Strategic Communications & Brand Consultant
Start: ASAP
Contract Duration: 2-3 months
Location: Remote
Compensation: Fixed project fee, to be discussed based on experience and scope
About Small Economy Works
At Small Economy Works, we are dedicated to supporting thriving, sustainable, and vibrant small communities. Our mission is to invigorate local economies through culturally responsive and locally adapted entrepreneurial training and social innovation initiatives. We believe that individuals equipped with entrepreneurial mindsets and skills have the power to create positive and lasting change. Youth in rural, remote, and Northern communities inspire us, and we empower them to become leaders in their communities without needing to leave home for opportunities.
About the Strategic Communications & Brand Consultant
Small Economy Works (SEW) is seeking a communications and marketing consultant/firm to lead the development and implementation of a strategic communications framework that unifies our diverse programs and initiatives under one unified brand identity. SEW operates at the intersection of entrepreneurship, employment, and social innovation, supporting Indigenous and underserved youth in rural, remote and northern communities. We offer culturally informed, and locally relevant training, mentorship, and economic development programs. With multiple initiatives—including the Inspire Programs (Nunavut, Labrador, Yukon, NWT), and cross-regional employment and business incubators (Initiate), and new projects evolving all the time—our communications strategy must evolve to ensure clarity, coherence, and impact.
We are seeking external expertise to refine our messaging, enhance our public presence, and position SEW as a thought leader in youth and community development, economic empowerment and Indigenous entrepreneurship.
Objectives
The selected consultant/firm will:
- Develop a cohesive communications strategy that brings all SEW initiatives under one unified brand.
- Establish clear messaging frameworks to ensure consistency across programs, partnerships, and public-facing materials.
- Strengthen SEW’s organizational identity, ensuring our impact is clearly communicated to funders, partners, and the public.
- Support SEW’s thought leadership, positioning the organization as a key voice in economic development, Indigenous-led entrepreneurship, and employment innovation.
- Provide strategic guidance on branding, social media, website updates, and external engagement to elevate SEW’s presence.
Scope of Work
Phase 1: Discovery & Assessment
- Conduct an audit of SEW’s current communications materials, including websites, social media, newsletters, program materials, and reports.
- Engage with SEW leadership and program teams to understand organizational priorities and stakeholder needs.
Phase 2: Strategic Communications Framework
- Develop a unified brand narrative that integrates SEW’s various programs and initiatives under one cohesive identity.
- Create a messaging guide for different audiences, including funders, community partners, program participants, and policymakers.
- Develop internal communications guidelines to ensure consistency in how SEW communicates across different platforms.
- Enhance existing brand guidelines to ensure consistency visual brand identity
- Establish a content strategy, outlining key themes, storytelling approaches, and brand voice.
Phase 3: Implementation Support
- Provide guidance to the team on social media and digital marketing strategies to increase visibility and engagement.
- Advise on website and social media account updates and improvements to reflect the unified brand.
- Develop templates for newsletters, reports, case studies, and other public-facing materials.
- Identify media and thought leadership opportunities (e.g., op-eds, speaker engagements, partnerships).
Phase 4: Knowledge Transfer & Capacity Building
- Deliver a training session for key SEW staff on the new communications strategy and branding guidelines.
- Provide ongoing advisory support during the transition to ensure seamless implementation.
- Create a handover package, including brand guidelines, key messaging, and templates.
Deliverables
The selected firm will be responsible for delivering:
✔️ Comprehensive Communications Strategy, aligning SEW’s brand across all initiatives
✔️ Updated Branding & Visual Identity Recommendations, ensuring consistency across platforms
✔️ Content Strategy & Storytelling Framework, helping SEW showcase impact to different audiences
✔️ Media & Thought Leadership Plan, positioning SEW as a leader in youth leadership/economic empowerment
✔️ Social Media & Website Recommendations, supporting digital engagement
✔️ Final Report & Training Session to equip SEW staff with tools for continued implementation
Desired Expertise
The ideal firm/consultant will have:
🔹 Experience in nonprofit, social enterprise, or Indigenous-focused communications
🔹Experience working with youth-focused or Indigenous-led organizations
🔹 Strong storytelling capabilities, with a focus on community and youth impact
🔹 Expertise in brand strategy, messaging development, and digital marketing
🔹 Knowledge of funding and policy landscapes, particularly in the areas of employment, innovation, and entrepreneurship
Timeline & Budget
- Proposal Deadline: March 14th
- Selection & Contracting: March 19th
- Project Kickoff: March 24th
- Final Deliverables Due: June 1
Budget proposals should align with the scope of work and be inclusive of all costs.
Submission Details
Interested firms should submit:
📌 A brief proposal (max 3 pages) outlining their approach, timeline, and budget estimate.
📌 Examples of previous work in brand strategy, messaging, or nonprofit communications.
📌 References or testimonials from past clients.