Announcement |
The Collaboration on International ICT Policy for East and Southern Africa (CIPESA) is a leading centre for research and analysis that works to defend and expand the digital civic space to enable the protection and promotion of human rights and to enhance innovation and sustainable development. With a focus on disparate actors including government, the private sector, civil society, media, policy makers and multinational institutions, our work aims to engender a free, open and secure internet that advances rights, livelihoods, and democratic governance.
Working with the Africa Freedom of Information Centre (AFIC) who are co-applicants, we are putting together a proposal to a major international funder for consideration of potential partnership on a multi-year project on Freedom of Expression and the Internet in Africa. The proposed partnership would bring together a consortium of seven partners with expertise and vast experience in different facets of digital freedom in various countries on the continent.
Context
The proposed partnership will work to ensure the protection of the rights to freedom of expression and the Internet in Africa. The specific challenges it responds to include:
I. Data and privacy infringements, including state surveillance against Human Rights Defenders (HRDs), journalists and political dissenters.
II. Disinformation and hate speech.
III. Online violence against women and girls, trolling and online harassment of women journalists and women HRDs.
IV. Internet disruptions and censorship.
V. Deficiency of digital security skills and limited understanding of internet freedom by key democracy actors, including HRDs, other activists and journalists.
The consortium is now actively searching for experienced proposal writing consultants with a passion for non-profit work to support the consortium in a collaborative process of developing a compelling final proposal to the international funder. The consultants are expected to put in a few days of work in May or June and some time in July 2023. Each consultant will be engaged for up to 10 days.
We are looking for a lead proposal writer and up to four thematic experts to support the proposal writing process.
Lead Proposal Writer: The successful candidate must possess demonstrated expertise and experience in writing funding proposals for major international donors. He/she will be in charge of facilitating the proposal writing process, including coordination and consolidation of the submissions from thematic experts, CIPESA, AFIC and partners. He or she will also conduct training at a meeting of prospective project partners, and capture inputs from that consultative meeting.
Gender Expert: The successful candidate must have demonstrated expertise in feminist internet principles, and a keen understanding of how to address online gender-based violence/ violence against women in Africa. He/she will also ensure that the proposal is gender mainstreamed. The gender expert will also attend a planning (and learning) meeting with CIPESA, AFIC and partners (in the second week of May) in Eastern or Southern Africa and deliver a training session at this meeting to develop partner members’ understanding of gender dynamics in internet access, free expression, and online/digital participation.
Monitoring and Evaluation Expert: The successful candidate must possess demonstrated expertise and experience in monitoring and evaluation. He/she will develop the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Plan for the proposal, as well as outcome-impact mapping tools for the project.
Communication Expert: The successful candidate must possess demonstrated expertise and experience in strategic communication. He/she will develop the plan to guide both internal and external communications for the proposed project.
Legal expert: The successful candidate must have legal qualifications and experience working with national and international NGOs. He or she will develop the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the proposed consortium and review the project proposal to ensure that it is in consonance with the MoU and legal obligations in applicable jurisdictions.
All consultants must have:
- Excellent writing and communication skills, with the ability to develop clear, concise, and compelling proposals.
- Strong editing skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work under tight deadlines.
- A deep understanding of the context and challenges of freedom of expression and the Internet in Africa.
Consultants who have demonstrable expertise in more than one of these areas are free to apply for more than one area. If you are interested in working with a passionate team to make real impact in protecting and advancing the enjoyment of the right to freedom of expression, Internet and digital rights in Africa, kindly send your CV and a cover letter explaining your qualifications and experience, and daily rate, to [email protected] and copy [email protected] by 17.00 East African Time Wednesday May 3, 2023.