SOW_Editor_Stringer_Coordinator_SOUTH_SUDAN_Project.doc

Editor / Stringer Coordinator

1.0

INTRODUCTION

(a) The Voice of America’s English to Africa Service has a requirement for a talent vendor Contractor to provide services as described below. The work shall be performed on a “per Assignment” basis. The Contractor’s assignment rate shall include overhead and profit. All work shall be performed in accordance with “The VOA Journalistic Code”.

(b) For purposes of this Statement of Work, an Assignment is defined as the specific duties listed below under 2.0 Statement of Work. The Contractor shall be required to complete the assignment by the deadline stated below.

2.0

STATEMENT OF WORK

The Contractor shall perform the following work at the South Sudan Project bureau in Juba and/or other locations in South Sudan or the region as mutually agreed to with the Contracting Officer Representative (COR).

Editor/Stringer Coordinator

Contractor is contracted to work as part of a team preparing and broadcasting news content for VOA’s South Sudan Project. Contractor will have five assignments a week, normally Monday-Friday, including holidays or weekends, as necessary.

SPECIFIC DUTIES INCLUDE:

1. Keeping up-to-date and knowledgeable about issues, events, and developments affecting South Sudan, Sudan, and the greater Horn of Africa region

2. Consulting daily with South Sudan Project Managing Editor to discuss news and coverage issues, for final approval by the Contracting Officer Representative (COR)

3. Conducting regular news discussions with stringers, to suggest coverage that is appropriate for South Sudan Project programming

4. Assisting stringers to use appropriate sources and materials to create fresh and relevant stories that can be used on the radio and web

5. Editing stringer reports and scripts, to ensure consistency, balance, and comprehensiveness

6. Editing stringer reports to conform to VOA style and guidelines, and to fit the requirements of programming

7. Filing news reports, feature stories, background analysis, and interviews for South Sudan Project programming that conform to VOA standards

8. The radio reports can include, but are not limited to, the following:

a. Short Correspondent Reports – 40-50 seconds with a 10 second introduction

b. Long Correspondent Reports – One minute to 2:30 in length with a short introduction

c. Background Reports – Three to five minute reports on news and feature topics with a short introduction

d. Question and Answer Reports – One to three minute conversations with newsmakers with a short introduction

e. Magazine Segments – Reports of varying length to fit in with requirements of programming

9. The web stories can include, but are not limited to, the following:

a. Text reports

b. Slide shows with photographs

c. Text/audio/video posts

10. Checking to see that assignments are completed, and that deadlines are strictly met.

11. Ensuring the smooth functioning of the South Sudan Project office in Juba and advising the Project team of any technical, editorial, and administrative issues or problems that need solving in order to ensure reports are produced in a timely fashion, transmitted successfully to Washington DC, and are of good quality

12. Monitoring VOA broadcasts as per specifications by the VOA engineering team, and reporting any issues or problems back to VOA headquarters

13. Contributing to training sessions for South Sudan Project stringers, including helping with advance planning, logistics and arrangements

14. Working with Managing Editor and COR to identify and recommend stringers and Atlas Fellows in South Sudan to perform the contract requirements for the project’s success and the equipment they will need to perform their tasks

15. Contributing written and/or photographic information and material for the South Sudan Project Quarterly Reports that the COR submits to funding partners

16. Traveling in South Sudan or other locations, as determined by the needs of the project

17. Working successfully as part of a team, including professional and positive communication with all colleagues and supervisors

18. Adhering to the standards and principles in the Voice of America Journalistic Code and requesting pre-approval before engaging in outside speaking and writing that might give rise to an actual or perceived violation of the Code

19. Contractor works with the South Sudan Project Coordinator, under the overall guidance of the COR, who is the Chief of the English to Africa Service in VOA’s Africa Division.

The Contractor and Agency agree that no employer-employee relationship exist between the Agency and Contractor.

The Contractor shall conduct himself/herself in accordance with the Standards of Conduct rules of the agency.

3.0

SUBMISSION OF DELIVERABLES

(a) The Contractor shall submit all material at least one-half hour prior to when the material is intended for broadcast use.

