Request for Proposals: Strategic Communications and Media Engagement Consultant or Agency
Download the RFP here.
The Feminist Foreign Policy Collaborative is looking for a Strategic Communications and Media Relations Consultant or Agency to help us amplify our efforts to advance feminist approaches to foreign policy to reach new global audiences including: governments and civil society in the Global South and North, international media and foreign policy outlets, especially those not traditionally focused on gender.
About the Feminist Foreign Policy Collaborative
The Feminist Foreign Policy Collaborative (the Collaborative) is a new initiative, fiscally sponsored by Panorama Global, that is helping to advance countries’ adoption of feminist foreign and development policies in order to accelerate progress toward gender equality, planetary integrity and peace.
The Collaborative manages and supports the work of two coalitions: the Global Partner Network for Feminist Foreign Policy and the Coalition for a Feminist Foreign Policy in the United States. The Global Partner Network for Feminist Foreign Policy (the Network) is an informal, global network of learning and exchange, comprising both civil society organizations and governments committed to advancing the principles of feminist foreign policy worldwide. The Coalition for a Feminist Foreign Policy in the United States (the Coalition) is a group of civil society organizations working to advance feminist foreign policy goals within the U.S. While the advocacy target of these coalitions is different, the goal is the same: to ensure wider adoption of feminist foreign policy principles.
Project Overview
The Collaborative is seeking a part-time Strategic Communications and Media Relations Consultant with experience in gender equality and/or foreign policy and global development, deep knowledge of the policy space and a commitment to human rights and intersectional feminist principles. As an initiative cultivating a shared space where feminists inside and outside of government can work together, we aim to raise awareness about our advocacy and research, engage with key decision makers and audiences and mainstream feminist approaches to discussions of security, trade, development and more.
The Media Relations Consultant will work closely with our small but mighty team, complementing our in-house social media efforts, to develop a communications strategy and to amplify the contributions of the Collaborative to the global feminist foreign policy movement. We are particularly interested in deepening relationships with our existing media contacts and building new connections with relevant national, regional and global outlets, reflecting the Network’s evolving strategy.
One of our key goals is op-ed placement in strategic publications at key moments for the gender, development and foreign policy space to reach new audiences and engage our target audiences. Another goal is message development for key issues and audiences where feminist foreign policy is concerned, including potential political communications tied to potential electoral shifts in feminist foreign policy markets.
Scope of Work
The media relations consultant will be responsible for the following tasks and deliverables:
Draft and support implementation of 2-year communications strategy:
Develop the 2023-2025 communications plan for the Collaborative, amplifying the advocacy and research of its core team as well as of the Network and the Coalition.
Develop, in partnership with the team, a media strategy linked to our regional advocacy objectives.
Support the implementation of communications tactics, particularly tied to key events and deliverables where the Collaborative team lacks capacity (press, crisis communications, etc.).
Media Outreach:
Assist in drafting compelling pitches to secure media coverage leading up to key events, with particular emphasis on our engagement with the 68th session of the Commission on the Status of Women in 2024.
Establish and nurture new and existing relationships with journalists and reporters in the policy, development and gender space.
Support the Collaborative’s media engagement in other regional convenings, as needed.
Content Creation
Draft media collateral , including op-eds, interview talking points and press releases.
Assist in crafting key messages and storytelling narratives aligned with the Collaborative’s mission, including speeches and messages tailored to key constituencies.
Edit and proofread communication materials and deliverables (eg. Upcoming outputs related to recent consultancy on German Zeitenwende and feminist foreign policy, and paper on feminist foreign policy and debt).
Media Monitoring and Analysis:
Monitor ongoing media coverage and track key metrics, such as reach, sentiment and engagement.
Report on media metrics and performance on a quarterly basis.
Key dates
July 17-21, 2023: Women Deliver
September 5-19, 2023: UN General Assembly 78
September 18-19, 2023: Sustainable Development Goals Summit 2023
November 1-2, 2023: Shaping Feminist Foreign Policy Conference, The Hague
November 6-7, 2023: Brussels FFP event TBC
November 10-11, 2023: Paris Peace Forum
2024 (TBC): Two regional convenings of the Network
March 2024 (TBC): 68th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women
July 2024 (TBC): Women Deliver
September 2024 (TBC): UN General Assembly 79
September 22-23, 2024: Summit for the Future
November 2024 (TBC): Paris Peace Forum
Application timeline
Application submission deadline: July 31
Evaluation period: August 1-7
Short-listed candidates contacted: August 10
Interview: Aug 21-25
Selected firm/individual notified: August 28
Evaluation Criteria
Relevant Experience: The consultant’s demonstrated experience in media relations, particularly within the nonprofit and global development sectors and foreign policy space. Experience working in European or Global Majority media environments would be an advantage.
Expertise and Strategy: The consultant’s ability to develop a comprehensive and creative media relations strategy aligned with the Collaborative’s goals. Evaluation focused on target audience identification, message development and media outreach tactics.
Cost: Overall cost and value provided by the consultant in relation to proposed services and deliverables. Evaluation considers fee structure, proposed budget allocation, and cost-effectiveness of the media relations strategy.
References: The consultant’s references and testimonials from previous clients. Evaluation includes client feedback and track record of successful media relations activities.
Proposal Submission Details
Please submit your proposal and attachments in a single PDF.
Please include a short cover letter, detailing your
Background,
Media relations experience,
Knowledge of subjects relevant to the work of the Collaborative,
Familiarity with non-Western media environments, and
Any relevant projects and achievements (links and attachments are welcome).
Please describe in 1 page details around or examples of media strategy or communications plans you’ve developed.
Two to three professional references with contact information.
Submission deadline: Applications must be submitted via email to jillian@ffpcollaborative.org with the subject line “Media Relations Consultant_First and Last Name” no later than July 31, 2023.
Contact Information
We encourage interested consultants to contact our Senior Policy Advisor Spogmay Ahmed (spogmay@ffpcollaborative.org) or our Coordinator Jill Montilla (jillian@ffpcollaborative.org) if they have any questions.
Additionally, we recognize that online application processes can pose barriers to people with certain accessibility needs. If you have any accessibility needs in relation to applying for this role, please let us know how we can best support you at the email address above.
Thank you for considering this request for proposals. We look forward to receiving your submission!