Ebola Response Communications Consultant - Questions and Answers: Ebola Comms

Request for Consultant Services Proposal (RFP)
Solicitation Title: Ebola Response Communications Consultant
Solicitation Number: FY26-103433-STRIDES-HQ-Consultant-RFP-001
Date of Issue of RFP: Wednesday, 15 July 2026,
Date Questions Due Friday, 17 July 2026, by 11:59 EDT
Date FHI Responds to Questions Monday, 20 July 2026
Date Proposal Due: Wednesday, 22 July 2026, by 11:59 EDT
Approximate Date Consultant Contract
Monday, 3 August 2026
Issued to Successful Candidate(s):
Method of Submittal:
Respond via e-mail to STRIDESProcurement@fhi360.org with the attached documents in MS Word
/ pdf / Excel format.
The Consultant agrees to hold the prices in its offer firm for 90 days from the date specified for the
receipt of offers, unless another time is specified in the addendum of the RFP.
Contract Period of Performance: Estimated August 3, 2026-October 31, 2026
Background:
FHI 360 is a nonprofit organization that mobilizes research, resources and relationships so that
people everywhere can access the opportunities they need to lead full, healthy lives. FHI 360
serves more than 60 countries and all U.S. states and territories. The Strengthening Infectious
Disease Detection Systems (STRIDES) Activity, a U.S. Government-funded global project led by FHI
360, is a critical addition to the U.S. government's global health security (GHS) response with its
focus on improving disease detection, surveillance, data collection, analysis, and reporting
systems worldwide. The U.S. Government-funded Meeting Targets and Maintaining Epidemic
Control (EpiC) project strengthens GHS by working with governments and health workers to be
prepared to prevent, detect, and respond to high-risk pathogens and priority zoonotic diseases with
the potential for outbreak.
On 15 May 2026, the Ministry of Public Health, Hygiene and Social Welfare of the Democratic
Republic of the Congo (DRC) declared an outbreak of Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD) in Ituri
Province, following confirmation of Bundibugyo ebolavirus in reported cases. On 17 May 2026, the
WHO Director-General determined that the outbreak of BVD in the Democratic Republic of the
Congo and Uganda constituted a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. With funding
from the Department of State, STRIDES and EpiC are providing technical and logistical support for
the BVD outbreak in DRC and Uganda, with preparedness activities globally.
Purpose of Consultancy:
The Consultant will support the development, coordination, and implementation of strategic
communications activities for the STRIDES and EpiC Ebola virus outbreak response. Working under
the supervision and guidance of the STRIDES and EpiC communication teams, the consultant will
develop and manage digital content, support the production of external communications
materials, coordinate multimedia assets, and monitor content performance to strengthen
engagement with priority audiences and donor stakeholders.
Consultant Solicitation
June 2026

Scope of Work:
Content Development
* In collaboration with the STRIDES and EpiC communication teams and in alignment with
donor requests, develop and maintain a social media content calendar for FHI 360's Ebola
response that is optimized to reach priority audiences.
* Draft social media content and other written content for FHI 360 platforms, in compliance
with FHI 360 and donor style and editorial guides. Coordinate with Global
Communications, country staff, MEL teams, and other stakeholders to ensure accuracy
and appropriate approvals.
* Edit videos, photos, and other audiovisual content using raw materials provided by local
photographers and videographers for use in external communications, particularly social
media.
o Complete still photography editing and management of metadata, captions,
consent forms
o Complete short form video optimized for reels and shorts
o Select compelling multimedia assets for sharing
o Optimize aspect rations by platform
o Optimize and edit captions in English and French
o Create subtitles in English and French
o Prepare accessibility-friendly assets including alt-text and caption files
* Curate photo and video packages for regular sharing with the donor.
* Provide basic design support for infographics, maps, and other communications materials
intended for external audiences.
* Draft and update external communications products that require regular revision, including
talking points, presentations, key messages, and fact sheets.
* Adapt content for different audiences and platforms, such as donor updates, social media,
web stories, internal briefs, and partner-facing materials.
* Ensure all products align with FHI 360, STRIDES, EpiC, and U.S. Government branding,
marking, and clearance requirements.
Coordination and Organization
* Participate in conference calls with the HQ and country-based preparedness and response
teams to hear updates on the status of activities; and calls with the communications team
for planning purposes.
* Develop and maintain a photo and video management system for both raw and edited
outbreak response content. Organize final products, source files, captions, consent
documentation, and approved language for future use. Develop and maintain a searchable
social media management system to archive content, links, and performance data related
to the outbreak response. Including:
o Raw files
o Final approved assets
o Captions
o Metadata
o Photo credits
o Consent documentation
o Publication dates
o Platform links
Consultant Solicitation
June 2026

