Background
Equitas – International Centre for Human Rights Education is a non-profit organization based in Montreal working to advance equality, social justice, and respect for human rights through transformative education programs in Canada and around the world.
Our website (equitas.org) is a key platform for engaging with our audiences, including civil society partners, donors, program participants, and the general public. However, the current version of our website is outdated in both content and design. We are seeking an external consultant to lead the refresh and modernization of the site, both visually and structurally, and to ensure that content better reflects the current scope of our work.
Equitas is inspired by websites that convey clarity, professionalism, and trust through clean, accessible layouts, as well as strong visual storytelling. We appreciate design approaches that are people-centered, mission-driven, and highlight impact in a simple and compelling way. This initiative is aligned with the orientations of Equitas’ new Strategic Framework 2025–2028, which emphasizes stronger community engagement, and improved visibility of impact and partnerships.
Objectives
The overall objective is to refresh and update the Equitas website in line with current best practices in web design, user experience (UX), accessibility, and content strategy, while respecting the organization’s values and visual identity and ensure the mobile version can be used effectively.
More specifically:
- Present updated and accurate information about Equitas and its programs.
- Improve user experience (especially for civil society partners, donors, job seekers, and program applicants), by improving navigation, increasing newsletter sign-ups, enhancing campaign participation rate and facilitating research for website users.
- Ensure the website is responsive, accessible (WCAG 2.1 compliance), and easy to update internally.
- Modernize the site visually and structurally, with a human rights and social justice lens.
- Consolidate or streamline content structure if appropriate.
- Enhance donation channels and improve conversion efficiency.
- Empower campaigns with flexible landing pages and compelling storytelling tools
- Highlight fundraising event/campaign
Scope of work
The Consultant or consultant team will be responsible for:
- Project management, including regular coordination with the Equitas Senior Communications and Community Officer and Director of Education and Communications.
- Consultation with the Equitas Operations and Information Technologies Manager throughout the process.
- Research and planning sessions by conducting stakeholder interviews with key Equitas team members.
- Design and development of a new curated website based on best practices and aligned with Equitas’ branding, cyber security and donations.
- Content strategy support, including integration of content provided by Equitas and advice on structure/format where needed.
- Ensuring final version of website is curated and streamlined and communicates vision and results of Equitas in simple and accessible user-friendly way
- Implementation, including website build (preferably in WordPress or another widely supported CMS) and deployment.
- Ensuring security best practices are applied in the architecture and hosting of the website.
- Training and documentation for Equitas staff to maintain and update the website and have monthly dashboards.
- Ensuring bilingualism (English and French) and accessibility compliance (do.
- Basic SEO optimization and integration with analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics).
- Integration with Equitas CRM system
Expected deliverables
- A work plan and timeline for the assignment.
- Wireframes and design mockups, based on Equitas’ branding guidelines, for internal review.
- Finalized, functioning bilingual curated and user-friendly website that communicates effectively to different audiences including but not restricted to funders, donors, partners and peers.
- Migration of existing and new content.
- An administrator and content editor guide and documentation, as built.
- Training session for Equitas staff (virtual).
- Execute site launch, provide post-launch technical support and address any issues after launch.
Duration and location
The consultancy will take 5 months, ideally between August and December 2025, subject to project milestones. All work will be conducted remotely. The Consultant or consultant team will use their own equipment and devices and ensure the necessary tools are in place to work securely and efficiently.
Budget
All phases of the project, including the planning phase, design and development phase, testing phase, content migration, post-launch support and any additional or optional services suggested by vendors.
Management Arrangements
The Consultant or consultant team will report to the Director of Education and Communications and work closely with the Senior Communications and Community Officer. The Operations and Information Technologies Manager will also be involved and consulted throughout the process. Equitas will provide access to branding tools, content, and relevant internal documentation.
Consultant Profile
The Consultant or firm should have:
- Proven experience in website design and development for non-profit organizations
- Strong understanding of UX/UI, accessibility, and SEO best practices
- Experience working with bilingual (French/English) websites
- Strong project management and communication skills
- Experience with WordPress or similar CMS platforms
- Similar experience in website redesign projects
- Ability to apply web security best practices
- Knowledge of the human rights and/or international development sectors (asset)
- Capacity to deliver within a limited timeframe
Application Process
Interested consultants should submit a proposal including:
- The team’s composition, with CV and experience of the team.
- A technical proposal outlining methodology, approach, timeline, and deliverables
- A financial proposal (all costs included, in CAD)
- 2–3 links to relevant previous projects
- Contact information for 2 references
Deadline to apply: June 27, 2025, at 5:00 PM ET
Submit proposals to: rh@equitas.org. Please use “Website Redesign – Equitas” as the subject line of your submission.