Background:
Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within.
Purpose of the Project:
The purpose is to contract a freelance photographer for one year, to be available for asset gathering assignments primarily within the Africa region, but globally if needed.
Consultant Activities and Deliverables:
In an effort to expand our photographic vision and voice, we are contracting five regional photographers. They will be deployed to emergency responses and short assignments as needed, when our in-house team is not available, or it is not practical to send them. Maintaining a global network of professional photographers will allow us to be more agile, while maintaining our quality of storytelling. We will also be demonstrating our commitment to facilitating authentic storytelling, by localizing our asset gathering and creating opportunities for talented professionals in the areas where we work.
The candidate for the Africa region will be contracted ahead of time so that they can be deployed on short notice. Once they are contracted, Mercy Corps will provide HEAT, and training in our visual style, captioning, ethics, consent process, and ethical storytelling. Once assigned, they will be paid a $1,000/day rate, plus travel costs and per diem. Specific deliverables and deadlines will be provided at the time of assignment. There is no expectation that they are required to be available at all times.
Timeframe / Schedule:
Up to one year
The Consultant will report to:
Director of Global Photography
Required Experience & Skills:
The ideal candidate will be a full-time professional photographer with extensive skills and experience:
- 5-10 years of experience in relevant technical field
- An excellent portfolio of documentary style photography and videography, with an emphasis on portraiture, and the ability to emulate Mercy Corps visual style.
- Experience editing and captioning large volumes of photography.
- Excellent interviewing skills.
- High ethical standards for interviewing and asset gathering.
- Experience traveling and working in dangerous and difficult locations, including war zones and natural disasters.
- Excellent interpersonal and intercultural skills.
- Highly organized and communicative.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives.
We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today.
Equal Employment Opportunity
We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.
Safeguarding & Ethics
Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our stakeholders and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC’s policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.