Location: The advisor may be based in Ottawa or Toronto, with Ottawa preferred. Services  will primarily be provided remotely, with occasional in-person participation in meetings and events as agreed. 

Term: Six-month contract, with the possibility of extension. 

Commitment: Anticipated workload is approximately 80-100 hours per month, although requirements may vary around major events, publications and announcements. 

Compensation Professional fees will be negotiated based on the consultant’s experience and fee structure. Applicants should include their proposed hourly or monthly rates. 

Start date: October 2026

About the Centre for Strategic Statecraft
The Centre for Strategic Statecraft (CSS) is a Canadian policy organization focused on strengthening  Canada’s capacity to act in an increasingly competitive and uncertain world. CSS connects policy  research, strategic networks and practical initiatives to help translate Canadian strengths into greater resilience, leverage and influence. 

Our work spans economic security, emerging technologies, defence and national security, energy and critical minerals, and Canada’s relationships with key international partners.

The Opportunity
CSS is seeking a versatile and highly effective independent communications consultant to provide  strategic communications services and help strengthen the organization’s public profile during an initial  six-month engagement. 

Working closely with CSS leadership, the consultant will advise on and support the organization’s external voice, manage its social media communications and support the promotion of its research,  events and initiatives. The selected consultant will be an excellent writer and editor who can translate complex policy issues into clear, compelling content for government, business, media and public  audiences. 

This is well suited to an established communications professional or independent consultant who understands the Canadian policy and media environment and is interested in helping build the profile of  a growing organization.

Scope of Services
Working within an agreed workplan and communications calendar, the consultant will provide the  following services:

• Develop and implement a six-month communications strategy aligned with CSS’s organizational  and policy priorities. 
• Develop and manage CSS social media content, including content planning, drafting, publishing  and performance tracking. 
• Manage and update CSS’s website and digital content. 
• Draft and edit news releases, opinion pieces, announcements, newsletters, event materials, website copy and social media content. 
• Translate complex research and policy analysis into concise, accessible, and engaging communications. 
• Support the publication and promotion of reports, policy briefs, commentaries, and flagship initiatives. 
• Identify timely opportunities to position CSS experts and ideas in national policy debates. 
• Build and maintain relationships with journalists, editors, and other media and communications partners on CSS’s behalf. 
• Develop media pitches, briefing materials, key messages, speaking points, and interview  preparation materials. 
• Monitor media coverage and emerging issues relevant to CSS’s work. 
• Support CSS events, including invitations, programs, signage, presentations, and other digital  and printed collateral. 
• Help maintain a consistent institutional voice and visual identity across CSS publications, events, and communications channels. 
• Provide strategic communications advice to the CEO and senior leadership.

The detailed workplan, priorities and deliverables will be agreed at the beginning of the engagement and reviewed periodically by CSS and the consultant.

Qualifications
The ideal consultant will bring: 

• Minimum of five years of relevant experience in communications, media relations, public affairs, journalism, government or public policy. 
• Exceptional writing and editing skills. 
• Strong knowledge of the Canadian media, political and public-policy landscape.
• Experience developing and managing organizational social media channels.
• An ability to make complex policy issues clear, relevant and engaging without losing substance. 
• Experience producing communications and collateral materials for events, publications or campaigns.
• Sound judgment and the ability to work effectively on fast-moving issues. 
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities independently. 
• A collaborative, entrepreneurial approach suited to working with a small and growing organization. 
• Professional proficiency in English; French-language skills are a strong asset.
• Familiarity with WordPress is an asset. 
• Graphic design skills and experience with tools such as Canva or Adobe Creative Suite are  assets. 
• Familiarity with foreign policy, economic security, emerging technology, defence, energy or related issues is an asset. 
• Existing relationships within the Ottawa media and policy community would be an advantage. 

The consultant must be legally able to provide services in Canada and will be responsible for supplying  the equipment, software and other tools ordinarily required to perform the services. The consultant may  provide services to other clients during the engagement, provided that doing so does not create a conflict of interest or interfere with agreed CSS deliverables. 

Why work with CSS?
For someone who cares about Canada’s future and wants to combine strong communications with  public purpose, this is an opportunity to help build a new policy organization at an important moment for the country. 

The engagement offers flexibility, autonomy and scope for creativity. The consultant will work directly  with senior leadership, contribute across CSS’s research, programming and events, and help define the  organization’s voice, public presence. The consultant will also play an important role in bringing consequential policy ideas to national and international audiences. 

CSS welcomes proposals from diverse professional and personal backgrounds. If your experience  does not align perfectly with every element of the consultant profile, but you believe you could make a  strong contribution, we encourage you to apply. 

How to submit a proposal
Please submit:  

• A brief proposal describing your interest in the engagement, relevant experience and proposed  approach; 
• A résumé or professional profile; 
• Two or three relevant writing, social media or design samples; 
• Your proposed hourly rate, including any assumptions about the scope; and 
• Contact information for two professional references.