Orbis Flying Eye Hospital Communications Consultant

About Orbis International

Orbis International works around the world to prevent blindness and restore sight for children and adults in places where eye care is out of reach—so vision problems don’t make it harder to learn, earn a living, or enjoy life. Around 1.1 billion people live with vision loss, but with the right care, 90% of it is completely avoidable. That is why Orbis trains doctors, nurses, and other eye care professionals to provide care in their own communities—and works to make sure people of all ages can access the eye exams, glasses, medicine, and surgeries they need to protect and restore their sight.

Orbis’s work began more than 40 years ago with our Flying Eye Hospital, a teaching hospital on a plane that brings expert training and care where they’re needed most. Today, we also work with local hospitals and clinics across Africa, Asia, and Latin America to make eye care available to more people, and we use and develop technology—like our award-winning Cybersight e-learning and telehealth platform, artificial intelligence screening, and virtual reality training—to help eye care teams improve patient care.

Orbis ranks in the top 3% of U.S. charities, having earned top marks for transparency and accountability from Charity Navigator, GuideStar, and the Better Business Bureau.

About the Orbis Flying Eye Hospital

Orbis operates the Flying Eye Hospital, a state-of-the-art ophthalmic training facility on an aircraft delivering medical education and patient care across the globe. Dedicated to building a highly skilled global eye care workforce, this innovative facility is accredited to top standards, and features an operating room, classroom, recovery room, and high-tech simulation center.

On board, Orbis's Volunteer Faculty (top medical experts who generously donate their time) and our clinical staff train local eye care teams—including ophthalmologists, nurses, anesthesiologists, and biomedical engineers—equipping them with essential skills to save and restore sight in their communities for years to come.

Since its first flight in 1982, three generations of the Flying Eye Hospital have traveled to over 80 countries where access to eye care remains limited, ensuring providers at all levels build the skills to creating lasting, sustainable change in their communities.

In addition to its clinical role, the Flying Eye Hospital is a powerful ambassador for global eye care, capturing attention wherever it goes. Through its visibility, Orbis raises awareness of the importance of eye health, collaborates with governments and partners to strengthen local health systems, and advocates for quality eye care to be accessible to all.

The Opportunity

Orbis is seeking a Flying Eye Hospital Communications Consultant (“Consultant”) who will be responsible for planning, developing, and implementing communications activities for all Flying Eye Hospital projects. The Consultant will enhance Orbis’s brand and reputation by generating positive visibility for Flying Eye Hospital projects and increasing awareness of Orbis’s mission and impact among target audiences, including the public, policymakers, key opinion leaders, and media.

Location & Travel

This is a global, remote consultancy. The engagement is expected to require extensive international travel, estimated at up to 70%, in support of Flying Eye Hospital projects and related communications activities.

Duration & Time Commitment

This consultancy requires a full‑time level of effort, including significant international travel, over the contract period, anticipated to run from 1 March to 31 December 2026.

Working Relationships

The Consultant will work in close collaboration with the Flying Eye Hospital Team and the Global Communications and Marketing Team. Oversight of the consultancy deliverables and workplan will be provided under a matrix structure, with day‑to‑day oversight provided by the Program Manager, Flying Eye Hospital, and technical oversight provided by the Associate Director, Global Communications and Marketing.

As part of the scope of work, the Consultant will participate, as appropriate, in relevant project-specific meetings and briefings with the Global Communications and Marketing Team and/or Flying Eye Hospital Team, primarily conducted via Microsoft Teams, subject to travel schedules.

The Consultant will collaborate with Orbis colleagues across global, country, and affiliate offices; coordinate with local Flying Eye Hospital project hosts; and engage with local, regional, and international media and external stakeholders as necessary to deliver against the objectives of this consultancy.

Scope of Work

All activities under this Scope of Work will be carried out in close coordination with the Global Communications and Marketing Team, Flying Eye Hospital Team, country program teams, local partners, and other project stakeholders, as appropriate.

