Digital Communications Consultant

Request for Proposals

Overview

The Knight-Georgetown Institute (KGI) seeks proposals from qualified communications professionals to provide part-time digital communications support over a six-month period. This role will support KGI’s growing portfolio of publications, events, and digital communications.

We are seeking a highly organized, creative, and detail-oriented communications professional who can work collaboratively with our communications team to produce digital content, maintain communications assets, and support performance measurement across our digital channels.

This role is for up to 20 hours per week for a period of six months, with flexibility in scheduling based on project needs. This role is remote and is open to consultants across the US.

Apply here today. Applications are due by August 3, 2026. 

About the Knight-Georgetown Institute

KGI is dedicated to connecting independent research with technology policy and design. KGI serves as a central hub for the growing network of scholarship that seeks to shape how technology is used to produce, disseminate, and access information. KGI is designed to provide practical resources that policymakers, journalists, and private and public sector leaders can use to tackle information and technology issues in real time. Georgetown University and the Knight Foundation came together to launch the institute in 2024.

KGI seeks to inform policy debates by translating existing research, producing novel research and policy outputs, and synthesizing evidence about the impacts of policy interventions domestically and abroad. Our work is situated within three related fields of technology policy: platform governance, competition policy, and artificial intelligence policy and technology.

Scope of Services

The Digital Communications Consultant will provide design support on an as-needed basis across a range of communications projects. Projects may include, but are not limited:

Content Creation and Publishing

• Draft and adapt social media copy across multiple platforms
• Create simple branded graphics using KGI’s visual identity and templates on Canva
• Repurpose reports, events, and other outputs into engaging digital content, including social media copy, graphics, short-form video, newsletter copy, and articles for the website, among others
• Identify opportunities to extend the reach of KGI content, including repackaging existing materials into creative formats and connecting them to timely hooks, such as relevant news and policy developments
• Edit short-form video clips for social media and YouTube

Digital Asset Management

• Help build and maintain KGI’s photo, graphics, and multimedia library
• Source high-quality images and visual assets for publications and digital communications
• Organize and maintain digital files for efficient team use

Analytics and Performance Reporting

• Help track key metrics across digital channels
• Identify trends and provide recommendations based on performance data
• Support reporting for communications strategy and planning

General Communications Support

• Assist with communications planning and editorial calendars
• Support with communications strategy-related research projects
• Help maintain consistency across KGI’s digital presence
• Provide additional communications support as needed

The selected consultant will be expected to work within KGI’s existing brand guidelines and existing workflows and processes. 

Desired Qualifications

We welcome proposals from freelancers, independent designers, and design studios with experience serving mission-driven organizations, academic institutions, nonprofits, think tanks, or public-interest organizations. While our primary need is for graphic and visual design services, we also encourage proposals from video editors and producers who have experience creating short-form and long-form video content, motion graphics, and multimedia assets that support research dissemination, public engagement, and digital communications.

This role is remote and is open to consultants across the US. The ideal candidate will have experience supporting digital communications for research organizations, nonprofits, universities, media organizations, or mission-driven institutions.

Applicants should demonstrate:

• Excellent writing and editing skills
• Experience managing social media for professional organizations
• Strong understanding of digital content strategy and audience engagement
• Experience creating basic graphics using tools such as Canva, Adobe Creative Suite, or similar tools
• Experience editing short-form video content is desirable but not required
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines
• Familiarity with analytics platforms (such as Hootsuite, Google Analytics, LinkedIn Analytics, and similar tools) and interpreting communications metrics
• Ability to work independently while collaborating closely with a small team
• Experience communicating complex research or policy topics is strongly preferred.

Deliverables

Depending on KGI’s communications priorities, deliverables may include:

• Copy and graphics for social media and the web
• Edited short-form videos
• Analytics reports 
• Curated image libraries
• Other communications assets as assigned

Working Relationship

This engagement is for a six-month, part-time consulting contract (up to 20 hours per week). The selected consultant will work closely with KGI’s Communications Director and broader team to support the KGI’s growing portfolio of digital communications.

The Communications Director will provide strategic direction, editorial guidance, project priorities, and regular feedback. The consultant will be expected to manage assigned tasks independently, communicate proactively about timelines and progress, and contribute creative ideas to help strengthen KGI’s digital presence. Work will vary from week to week based on KGI’s communications priorities and may include support for research publications, events, social media, multimedia content, and other digital communications initiatives.

Proposal Requirements

• A brief statement of interest describing your relevant experience, why you’re interested in supporting KGI’s communications work, and your proposed hourly rate.
• Two examples of digital communications projects you have supported, with a brief description of your role and contributions.
• A summary of your technical skills, including your experience with digital communications platforms, content creation, analytics, and related tools.
• Your availability during the engagement period (September 2026–April 2027).

Applications are due by August 3, 2026.

Submission Instructions

Please submit applications/proposals electronically in PDF format here.

Evaluation Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated based on:

• Relevant communications experience
• Quality of writing and portfolio samples
• Digital content creation skills
• Video editing and multimedia capabilities
• Organizational and project management skills
• Familiarity with analytics and performance reporting
• Cost and overall value

Timeline

RFP Issued: July 20, 2026

Questions Due: July 27, 2026

Proposal Submission Deadline: August 3, 2026 (midnight ET)

Shortlisted applicants notified no later than: August 12, 2026

Contracting process to begin by August 26, 2026

Questions

Questions regarding this RFP may be directed to: Julie Anne Miranda-Brobeck, jm3885@georgetown.edu

Responses to substantive questions may be shared with all prospective applicants.

Additional Information

KGI reserves the right to accept or reject any proposal, negotiate with selected applicants, and request additional information as part of the selection process.

We anticipate a start date of September/October 2026.