Organization Description:
Now celebrating 25 years, Vital Voices Global Partnership has directly invested in more than 20,000 women leaders across 184 countries and territories since its inception in 1997. Driven by the universal truth that women are the key to progress in their communities and nations cannot move forward without women in leadership positions, Vital Voices has provided early support for leaders who went on to become Nobel Peace Prize Laureates, U.S. Youth Poet Laureates, prime ministers, award-winning innovators, pioneering human rights defenders, and breakthrough social entrepreneurs, including Amanda Gorman and Malala Yousafzai.
To advance and expand this work, in 2022 Vital Voices opened the doors to the world’s first global embassy for women, the Vital Voices Global Headquarters for Women’s Leadership. It is a first-of-its-kind space that allows for convening, innovation, planning, and action—all in the pursuit of serving women leaders who are taking on the world’s greatest challenges.
Project Goals and Scope of Services:
Vital Voices Global Partnership is seeking a public relations consultant to support our media strategy, outreach efforts and to enhance our media profile. Our goal is to be the leading voice of gender equality in the United States and abroad through with regular visibility in top-tier national media outlets, and to have them highlight our work in women rights – with global policymakers, activists and advocates for gender equality, social entrepreneurs, and thought leaders in the arts and entertainment – in a way that mobilizes people to advance solutions to helping women leaders solve the world’s greatest challenges.
We are seeking a skilled media strategist with strong journalist relationships and a deep expertise in shaping narratives to support Vital Voices to develop and implement a comprehensive media strategy in 2023.
The consultant will advise the Vital Voices Communications team on media strategy, work with our team to develop media campaigns, write and distribute press releases, statements and Op-Eds, pitch stories, and develop targeted media lists for Vital Voices programs, advocacy campaigns and annual events.
The consultant will also be responsible for supporting Vital Voices on site for major publicity campaigns, including but not limited to press conferences, Women’s History Month events, festivals, and our awards ceremonies.
This is an exciting opportunity for an individual or boutique firm interested in amplifying the message of gender equality, human rights, and the empowerment of women & girls on a global scale.
Responsibilities:
- Serve as a strategic advisor on media strategy
- Work with CEO and Senior Director, Marketing and Communications to develop a strategic communications plan
- Work with team to develop and launch media campaigns, optimizing plans if needed
- Co-create an editorial calendar with Senior Director, Marketing and Communications
- Develop targeted media list including editors, reporters, radio and broadcast producers, editorial boards, podcast hosts, etc.
- Write press releases, op-eds, letters to the editor, blog posts, etc.
- Pitch & distribute: support placement of op-eds, letters to the editor, blog posts, and reports on broadcast TV cable news, radio, podcasts, etc.
- Educate members of the press about Vital Voices’ priority issues, campaigns, and events through targeted outreach
- Advise team on new and creative ways to get Vital Voices and its global network of women leaders into the media spotlight and public discourse.
- Produce a monthly visibility report containing media hits, opportunities, and recommendations to increase public awareness of Vital Voices programs and initiatives.
- Other duties as assigned
The anticipated hours needed to provide services are 20-30 hours per week. The expected contract duration is through February 2024.
Anticipated Selection Schedule:
Request for Proposal timeline as follows:
Request for Proposal Issuance: March 7, 2023
Deadline for Bidders to Submit Questions: March 7, 2023
Proposal Deadline: March 7, 2023
Contract Award: March 14, 2023
Time and Place of Submission of Proposals:
Respondents to this request for proposal must submit their proposal to: media@vitalvoices.org. Responses must be received no later than March 7, 2023 and should be clearly marked “Public Relations Consultant” in the subject of the email.
Questions about the RFP can be submitted to Markette Sheppard at: markettes@vitalvoices.org
Elements of Proposal
A submission must, at a minimum, include the following elements:
- A resume (for individuals) or qualifications package (for teams)
- Capabilities statement: a narrative outlining experiences, body of work, strengths and distinguishing skills or capabilities as they relate to the project goals and scope of services (up to three pages in length)
- Three writing samples
- Three professional references
Qualifications
- Deep expertise in developing a media strategy for a national and/or international nonprofit NGO; prior work in gender quality and social justice a plus
- Experience placing clients in top-tier broadcast, digital and print media outlets locally and international
- Experience writing impactful press releases and media statement on world issues and advocacy campaigns, particularly as it relates to women’s empowerment.
- Experience building and maintaining media lists, and developing strong relationships with the media; access to an expansive media database
- Knowledge and previous working experience with NGOs and international development projects
- Experience writing and placing Op-Ed pieces in national media outlets.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills (including public speaking) and strong interpersonal skills
- Professional proficiency speaking, reading, and writing in English required
- At least 10 years of professional experience in public relations and strategic communications. Journalism experience a plus
Evaluation Criteria
A successful respondent will:
- Demonstrate that he/she/they have the expertise, skills, and capabilities to successfully provide the requested services
- Offer a competitive cost for services
- Will be able to begin working with the applicants immediately
- Be willing to travel on site for major publicity events
- Have the ability to work independently with the flexibility to adapt to the needs of the team.
- Have excellent interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills required.
- Be proficient with Microsoft Office Suite.
- Be proficiency in managing media database and press release distribution software programs, such as Cision, AP Daybook, Newswire, Muck Rack and/or Meltwater
- Be skilled in the ability to collect, organize, analyze, and disseminate significant amounts of information with attention to details and accuracy.
- Have a commitment to diversity, equity & inclusion to disrupt and evolve systems and behaviors that negatively impact women and BIPOC communities.