Integrated Communications, PR, and Media

• • Develop project‑specific communications plans, aligned with global and country priorities, to build sustained awareness, understanding, and support for the Flying Eye Hospital, Orbis, and eye health.
  • Identify and utilize appropriate communications channels to deliver targeted messages to media, policymakers, community leaders, health professionals, and the general public.
  • Develop, write, and edit press releases, talking points, speeches, and other materials to support Flying Eye Hospital project activities, and ensure timely distribution of background information and related materials to media and relevant Orbis stakeholders.
  • Provide on‑site social media coverage, including from the Flying Eye Hospital Instagram account, during projects, events, and key activities, in coordination with the Global Communications and Marketing Team.
  • Plan and execute media relations activities, including proactive outreach; identification of local, regional, and international media opportunities; and coordination with Ministries of Health, airports, and other local counterparts.
  • Coordinate and manage media engagement for Flying Eye Hospital projects, including managing incoming media requests; organizing and supporting media visits; overseeing on‑site logistics; and identifying and preparing spokespeople. As needed, provide media training and support to spokespeople and serve as a spokesperson when appropriate.
  • Oversee production of external‑facing printed communications materials for Flying Eye Hospital projects, including quality oversight of design, management of local printing vendors, and timely delivery of high‑quality materials.

Events, Visibility, and Fundraising Engagements

• • Oversee communications planning, scheduling, and execution for events and activations that advance Flying Eye Hospital visibility, fundraising, advocacy, and stakeholder engagement goals, including airshows, Goodwill Tours, press events, donor engagements, VIP visits, team engagement, and activities involving Friends of the Flying Eye Hospital (a network of corporate supporters from the aviation industry).
  • Oversee end‑to‑end event planning and execution of Flying Eye Hospital project ceremonies, including vendor identification and management; logistics planning; run‑of‑show coordination; guest list development and management; coordination of media and VIP access; signage and visibility placement; and on‑site support before, during, and after events.
  • Ensure events and activations are executed to maximize visibility, media value, and stakeholder experience, while aligning with project communications objectives, brand standards, and local context and protocols.
  • Support communications‑ and visibility‑related commitments in service of Flying Eye Hospital fundraising and partnership efforts, including fulfillment of agreed recognition, content deliverables, on‑site visibility, and media moments for title sponsors, Friends of the Flying Eye Hospital, and other key supporters, in alignment with partnership agreements, brand standards, project realities, and local context.

Content-Gathering and Storytelling

In coordination with the Associate Director of Visual Content and Storytelling, who leads visual content strategy and provides ongoing guidance and support for content capture—often in person—the Consultant will:

• • Ensure Orbis’s safeguarding and ethical storytelling guidelines are upheld throughout the media consent process and all content‑gathering activities, including ensuring the most current consent forms are available and translated into local languages for each project, and that individuals without media consent are not captured in photo or video.
  • Support planning for content‑gathering efforts—such as photography, video, and case stories featuring patients, Volunteer Faculty, training participants, and staff—to document and amplify Flying Eye Hospital project impact.
  • When appropriate, participate in relevant clinical and program activities (e.g., post‑project touchpoints) to support the collection of stories showing longer-term outcomes.
  • Coordinate with teams to ensure timely, consistent, and appropriate use of approved content across local, global, and digital channels in support of broader communications priorities.

Administrative Communications Support

• • Maintain and update the Flying Eye Hospital digital media kit and related background materials to ensure accuracy, relevance, and readiness for media, partners, and internal stakeholders.
  • Coordinate translation of communications materials and media consent forms into local languages, as appropriate.
  • Prepare communications-related interim and final program reporting, including summaries of key messages, media outreach and coverage, events, and project highlights.

Travel and On‑Site Engagement

• • Travel extensively to support delivery of this scope of work, recognizing that on‑site presence is essential to communications planning, media engagement, content gathering, and execution of high‑visibility events and activations.
  • Travel may include pre‑project planning visits, Flying Eye Hospital project deployments, Goodwill Tours, airshows, and other program‑related travel as required.

