Background

The Sexual Violence Research Initiative (SVRI) is the world’s largest network on research on violence against women (VAW) and violence against children (VAC), providing a space where global role players in the field connect with one another, share and promote their research, work to influence policies and practice and improve the lives of those who have experienced violence driven by gender inequality. We do this through building evidence, strengthening research capacity, promoting partnerships and influencing change. The SVRI became an independent organisation in 2019. It is incorporated as a non-profit organisation under South African law (SVRI NPC 2019/197466/08).

Purpose of the consultancy

To develop and implement a comprehensive communications and PR strategy for the SVRI Forum 2026, 5 – 9 October 2026 at the Centara Grand Hotel and Convention Centre, Bangkok, Thailand. The SVRI Forum is the world’s leading global research conference on violence against women, violence against children, and other forms of violence driven by gender inequality. It provides a safe and inclusive space where delegates from diverse backgrounds come together to build evidence, expand networks, create collaborations, and share knowledge with decision-makers, practitioners, funders, activists, and researchers.

The Forum’s communications and PR efforts play a critical role in ensuring that these voices and evidence reach influential media and policy spaces, strengthen visibility of the field, and amplify the Forum’s narrative and legacy.

Expected deliverables and outputs

The consultant will, in close consultation with SVRI, develop and implement a comprehensive communications and PR strategy for the SVRI Forum 2026. This should include:

1. Strategy and narrative

• A communications and PR strategy that identifies key audiences (e.g. researchers, practitioners, funders, policymakers, activists, government representatives, women’s rights organisations, media, the wider public etc).
• A core message framework and quote bank for Forum spokespeople, co-hosts, and partners.
• A narrative arc that maps communications milestones from the launch phase to the Forum itself and beyond, ensuring visibility before, during, and after the event.

2. Media and PR Strategy

• Develop a global media outreach strategy that ensures strong visibility for the Forum, with a particular focus on reaching audiences in low- and middle-income countries and underrepresented regions (such as Southeast Asia and the Pacific, Latin America, North Africa, and the Middle East). This strategy should both raise the profile of the Forum internationally and integrate the Forum brand more fully within SVRI’s broader communications identity.
• Identify, develop and manage relationships with journalists, editors, and outlets in global, regional, and LMIC media spaces.
• Develop press kits, press releases, fact sheets, and story packages before, during and after the Forum.
• During the Forum, create and manage media accreditation process, database, and press room (onsite and online). Create at least two press briefings prior to the Forum and daily press notes during the event, and one press release after the Forum.
• Support for SVRI, Leadership Council, and co-hosts with interview preparation, basic media training where requested, and talking points.
• Drafting, pitching, and placing op-eds and featured stories in respected media outlets before, during and after the Forum. Obtain at least 4 media placements over the contract period (with a focus on low and middle-income country outlets).

3. Digital, design and partner engagement

• Develop and implement a Forum communications plan in coordination with the SVRI Forum organising team led by SVRIs Partnerships and SVRI Forum Lead, supported by SVRIs Communications team, including pre-event promotion, onsite coverage, and post-event reporting
• Produce digital and non-digital communications products using the official Forum 2026 look and feel, ensuring alignment with SVRI branding. Consultant/s may use their own designer(s) to build on the Forum design and create beautiful, engaging products, including:
  • Social media cards and visuals (for SVRI and partners’ use)
  • Flyers and brochures
  • Zoom backgrounds
  • Social media assets (Instagram, BlueSky, LinkedIn, Facebook, etc.)
  • Newsletter formats and graphics
  • Branded photography overlays and templates
• Production of a monthly SVRI Forum newsletter, distributed via SVRI channels, aligned with the comms narrative arc.
• Create an engaging social media campaign for LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook and BlueSky that includes dissemination of
  • Pre-conference key information, with special announcements and dates, to be confirmed with the SVRI Team.
  • Live coverage with two posts a day with relevant information of the events and the creation of at least one reel for Instagram a day and two stories a day.
  • Post-conference: dissemination of post-conference reports and learnings from the Forum.
• Promotion, live coverage, and post-event communications for all Forum-related webinars (launch webinars in October 2025 and January 2026, topical webinars in December 2025, and subsequent webinars during 2026), ensuring these events are integrated into the Forum’s wider communications strategy.
• Development of partner amplification toolkits (social media copy, visuals, press releases, key messages) to extend reach through networks.
• Provide regularly updated press materials, media contacts, and highlights for Forum website.

4. Post-Forum highlights campaign

• Design and implement a short campaign to showcase Forum highlights and outcomes after the event.
• Video coverage: creation of a 5min snapshot video of the conference, including 1min30 shorts for social media in landscape and portrait, to release a month after the conference.
• Repurpose daily content (photos, quotes, videos, media coverage) shared during the event into a series of engaging products (e.g. social media cards, short videos, newsletter features, blog posts).
• Ensure the campaign reinforces the Forum’s key messages and legacy, reaching both those who attended and wider audiences who could not.
• Produce a media and social media outreach booklet after the Forum with a comprehensive analysis of the impact of the work.

