Terms of Reference (TOR) for Schools2030 Incubation Inclusive Innovations
Position Title: Media Consultant
Location: Kampala City
Reports To: Schools2030 Program Lead
Duration: September to October 2026
Aga Khan Foundation
The Aga Khan Foundation is a leading global development organisation working to tackle the root causes of poverty. For more than 50 years, we have helped create strong community institutions that support sustainable, locally driven initiatives to improve the lives of millions of people. By combining local knowledge with global best practices, we strive to bring about transformative and long-lasting improvements to quality of life. Working alongside the agencies of the Aga Khan Development Network and through partnerships with local communities, civil society and business as well as governments and international aid agencies, we are building a future where we all thrive together.
In Uganda, AKF is managing a robust and expanding portfolio of multi-sectorial initiatives that includes investments in education, early childhood development, sustainable economic development, and civil society strengthening.
Schools2030
Schools2030 is a global movement for holistic learning and teacher leadership. The movement brings together a diverse coalition which includes educators, school leaders, civil society, researchers, international organisations and government across ten countries and 1,000+ schools. It is a ten-year participatory learning improvement programme across ten countries. It seeks to enhance education equity and quality through focusing on holistic learning and a school-driven locally rooted approach to education system change. It responds to the global Sustainable Development Goal 4: to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.
Schools2030 promotes a Human-Centred Design, teacher-led approach to educational improvement, enabling teachers to identify challenges within their classrooms, develop practical solutions, test innovations, learn from evidence and continuously improve their practice. These innovations will inform and be scaled up to transform education systems to improve holistic learning outcomes. We focus on the transition years of ages 5, 10 and 15 years.
Our goal is to improve quality teaching and holistic learning, and to foster resilient education systems across the world, including for those living in remote regions and those facing multiple forms of marginalisation and crises. We do this through a focus on teacher agency recognising educators as leaders, innovators and active agents in education reform.
In Uganda, the program is undertaking the Inclusive Innovations Incubation in partnership with Sightsavers. The incubation phase is a process where evidence-based innovations, developed by Schools2030 teacher innovators, are packaged & presented to new teachers or schools to adopt & integrate the classroom innovations into their classroom practice. By collaborating with these teachers & schools, Schools2030 hopes to scale the innovations to new classrooms, improve learning environments and improve learner wellbeing.
As part of documenting and sharing these innovations, AKF seeks the services of a communications consultant to capture high-quality photographs and short videos showing teachers actively using Schools2030 innovations in teaching and learning.
The documentation will provide visual evidence of classroom transformation and help communicate teachers’ experiences, innovations, learner engagement and emerging outcomes to programme stakeholders, partners, policymakers and wider audiences.
Scope of work
The selected consultant/service provider will work closely with the AKF Schools2030 Uganda team and the Communications Lead to document through photography and videography of teacher led inclusive innovations. The focus is on the teachers in the inclusive Innovation incubation phase in KCCA schools.
Objectives
The assignment will seek to:
- Capture high-quality photographs that demonstrate the practical application of Schools2030 innovations.
- Produce short, engaging videos documenting teachers’ innovation journeys and classroom practices.
- Capture authentic teacher and learner experiences in a respectful and inclusive manner.
- Generate visual content that can be used for programme reports, presentations, exhibitions, social media, websites, publications and learning events.
- Highlight the contribution of teachers and learners to improving teaching and learning.
- Build a visual library of Schools2030 innovations from participating schools in Uganda.
Key Responsibilities:
A. Pre-Production
The consultant will:
- Participate in a briefing with the AKF Schools2030 team.
- Review background information on Schools2030 and the innovations to be documented.
- Develop a photography and videography plan in consultation with AKF.
- Agree on the key teachers, classrooms, innovations and learning activities to capture.
- Develop interview questions and story prompts where required.
- Agree on a shooting schedule and locations with AKF.
- Ensure appropriate consent and safeguarding procedures are followed before photography and filming.
B. Photography
The consultant will capture high-quality photographs showing:
- Teachers incubating the Schools2030 innovations.
- Teachers facilitating learner-centred lessons using the innovation
- Learners engaging individually and collaboratively with inclusive innovation.
- Inclusive classroom practices.
- Classroom environments and school contexts.
- Relevant community or school activities supporting the innovation.
Photographs should include a mixture of:
- Wide/contextual shots.
- Medium shots.
- Close-up/detail shots.
- Portraits.
- Action shots.
- Teacher-learner interaction.
- Innovation/material-focused images.
C. Short Videos
The consultant will produce short videos that tell clear and engaging stories about selected Schools2030 innovations.
