Video, Photography and Drone Consultant

Result of Service

A production package — comprising a 180-second documentary clip, a 60-second social media clip (horizontal and vertical formats), 50 edited photographs, aerial drone footage, and raw materials — documenting Ghana's ART TREES certification milestone through the lens of the smallholder cocoa farmers, forest communities, and institutions that made it possible. All outputs suitable for use across UN-REDD's global communications and advocacy platforms.

Work Location

Homebased

Expected duration

4 months (part time)

Duties and Responsibilities

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system, and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment.

The UN-REDD Programme is the United Nations’ flagship partnership for advancing REDD+ readiness, implementation, and results-based payments, jointly led by FAO, UNDP, and UNEP. It supports countries in strengthening forest governance, reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, and unlocking nature-based climate solutions.

The objective of this consultancy is to produce a high-quality video and photography package documenting Ghana's ART TREES certification milestone through the lens of the smallholder cocoa farmers, forest communities, and institutions that made it possible. The consultant will:

• Develop a detailed workplan and shooting schedule, including proposed interview subjects and locations within Accra and accessible surrounding areas, to be agreed with UN-REDD prior to any field production.
• Conduct and film four to six (4–6) on-camera interviews with a range of stakeholders, which may include: representatives of the Forestry Commission of Ghana; COCOBOD or licensed buying company staff; smallholder cocoa farmers participating in the GCFRP; community representatives or traditional landowners; and/or private sector or finance actors involved in carbon credit transactions. Interview subjects and approach to be agreed with UN-REDD prior to filming.
• Obtain signed consent and release forms from all interview subjects and any identifiable individuals appearing in footage or photographs, using UN-standard release language to be provided by the hiring office.
• Capture B-roll footage including but not limited to: cocoa agroforestry systems (shaded cocoa), forest landscapes, community life, farmer activities, and relevant institutional settings.
• Capture aerial drone footage of forest and cocoa landscape areas, community settings, and relevant sites as agreed with UN-REDD, in compliance with all applicable Ghanaian civil aviation regulations and drone operation requirements.
• Capture 50 high-resolution edited photographs, comprising a balance of environmental/landscape images and human-interest portraits, delivered with basic IPTC metadata (caption, location, subject name and consent confirmed) for use on UN-REDD Flickr and social media channels.
• Produce and deliver all final video outputs as specified in the deliverables section below, including English subtitles and professional colour grading.
• Deliver all raw and unedited footage — including drone footage — in original camera format alongside final outputs. The consultant will report to the UN-REDD Project Coordinator and work directly with the UN-REDD Communications Expert for UNEP Africa, and UN-REDD's communications team. The consultant will be responsible for: A production package — comprising a 180-second documentary clip, a 60-second social media clip (horizontal and vertical formats), 50 edited photographs, aerial drone footage, and raw materials — documenting Ghana's ART TREES certification milestone through the lens of the smallholder cocoa farmers, forest communities, and institutions that made it possible. All outputs suitable for use across UN-REDD's global communications and advocacy platforms. Deliverables
• Workplan Detailed shooting schedule, proposed interview list, location plan, and confirmation of all equipment (camera, microphone, drone) available and operational.
• Raw footage All unedited ground and drone footage in original camera format (minimum HD 1920×1080; 4K preferred), organized by shoot day and location.
• 50 edited photographs High-resolution photos (minimum 3000px on longest side), delivered as JPEG with IPTC metadata (caption, location, subject). Mix of landscape/environmental and human-interest portrait formats.
• 180-second video clip Main documentary cut (3 minutes), 16:9 format, fully edited with colour grading and professional sound mix, English subtitles, suitable for LinkedIn, YouTube, partner websites, and event presentations.
• 60-second video clip Short-form social media cut (1 minute), delivered in both 16:9 (horizontal) and 9:16 (vertical/Reels) formats, English subtitles, optimized for Instagram Reels, LinkedIn, and X.
• Signed release forms Completed UN-standard consent and release forms for all interview subjects and identifiable individuals appearing in footage or photographs.

Qualifications/special skills

EDUCATION A first-level university degree in communications, journalism, film production, visual arts, or a related field is required. EXPERIENCE

• Minimum three (3) years of professional experience in video production, photography, and editing, with a demonstrable portfolio of documentary or factual content. Required.
• Proven experience filming in field/rural environments, including on-camera interviews with non-professional subjects. Required.
• Proven experience operating a professional drone for aerial cinematography, including ability to obtain any required flight permits under Ghanaian civil aviation regulations (Ghana Civil Aviation Authority – GCAA). Required.
• Ability to produce subtitled video content in English. Required.
• Proven ability to meet deadlines and deliver broadcast-quality output. Required.
• Experience producing content for international organizations, the development sector, or environment/sustainability themes. Desirable.
• Familiarity with Ghana's geography, cultural context, and local languages (Twi, Fante, or other Akan languages). Desirable.
• Prior experience working with UN or multilateral agency communications teams. Desirable.

Languages

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this consulting position, fluency in oral and written English is required. French will be an asset

Additional Information

Not available.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.