Request for Proposals - Marketing & Communications Consultant

Purpose

The Canadian Hearing Society (CHS) is seeking the services of a qualified Marketing & Communications consultant to conduct an operational review of the CHS Marketing & Communications department, provide a report of the findings, and provide recommendations.

A key activity in the 2012-2015 CHS Strategic Plan is to increase CHS's public awareness and visibility, establishing CHS as the "go to" organization for all culturally Deaf, oral deaf, deafened and hard of hearing people in Ontario by:

• Developing an organization-wide Awareness Action Plan and Marketing Delivery Model by end of 2012
• Implementing the Awareness Action Plan, achieving defined targets for public awareness, brand recognition, media coverage, advocacy and hearing health issues

In addition, the 2012-2015 Strategic Plan has ambitious financial targets that marketing will play a significant role in achieving.

Background Information

Founded in 1940, The Canadian Hearing Society (CHS) is a not-for profit. Our mission is to be the leading provider of services, products, and information that remove barriers to communication, advance hearing health, and promote equity for people who are culturally Deaf, oral deaf, deafened and hard of hearing.

Unique in North America, CHS offers a complete roster of essential services through a network of 28 offices across Ontario. In addition, CHS has established partnerships with two agencies in other provinces (Nova Scotia and Manitoba) for the sale of communication devices.

Accessibility Services:

• American Sign Language (ASL)-English, la langue des signes québécoise (LSQ)-French interpreting (on site and video remote interpreting)
• Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART)
• accessibility consulting
• communication devices
• workplace accessibility
• conference accessibility coordination
• video conferencing

Counselling Services:

• outreach and counselling to older adults
• general and mental health counselling
• addiction and court diversion services
• outreach to children, youth and families

Employment Consulting

• Assistance with job search
• Employment supports
• Employment resources

Education Programs:

• sign language instruction
• literacy training
• information and public awareness

Hearing Healthcare Services:

• hearing testing
• hearing aid sales
• support for living with hearing loss

Head office:

271 Spadina Rd.,

Toronto, ON M5R 2V3

Website: www.chs.ca

Scope of Work & Deliverables

The operational review will include:

• a review of the service delivery model of CHS Marketing & Communications
• a comprehensive review of the current mandate of the department, its structure/staffing and policies/procedures
• an analysis of current marketing activities to determine effectiveness and return on investment
• a comprehensive review of the marketing and communications needs of the organization and of the CHS strategic goals,
• recommendations for the direction, mandate, priorities, scope, structure/staffing, policies/procedures and service delivery model for Marketing & Communications to meet the CHS strategic goals

The operations review will be conducted through:

• surveys
• interviews with the Marketing & Communications team and key stakeholders including the program and regional management and CHS's senior management team
• interviews with external stakeholders as needed to provide additional insights

The deliverables will include:

• a report that outlines the key findings
• recommendations for:
  • the model of service delivery to meet the CHS strategic goals and the needs of CHS with regards to its marketing and communications
  • CHS Marketing & Communications department mandate, priorities, scope, structure and activities reflective of current and trending "best practices"
  • Tracking mechanism/procedure to determine impact of marketing activities
  • policies and procedures

Qualifications

Demonstrated senior level experience in marketing and communications consulting in a multi-faceted not-for-profit agency that has revenue-generating programs and social enterprise in which revenues are reinvested into the organization.

Term of Contract

Negotiable – to begin immediately

Reports to President and CEO

Bid Submission

Interested applicants are to submit a proposal that includes the following:

• Brief CV of all consultations highlighting relevant experience and qualifications
• A description of similar work provided in the past five (5) years
• An outline of a work plan including timelines of activities/deliverables
• A budget for the project including all expenses and GST
• Three (3) references from previous projects that relate to this RFP
• Consultant's contact coordinates including email

Deadline for Submissions

Interested applicants should submit a proposal by Friday, June 15, 2012 @ 5pm and only those selected will be contacted for an interview. In accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), CHS will provide accommodation, accessible formats and communication supports for the interview upon request.

THE CANADIAN HEARING SOCIETY SUPPORTS AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION
HIRING PROCESS FOR CULTURALLY DEAF, ORAL DEAF, DEAFENED,
AND HARD OF HEARING APPLICANTS.