Consultant Campaigns

About the job

Introduction
Rutgers is seeking an experienced part-time International Campaigns Consultant to provide targeted support to its new safe abortion campaign. This consultancy will play a pivotal role in shaping this new campaign based on new research in Francophone West Africa.

Background
Across the world, including in Francophone West Africa, access to safe abortion is under threat. Conservative movements and restrictive policies are here and are gaining ground, putting the lives and rights of women and girls at risk. Evidence-based advocacy is more crucial than ever. Decisions about abortion laws and funding are often made without reliable, localised data. Misinformation and stigma dominate the conversation, overshadowing the realities faced by those most affected.

With a new campaign, Rutgers wants to change that. Grounded in new research in Francophone West Africa, we aim to share new data and insights whilst amplifying the voices of women, healthcare providers, and advocates. The case we make is fact-based, human-centered and positions safe abortion as essential healthcare and a fundamental right.

Using research-backed insights, we aim to inform policymakers, mobilise donors, and engage the Dutch public to reduce unsafe abortions and improve access to safe abortion.

The research
Rutgers and partners, through its Ado Avance Ensemble and She Makes her Safe Choice programmes, is conducting three in depth studies around safe abortion access in West and Central Africa. Two studies are held in Benin and Togo and the third is a regional study in five countries in West Africa. In all three studies, young researchers play an important role in the data collection phase of the projects. These studies not only fill critical knowledge gaps but also provide essential grounds to advocate for reforms in policies and regulations and improved healthcare services.

The immediate and strategic need to launch a campaign on safe abortion based on these three studies in West and Central Africa is driven by a combination of global and regional developments.

• Shift the narrative on access to safe abortion;
• Influence policy and public discourse;
• Strengthen regional partnerships;
• Engage the Dutch public for support.

Scope of work
Under the supervision of the senior communications lead, the consultant will:

Strategy development
• Develop and refine the campaign’s communications strategy and content plan.
• Ensure alignment with the research findings and advocacy goals.
Content creation & management
• Draft and edit communications materials including press releases, op-eds, policy briefs, blog posts, social media content, newsletters and campaign messaging.
• Translate research data into compelling narratives for a range of audiences.
Media engagement
• Pitch stories and coordinate media outreach to ensure coverage of campaign activities and key issues.
Digital communications
• Oversee the campaign’s digital presence, including website updates, email campaigns and social media.
• Monitor engagement analytics and adjust strategy accordingly.
Stakeholder communications
• Support internal communications and coordinate messaging with partner organisations.
• Prepare briefings, talking points and other materials for campaign spokespeople.
Monitoring & reporting
• Track communications outputs and outcomes against agreed indicators.
• Provide regular updates and a final report on communications activities and impact.

Consultancy Deliverables
Timing Deliverables
August: Campaign strategy and calendar
August: Monthly content packages (articles, social media assets, etc.)
August-December: Monthly media engagement update November: Launch research and campaign
December: Impact report and advise for campaign in 2026

Ways of working
Consultancy title: International campaigns consultant
Duration: mid August – 31 December 2025
Location: Remote, with occasional visits to the Rutgers office as agreed upon in consultation.
Hours per week: Approximately 20 hours, exact amount of hours to be discussed

Meetings
The consultant will have weekly check-in with the senior communications lead and bi-weekly meeting with the campaigns team. This person is also expected to join or instigate meetings (which are only relevant to the execution of the assignment) with Rutgers colleagues and partners during the consultancy.

Response
Please submit your CV, cover letter (max. 1,5 pages) and one campaign example you have worked on recently, max. 500 words (which can be included in de cover letter) including day rate before 24 July 23:59 CEST.

Profile
• Proven experience in campaign communications, preferably in human rights, public health, or reproductive rights.
• Excellent writing and editing skills in English; French language skills are an asset.
• Experience translating research into accessible formats for varied audiences.
• Demonstrated success in managing media outreach and digital campaigns.
• Familiarity with issues around safe abortion, gender justice, or reproductive health is a strong advantage.
• Strategic thinker with a creative approach to storytelling and audience engagement.
• Collaborative and adaptable, with the ability to work across diverse teams and sensitive topics.
• Detail-oriented, yet able to keep sight of the bigger picture and campaign goals.
• Values-driven, with a strong commitment to reproductive justice, equity, and rights based advocacy.