June 4, 2024 
Kampala 
Consultancy 
Introduction
Women of Uganda Network (WOUGNET) is a non-governmental organization initiated in May 2000 by several women’s organizations in Uganda to develop and promote the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) among women as tools to share information and address issues collectively. WOUGNET envisions an inclusive and just society where women and girls are enabled to use Information Communications Technologies (ICTs) for sustainable development.
WOUGNET with support from the Commonwealth Foundation is implementing the Civil Society in Uganda Participation Program. This program seeks to enhance the vibrancy and resilience of women-led Civil Society Organisations in Uganda, through fostering constructive engagement between civil society and Government to identify necessary reforms and expand protection mechanisms to create a safe and enabling environment for women-led CSOs in Uganda, majorly focusing on Freedom Of Expression.
Background
Despite existing legal and policy frameworks, CSOs in Uganda continue to face barriers to their existence and operations, including new laws and policies that infringe human rights and freedoms. As a result, CSOs have been subjected to suspensions, criminal allegations, and withdrawal of permits. Human rights activists are particularly vulnerable to censorship and harassment due to a general lack of public awareness about human rights.
Women of Uganda Network (WOUGNET) is working with civil society and government to contribute to a more open and secure environment for women-led civil society organizations in Uganda by increasing knowledge of policies governing Freedom of Expression and Access to Information to improve legal compliance and addressing capacity gaps that contribute to misinterpretation and misapplication of policies.
Project outcomes
i) A Vibrant and resilient women-led Civil Society organization in Uganda
ii) Increased knowledge and awareness among women and broader CSOs on the restrictive laws and policies affecting their freedom of expression and right to access of information
iii) Women-led CSOs engage constructively with government departments, agencies, and policymakers to challenge discriminatory laws and policies affecting the freedom of expression and right to access of information.
Scope of the Assignment
- Participate in an inception meeting with WOUGNET to discuss and agree on the finer details of the consultancy.
- Work in close collaboration with the Project Lead and Executive Director to provide all the information necessary to have the Legal Education Guide updated and produced.
- Update the already published women’s rights online legal education guide by WOUGNET to include the new amendments, other emerging gender-sensitive issues such as online gender-based violence, and Acts calculated to push back against progress made on gender justice, and simplify it to cater to the needs of women-led CSOs as well as create awareness regarding Freedom Of Expression and Access to Information.
Duration of the Assignment
The consultant has a maximum of 30 working days, (after the inception meeting) to deliver the final policy brief to WOUGNET for review. Internal review will take 7 working days after which the consultant will address the concerns from WOUGNET (if any) and submit the finalized copy within 7 working days. Please Note that no extension shall be granted.
Deliverables
Update the WOUGNET published women’s rights online legal education guide to include the new amendments, other emerging gender-sensitive issues such as online gender-based violence and Acts promoted as pushback against progress made on gender justice, and simplify it to cater for the needs of women led CSOs and create awareness regarding Freedom Of Expression and Access to Information.
Qualifications and Required Competencies for the Consultant
WOUGNET is looking for a competent consultant/ resource person with the requisite training, knowledge, skills, and proven experience in undertaking similar assignments.
The consultant should have demonstrated skills, expertise, and experience in the area of gender and development, women’s rights online, digital human rights, policy analysis, development studies, research, and law.
Demonstrated ability to complete similar assignments in a timely manner and deliver quality results.
Good understanding of the Gender sensitive ICT policy-making and implementation process on women’s rights online.
Good understanding of the critical policy issues/concerns and challenges faced by women in the digital spaces as well as various interventions in addressing these challenges with a focus on Freedom Of Expression.
Ability to work efficiently and deliver outputs under the assignment within agreed timelines and deadlines.
Application Process
Interested and qualified candidates should submit their applications which should include the following;
-
- Technical and financial proposal of not more than 5 (five) pages detailing the value and capacity to undertake the assignment. This should include prior similar assignments, experience or expertise especially with Non-governmental Organisations.
- Curriculum Vitae of not more than 4 pages, majorly encompassing qualifications.
The Curriculum Vitae, and technical and financial proposal should be submitted in that order in one PDF, not exceeding the allocated number of pages for each.
Submission of the Curriculum Vitae and proposal should be e-mailed to info@wougnet.org , cc mgt@wougnet.org , and imarunga@wougnet.org by 5:00 PM EAT on 21st June 2024, with the subject line “Proposal to update the WOUGNET published women’s rights online legal education guide”