Call for Proposals: Consultant to Develop Policy Brief Addressing Barriers to Women’s Rights Online under the Civil Society in Uganda Participation Program (CUSP) project

Posted time March 3, 2025 Location Remotely Job type Consultancy

Background: 

The  Civil Society in Uganda Participation Program (CUSP) project, supported  by the Commonwealth Foundation , aims to raise awareness about discriminatory laws and policies that impede women from exercising their freedom of expression and accessing information. Additionally, it advocates for the meaningful participation of marginalized women in policy-making processes. 

As part of ongoing advocacy to create inclusive and safe digital environments, WOUGNET has been actively engaging with government regulators, representatives and women-led organisations to understand the governance frameworks around online spaces in Uganda.

To support this work, WOUGNET is seeking a qualified consultant to develop a Policy Brief that highlights the key challenges faced by women or other marginalised groups in terms of A2I and FoE and gaps in legal framework that need to be addressed by the policy makers. This brief will inform national-level advocacy efforts for improving the inclusion of women in policy making processes and ensuring a gender-inclusive digital environment.

The objective of the Consultancy: 

The main objective of this consultancy is to produce a comprehensive gender inclusive Policy Brief that outlines the  key challenges faced by women or other marginalised groups in terms of A2I and FoE and gaps in legal framework that need to be addressed by the policy makers, with a special focus on gender inclusion and safety for women in digital spaces.

Key Concerns:

  • Freedom of expression (Gendered disinformation, media freedoms, online gender-based violence etc.) and the absence of robust protection mechanisms.
  • Access to the internet and the digital divide, especially for women and underserved communities.
  • Access to information in terms of the existence of laws and accessibility.

The consultant while analysing the key concerns governing the online space, the policy brief must prioritize the following:  

  • Gaps and challenges in the current regulations governing online spaces, particularly for women and marginalized groups in regards to Freedom of Expression and Access to Information
  • Findings from recent consultations with government representatives, regulatory bodies and women-led organisations on the state of digital governance in Uganda.
  • Recommendations for policy changes, collaboration, and stakeholder engagement to ensure inclusive policy making processes.

Scope of Work: 

The consultant will:

  1. Review documentation and findings from consultations held between WOUGNET and government representatives/regulators involved in the governing of online spaces in Uganda.
  2. Analyze Uganda’s current legal and policy frameworks governing online spaces, especially in relation to freedom of expression and access to information.
  3. Identify key challenges, opportunities, and gaps in these regulations and provide solutions to bridge these gaps.
  4. Develop practical, evidence-based recommendations for improving the governance of online spaces, policy making processes and  ensuring they are safe and inclusive.
  5. Facilitate stakeholder input into the development of the policy brief, including discussions with civil society organizations, digital rights advocates, and government bodies.
  6. Draft and finalize a gender inclusive Policy Brief for dissemination to stakeholders and policy influencers.

Expected Deliverables:

  • A detailed Policy Brief (10-15 pages) summarizing findings and recommendations from engagements with government regulators, focusing on governance frameworks of online spaces and gender inclusion.
  • A presentation or summary document to facilitate dissemination to key stakeholders, including government officials, civil society organizations, and international partners.

Duration: 

The consultancy is expected to last four (4) weeks from the signing of the contract.

Eligibility Criteria: 

Applicants should meet the following criteria:

  • Proven expertise in digital rights, gender, and policy advocacy.
  • Experience in drafting policy briefs, position papers, or research reports.
  • Familiarity with Uganda’s regulatory and digital landscape.
  • Strong analytical and communication skills.
  • Experience working with civil society organizations, government institutions, or advocacy groups in Uganda or similar contexts.

Submission Guidelines:

 Interested applicants should submit the following:

  1. A technical proposal outlining the approach to developing the policy brief. (max 3 pages)
  2. A financial proposal detailing the total cost of the consultancy, including daily rates and other expenses.(max 1 pages)
  3. CVs of the consultant or team members, highlighting relevant experience.
  4. Samples of previous work, especially policy briefs or similar advocacy documents.

Submission Deadline: 

All applications must be submitted by 17th March 2025  to info@wougnet.org with the subject line: “Consultancy Proposal: “CUSP Policy Brief Addressing Barriers to Women’s Rights Online” 

Evaluation Criteria: 

Proposals will be evaluated based on:

  • Relevance and clarity of the methodology
  • Consultant’s experience and qualifications
  • Cost-effectiveness of the proposal

We look forward to receiving your applications and working together to advance gender-inclusive internet governance in Uganda!

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