Grenada Clean and Healthy Ocean Project Communications and Stakeholder Engagement Consultant

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL
RFP#: GNDCHOIP001
Old Fort Road, St George’s, Grenada
8 September 2026

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP) for a Communications and Stakeholder Engagement Consultant for the “Improving Waste Management and Public Awareness for a Clean and Healthy Ocean” Project in Grenada.

1. Introduction

The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is the leading conservation organisation working to make a positive impact around the world in more than 70 countries. Founded in 1951, TNC’s mission is to conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends. With our core values of integrity beyond reproach, respect for people, communities, and culture, and commitment to diversity, we aim at environmental conservation through lasting tangible results. Visit www.nature.org to learn more.

2. Purpose

It is the intention of TNC to solicit proposals from qualified bidders to fulfil the role of a Communications and Media Consultant to enhance the visibility, reputation, stakeholder engagement, and public awareness of the Clean and Healthy Ocean project. TNC reserves the right to reject proposals for any reason and to pursue purchasing in a manner that is in the best interest of the organisation.

3. Background

“Improving Waste Management and Public Awareness for a Clean and Healthy Ocean” is a 5-year project being executed in Grenada by TNC. This project forms part of the global Clean and Healthy Ocean Integrated Programme (CHO-IP) and is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF).

The project aims to reduce marine hypoxia in Grenada through improved management of nutrient and organic pollution from land-based sources through an integrated approach that combines regulation, awareness-raising, stakeholder collaboration, and implementing nature-based solutions — all within the framework of the Sustainable Blue Economy. This will be done through a systematic approach:

1. Building awareness and stakeholder engagement through a national gender-sensitive campaign targeting households, youth, and private sector actors. Activities will promote understanding of nutrient pollution and support nature-based solutions, while leveraging cultural practices and champions to shift behaviour
2. Strengthening policy, regulatory, and investment frameworks by conducting gap analyses and developing inclusive, gender-responsive policy recommendations aligned with global standards. Targeted capacity building for enforcement and implementation will support improved governance
3. Piloting and upscaling best management practices, with a focus on nature-based solutions to reduce marine hypoxia, coupled with water quality monitoring and national benchmarks for pollution control
4. Enhancing knowledge management by developing a national knowledge platform with gender-responsive features, and by contributing to global platforms like the CHO-IP Knowledge Portal. Grenada will share case studies, participate in Communities of Practice, and contribute to program-wide products

Outreach and engagement are critical to the success of this project, promoting community action to reduce marine hypoxia and fostering high-level support for policy reform and regulations. Varied public actors to be engaged include communities/vulnerable groups such as women, youth, farmers, and fishers; private sector actors, especially within the tourism industry, residential developers, and agricultural sectors; Government and regulatory bodies; and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

4. Terms of Reference

The Communications and Stakeholder Engagement Consultant will provide strategic and operational communications support to enhance the visibility, reputation, stakeholder engagement, and public awareness of the Clean and Healthy Ocean project. The consultancy is expected to run for the duration of the project, i.e., for at least 4) years.

Objectives

The consultant will:

• Execute a national baseline assessment on awareness of marine hypoxia and nutrient pollution, including societal and cultural studies exploring how local cultural practices can be incorporated into awareness-raising efforts. The assessment should also factor in the diverse needs of vulnerable groups and strategies for gender-sensitive and inclusive outreach
• Develop a National Communication and Outreach Plan that will complement the global CHO-IP’s Communications and Outreach Strategy
• Develop gender-sensitive and inclusive campaign materials for various platforms (e.g., TV, radio, social media, print, in-person events), including targeted messaging for different audiences
• Adapt and disseminate social media and communication materials from the global programme
• Ensure consistent branding across all project communication materials, aligned with the CHO-IP visual identity
• Collaborate with stakeholders, including local leaders, NGOs and communities/community-based organisations, to support campaign delivery
• Facilitate roll-out of the campaign using community events, media outreach, and social media engagement
• Monitor campaign effectiveness and document lessons learned to improve future awareness efforts
• Promote nature-based climate solutions and their benefits to various stakeholder groups as identified in the Stakeholder Engagement Plan and throughout implementation
• Assist in promoting the project’s Accountability and Grievance Mechanism (AGM), and ensure the AGM is included in all published materials

Scope of Work

The consultant will undertake, but not be limited to, the following responsibilities:

Strategic Communications

• Develop and regularly update communication and outreach strategies
• Prepare annual communication plans
• Provide advice on communication priorities and messaging
• Lead communication around project launches, milestones, and events

Content Development

• Draft and edit materials, including press releases, news articles, newsletters, factsheets, success stories, case studies, and blogs
• Ensure content aligns with the CHO-IP’s, TNC’s, and Conservation International’s branding, visual identity and editorial standards

