English to Africa -South Sudan -Editor and Stringer Coordinator .docx

STATEMENT OF WORK

Non-Personal Services Editor and Stringer Coordinator (Juba, Sudan) Voice of America English Division /South Sudan Project

1.0 INTRODUCTION

(a) The Voice of America’s (VOA) English to Africa Service has a requirement for a talent vendor (hereinafter referred to as “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 and the VOA Charter as well as VOA Learning English writing, production and broadcast standards. The contractor must request pre-approval before engaging in outside speaking and writing that might give rise to an actual or perceived violation of the 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 set by VOA.

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 English 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.

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 SUBMISSION OF DELIVERABLES

Deliverables are submitted within a specified timeframe. This specified time will be arranged by the Contracting Officer Representative.

5.0 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/QUALIFICATIONS

Editor/Stringer Coordinator (Juba, South Sudan)

1. 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

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

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

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

1. Applicant must submit exemplary samples of social media engagement and/or broadcast journalism including written copy and a broadcast news aircheck.(no more than 3 examples)