Request for Proposals: Consultancy support for the production of a video on homophobic bullying in educational institutions

Terms of Reference: Consultancy support for the production of a video on homophobic bullying in educational institutions

1. Nature of consultancy
To develop a short film for UNESCO on homophobic bullying in educational institutions in the Asia-Pacific region.

2. Purpose of the assignment
Every student has a right to learn in a safe environment. Yet for students who face bullying and harassment, schools and other educational settings can be fundamentally unsafe places.

Bullying can take multiple forms, including: teasing, name-calling and labelling, physical abuse, sexual assault and social exclusion. Bullying not only threatens a child’s right to education, but it undermines other fundamental rights to health, safety, dignity and freedom from discrimination.

Bullying occurs at all levels of education, including in primary schools.

It can be motivated by many factors, but is often sex- or gender-based, reinforcing traditional understandings of what it means to be masculine or feminine.

Same sex attracted and transgender youth are often victims of bullying. This bullying is often called “homophobic or transphobic bullying”, or bullying on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. While those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT) are clearly vulnerable, the mere perception of same-sex attraction or of transgender identity is enough to put people at risk.

In a message delivered on International Human Rights Day, 8 December 2011, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon declared that homophobic bullying is “a moral outrage, a grave violation of human rights and a public health crisis”.

UNESCO has become the lead UN agency in supporting education sector responses to homophobic and transphobic violence. UNESCO’s activities build on its broader work on preventing and addressing discrimination and violence in schools, including gender-based violence.

UNESCO will convene a regional meeting on the issue mid-2015, and is seeking consultancy support to produce a short video that would be displayed during that meeting and used for advocacy purposes with government, civil society, academic and other partners in the region.

3. Deliverables
A short (3-5 minute) video in English language on the topic. The video will include a problem statement and bring in relevant data and examples of bullying on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity, and examples of good practice in the region to address the issue.

UNESCO will work with the identified consultant to develop a script for the video. UNESCO will identify clips and photos that should be included in the video, and key messages.

4. Estimated Duration of Contract
Up to 10 days. Contract to be initiated as soon as possible, through March 2015.

5. Official Travel Involved
No travel is involved in this contract.

6. Qualifications
• Training and education in media, communications, or related subject
• Familiarity with the Asia-Pacific region is essential.
• Demonstrated experience working in the area of education, HIV, gender, preferably with young people.
• Proven track record in developing short advocacy videos for audiences in the Asia-Pacific region
• Previous experience working with the UN/multilateral/bilateral institutions, preferably in the Asia-Pacific region.

7. Budget and payment schedule
Interest candidates should submit a short proposal (2-3 pages) for undertaking this work, including a budget and previous examples of related work by 27 February 2015. UNESCO will issue a contract with the identified consultant.

Payment schedule will be agreed with identified consultant, with the preferred arrangement to be one payment with the final deliverable.

If indicated outputs are not satisfactory, payment will be withheld.

Download the Terms of Reference

Application Deadline: 27 February 2015