SOW_Managing_Editor_Host__South_Sudan_Project.doc

Managing Editor / Host

1.0

INTRODUCTION

(a) The Voice of America’s English to Africa Service has a requirement for a Contractor to provide services as described below. The work shall be performed on a “per Assignment” basis. In addition, the Government will reimburse the Contractor for actual expenses as stated below. 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 IBB Voice of America Headquarters Building (330 Independence Ave, SW) unless otherwise mutually agreed to by the Contracting Officer Representative (COR).

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

SPECIFIC DUTIES INCLUDE:

1. Providing expert journalistic and editorial advice about South Sudan, Sudan, and the greater Horn of Africa region to help shape “South Sudan In Focus” radio and web programming in concert with the team, for final approval by the Contracting Officer Representative (COR)

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

3. Leading discussions at daily news meetings on important topics and events

4. Generating a list of topics for the daily news line-up

5. Providing project writers, editors and producers advice in terms of which stories should be covered and how such stories are appropriately framed to meet VOA standards and guidelines

6. Suggesting stories and follow-up coverage of developing issues

7. Working collaboratively with reporters so that their coverage is complete, balanced, fair, and accurate

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

9. Presenting views that are representative of the diversity of South Sudanese society, as well as the region as a whole, to the extent possible

10. Preparing broadcast scripts for the 30-minute South Sudan Project airshow

11. Preparing material appropriate for the internet, social media, and related electronic and/or broadcast efforts

12. Hosting the daily live airshow, ensuring that content and style conform to VOA’s production and professional standards

13. Anchoring live discussion segments that can include point/counterpoint debate, or analysis with studio guests – these must always be balanced and comprehensive in nature, and it is the host’s responsibility to ensure that they are

14. Ensuring assignments are completed for every day worked, and that deadlines are strictly met -- all scripts and reports must be of high quality.

15. Monitoring the general editorial and technical quality of broadcasts from preparation of scripts and related audio files to the production of shows and their realization in VOA studios to ensure smooth, high-quality broadcast program delivery

16. Cooperating with VOA’s internet staff to ensure the proper functioning of the South Sudan Project web page including regular updates, and to exploit other technologies such as text messaging, to achieve project objectives

17. Coordinating with the COR to identify and recommend contractors, stringers and Atlas Fellows in South Sudan and in Washington DC to perform the contract requirements for the project’s success and the equipment they will need to perform their tasks

18. Conducting editorial and technical journalism training to contract reporters, editors, or other journalists in the target region, as needs arise, in conjunction with the Development Office

19. Communicating regularly with VOA’s Central News and Language Divisions as appropriate, to gather newsworthy material and share original reporting on South Sudan more widely throughout VOA

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

21. Working successfully as part of a team

22. Traveling to South Sudan or other locations, as determined by the needs of the project

23. 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

24. Contractor works with the South Sudan Project team, 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

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.

4.0

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’s before incurring any of the above reimbursable expenses.

5.0

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

6.0

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

(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.

7.0

REGISTRATION & SECURITY

The Contractor shall possess a DUNS (Data Universal Numbering System) number and maintain current registration with SAM (System for Award Management) in order to perform government work. The Contractor shall also submit required security documents and pass security clearance.

- End of Statement of Work –

EVALUATION FACTORS

. Managing Editor/Host (Washington DC)

· At least 5 years’ experience as a senior journalist/editor with a national or international broadcast news organization, coordinating reporters and news coverage for daily programs

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

· Skillfully researches, writes, produces, and voices complex stories and acts as an on-air reporter/host with mature delivery, working in a live news environment

· Demonstrated ability to create exclusive and distinctive content and able to think creatively about how to communicate that content to an African audience

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