Consultancy opportunity: Communications and Knowledge support for the Advancing Equality Project

Context

As a global leader in human rights education, Equitas’ programs aim to empower people to address inequalities and discrimination, and to work to build more inclusive and rights-respecting communities. To support this work, Equitas has a large variety of educational resources, many of which are based on collaborative reflection with past participants in our human rights education programs as well as our network of partners around the world. The organization also regularly shares inspirational stories of the impact and successes of its programs. These resources, reflections, and impactful stories are then shared across the organization’s different communication networks, including its website, its Moodle community of practice of nearly 7,500 human rights defenders, social media, newsletters, and website. As a Communications and Knowledge Consultant, you will work in close collaboration with the Communications team and Knowledge Manager. In your mandate, you will promote the results of Equitas’ work and that of its partners achieved in the last 5 years of our Advancing Equality project. You will develop and implement a plan to increase the organization’s visibility, highlighting the impact of the project on advancing gender equality and respect for human rights.

Contract period

January – March 29, 2024 

Mandate

Under the supervision of the Communications and Community Officer and in close collaboration with the Knowledge Manager, Equitas is looking for a consultant to: 

• Develop and implement a communications plan to increase the visibility of the Advancing Equality project’s results 
• Coordinate and deliver communication and knowledge activities related to the EquiTalks event on February 15, 2024 
• Coordinate and deliver communication and knowledge activities related to the International Learning Event planned in February 2024 
• Develop creative ways to adapt existing specialized educational content (manuals, training documents, guidelines, etc.) to make them compatible with social media and to ensure that they can be easily understood and used by the general public (short videos, infographics, exciting visuals, etc.) 
• Create templates for engaging bilingual content for social media, websites, and Equitas’ online community to introduce Equitas’ approach to human rights education and its impact 
• Monitor discussions on Equitas’ online Community of practice to identify opportunities for knowledge creation and impactful stories 

Deliverables

The consultant will be responsible for the following main deliverables:  

Communications’ plan  

• Preparation of a communications’ plan describing how the work will be carried out. This plan will be reviewed by the Communications and Community Officer and the Director of Education and Communications to ensure that both parties agree.  

Knowledge and communication products  

• Write and publish 2 impact stories with international partners on site during the learning event 
• Review and publication of human rights education good practices (editing, design and publication) according to the information provided by the project teams 
• Support the recording of 4 episodes for our EquiTalks Podcast 
• Produce 6 Informative social media publications 

All written deliverables will be in French and English. The consultant will ensure that the main deliverables conform to other Equitas’ guidelines and tools in terms of format, structure and length. The quality and content of the deliverables will be assessed by the Communications and Community Officer.

Activities

To carry out their mandate and produce the expected deliverables, the consultant will be required to:  

• Assist in-person to the International Learning Event during the week of February 12-16, 2024 
• Conduct interviews with international partners on site 
• Assist to the EquiTalks panel discussions 
• Participate in online follow-up meetings with the Communications and Community Officer to review work plan progress, potential difficulties and/or support needs to deliver expected services  

Duration, level of effort and location

A level of effort of 40 to 50 working days from January to March 2024

In-person in Montreal and remote. It is expected that the consultancy will take place remotely and that all meetings will be virtual, except during the International Learning Event, which will take place in-person in Montreal. The consultant will provide all necessary equipment (e.g., computer, telephone, Internet, etc.). Equitas can provide a recording microphone and digital photo camera for the learning event week if needed.  

Management procedures

The consultant will report directly to the Communications and Community Officer, Ariane Lagacé, (responsible for approving deliverables and invoices). Equitas will provide the basic documents required for the assignment. The consultant will work closely with the Communications and Knowledge teams and the Director of Education and Communications.  

Desired qualifications 

The consultant should have the following experience, skills and knowledge:  

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, political science, international relations or other related field (or equivalent experience) 
• Excellent editing skills in English and French are an important asset. Excellent writing skills in one of the two languages is required.  
• Experience creating social media content in various formats (text, visual, video, etc.) for different audiences. 
• Basic knowledge of graphic design and photo/video editing software (Canva, Adobe Creative Suite) or any other visual design software. 
• Storytelling skills, ability to adapt writing style, tone, and voice depending on context and content.  
• Deep interest in human rights, racial justice, gender equality, and international development. 
• Basic knowledge of content management systems (CMS) such as WordPress or online learning platforms such as Moodle. 
• Sensitivity to cultural differences, courtesy and tact in communication. 

How to apply

To apply, please send: 

• A curriculum vitae 
• An example of your written and/or your design communications work 
• Technical proposal describing the approach proposed to carry out the required assignments (no more than 2 pages), including an indicative work plan and proposed timetable  
• Budget providing cost of consulting services, including daily rate in CDN$, and total cost 

Given the nature of our work, we encourage applications from any candidates who have experienced marginalization, in particular, Black, Indigenous, and racialized people, 2SLGBTQI+ people, and people living with disabilities. Candidates who wish to do so may self-identify in their application. 

Harassment, discrimination, violence or any other form of abuse is not tolerated at Equitas. All offers of consulting agreements are conditional upon signing the Equitas Policy on Sexual Violence, Harassment and Discrimination Prevention. 

Applications should be sent to the Communications and Community Officer, Ariane Lagacé at alagace@equitas.org. Please include “Communications & Knowledge Consultancy” in the subject line. 

Deadline for applications is December 22, 2023. Late submissions will not be considered. 

Equitas will respond to the selected applicant during the week of January 8-12, 2024. The technical and financial offer will be discussed at the selection stage.