Individual Consultant: Photographers and Videographers (2024)

To enhance the visibility and impact of UNESCO’s work in the region, the UNESCO Regional Office in Bangkok (UNESCO Bangkok) is seeking qualified individuals to join a roster of photographers and videographers. The qualified candidates will be added to the roster and selected for projects on an ‘on-call’ basis to provide support for workshops, meetings, conferences and other on-site assignments (event).

The candidates will be assigned one role at a time on any given project, whether as photographer or videographer. Candidates may apply to one or both positions and specify their preferences.

The call is open to individuals of any nationality who reside in Thailand and can provide the requested services and deliverables in person. The roster will be valid from 1 September 2024 to 31 December 2024 and subject to renewal annually.

The themes of potential photographic and videographic projects include those falling under UNESCO’s mandated sectors of education, culture, communication and information, social and human sciences, ocean sciences and natural sciences.

Themes of work may occasionally lie outside these parameters.

Photographer:

a. Undertake assignments to provide professional, dynamic and creative photography services that capture the essence of the event;
b. Receive assignment brief and coordinate with the Responsible Officer(s) to regularly report on progress made during the assignment via email, online meetings or phone;
c. Attend and shoot the photo for the entire duration of the event, including registration, event sessions, closing ceremony, evening reception, etc.;
d.

Provide a combination of landscape and portrait orientations to capture different perspectives;
e. Mainstream UNESCO’s gender strategy and ensure the shooting frame includes a balance of men and women as much as possible;
f. Obtain permission from photographed persons by having them sign a ‘consent form’ (to be provided by UNESCO);
g. Rename all photo files to begin with ‘UNESCO_Bangkok’, followed by an identifying number (for example: UNESCO_Bangkok_001.jpg);
h. Provide metadata details such as copyright holder (UNESCO), name of the event, geographical location, time of photo taken, for each photo;
i.

The following will not be accepted: (i) photos that are blurry, low resolution and unclear, (ii) photos with watermarks, and (iii) photos that have been distorted in terms of aspect ratio;
j. When practical, photos should include UNESCO branding displayed in the event such as backdrop, banners and kakemonos that feature the UNESCO logo;
k. Be aware of local photography laws and regulations, respect the privacy of subjects, seek their permission before taking any photos, and refrain from making them feel uncomfortable, especially if sensitive topics are involved that could damage their reputation;
l.

Be sensitive to cultural and social differences and address these issues properly in the local context;
m. Ensure that works are in full compliance with international copyright policy to prevent any legal infringements;
n. Arrange necessary logistic details (transportation to and from the workshop venue, accommodation and meals) in order to complete the photography mission;
o. Submit the first-round of the edited/processed photographs in JPEG format with comments and notes to UNESCO;
p. Improve and incorporate suggested changes until the manuscript is considered satisfactory by UNESCO;
q.

Submit ready-to-use photographs in JPEG format (high and low resolution) and RAW files for archiving; and
r. Meet the committed deadline.

Videographer:
a. Undertake assignments to provide professional, dynamic and creative videography services that capture the essence of the event;
b. Receive assignment brief and coordinate with the Responsible Officer(s) to regularly report on progress made during the assignment via email, online meetings or phone;
c. Attend and shoot the video for the entire duration of the event, including registration, event session, closing ceremony, evening reception, etc.;
d.

Carry out audio/video interviews with the representatives, adhering to the agreed script, and obtaining permission from the photographed/videographed persons by having them signed a ‘consent form’ (to be provided by UNESCO, available for minors, adults, and adults with visual impairment);
e. Provide video editing, and incorporate subtitles provided by UNESCO;
f. Mainstream UNESCO’s gender strategy and ensure the shooting frame includes a balance of men and women as much as possible;
g. Propose additional relevant photography and/or video footage to complete the video where relevant and/or necessary and obtain permission from the original sources;
h.

