Project title: Doc It & Reclaim the Net: Women Human Rights Defenders Rising Against Spyware and Digital Surveillance.

• Background

Women of Uganda Network (WOUGNET) is implementing a project titled “Doc It & Reclaim the Net: Women Human Rights Defenders Rising Against Spyware and Digital Surveillance” with support from the Association for Progressive Communications (APC).

The project seeks to address the growing threats of spyware and digital surveillance targeting women journalists, women human rights defenders (WHRDs), and women leaders in Uganda. These threats undermine privacy, freedom of expression, and civic participation.

As part of this initiative, WOUGNET will produce an anonymised animated documentary to highlight lived experiences of women affected by digital surveillance while ensuring their safety and confidentiality

The documentary will serve as a powerful advocacy and awareness-raising tool to:

• Amplify survivor voices
• Foster public dialogue
• Influence policy and practice around digital rights and surveillance

• Purpose of assignment 

WOUGNET seeks to engage a qualified consultant or consulting firm to lead the concept development, production, and delivery of a high-quality anonymised animated documentary.

The consultant will translate research findings, testimonies, and expert insights into a compelling visual narrative that is ethical, secure, and impactful.

• Scope of work

The consultant will be responsible for the full production cycle, including but not limited to:

• Concept Development & Storytelling

• Collaborate with WOUGNET to understand research findings and key messages.
• Develop a creative concept note and storyline.
• Ensure the narrative reflects gender-sensitive and rights-based perspectives.
• Integrate survivor testimonies in an anonymised and ethical manner.

• Scriptwriting

• Co-develop a documentary script based on validated content.
• Ensure clarity, emotional resonance, and advocacy relevance.
• Incorporate expert insights where necessary.

• Animation & Production

• Design and produce a high-quality animated documentary.
• Ensure all visuals protect identities (e.g., no real likenesses, safe abstraction).
• Develop characters, environments, and motion graphics aligned with the theme.
• Include voiceovers, sound design, and subtitles (English required; local language optional).

• Ethical & Security Considerations

• Apply the do no harm principles in storytelling.
• Ensure confidentiality and secure handling of sensitive information.
• Avoid re-identification risks of participants.

• Review & Finalisation

• Present drafts (concept, storyboard, rough cut, final cut) for feedback.
• Incorporate revisions based on WOUGNET and stakeholder input.
• Deliver final documentary in required formats.

4. Expected Deliverables

The consultant will deliver:

• Inception report with work plan and timeline.
• Concept note and storyboard.
• Script (final version)
• Animated documentary (approx. 10–15 minutes)
• Short teaser/trailer (optional but desirable)
• Subtitled and web-ready formats
• All editable/source files

5. Duration of the assignment

The assignment is expected to be conducted over approximately 2 weeks from the date the contract is signed.

A detailed timeline will be agreed upon at inception.

6. Required Qualifications and Experience

The ideal consultant/team should demonstrate:

Technical Expertise

• Proven experience in animation and documentary production
• Strong portfolio of similar work (especially social impact or human rights content)
• Skills in storytelling, scriptwriting, and visual communication

Thematic Understanding

• Knowledge of digital rights, surveillance, and/or gender issues
• Experience working on sensitive topics involving vulnerable communities

Ethical Competence

• Demonstrated ability to handle confidential and sensitive information
• Understanding of ethical storytelling and safeguarding practices

Added advantage 

• Experience working with civil society organisations
• Familiarity with feminist or rights-based approaches
• Ability to produce accessible and engaging advocacy content

7. Reporting and supervision 

The consultant will report directly to WOUGNET’s project team and work closely with relevant staff to ensure alignment with project objectives and messaging.

8. Application requirements

Interested consultants/firms should submit:

• Technical proposal (approach, methodology, timeline)
• Financial proposal (detailed budget)
• Company/consultant profile
• Portfolio of previous work (links or samples)
• CV(s) of key team member(s)
• At least two references

9. Evaluation criteria

Applications will be evaluated based on:

• Technical approach and understanding of the assignment
• Relevant experience and portfolio
• Creativity and storytelling capacity
• Cost-effectiveness
• Ethical considerations and safeguarding approach

10. Submission details

Deadline: 01/04/2026

Submission email: mgt@wougnet.org 

Subject line: Consultancy – Animated Documentary Production