(b) The Contractor’s completed assignment will be inspected and accepted by the Contracting Officer Representative (COR). The Contractor is responsible for making changes or corrections to bring any assignments into conformance with the Agency technical standard at no additional cost to the Agency.

(c) The Contractor shall submit assignments to the COR at the address listed below:

Broadcasting Board of Governors Cohen Building - 330 Independence Ave., SW Washington, DC 20237

4.0

SUBMISSION OF INVOICES

(a) The Contractor shall submit an original monthly invoice to the COR or the person identified in Block 21 of the OF-347 at the address listed below:

Broadcasting Board of Governors Cohen Building - 330 Independence Ave., SW Washington, DC 20237 Attn:

(b) The Contractor’s monthly invoice shall list: (1) name and address of the contractor, (2) invoice date and invoice number, (3) contract number or purchase order number i.e. BBG50-E-17-0000 and (4) the number of assignments submitted and accepted, and (5) reimbursable expenses, if any.

(c) Pursuant to the Prompt Payment Act, the BBG will pay the invoice within 30 days of either: (1) receipt of the invoice or (2) acceptance of services; whichever is later.

Note: The BBG intends to change its current invoicing procedures to an optical reading system. The Contractor may be required in the future to use a standard invoice template. Any costs associated with complying with the invoice change will be at the Contractor’s expense.

5.0

GOV’T FURNISHED PROPERTY, FACILITIES, SERVICES OR INFORMATION

The Government will furnish office space, expendable supplies, and equipment (e.g., PC with LAN connection, camera, laptop, fax, and telephone) if necessary solely for the Contractor’s use while performing the work prescribed herein.

6.0

REIMBURSABLE ITEMS

(a) Travel and Per Diem - The terms and conditions of the Federal Travel Regulations (FTR) shall apply to all travel and travel-related matters authorized herein. The Contractor shall be reimbursed at cost for travel-related expenses upon submission of properly substantiated invoices. There shall be no profit allowed on these expenses. The Contractor, in connection with authorized travel, shall be reimbursed for:

1. The cost of economy-class (coach) airfare;

2. Per diem at Government rates prevailing when travel is undertaken; and

3. Miscellaneous expenses incurred in connection with the travel, upon provision of appropriate justification.

(b) The Contracting Officer may ask the Contractor to substantiate related travel expenses by supporting information (e.g., dates, purpose of travel, and per diem) and documentation including receipts for airline travel costs, lodging, parking fees, ground transportation, and other miscellaneous fees in excess of $25.

(c) Other Out-of-Pocket Expenses - Upon presentation of substantiating data to the Contracting Officer, the Contractor shall be reimbursed for the following expenses without profit:

1. Passport/visa fees and photographs;

2. Taxi/limousine/bus fares to and from airports; and

3. Official long distance telephone calls from the Contractor’s office.

(d) The BBG will not reimburse costs associated with “Local Travel” to/from the Contractor’s office to/from BBG Headquarters or for parking at BBG Headquarters. Neither will the BBG reimburse the Contractor for his “travel time”. However, the BBG will reimburse the Contractor for costs associated with “Local Travel” to/from the Contractor’s office to/from locations to cover stories if applicable. This reimbursement will include mileage (at FTR rates), tolls, and hourly parking.

(e) The Contractor shall obtain prior written approval from the Contracting Officer before incurring any of the above reimbursable expenses.

- End of Statement of Work –

EVALUATION FACTORS

Editor/Stringer Coordinator (Juba, South Sudan)

· At least 5 years’ experience with a national or international broadcast news organization as an on-air reporter with mature delivery, working in a live news environment

· Demonstrated knowledge of South Sudan, Sudan and Africa, it's history and culture, and knowledge of political, economic, and social developments in the region

· Adept at generating exclusive and distinctive content and able to think creatively about how to communicate that content to an audience in South Sudan

· Skillfully researches, writes, produces, and voices complex stories. Ability to coordinate other reporters to assist with news coverage goals.

· Applicant must submit exemplary samples of social media engagement and/or broadcast journalism including written copy and a broadcast news aircheck.