CIVICUS Hiring a Senior Consultant for Digital & Civic Space Strategy Design (Remote, 7-Month Contract)
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CIVICUS Global Alliance is inviting applications for a high-impact global consultancy opportunity: Senior Advisory for the Design of CIVICUS’ Digital & Civic Space Strategy. This fully remote assignment offers experienced researchers, strategists, and digital rights experts the chance to shape a major international strategy that will guide how civil society responds to digital threats and opportunities.
The consultancy runs for 7 months, and applications are due by 31 May 2026.
About CIVICUS
CIVICUS is a global alliance of more than 15,000 members and partners across 175 countries. The organization works to strengthen civic and democratic space and amplify voices that are often excluded, particularly from the Global South.
Its work focuses on research, advocacy, emergency support, communications, and movement-building to defend civil society worldwide.
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About the Digital Democracy Initiative (DDI)
The consultancy is part of CIVICUS’ Digital Democracy Initiative, a programme that emerged from Denmark’s Tech for Democracy initiative.
DDI works with global partners such as Access Now, Digital Defenders Partnership, European Partnership for Democracy, and WITNESS to protect democratic participation in the digital age.
After two years of implementation across six world regions, CIVICUS is now translating lessons learned into a formal Digital & Civic Space Strategy.
Consultancy Overview
Position: Senior Advisory Consultant
Location: Remote (Global)
Duration: 7 months
Application Deadline: 31 May 2026
Contract Type: Consultancy
The consultant will lead both research and consultation activities to produce an implementation-ready strategy.
Key Responsibilities
The selected consultant will:
- Develop five thematic Advisory Notes (8–12 pages each)
- Design consultation tools such as surveys and interview guides
- Facilitate stakeholder consultations across multiple regions
- Draft a consultation synthesis report
- Prepare a consolidated strategy input package
- Lead drafting of the final strategy
- Present findings to CIVICUS staff and DDI leadership
Five Strategic Focus Areas
The consultancy will examine five core themes:
- Digital Security and Resilience
- Information Integrity, Disinformation, and Electoral Civic Space
- Civic Technology and Digital Democracy
- Digital Rights and Policy Advocacy
- Digital Inclusion and Equity
These topics cover critical issues such as AI governance, platform accountability, digital literacy, cybersecurity, and access for marginalized communities.
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Deliverables
At the end of the assignment, the consultant will submit:
- Five Advisory Notes
- Consultation design package
- Consultation synthesis report (10–15 pages)
- Strategy input package
- Draft final strategy
- Presentation to leadership
Required Qualifications
CIVICUS is seeking an individual or team with:
- Graduate degree in Political Science, Technology Policy, Law, Development Studies, or related field
- Extensive expertise in digital rights, civic technology, and civil society strategy
- Strong research, writing, and analytical skills
- Experience facilitating multi-stakeholder consultations
- Familiarity with global digital rights advocacy spaces
- Understanding of challenges faced by activists, particularly in the Global South
- Excellent English communication skills
Additional languages such as French, Spanish, Arabic, or Portuguese are highly desirable.
Why This Consultancy Matters
This role offers a rare opportunity to influence how one of the world’s leading civil society alliances responds to digital threats such as surveillance, disinformation, internet shutdowns, and AI-driven manipulation.
The resulting strategy will shape CIVICUS programming, donor engagement, and advocacy priorities for years to come.
How to Apply
Applicants must email the following documents to digitaldemocracy@civicus.org with the subject line:
Proposal: Digital Civic Space Strategy
Required documents include:
- Cover letter
- Detailed CV
- Technical proposal and methodology
- Work plan and timeline
- Budget in USD
- Two relevant work samples
- Three references
Only complete applications submitted in the requested format will be reviewed.
Important Note
CIVICUS states that proposals that are entirely AI-generated without substantive original input may be disqualified.
