Request for Proposals: SunAWARE™ National Expansion, Implementation, and Adoption Consultant

•  Bachelor’s degree in education, pubic health, or a related field required. Advanced degree preferred. Equivalent professional experience will also be considered.

The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.

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Background:

The Melanoma Research Foundation (MRF) is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to accelerating medical research, education, and advocacy to eradicate melanoma. SunAWARE™ was originally developed in Massachusetts by the Children’s Melanoma Prevention Foundation (CMPF) as a sun safety curriculum. For years, CMPF worked with educators in schools to teach students the importance of sun safety and melanoma prevention.   

In 2021, the MRF acquired SunAWARE™, and over the past 2 years modernized the program into a comprehensive K-5th grade (K-5) youth sun-safety and melanoma prevention initiative. Developed by public health educators and aligned with the National Health Education Standards, SunAWARE™ provides age-appropriate, evidence-based education designed to help children build lifelong healthy sun habits.

Today, SunAWARE™ is offered as a K–5 digital eLearning program on Canvas for schools and youth-serving organizations nationwide. The program is designed for implementation in schools, after-school programs, camps, community organizations, healthcare settings, and other youth-facing environments to promote sun safety and skin cancer prevention.

In addition to the digital program, SunAWARE™ includes a volunteer Ambassador Program that empowers melanoma advocates, healthcare professionals, educators, parents, and community members to bring sun safety education directly into schools, classrooms, and communities across the country. Through outreach, presentations, and community engagement, SunAWARE™ Ambassadors help expand the program’s reach and promote lifelong sun-safe behaviors among children and families.

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Objective:

The Melanoma Research Foundation is seeking a SunAWARE™ Distribution, Implementation and Adoption Consultant to support the national expansion, implementation and long-term adoption of the SunAWARE™ program. The consultant will provide strategic guidance, implementation, support, and recommendations to strengthen program growth, improve user adoption, and establish sustainable systems for measuring program impact.

Independent consultant

The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified. 

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Project SUMMARY:

Project Goal:

The goal of this engagement is to develop a scalable national strategy for increasing awareness, adoption and effective implementation of the SunAWARE™ program while establishing measurable systems to track program growth, engagement, and impact nationwide with a particular focus on:

• Expanding adoption among elementary schools and youth-serving organizations in states across the nation
• Supporting educators and implementers in successful use of the SunAWARE™ program
• Defining metrics of success and developing systems to track them 
• Improve volunteer engagement through ambassador/volunteer programming

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Indicates the action or outcomes required to fulfill each major responsibility of the position. 

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The consultant will work collaboratively with the MRF staff, board and volunteers to support and strengthen SunAWARE™ processes, distribution and implementation activities. The consultant will work collaboratively with MRF staff and key stakeholders to achieve the following project objectives. While the scope may evolve based on project findings, anticipated deliverables include:

1. Program Assessment and Strategic Recommendations

• Conduct an assessment of current SunAWARE™ materials, outreach strategies, implementation processes, ambassador activities, and program reach. Provide recommendations for improvement. 
• Development of a comprehensive implementation and growth strategy that includes: 
  • Expansion of SunAWARE™’s presence among priority audiences by identifying untapped outlets and partners (e.g., K-5 schools, districts, nonprofits, camps, community groups) and present to key stakeholders at the MRF
  • Development of new materials (used for marketing and outreach or ambassador training)
  • Internal processes, user communication and user tracking and follow-up 
  • Recommendations for strengthening and expanding the SunAWARE™ Ambassador Program

2. Implementation Support & Training

• Develop implementation guidance for educators and organizations using SunAWARE™ 
• Create new training resources for all users (e.g., facilitator guides, recorded trainings, webinars, office hours)
• Serve as a subject-matter resource to the MRF staff and volunteers on K-5 education and youth engagement best practices
• Pilot the implementation strategy with at least 5 new schools and 5 new partner organizations in collaboration with the MRF, to validate tools, resources, and the implementation process.

3. Monitoring, Evaluation & Continuous Improvement

• Recommend KPIs related to distribution, utilization, educator engagement, volunteer engagement and impact
• Develop a system for data collection of KPIs 
• Develop survey, collect and analyze feedback from educators and partner organizations, and provide recommendations for program enhancement 
• Provide recommendations for SunAWARE™ program improvements based on implementation data

Deliverables: 

• Deliverable 1: Conduct and document a comprehensive assessment of current SunAWARE™ activities, materials, outreach efforts, and implementation processes. 
• Deliverable 2: Develop a strategic implementation and growth plan outlining recommendations for distribution, ambassador engagement, partnership development, marketing, and program sustainability. 
• Deliverable 3: Create implementation and training resources, including facilitator  guides, training materials, recorded tutorials, and user support documentation.
• Deliverable 4: Develop a Key Performance Indicator (KPI) framework including data collection tools, surveys, reporting processes, success metrics, and recommendations for ongoing program evaluation.
• Deliverable 5: Provide quarterly progress updates and a final report summarizing activities, outcomes, recommendations, and opportunities for future program growth.

Administrative:

• Coordinate internal mailings and distribution of materials for the Miles for Melanoma 5K program.
• Develop copy and designs for event-related marketing assets.
• Data and record managing of events such as keeping data on:
• Team performance, individual performance, local sponsorship fundraising and corporate involvement.
• Product inventory management of event supplies and program assets
• Maintain/triage email and phone communications for Miles for Melanoma phone line/inbox and provide technical support for the team raiser platform.
• Own the call list for Miles events, driving registration through personalized outreach.
• Travel to events
• Booking meetings, by managing Miles for Melanoma Zoom account.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Reflects the specific competencies required for job performance. 

• Experience in K-5 and/or youth education, curriculum dissemination or program implementation 
• Familiarity with health education and/or public health programming which may include experience related to skin cancer or cancer education  
• Experience supporting national or multi-site program adoption 
• Experience working with schools, school districts, youth-serving organizations, or statewide education networks
• Experience leading strategic planning, organizational change, implementation or program expansion initiatives, preferred
• Strong communication, organizational and collaborative skills
• Experience in Canvas or similar LMS program
• CHES/MCHES or similar credentials preferred but not required

ADA PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here represent those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• This position requires the ability to remain seated for extended periods of time.
• The employee must frequently communicate verbally and in writing and regularly utilize a computer, keyboard, monitor, telephone, and basic office equipment.
• The employee must be able to move and handle event or program-related materials as needed.
• The employee may be required to walk and/or travel by car, train, or plane, depending on programmatic needs.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:
The Melanoma Research Foundation (MRF) is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. The MRF does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, sex, color, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, mental or physical disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

There are no benefits for this consultancy role.

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COMPENSATION 

• Fixed-fee consulting engagement of up to $36,000 based on the scope of work and agreed upon deliverables. All deliverables are expected to be completed within 12 months of the contract start date.

TO APPLY:

Proposals must be submitted via email to education@melanoma.org by July 31, 2026 with the subject line “SunAWARE Consultant Proposal” and include:  

• Narrative proposal describing your approach and your relevant qualifications 
• Resume or CV
• Proposed project timeline
• Budget allocation by project milestone
• Suggested payment schedule tied to deliverables
• At least two professional references 
• Relevant work samples