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

Request for Proposals (RFP)

Public Relations Support for PAX sapiens

Organizational Overview

PAX sapiens is a globally-focused nonprofit foundation with a mission to prevent predictable global catastrophes through the creation of new systems of collective coordination that promise a more peaceful world.

PAX sapiens catalyzes coordination and collective action across the philanthropic, private, and public sectors to address large-scale, preventable risks. The organization’s work currently focuses on three major catastrophic risk areas:

• Preventing global pandemics
• Preventing armed conflict between the United States and China
  • As part of the U.S.-China work, promoting U.S. and China cooperation to prevent the manufacture and distribution of fentanyl and other illegal, synthetic drugs.
• Preventing the use of nuclear weapons

PAX sapiens achieves this mission using cross-cutting strategies that advance good governance in peace. In particular, PAX sapiens works to advance the global Women, Peace and Security agenda via the Our Secure Future program. 

PAX sapiens operates with a long-term perspective, an empirical and evidence-informed approach, and a strong emphasis on partnerships that bring non-state actors together with governments and international institutions.

Opportunity

PAX sapiens is seeking a qualified public relations firm or consultant to provide media strategy, relations and execution support that strengthens the organization’s visibility, credibility, and influence among key priority audiences and elevates its subject matter experts within their fields.

The selected partner will help translate complex global risk issues and coordination-based solutions into clear, compelling narratives that support media coverage for PAX sapiens’ mission and programmatic priorities.

Goals

The primary objectives of this engagement include:

• Strengthening relationships with global, regional and national policy-adjacent stakeholders thought leaders, and decision-makers through expanding coverage in relevant media outlets
• Positioning PAX sapiens as an expert, top actor for preventing global catastrophes and advancing peaceful coordination
• Positioning the organization’s program leads as experts in their issue areas
• Supporting visibility for PAX sapiens publications, convenings, dialogues, and initiatives
• Supporting consistent, mission-aligned messaging across all external communications
• Increasing awareness of PAX sapiens’ unique mission and theory of change
• Expanding the organization’s partnerships and collaborations in support of its mission
• Supporting the organization’s development goals, including cofounding and fundraising

These objectives should align with PAX sapiens’ emphasis on coordination, long-term thinking, and cross-sector collaboration.

Scope of Work

Respondents should propose a scope of services that includes the following:

Public Relations Strategy

• Development of an overarching PR and media strategy, with strategies for each program and/or cross-cutting themes.
• Message framing for each program and/or cross-cutting themes.
• Narrative development aligned with PAX sapiens’ mission and history.
• Support for integrating PR strategy with PAX sapiens’ communications, strategic learning, and development strategies.

Media Relations

• Identification of relevant national and international media outlets
• Media outreach, pitching, and relationship management
• Placement of earned media, including op-eds, interviews, and feature stories
• Preparation of media briefing materials
• Monitoring and reporting of earned media activities and PAX’s mentions and reputation overall

Content and Thought Leadership Support (as needed)

• Support for promoting reports, publications, and research outputs
• Messaging support for events, dialogues, and convenings
• Counsel on executive visibility and thought leadership opportunities

Issues and Reputation Support (as needed)

• Guidance on navigating sensitive or high-stakes global topics
• Rapid response counsel when appropriate

Media Training Support (as needed)

• One-one PAX sapiens leadership, staff, and fellow media training
• Develop resources for self-guided media training

The scope of work should also specify a proposed timeline and process for the firm to gain background information, hear from key organizational leaders across multiple offices, countries, and issue areas.

Target Audiences

• Policy and decision-making communities
• Philanthropic, private sector, and funding partners
• Media covering global affairs, security, public health, and international cooperation
• Peer organizations and global coordination stakeholders
• Informed stakeholders in peace, security, and catastrophe prevention

Desired Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in highly impactful 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 with strong public relations results
• Strong and relevant media relationships and proven earned-media results, especially in targeted media spaces like Washington, D.C. or hot-button issues like U.S.-China relations
• Experience working with founders, senior leadership, and subject-matter experts

Proposal Requirements

1. Firm or Consultant Overview
   Relevant background, mission alignment, and core competencies
2. Relevant Experience
   Examples and results of comparable PR work
3. Proposed Approach
   Recommended strategy and scope of work tailored to PAX sapiens’ mission and issue focus areas
4. Team
   Bios/resumes of key personnel who would support the engagement
5. Budget and Fee Structure
   Proposed pricing model (e.g., monthly retainer, project-based) and proposed fees with a breakdown of fees per service.
6. References
   At least two relevant client references that worked with the submitting agency or consultant within the past two years.

Timeline and Process

PAX sapiens anticipates selecting a partner following review of proposals and may request interviews with shortlisted respondents. Final timelines and contract terms will be determined in collaboration with the selected partner.

Submission Information

Proposals should be submitted electronically through BambooHR.

In order to provide equal access to all applicants, we are not able to provide information or have correspondence of any kind outside of this RFP process.

AI Use Acknowledgement:  This RFP was drafted by Copilot, edited by Wendy Lu Maxwell-Barton, and revised by Emily Ambash.