The Scope of Work also includes other duties as assigned by the Program Manager, Flying Eye Hospital, the Associate Director of Global Communications and Marketing, and/or the Vice President of Global Communications and Marketing.

RFP Submission Process

In order to finalize the selection of the most appropriate provider, the following information is required in each proposal. The proposal MUST contain all of the information requested below:

• • A narrative that conveys understanding of the objectives of the RFP and the nature of the work, outlines services covered within the retainer, and demonstrates the ability to successfully complete the work described in the Scope of Work section.
  • Evidence of managing proactive media outreach—local, regional, and global.
  • Documented experience in communications, media relations, and public relations.
  • Prior work in international, nonprofit, global health, or development sectors.
  • Demonstrated experience delivering communications for a range of strategic purposes, including but not limited to visibility and public awareness (e.g., media coverage, brand storytelling, campaign communications); advocacy and policy engagement (e.g., communications supporting policy change, government or Ministry of Health engagement, or public-interest advocacy); thought leadership (e.g., positioning organizations or experts as leaders through op-eds, speaking engagements, authored content, or issue-based narratives).
  • Evidence of multimedia capabilities, including photography, video, and social media management.
  • Experience working in cross-cultural or international field environments.
  • Any previous work with Ministries of Health, hospitals, INGOs, or field-based programs.
  • Explanation of ethical storytelling practices, consent processes, and safeguarding awareness.
  • Description of brand protection or reputation management experience.
  • Description of experience coordinating events (opening ceremonies, media tours, VIP visits).
  • Summary of experience working alongside government agencies or local partners

Evaluation Weight Table

The review committee will evaluate each proposal and, at their discretion, select one vendor to complete the work specified in the Scope of Work section.

Evaluation Criteria 1: Qualifications and Experience (weight 50%)

• • Professional experience in communications, media relations, and international/nonprofit contexts.
  • Familiarity with global health and international development.
  • Multimedia, photography, and social media skills.
  • Experience working in cross-cultural and international field environments.
  • Experience communicating medical or technical information to general audiences.
  • (Preferred) Demonstrate experience working with INGOs
  • Ability to develop communications plans for FEH projects.
  • Skilled in drafting press materials, speeches, talking points, and media kits.
  • Ability to manage global, regional, and local media outreach.
  • Strong understanding of ethical storytelling and consent processes.
  • Ability to support brand protection and reputation management.

Evaluation Criteria 2: Implementation Timeline and Proposal Quality (weight 20%)

• • Clear understanding of the FEH mission, scope, deliverables, and communications expectations.
  • Clarity and professionalism of proposal content.
  • Inclusion of relevant past examples, case studies, or past media results.

Evaluation Criteria 3: Price Quote (weight 30%)

• • Vendor provides a fair quote for a monthly rate.
  • Vendor provides a nonprofit discount rate, if available.

RFP Timeline

Issue Request for Proposals: Friday, March 20, 2026

Proposal submissions due: Friday, April 3, 2026

Round 1 Screening Interviews: Monday, April 6 - Friday, April 10, 2026

Round 2 Interviews with Hiring Managers: Monday, April 13 - Friday, April 17, 2026

Round 3 Panel Interviews: Monday, April 27 - Friday, May 1, 2026

Select Vendor to Award Business: by May 6, 2026

Estimated Contract Start Date: May 18, 2026

Contract Duration: through December 31, 2026

Submission of Proposals

Please submit your proposal here no later than Friday, April 3, 2026. Multiple attachments may be added.

Contract award and notification

Orbis will award the Contract to the notified successful Bidder whose bid has been determined as the best evaluated one, considering price and performance factors, provided further that the Bidder is determined to be qualified to enter into a master service agreement.

Disclaimer

Orbis reserves the right to alter the dates of the timetable.

Orbis does not bind itself to accept the lowest or any proposal.