Each video may include:
- The challenge – What problem did the teacher identify?
- The innovation – What solution did the teacher develop or adapt?
- Implementation – How is the innovation being used?
- Learner engagement – How are learners responding?
- Teacher reflection – What has the teacher learned?
- Emerging change – What difference is the innovation making?
- Future plans – What would the teacher like to improve or do differently?
Where appropriate, teachers and other relevant stakeholders may be interviewed on camera.
Expected Deliverables
The consultant/service provider is expected to provide:
Photography
- A curated collection of high-resolution, professionally edited photographs.
- A minimum number of final photographs to be agreed with AKF based on the number of schools/teachers covered.
- A selection of photographs suitable for:
- Reports and publications.
- Social media.
- Presentations.
- Websites.
- Exhibitions and events.
- Schools2030 communications materials.
Video
Short edited videos featuring selected teachers and innovations. Expect not more than 8 short videos of 3 to 5 minutes
Each final video should:
- Have a clear narrative.
- Include relevant teacher/learner voices where appropriate.
- Include appropriate titles, captions and/or subtitles.
- Have clear and understandable audio.
- Be professionally edited.
- Be suitable for digital and social media platforms.
- Reflect AKF’s communications and safeguarding standards.
The consultant shall also provide selected raw/high-resolution footage and photographs as agreed with AKF.
Reporting and Coordination
The consultant will report to the designated AKF Schools2030 Uganda focal person/Communications Lead.
The consultant will:
- Participate in planning meetings.
- Provide regular updates during the assignment.
- Share draft materials for review.
- Incorporate reasonable feedback from AKF.
- Submit final materials according to the agreed timeline.
- Maintain an organized archive of submitted files.
Duration
The engagement will run between September and October 2026 as finally agreed with the consultant.
Activity / Timing
Consultant briefing and orientation / Day 1
Review of innovations and story selection / Day 1
Field photography and filming / Days 2– 17
Initial review of photographs/footage / During fieldwork
Editing and production / 5 days
Submission of draft products / Day 22
AKF review and feedback / 3 days
Final submission / Day 27
The Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) will retain full copyright of all photographs and videos taken under this assignment. All will be the property of AKF and may be used, adapted, and shared across countries and platforms.
Key Qualifications, Skills and Experience Required
The consultant/service provider should have:
- A minimum of bachelor’s degrees in communication or journalism or related field. Special qualification in Photography and videography is a MUST.
- A minimum of 5 years’ experience in photography and videography of education or related events or such projects.
- Demonstrable professional experience in photography and videography.
- A strong portfolio of documentaries, education, development or human-interest photography/video.
- Experience documenting schools, teachers, children or community programmes is an advantage.
- Ability to tell compelling human-interest stories through visual media.
- Experience conducting and recording short interviews.
- Good understanding of ethical photography and videography involving children.
- Knowledge of safeguarding principles.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to work respectfully in school and community environments.
- Ability to work independently and meet agreed deadlines.
- Access to appropriate professional photography and video equipment.
- Strong video editing and post-production skills.
- Understanding of inclusive education.
- Understanding of teacher professional development.
- Work with Media Agencies, International Organizations, NGOs is an asset
Procedures and Logistics
- Schools2030 team will regularly monitor the progress of the consultant’s work.
- The consultant will work from her/his private space.
- The consultant will use her/his computer and other equipment.
- The consultant will submit final report in an electronic form.
- The consultant will be responsible for her/his field travels and any cost incurred during the assignment period
Payment Terms
- Payment is linked to receipt and satisfactory acceptance of deliverables;
- 40% payment upon signing of contract and 60% upon completion of the assignment and subject to approval by Schools2030 Team Lead and Communication Officer.
How to apply
- Please submit your online application by 17th September 2026 at 4:30pm EAT with the subject line title “ AKFU S2030 Media Consultant” to [email protected]
- Your online application should contain the following:
- A Cover letter explaining the motivation for applying and also explaining how the qualifications and skill set of the candidate are suitable for this position and Curriculum Vitae (CV);
- Your past experience handling similar activities including links to work samples and/or portfolio
- A financial proposal indicating deliverable-based professional fee;
NB. The submission of work samples is critical to the evaluation of your application.
- Only complete applications will be considered. Regret letters will only be sent to shortlisted candidates.
- Applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.
AKF/MECPU Is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is Committed to Safeguarding and Promoting the Welfare of Children and Vulnerable Adults and Expects all Staff and Partners to Share this Commitment.
The Aga Khan Foundation is an agency of the Aga Khan Development Network (www.akdn.org).
More Information
- Job City Uganda
