback from GFRA into drafts of the documentaries and deliver.
• Incorporate graphics, animations, subtitles, and branding elements as required. Include voiceovers, background music, and graphic animations (e.g., maps, charts, infographics) as necessary. 
• Collaborate with GFRA for multiple review stages, integrating feedback promptly to refine content.
• Produce shorter versions of each documentary for social media distribution, optimized for various platforms.

5. Final Deliverables:

• Five 10–15-minute documentaries, each focused on a specific theme.
• Five 2–3-minute highlight versions for social media use.
• Raw footage and high-resolution files for all videos.

Required Skills or Experience

Skills and Qualifications 

• Proven experience in producing documentaries focused on development-oriented products using development communication approaches.
• Expertise in storytelling, scriptwriting, and content development for development-focused narratives.
• Proficiency in videography, editing, sound, and post-production processes, with quick turnaround capabilities.
• Ability to work under tight schedules, manage extensive review processes, and incorporate feedback.
• Experience working in remote areas, including logistical planning for travel across regions.
• Open-mindedness to iterative review cycles, with a collaborative approach to working with diverse stakeholders.

Ownership and Copyrights 

All video documentaries and related materials produced under this contract will be the exclusive property of USAID. The selected agency agrees to transfer all copyright ownership, including the rights to reproduce, distribute, and display the works, to USAID upon completion and acceptance of the final deliverables. The agency shall not use, reproduce, or distribute any of the footage, raw or edited, for any other purpose without prior written consent from USAID.

Timeline

• March 2025 to January 2026