Request for Proposals (RfP)

The Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund invites Technical and Financial Proposals from interested and qualified firms.

The firm will be selected in accordance with PPAF standard procurement guidelines.

Please submit hard copies of Technical and Financial Proposals in separate sealed envelopes by 14th March 2026 at the following address;

Procurement Section

Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF)

Plot 14, Street 12, Mauve Area, G-8/1, Islamabad.

Terms of Reference

1.     Introduction

Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF) is the premier apex institution dedicated to lifting the poor out of poverty through community-driven development across Pakistan. Established in February 1997 as a not-for-profit company under Section 42 of the Companies Ordinance 1984 (now Companies Act 2017), PPAF’s mission is to transform the lives of the impoverished, fostering a more equitable and prosperous Pakistan.

PPAF receives funding from the Government of Pakistan, prominent international donors, and also utilises its own resources to design and implement projects and initiatives that focus on climate-resilient infrastructure, green growth and energy, health, education, livelihoods, financial inclusion, and disaster resilience at the grassroots level. These interventions are implemented through PPAF's network of partner civil society organisations.

PPAF is committed to building and enhancing the capacity of its partner organisations to improve social mobilisation, and to promote the values of inclusion, participation, accountability, transparency, and stewardship. Through these efforts, PPAF aims to create sustainable and empowered communities, significantly contributing to the nation’s long-term development and stability.

For a complete profile, please visit our website at http://www.ppaf.org.pk

2.     About Prime Minister’s Interest Free Loan Programme (PMIFL)

The Government of Pakistan has mandated Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF) to design, implement and monitor the Prime Minister Interest Free Loan (PMIFL) Programme. The programme is part of the National Poverty Graduation Initiative under the Government of Pakistan’s flagship strategy that aims at graduating the poorest households out of poverty and setting them on the course of social and economic prosperity. Under the PMIFL, interest free loans and related services are provided to ultra & vulnerable at their doorsteps to open doors to resources that can change their lives.

The programme focuses on strengthening income-generating opportunities, contributing to initiating or expanding small-scale livelihood and entrepreneurial activities resulting in improved household incomes and more resilient livelihoods. With a strong emphasis on inclusion, nearly 50 per cent of PMIFL beneficiaries are women. The programme is currently implemented in more than 100 districts across Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Jammu & Kashmir, through a network of 26 partner organisations. To date, PMIFL has disbursed over 3.5 million loans, amounting to more than PKR 129 billion, making it one of the largest interest-free microfinance initiatives in the country.

More information about the project can be viewed at https://www.ppaf.org.pk/IFL

3.     Background

To effectively communicate the scope, implementation, and impact of PMIFL across diverse geographic and socio-economic contexts, video documentaries serve as a powerful and effective communication tool. This assignment seeks to enhance public awareness and understanding of the programme by leveraging visual storytelling to reach a wide range of audiences, including communities, policymakers, donors, media, and other key stakeholders.

Through a series of video documentaries, the assignment will highlight the outcomes and successes of PMIFL, while also showcasing PPAF’s role in implementing a poverty graduation approach under the Government of Pakistan’s leadership. The videos will present human-interest stories of beneficiaries, complemented by perspectives from subject experts, government representatives, and the programme team, to provide a holistic overview of the programme.

Supported by relevant data, visuals, and contextual footage, the documentaries will also reflect Pakistan’s institutional capacity to design and implement self-reliance frameworks for inclusive and sustainable growth positioning it as a credible, government-financed initiative with demonstrated results. One of the greatest feats of PMIFL that it helped 32% of BISP beneficiaries graduate out of poverty line will be at the heart of the messaging for an evidence-based impact for national and international audience.

Overall, it will serve as a knowledge product to strengthen stakeholder engagement, enhance visibility of PPAF’s development interventions, and contribute to informed dialogue on poverty alleviation and inclusive economic development.

4.     Objective of the Assignment

The assignment aims to hire services of a firm to produce series of 7 videos (6 region specific short documentaries of 5 minutes each and 1 complete project documentary of 12 – 15 minutes). The specific objectives include

• Raise awareness about PMIFL’s objectives and activities
• Highlight PMIFL’s achievements towards poverty alleviation
• Showcase how government-led interventions can be locally successful and internationally relevant
• Position PPAF as sector developer and showcase its poverty graduation model
• Reflect PPAF’s inclusive approach for development initiatives
• Document expert’s views on sustainable development

 5.     Scope of Work

The firm will produce:

• One full-length documentary (10 – 12 minutes) in English (voice-over) with subtitles, where required, on overall impact of the project.
• Re-create beneficiaries stories by improving thematic and social impact such as economic empowerment, financial inclusion, women access to finance and providing oppurtunties for taking part in socio economic development.
• Six short documentaries (5 minutes each) on impact of PMIFL’s interventions and PPAF’s contributions in each region by covering 2-3 beneficiaries in each region.
• Twenty reels highlighting elements of inclusivity, diversity, government’s mandate, innovative businesses, etc.

