Call for Proposals: Consultant to Develop Policy Brief on Governing Online Spaces under the Our Voices, Our Futures (OVOF) Project

Background: 

The Our Voices, Our Futures (OVOF) project, supported by the Women of Uganda Network (WOUGNET), aims to enhance women’s voices, rights, and leadership in both offline and online spaces, particularly focusing on marginalized and structurally silenced women. As part of ongoing advocacy to create inclusive and safe digital environments, WOUGNET has been actively engaging with government regulators and representatives 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 issues and recommendations identified during these engagements with government bodies. This brief will inform national-level advocacy efforts for improving the governance of online spaces in Uganda 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 regulatory challenges, governance frameworks, and potential solutions related to online spaces in Uganda, with a special focus on gender inclusion and safety for structurally silenced women.

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.
• Data Protection and Privacy (Cybercrimes, Data protection and governance, surveillance, smart city developments linked to privacy etc.)
• Access to information in terms of the existence of laws and accessibility.
• Digital Inclusion; looking at the Inclusive Digital ID systems and Universal Service Fund

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.
• Findings from recent consultations with government representatives and regulatory bodies on the state of digital governance in Uganda.
• Recommendations for policy changes, collaboration, and stakeholder engagement to ensure inclusive digital spaces.

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 gender.
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, 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 10th November 2024 to info@wougnet.org with the subject line: “Consultancy Proposal: OVOF Policy Brief on Governing Online Spaces.”

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!