Media Relations

• Develop and maintain relationships with media outlets (i.e., print, online, TV and radio)
• Arrange media appearances for the project team to raise awareness and profile of the project
• Prepare media briefing materials
• Monitor media coverage and identify opportunities for positive media exposure

Digital Communications

• Create and maintain content calendars
• Facilitate the production of multimedia content including graphics, videos, and infographics
• Develop digital campaigns to increase engagement
• Monitor project page on TNC website and recommend content updates

Event Communications

• Support communication planning for workshops, conferences, and public events
• Prepare event-related communication materials
• Coordinate media coverage and publicity activities

Stakeholder Engagement

• Develop and implement engagement and outreach strategies that increase awareness and opportunities for stakeholders to participate
• Plan, promote, and coordinate meetings, workshops, and outreach events
• Gathering stakeholder feedback; summarising insights and recommending improvements
• Monitor engagement outcomes and use results to improve outreach and relationship-building efforts

Monitoring and Reporting

• Track communication performance indicators
• Monitor media coverage and public sentiment
• Produce semi-annual and annual communication reports
• Provide recommendations for continuous improvement

Duration of Assignment

• Contract period: 48 months (October 2026–2030)
• Anticipated start date: 15 October 2026

 5. Key Deliverables

The consultant shall deliver:

DeliverableTimelineMethodology (questions, audience, delivery methods) for national baseline assessment on awareness of marine hypoxia and nutrient pollutionMonth 1Baseline assessment reportMonth 3National Communication and Outreach PlanMonth 3-4Gender-sensitive and inclusive campaign materials for various platforms (TV, radio, social media, etc.)OngoingContent products (graphics, videos, articles, press releases, success stories, newsletters, etc.).OngoingParticipate in stakeholder engagement activities to facilitate increased project awarenessOngoingAnnual communication plansOngoing (with set due dates)Semi-annual and annual communication reports, including media analyticsOngoing (with set due dates)Event communication packagesAs needed

6. Payment Schedule

Payments will be based on agreed deliverables and timelines finalised during contract negotiations.

7. Eligibility

Both individuals and media firms are eligible to apply. Consultant will ideally be based in Grenada, but applicants from the wider Caribbean region will also be considered. Relocation is not required and will not be funded by The Nature Conservancy.

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education and Experience

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Marketing, Media Studies, or a related field
• Minimum 7 years of professional experience in communications, media relations and stakeholder engagement
• Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing communication strategies
• Experience working with development agencies, government institutions, NGOs, or international organisations is desirable
• Proven track record of securing media coverage and managing public communications

Technical Competencies

• Excellent writing, editing, and storytelling skills
• Strong understanding of digital and social media platforms
• Experience in media engagement and stakeholder communications
• Knowledge of branding and visual communication principles
• Ability to analyse communications and analytics reports
• Integration of gender and inclusion lens in communications

8. Submission Details

1. Deadline: Proposals must be received no later than 2 October 2026 at 11:59 pm AST. Late submissions will not be accepted. Proposals must be submitted via email to [email protected]. All proposals are to be submitted following the guidelines listed in this RFP
2. Validity of bid: 120 days from the submission deadline
3. Clarifications: Questions may be submitted to [email protected] by the specified date in the timeline below. The subject of the email must contain the RFP number and title of the RFP. TNC will respond in writing to submitted clarifications by the date specified in the proposal timeline below. Responses to questions that may be of common interest to all bidders will be communicated via email
4. Amendments: At any time prior to the deadline for submission of proposals, TNC may, for any reason, modify the RFP documents by amendment, which will be communicated via email

Timeline:

Proposal StageDateRFP Issued8 September 2026Clarifications submitted to TNC18 September 2026Clarifications provided to known bidders25 September 2026Complete proposals due to TNC2 October 2026Final selection15 October 2026

9. Application Requirements

Interested candidates should submit:

• Technical proposal outlining proposed approach to executing the consultancy
• Financial proposal outlining fees for the execution of the consultancy
• Curriculum Vitae (CV) of all personnel to be involved in the consultancy
• Portfolio of previous relevant communication products and stakeholder engagement activities

10. Evaluation Criteria

The Nature Conservancy will seek the best value for money considering the merits of the technical deliverables and costs. Proposals will be evaluated using the following criteria:

Evaluation CriteriaScore (out of 100)The technical approach or methodology aligns with the estimated needs of the project35 Max pointsProposed budget costs are reasonable and realistic, reflecting a solid understanding of the assignment35 Max pointsRelevant technical experience for the project20 Max pointsRelevant geographical experience working on similar projects10 Max Points

TNC

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