About this opportunity
AI summaryThe Center for Health Equity & Wellbeing – New Jersey Public Health Institute seeks an experienced independent consultant or small boutique firm to serve as its Fractional Communications and Public Relations Lead. The contractor will work offsite for approximately 10 to 12 hours per month to operationalize an existing communications plan, manage social media, develop newsletters, create promotional materials, and conduct media outreach. Eligibility is restricted to onshore United States organizations, with preference given to an individual senior consultant or boutique firm. Proposals must include relevant experience, pricing, and two to three work samples, and candidates will be evaluated on sector experience, qualifications, and cost value. Applicants must submit questions by October 23, 2026, and email complete proposals in a single PDF to [email protected] by November 13, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The engagement features an initial 12-month contract with an anticipated budget of $1,750 to $2,500 per month, not to exceed $30,000 annually.
Buyer and opportunity details
- Client
- The Center for Health Equity & Wellbeing – New Jersey Public Health Institute
Scope of work
- Support implementation, ongoing refinement, and expansion of existing communications plan
- Develop, edit, and schedule social media content and maintain editorial/content calendar
- Lead development, content drafting, and coordination of quarterly newsletter
- Provide recommendations for website, annual report, strategic pillars, and develop promotional materials
- Develop press releases, media advisories, pitches, talking points, and identify earned media opportunities
- Build and maintain targeted media lists, proactively pitch stories, and support media inquiries
- Support executive communications, commentary, articles, op-eds, and thought leadership
- Provide strategic counsel and participate in monthly communications planning meetings
How proposals are evaluated
| Criterion | Weight / scoring |
|---|---|
| Relevant communications/PR experience, including earned media results | 25 |
| Proposed approach and illustrative month — clear grasp of fractional, hands-on support | 25 |
| Writing quality and work samples | 15 |
| Public health, health equity, or mission-driven sector experience | 15 |
| Cost and value | 10 |
| New Jersey and health-sector media relationships | 5 |
| References | 5 |
Minimum qualifications
- Experienced independent consultant or small boutique firm where the person proposed personally performs the work
- Significant professional experience in communications, public relations, media relations, or strategic communications
- Experience supporting nonprofit, public health, healthcare, government, association, or mission-driven organizations
- Strong writing, editing, interviewing, and storytelling skills
- Track record of securing or supporting earned media
- Experience developing and managing social media and digital content
- Ability to work independently and proactively with limited supervision
- Experience supporting senior executives and organizational thought leadership
Documents to include with your response
- Proposal addressing understanding of CHEW and engagement, proposed approach, and illustrative month
- Relevant experience section including earned media secured
- Who will do the work section with name and brief bio
- Two to three client references ideally from mission-driven organizations
- Pricing details covering monthly retainer, hours, included services, hourly overage rate, and unused hours approach
- Availability details regarding responsiveness and earliest start date
- Two to three work samples such as press release, placed story, newsletter, or social media campaign
- Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest
Key dates
- RFP issued
- Oct 7, 2026
- Written questions due
- Oct 23, 2026
- Answers posted to all respondents
- Oct 30, 2026
- Proposals due
- Nov 13, 2026, 5:00 p.m. ET
- Finalist interviews (week of)
- Dec 1, 2026
- Selection and notification
- Dec 11, 2026
- Anticipated engagement start
- Jan 4, 2027
How to submit
- Method
- Instructions
- Email one PDF to the designated email address with the subject line RFP Response – Fractional Communications/PR Lead. Proposals may not exceed 5 pages, excluding work samples and references.
Contract details
- Term
- Initial 12-month term, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and continued organizational need
- Estimated value
- $1,750–$2,500 per month (not to exceed $30,000 annually)