The videos will include testimonials and interviews of

• Beneficiaries
• PPAF officials
• Government officials
• PO heads/Other Stakeholders (if and where needed)

 For filming purposes, the firm will be required to travel to 1–3 cities in each region, as listed below, and document 10–12 beneficiary stories as finalised by PPAF.

• Balochistan : Quetta, Qilla Saifullah / Muslim Bagh
• Sindh: Shikarpur / Kasmore, Umerkot/ Tharparker
• Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: Abbotabad, Haripur, D I Khan/ Kohistan
• Punjab: Layyah / DG Khan, Jhang /Mianwali /  Rahimyar Khan
• Azad Jammu Kashmir:Ponch /Rawlakot
• Gilgit-Baltistan: Ghanche / Kharmang

 6.     Methodology

The firm selected will be responsible for conducting research by reviewing all relevant materials and documents provided by PPAF to develop a thorough understanding of the subject matter. Based on this understanding, the firm will proceed with concept development, creating a compelling concept and storyboard for the videos and proposing a creative and engaging title.

The firm will submit a work plan outlining all project activities, with a particular focus on the filming schedule. During the filming phase, the firm will travel to the designated cities to capture beneficiary testimonials, document project impact, and record high-quality visuals showcasing local landmarks, landscapes, people, and culture. If necessary, the firm will arrange reenactments, with PPAF providing support as needed. PPAF’s Partner Organisations (POs) will facilitate in accessing beneficiaries and communities. Travelling, boarding/ lodging will be firm’s responsibility. PPAF will not provide any equipment needed to complete this assignment, it will be the service provider’s responsibility. Additionally, aerial footage must be included where required, and the firm will be responsible for obtaining the necessary approvals from local authorities for drone filming.

In the post-production phase, the firm will deliver the first draft of the documentary to PPAF for review, incorporating essential elements such as color grading, translations (if required), and background music. The final versions must be provided in full HD format, ensuring seamless compatibility across all devices and digital platforms.

7.     Deliverables

i.               Work plan, concepts, and scripts approved by PPAF

ii.              Submission and approval of first cut of 3 regional documentaries

iii.            Submission and approval of first cut of remaining 3 regional documentaries

iv.            Submission and approval of project documentary along with raw footage and sources

 8.     Target Audience

The target audience for the documentary includes

• General public
• National and international donors
• Government of Pakistan
• Civil Society
• Academia/Research institutes
• Youth
• Start-ups
• Media

 9.     Duration of Assignment

The firm will be hired for a period of 90 working days.

10.  Qualification and Experience Requirements

• Firm should be registered, and NTN certificate must be provided
• Five (5) years of experience in producing video documentaries/photo stories on social issues and economic development in under-developed areas for international organizations to reach both local and international audiences.
• Five (5) years of experience in developing quality infographics.
• Demonstrated experience of 01 assignment in each region.
• Excellent ability to work in English, Urdu and regional languages
• Submission of CVs of all team members involved in the assignment is mandatory with project lead and video director having a minimum of 5 years’ experience in the said role; whereas, the rest of the team members must have 2 – 3 years in the said role. 

11.  Equipment for the Assignment

No equipment will be provided by the PPAF. Any equipment needed to complete this assignment will be provided by the service provider.

12.  Supervision and Reporting:

The firm will report to Manager, Media & Communication at PPAF for progress updates as per the agreed work plan.

13.  Intellectual Property (Ownership & Copyrights)

The edited documentary film, source files as well as all footage filmed for this assignment will be the sole property of the PPAF and shall be provided to PPAF in digital format (Full HD). All raw footage is to be shared with PPAF in a portable storage device or through a shareable link. The selected production company’s name and logo shall only be acknowledged in the closing credits. The production company will not be permitted to use the footage without prior approval of PPAF. The firm is expected to ensure that there will be no plagiarism of audio or visual content in video production and no breach of copyright in any of the products delivered to PPAF. Copyright infringement at any stage will not be acceptable and may result in serious action.

16.  Selection Method

The firm will be selected in accordance with PPAF procurement guidelines.

17.  Ethical Considerations:

The consulting firm will make clear to all participants and communities that there is no obligation to participate in the activity. All participants will be assured that there will be no negative consequences if they choose not to participate. The consulting firm will obtain informed opt-in consent from the participants. S/he will have to receive prior permission for taking and using visual still/moving images for specific purposes, i.e., for reports and presentations. The firm will also ensure the participants’ confidentiality and will ensure the visual data is protected and used for agreed purposes only.

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