5. Accessibility, safeguarding and ethics

• Communications that align with SVRI safeguarding policy and Code of Conduct.
• Consent processes for photos, videos, and interviews, including crediting/anonymisation where needed.
• Ensure accessible formats (captions, alt text, plain-language summaries).
• Inclusive imagery and design.
• Language justice: ensuring accurate translation/interpretation where budget allows.

6. Monitoring and learning

• A monitoring and evaluation plan with clear KPIs (e.g. number and quality of media placements, reach, social media engagement, referral traffic etc).
• Regular progress updates agreed upon between the SVRI Forum organising and internal communications team and the consultant e.g. weekly meetings prior to the Forum, daily updates during the event, and a comprehensive post-Forum coverage and learning report.

7. Asset handover

• Ongoing uploading of all raw and final materials (e.g. press lists, images, videos, reports, designs) with clear ownership to SVRI.
• Final handover to include organised, editable design files and templates so SVRI can continue to use the visual identity beyond the Forum.

Experience and skills requirements  

The consultant or team should demonstrate the following:

• Fluency in English is required.
• Proven track record in communications, PR, and media relations, ideally in the fields of global health, gender equality, or violence prevention.
• Strong experience in securing high-profile and influential media coverage, including developing story angles, pitching, placing op-eds, and managing media accreditation.
• Design and creative production skills, with capacity to produce social media cards, flyers, newsletters, and branded assets aligned to SVRI Forum look and feel.
• Demonstrated ability to produce high-quality communications strategies, products, and campaigns that are accessible, inclusive, and creative.
• Experience with trauma-informed, survivor-centred, and feminist communications approaches, including safeguarding and consent in storytelling.
• Strong understanding of accessibility standards (alt text, captioning, plain language, inclusive imagery, accessible PDFs).
• Demonstrated ability to translate complex research and policy content into clear, engaging messaging tailored to different audiences.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and cultural sensitivity, with experience working across multiple countries, time zones, and stakeholder groups.
• Strong monitoring and evaluation skills for communications and PR, with capacity to track reach, uptake, and outcomes.
• Experience working on large-scale international events or conferences, including onsite press operations, daily media updates, and coordination with organisers.
• A diverse and inclusive team composition, and multilingual capacity are assets.
• The team may be based anywhere in the world – with preference towards communications specialists based in low and middle-income countries, and for this specific consultancy, Asia.

Ways of working and governance

To ensure the Forum remains the clear communications priority:

• The consultant must assign dedicated named leads and adequate staff time to the Forum throughout the contract, including peak capacity during the 6 weeks prior to the event, the Forum week itself, and 4 – 6 weeks post-Forum (depending on the contract).
• If the consultant holds any other communications contracts at the same time of the SVRI Forum or at the SVRI Forum, they must provide a resourcing plan that demonstrates how Forum deliverables will be protected and prioritised.
• From August 2026 through November 2026, Forum communications must be treated as first-priority work, with exclusivity for core staff where needed.
• The consultant will work with SVRI’s Communications team and SVRI Forum organising team, reporting to the Partnerships and SVRI Forum Lead for sign-off on materials.
• Weekly coordination meetings pre-Forum to sign off on materials for the following week, daily 15-minute check-ins during the Forum, and a debrief session post-Forum.
• If capacity risks Forum delivery, the consultant must notify SVRI within 24 hours and propose a mitigation plan.

Timeline and duration of assignment

The assignment is expected to begin in December 2025 and conclude in November 2026, covering the build-up year, the Forum itself (5–9 October 2026, Bangkok, Thailand), and the post-Forum highlights campaign.

How to apply

Applicants are asked to submit full proposals providing details on how you will work with the SVRI team to develop and implement a communications strategy and plan, the steps involved, timeline for activities and deliverables.

Please include two examples of media contacts in each region (i.e. Africa, Europe and Central Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, Southeast Asia and the Pacific, South Asia, North Africa and the Middle East, North America). This can be either current contacts or examples of media you would pitch our work to and how, demonstrating knowledge of the media landscape in each region. If you are specialised in a particular region, please specify. Include examples of past relevant work as well as media placements.

Please include a full budget which includes travel and accommodation to the SVRI Forum 2026. Include an estimated level of effort per week/month related to your budget and the number of people that would be working in the project.

Proposals should be submitted latest by 14 November 2025 at 5pm South African Standard Time in soft copy to the email address: forums@svri.org stating “Consultancy: SVRI Forum 2026 Communications” in the email subject line.

Applicants will be shortlisted based upon their proposal, budget, and CV. All proposal documents should be submitted in English. Only short-listed applicants/consultancies will be contacted.

SVRI reserves the right to not accept any or all proposals and is not bound to any legal claim in this regard.