o Performance metrics
* Coordinate with local photographers and videographers in the Democratic Republic of the
Congo (DRC), Uganda, Kenya, and other response countries, as needed, to support content
collection and implementation of the content calendar.
* Provide project management support to the STRIDES and EpiC communications teams to
ensure timely implementation of planned activities.
* Track review and approval processes (timestamp and e-signature) with project teams, Global
Communications, country teams, and donor.
Performance Analysis
* In collaboration with Global Communications, analyze social media performance among
priority audiences and apply findings and recommendations to optimize future content and
content calendar planning.
o Track output metrics - including number of posts, videos published, photo
packages delivered, graphics created and web stories drafted
o Track reach metrics - impressions, reach, followers gained, audience growth by
platform
o Engagement metrics - engagement, shares, comments, saves, video completion
rate, link clicks and click-through rate (CTR)
o Quality metrics - highest performing topics, best performing visual styles, highest
engagement by platform, audience sentiment, and emerging content
recommendations
o Use performance data to continuously refine the social media content calendar,
ensuring communications remain timely, audience-focused, and aligned with the
response priority, donor communication objectives and FHI 360 brand guidelines.
Deliverables and Timeline:
Deliverable Description Estimated Due Date
LOE
Initial draft of social media 15 hours 8/15/2026
content calendar with plans for
audiovisual content development
and content management
Develop outbreak systems.
response Develop publish-ready social 55 hours 8/15/2026
communications media, multimedia and web
products, including content creation, scheduling and 70 hours 8/31/2026
social media, written monitoring. Maintain and update
70 hours 9/15/2026
content, multimedia, all standing outbreak
and communications communication resources
70 hours 9/30/2026
repositories. including Ebola response web
page, key messages, talking
70 hours 10/15/2026
points, presentations, factsheets,
FAQs and other reference
materials.
Consultant Solicitation
June 2026

Deliverable Description Estimated Due Date
LOE
5 hours 8/15/2026
Bi-weekly report on progress against
SOW, including links to the updated
10 hours 8/31/2026
social media content calendar;
approved social media content;
10 hours 9/15/2026
edited photo/video assets; updated
external communications materials
10 hours 9/30/2026
(e.g., talking points, presentations,
fact sheets); donor-ready photo/video
package; and updates to content
management systems.
10 hours 10/15/2026
Final report summarizing key outputs 80 hours 10/31/2026
produced, social media performance
metrics, recommendations for
ongoing communications efforts.
Total LOE 475 hours
Period of Performance:
Estimated August 3, 2026, to October 31, 2026
Location and Travel Requirements: Remote with the ability to work within the FHI 360 DC office
working hours 8am - 5pm ET. Travel required - 0%
Timetable and Address for Submission
Interested applicants should submit proposals to STRIDESProcurement@fhi360.org.
Questions are due no later than Friday, 17 July 2026, by 11:59 EDT. Questions should be submitted
via email to STRIDESProcurement@fhi360.org.
Proposals are due no later than Wednesday, 22 July 2026, by 11:59 EDT. Required documentation
listed below must be e-mailed to STRIDESProcurement@fhi360.org.
Qualifications:
* Language: Full working proficiency in French and English required.
* Education: Bachelor's Degree or its International Equivalent in Knowledge/Information
Services, Communications, Environment, Health, Behavioral, Life/Social Sciences,
International Development, Human Development or Related Field.
* Experience: Minimum 5 years professional experience in marketing, public relations,
communications, or a related field. Experience supporting global health, international
development, or emergency response programs is strongly preferred.
* Skills:
Consultant Solicitation
June 2026

o Demonstrated ability to produce, edit, and package photo and video content for
social media and other external communications channels.
LinkedIn
Facebook
X
Instagram
YouTube
Canva
Adobe Creative Cloud
Microsoft Office including SharePoint
Digital asset management software including metadata tagging
Social media publishing and analytics software like SproutSocial or
Hootsuite
SEO and GEO for web stories
o Excellent writing, editing, and proofreading skills, with experience developing
public-facing communications materials, including social media content, talking
points, fact sheets, and presentations.
o Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to coordinate
across multiple stakeholders, time zones, cultures, and work styles.
o Experience using graphic design software (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite or Canva) to
create infographics, reports, presentations, and other communications products
preferred.
o Experience managing social media content calendars and analyzing social media
performance metrics preferred.
o Ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment and manage multiple
competing priorities.
Evaluation Criteria
Proposals will be evaluated in accordance with the following criteria:
* Award will be based upon best value (a combination of qualifications and proposed daily
rate).
* Payment will be based upon Level of Effort (LOE) with reimbursement for approved related
budgeted expenses.
* A portfolio with examples of past work will be required to demonstrate qualifications.
Applicants are also welcome to submit their CV into FHI 360's global consultant database for
future consideration outside of this RFP: Consult@FHI360
Required documentation:
* Completed USAID1420 Biodata Form
* CV with country experience listed and updated to no less than 3 months prior to
submission of proposal
* Cover letter (letter shall summarize the consultant's qualifications and explain why they
should be added to the pool as well as rate of pay).
* Written response addressing the needs listed in the SOW.
* Portfolio of examples of past work to include audiovisual and written communications
products.
Consultant Solicitation
June 2026

* Estimated budget, in Excel format, to complete the work as indicated in this RFP.
FHI 360 Disclaimers
* FHI 360 may perform a background check on any selected Consultant candidates.
* FHI 360 may cancel the solicitation and not award
* FHI 360 may reject any or all responses received
* Issuance of the solicitation does not constitute an award commitment by FHI 360
* FHI 360 reserves the right to disqualify any offer based on failure of the offeror to follow
solicitation instructions
* FHI 360 will not compensate any offeror for responding to solicitation
* FHI 360 reserves the right to issue award based on initial evaluation of offers without further
discussion
* FHI 360 may choose to award only part of the activities in the solicitation, or issue multiple
awards based on the solicitation activities
* FHI 360 reserves the right to waive minor proposal deficiencies that can be corrected prior to
award determination to promote competition
* FHI 360's consultant terms and conditions can be found here
Consultant Solicitation
June 2026