Assistant Video Editor (short term/2 months)

1. Background
HAP Services is implementing a fast-paced educational video curriculum comprising 120 total lessons. The scale of the production and the tight delivery schedule require a structured post-production workflow in which first-draft editing is separated from final creative finishing.
To support this workflow, HAP Services will engage an Assistant Video Editor who will be responsible for preparing rough-cut assemblies from raw presenter footage against approved lesson scripts. The Assistant Video Editor will undertake the initial editing and technical preparation so that the Content Producer and Developer can focus on graphics, colour grading, final creative refinement, and complete integration.
The role is therefore focused on efficient, accurate, and technically reliable first-draft assembly, with particular emphasis on project organisation, media management, synchronization, and clean handover.
2. Purpose of the Role
The purpose of the role is to ensure that the project produces first-draft video assemblies that are:
● aligned with the approved lesson scripts;
● cleanly cut, trimmed, and stitched for efficient final editing;
● supported by properly synchronized video and external audio where required;
● organised within clean and functional Adobe Premiere Pro project files;
● free from avoidable missing-media links and project-management errors;
● ready for the Content Producer and Developer to continue final post-production.
The Assistant Video Editor is expected to work closely with the Content Producer and Developer and follow the agreed production workflow, naming conventions, storage procedures, and daily production priorities.
3. Key Responsibilities
● Ingest, organise, and back up raw video, audio, and other production media across designated drives.
● Apply standardised file and folder naming conventions and maintain a clear project structure.
● Review raw footage and approved lesson scripts before beginning each assigned edit.
● Perform rough cuts, cutting, trimming, and stitching of presenter footage to create complete first-draft assemblies.
● Remove obvious mistakes, unusable takes, excessive pauses, retakes, and unnecessary footage.
● Maintain logical sequencing and basic continuity throughout each lesson.
● Generate, link, and manage proxies where required for smooth editing playback.
● Synchronise multi-camera footage and externally recorded audio accurately.
● Conduct a basic technical and editorial quality check before handover.
● Maintain organised Premiere Pro bins, sequences, tracks, and project structures.
● Ensure that completed project files contain no avoidable missing media and are ready for continued editing.
● Communicate footage, audio, script, or technical issues promptly to the Content Producer and Developer.
● Provide on-set production assistance during filming days when required.
4. Role-Specific Responsibilities
A. First-Draft Editing
The Assistant Video Editor will lead the initial assembly stage of the post-production workflow.
● Cut and trim raw presenter footage according to approved lesson scripts.
● Select appropriate takes and remove obvious errors and unusable material.
● Stitch footage into a coherent lesson sequence suitable for final post-production.
● Maintain basic pacing and continuity without undertaking final creative finishing.
● Prepare each lesson as a clearly identifiable first-draft sequence.
B. Media and Project Management
● Ingest and organise source media using the approved folder structure.
● Maintain consistent naming conventions for media, sequences, projects, and working files.
● Create and manage proxies for demanding footage.
● Maintain appropriate backups across designated drives.
● Check media links and project integrity before every handover.
C. Synchronization
● Synchronise multi-camera footage where applicable.
● Synchronise external audio with corresponding video footage.
● Check synchronization before completing the first-draft assembly.
● Flag any synchronization or recording issues that cannot be resolved during the assembly stage.
D. On-Set Production Support
● Assist with camera operation when required and directed by the production lead.
● Support basic lighting setup and positioning.
● Monitor basic audio recording during filming.
● Assist with media checks and file handling during or immediately after filming.
● Report technical production issues promptly to the responsible production personnel.
E. Handover to Content Producer and Developer
● Deliver completed first drafts as clean and organised Adobe Premiere Pro project files (.prproj) , along with the relevant files.
● Ensure all required media is correctly linked with zero avoidable missing links.
● Ensure bins, sequences, tracks, and project elements are clearly organised.
● Ensure the project can be opened and continued in the approved Premiere Pro environment without backward-compatibility issues.
● Provide brief notes on any unresolved technical or content issues requiring attention during final editing.
5. Deliverables
● Minimum of 3 completed first-draft assemblies (.prproj files) per working day.
● Clean, organised Adobe Premiere Pro project file for each completed lesson.
● Correctly linked source media and proxies, where applicable.
● Synchronized multi-camera and external audio media where required.
● Organised and version-controlled project and media files.
● Basic production support during assigned filming days.
● Technical or editorial issue notes where necessary.
● Full video exports only when specifically requested or required for review, quality control, or another production purpose.
6. Performance Targets
● Productivity: Minimum 3 completed first-draft assemblies per working day.
● Editing accuracy: First drafts must follow the approved lesson scripts and use appropriate footage.
● Technical reliability: Project files must open correctly and contain no avoidable missing-media links.
● Project organisation: Files, bins, sequences, proxies, and media must follow the approved structure.
● Handover readiness: The Content Producer and Developer should be able to continue final post-production with minimal technical cleanup.
● Timeliness: Assigned lessons must be completed according to the agreed production schedule.
● Quality: Daily output must meet the required technical and editorial standard; quantity alone will not constitute satisfactory performance.
7. Required Qualifications
● Relevant diploma, bachelor’s degree, or professional training in film, media production, video editing, multimedia, communications, or a related field is preferred.
● Relevant practical professional experience may substitute for formal educational qualifications.
● Demonstrable training or practical proficiency in Adobe Premiere Pro.
● Basic understanding of video production, post-production, audio, camera, and lighting workflows.
8. Required Experience
● Previous experience in professional or structured video editing and post-production.
● Experience working with raw presenter footage and script-based editing workflows.
● Experience with multi-camera and external audio synchronization.
● Experience with proxy workflows and large-volume media management.
● Experience working under tight deadlines and high-volume production schedules is strongly preferred.
● Experience in educational, training, documentary, NGO, institutional, or community-oriented video production is an asset.
9. Skills and Competencies
● Strong attention to detail.
● Excellent file and project organisation skills.
● Ability to work efficiently under tight deadlines and repetitive, high-volume production requirements.
● Strong practical editing and timeline-management skills.
● Ability to troubleshoot basic media, synchronization, proxy, and relinking issues.
● Good understanding of basic camera, lighting, and audio production.
● Ability to follow established workflows, naming conventions, and technical standards.
● Good communication and teamwork skills.
● Ability to receive and implement feedback promptly.
● Reliability and accountability in meeting daily production targets.
10. Software Requirement
Adobe Premiere Pro – Latest Version Only
● Use of the latest version of Adobe Premiere Pro approved for the project is mandatory.
● All project files must be created and maintained in the approved latest-version environment.
● This requirement is intended to eliminate backward-compatibility errors, project conversion problems, and avoidable media relinking failures.
● Use of an older Premiere Pro version that creates compatibility or handover problems will not be acceptable.
11. Reporting and Coordination
The Assistant Video Editor will report directly to the Content Producer and Developer and will work within the overall video production workflow established for the 120-lesson curriculum.
The Assistant Video Editor will coordinate regularly with the Content Producer and Developer regarding:
● daily editing assignments and production priorities;
● approved scripts and lesson requirements;
● technical or media-related issues;
● filming schedules and on-set support;
● first-draft handovers and required corrections.
The Assistant Video Editor is expected to maintain timely communication and immediately flag any issue that may affect the agreed production schedule or quality of deliverables.
12. Code of Conduct
The Assistant Video Editor must comply with all HAP Services policies and procedures, including:
● Code of Conduct;
● safeguarding and PSEA policies;
● confidentiality and data protection policies;
● anti-fraud and operational compliance requirements;
● professional standards applicable to HAP Services staff and consultants.