DEI Consultant

Riverkeeper seeks proposals from qualified and experienced firms or individual consultants to
provide diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice (DEIJ) training. The purpose of this training is to
foster an inclusive and equitable work environment in accordance with the Scope of Work specified
in this Request for Proposals (RFP). The purpose of the DEIJ training program is to cultivate more
awareness, respect, empathy, and action for DEIJ so that each Riverkeeper staff’s unique lived
experiences, perspectives, and needs are valued by all, and staff feel safe and supported to build
their capacity for professional success in their internal and external interactions.
This RFP outlines the expectations and timeline for the Scope of Work. The selected consultant will
possess DEIJ expertise and experience helping nonprofit organizations cultivate their internal
culture with respect to DEIJ initiatives that are aligned with the organization’s values. We look
forward to developing an ongoing working relationship with the consultant to help Riverkeeper
evolve its organizational culture and mission-driven program work with respect to DEIJ.
We would like to initiate this program with a full-day session for all Riverkeeper staff as an
introduction to DEIJ, to then be followed by a series of shorter programs throughout the year, on a
quarterly basis or another frequency that will allow for ongoing DEIJ learning to become part of
Riverkeeper’s ‘DNA’ and provide time for reflection and implementation of the principles learned.
Topics of special interest to Riverkeeper include, but are not limited to, the following:
● Intro to DEIJ in the workplace
● Unconscious bias
● Multigenerational workplace
● Literacy in LGBTQIA issues
● Mental health and trauma-informed workplace
● Ableism
● Neurodivergence
● Sexism
● Power dynamics
● Viewpoint diversity and respectful conversation around sensitive social/political issues –
both internally and when dealing with external stakeholders
We also welcome additional topic suggestions for these training sessions, based on your particular
areas of expertise and understanding of DEIJ issues.
Background on Riverkeeper
For more than 50 years, Riverkeeper has sought to protect and restore the Hudson River from
source to sea and safeguard drinking water supplies, through advocacy rooted in community
partnerships, science and law.
Riverkeeper's goal is to ensure the Hudson River, its tributaries and watershed, and the New York
City drinking watershed are restored to ecological health and balance; free-flowing, resilient, and
teeming with life; reliable sources of safe, clean drinking water; recovered from historic and
inequitable environmental harms; safe and accessible for swimming, fishing, boating, and other
recreational activities; and valued and protected by all. We are a 30-person organization with an
annual operating budget around $5 million. Riverkeeper has published a summary of its DEIJ plan,
on its website.
RFP Selection Process Timeline
Proposals are due February 12 at 5pm EST, with a preferred start date of April 1.
January 23: RFP Released
February 12: Applications Due
February 13 - 20: Review proposals
February 24 - March 7: Interviews
March 14: Final firm selected and awarded
April 1: Proposed start date, ideally with first in-person training day on May 7th or 8th
Scope of Work
The selected consultant will be responsible for planning and facilitating an in-person training series
aimed at exploring DEIJ topics. In addition to training, the selected consultant should provide
desired outcomes from training and best practices. The selected consultant will collaborate with
Riverkeeper’s President, as well as the Human Resources team and DEIJ Culture Sub-committee
(together, the DEIJ Working Group) who are supporting this work.
The selected consultant will:
1. Develop a training program that will specifically address DEIJ topics. Such program shall
include an initial full-day session and a series of shorter programs throughout the year.
2. Provide materials and resource tools that support the training program.
3. Conduct in-person group training sessions for all Riverkeeper staff.
4. Engage the DEIJ Working Group to design a follow-up plan to the training provided and
develop best practices within Riverkeeper to keep the conversation going on the topics
covered.
Qualifications
● Experience helping nonprofit organizations cultivate and improve internal culture as part of
DEIJ;
● Management training expertise;
● Understanding of how organizational decision making systems and governances structures
can contribute to building strong and healthy cultures; and
● Skilled in collaborative training workshop facilitation, especially for sensitive topics.
DEIJ Training Consultant DEIJ Working Group
Search Process: Riverkeeper’s President, the Human Resources team, and the DEIJ Culture
Sub-Committee (together, the DEIJ Working Group) will provide support to the search process.
The DEIJ Working Group will make a recommendation of hire to the broader DEIJ Committee, who
will then make the final hiring decision.
Working relationship: The consultant will report to the President and will work in close coordination
with the DEIJ Working Group to develop an inclusive process that includes regular and consistent
communication with staff members and other key stakeholders.
RFP Submission Requirements
Proposals should be no more than five (5) pages, not including references, and cover the
following:
1. Organization Description: Brief history and summary of you/your firm and expertise and a
link to your website, if applicable.
2. Approach to DEIJ Learning and Organizational Change: Please tell us about the process
and methodology you would use with Riverkeeper to help us develop a robust training
initiative around DEIJ. Detail how you will accomplish the above scope of work, including a
clear delineation of what we should expect you to be responsible for and what you expect
from Riverkeeper. Include how you plan to engage and include stakeholders not in the DEIJ
Working Group as part of this process.
3. Deliverables: How will success be measured throughout the process?
4. Proposed Timeline: Estimate the start and end dates for the process. (include if a May 7th
or 8th training session is possible)
5. Budget: Proposed cost along with a narrative description of what is included in this cost. All
costs from conception to completion should be included. Ideally, there would be a scaled
approach to the budget, with various options we have outlined or that you recommend
(full-day kick-off, quarterly sessions, etc.).
6. Experience and Unique Qualifications: Describe your experience with similar engagements
and the value that you brought to those assignments. This should include an overview of
prior similar engagements, your work with nonprofits, the average length of engagement,
and what would make you a unique partner for Riverkeeper.
7. References: Provide at least three references.
Proposals must be sent electronically in a single PDF file to: [email protected],
addressed to Riverkeeper DEIJ Working Group, Subject Line: DEIJ Training RFP, by February 12,
at 5:00pm EST.
By submitting a proposal, you authorize Riverkeeper to contact references to evaluate the
individual or firm’s qualifications for this project. Riverkeeper will be available to answer questions
during the proposal writing process by email and/or phone calls.
Evaluation Criteria
All proposals will be evaluated based on the following key criteria:
● Performance capability—the extent to which the proposal demonstrates the consultant’s
ability to provide the depth and breadth of experience, skills, knowledge, and creativity
generally required by this project.
● Understanding of and commitment to Riverkeeper’s mission, values, programs, DEIJ plan,
and strategic objectives.
● Demonstrated experience with similar-sized nonprofit organizations.
● Completeness and quality of response, including clear deliverables and reasonable
approach.
● Proposed cost and timeline.
● References.
Top-rated candidates will be invited to interview with the DEIJ Culture Sub-committee. The selected
consultant and Riverkeeper will then mutually discuss and refine the scope of work for the project
and shall negotiate final conditions, compensation, and performance schedule for the subsequent
contract to be executed