Propose a choice of potential narrators for UNESCO’s selection with samples of voice-over work from past projects, and obtain permission for the chosen narrator;
i. Suggest a choice of background music and obtain permission for the chosen music;
j. If UNESCO is the only party involved in the project, include the UNESCO video outro: https://trello.com/c/ieHy4KQR/74-english;
k. Use standard video editing software most suitable for the production and finalize in the later stages of development.

Recommended software includes Adobe Premiere Pro and Final Cut Pro;
l. Ensure that works are in full compliance with international copyright policy to prevent any legal infringements;
m. Submit the first-round of the video in MP4 format with comments and notes (if any) to UNESCO for review and feedback;
n. Improve and incorporate suggested changes until the video is considered satisfactory by UNESCO;
o. Submit ready-to-publish MP4 format and the editable source/master file (including video graphic files) for archiving; and
p.

Meet the committed deadline.

Candidates must propose their ‘service in flat rates per day in US$’. Candidates will be assigned one role at a time on any given project, whether as photographer or videographer. Candidates may apply to one or both positions and specify their preferences according to the following specifications:

Photographer:
• Location: the event to be held in the Bangkok Metropolitan Region, Thailand.

In case assignment requires a trip outside of the Bangkok Metropolitan Region, the photographer will be asked to provide estimate costs for travel and accommodation expenses.
• Working time: ranging from 07:00 to 23:00 (depending on the assignment), attend in person for entire duration of the event, including but not limited to registration, event session, closing ceremony, evening reception, etc.;
• Number of photos: minimum 100 photos for each event;
• Format: high resolution (at least 2480 x 3720 pixel and 300 dpi, the higher the better) and submit in JPEG format (two versions: high and low resolution) including RAW file;
• Metadata: include copyright holder (UNESCO), name of the event, geographical location, time of photo taken, for each photo;
• Software: Photoshop, Lightroom, etc.;
• Feedback/revision circle: until deemed satisfactory by UNESCO.

Videographer:
• Location: the event to be held in the Bangkok Metropolitan Region, Thailand.

In case assignment requires a trip outside of the Bangkok Metropolitan Region, the videographer will be asked to provide estimate costs for travel and accommodation expenses;
• Working time: ranging from 07:00 to 23:00 (depending on the assignment), attend in person for entire duration of the event, including but not limited to registration, event session, closing ceremony, evening reception, etc.;
• Format: MP4 (Codec H.264); HD resolution (16:9 aspect ratio and at least 1920 x 1080)
• Duration of the video: to be specified for each assignment;
• Software: Adobe Premiere Pro and Final Cut Pro;
• Feedback/revision circle: until deemed satisfactory by UNESCO.

4.

DUTY STATION

The candidate will be responsible for providing their own equipment e.g.

camera, light, computer, software, printer, and any other equipment that may be required for the successful completion of the assignment.

Accountability (C)

Communication (C)

Innovation (C)

Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C)

Planning and organizing (C)

Results focus (C)

Teamwork (C)

Professionalism (C)

7. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

At the time of application, candidate must possess the following qualifications:

Education:

University degree and/or professional training in photography and videography, film, documentary, cinematography, video production, photojournalism, journalism, communications, or other liberal arts fields.

Work Experience:

Minimum of five (5) years of demonstrable professional photography and videography experience, particularly in the fields of journalism, education, culture, communication and information, social and human sciences, ocean sciences and natural sciences.
Previous experience working with UNESCO or other UN agencies and/or other multicultural organizations is an advantage.

Skills/Competencies:

• Familiarity with gender equality and gender-neutral content.
• A keen eye to capture compelling moments of the event.
• A strong understanding of photographic and videographic principles (composition, colour theory, light, etc.).
• Mastery of cameras, lenses, and accessories.
• Understand photography and videography workflows.
• Proficiency in industry-standard photography and videography software, especially Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom, Premiere Pro and Final Cut Pro.
• Collaborate with colleagues effectively with strong communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and efficiently under tight deadlines and revision cycles.
• Adhere to in-house branding guidelines, style manuals and templates.
• Stay up to date on the latest photography and videography trends (note: the use of AI apps or similar programmes is prohibited).

Languages:
Fluency in written and spoken English; proficiency in Thai is an asset.