Request for Proposals (RFP) - Public Relations Support for PAX sapiens

PAX Sapiens•Broomfield, CO

About The Position

PAX sapiens is seeking a qualified public relations firm or consultant to provide media strategy, media relations, and execution support. The engagement is intended to strengthen the organization’s visibility, credibility, and influence among priority audiences and elevate its subject matter experts. The selected partner will translate complex global-risk issues and coordination-based solutions into clear, compelling narratives that support media coverage of PAX sapiens’ mission and programmatic priorities. The engagement’s objectives include expanding relevant media coverage and relationships with policy-adjacent stakeholders, thought leaders, and decision-makers; positioning PAX sapiens and its program leads as experts; increasing visibility for publications, convenings, dialogues, and initiatives; maintaining consistent, mission-aligned messaging; raising awareness of the organization’s mission and theory of change; expanding partnerships; and supporting development goals, including cofounding and fundraising. Work should align with PAX sapiens’ emphasis on coordination, long-term thinking, and cross-sector collaboration. The proposed services should address public relations strategy and message framing, narrative development, and integration with communications, strategic learning, and development strategies. Media-relations services may include identifying relevant national and international outlets, outreach and pitching, relationship management, earned-media placements, briefing materials, and monitoring and reporting. As needed, the partner may support promotion of research and publications, event messaging, executive visibility, sensitive-topic and rapid-response counsel, and media training for leadership, staff, and fellows, including self-guided resources. Proposals should describe a timeline and process for gathering background information and hearing from organizational leaders across offices, countries, and issue areas. PAX sapiens is a globally focused nonprofit foundation working to prevent predictable global catastrophes by creating systems of collective coordination for a more peaceful world. Its current focus areas include preventing global pandemics, preventing armed conflict between the United States and China (including cooperation to prevent the manufacture and distribution of fentanyl and other illegal synthetic drugs), and preventing the use of nuclear weapons. Its cross-cutting strategies advance good governance in peace, including the global Women, Peace and Security agenda through the Our Secure Future program. The organization takes a long-term, empirical and evidence-informed approach and emphasizes partnerships among non-state actors, governments, and international institutions.

Requirements

Demonstrated experience delivering high-impact public relations for nonprofits, foundations, or mission-driven organizations.
Familiarity with global affairs, international policy, peace and security, public health, or related fields.
Demonstrated ability to communicate complex, systemic issues clearly and achieve strong public-relations results.
Strong, relevant media relationships and proven earned-media results, especially in targeted media spaces such as Washington, D.C., or on issues such as U.S.-China relations.
Experience working with founders, senior leadership, and subject-matter experts.
Proposal must include relevant background, mission alignment, and core competencies; examples and results of comparable work; a tailored proposed approach and scope; and bios or resumes of key personnel.
Proposal must provide a pricing model and fees broken down by service.
At least two relevant client references who worked with the submitting agency or consultant within the past two years.

Responsibilities

Develop an overarching PR and media strategy, including strategies for programs and cross-cutting themes.
Frame messages for programs and cross-cutting themes and develop narratives aligned with PAX sapiens’ mission and history.
Support integration of PR strategy with communications, strategic learning, and development strategies.
Identify relevant national and international media outlets; conduct media outreach, pitching, and relationship management.
Secure earned-media placements, including op-eds, interviews, and feature stories.
Prepare media briefing materials and monitor and report on earned-media activity, organizational mentions, and reputation.
Support promotion of reports, publications, and research outputs as needed.
Provide messaging support for events, dialogues, and convenings, and counsel on executive visibility and thought leadership opportunities as needed.
Advise on sensitive or high-stakes global topics and provide rapid-response counsel when appropriate.
Provide one-to-one media training for leadership, staff, and fellows, and develop self-guided media-training resources as needed.
Propose a timeline and process for gathering background information and consulting organizational leaders across offices, countries, and issue areas.