CIVICUS Seeks Consultant to Develop Global Digital Action Toolkit | Up to $9,000 | Apply by August 28, 2026
CIVICUS Global Alliance is seeking an experienced consultant or consultancy team to develop a Global Digital Action Toolkit, a practical resource designed to help activists, civil society organisations and citizens organise collective action safely and effectively in digital spaces.
The consultancy will run for approximately three months, from mid-September to mid-November 2026, with a total available budget of up to USD 9,000.
Interested applicants must submit their Expression of Interest by 28 August 2026.
About CIVICUS
CIVICUS is a global alliance of more than 17,000 members across over 180 countries working to defend civic freedoms and strengthen civil society.
The organisation monitors violations of civic freedoms, supports people and organisations to organise, and promotes more accountable, effective and innovative civil society.
A key focus of CIVICUS is strengthening the participation and voices of excluded communities, particularly across the Global South.
Why the Global Digital Action Toolkit Is Needed
Digital spaces have become increasingly important for civic participation, activism and collective action. Activists and civil society organisations can use digital platforms to mobilise communities, share information, build campaigns and amplify social issues.
At the same time, digital organising presents significant risks.
Activists may face:
- Digital surveillance.
- Internet shutdowns.
- Disinformation.
- Platform restrictions.
- Online harassment.
- Other threats to digital safety and civic participation.
CIVICUS already provides practical guidance through its Global Protest Guide, but the organisation has identified a need for complementary guidance specifically addressing digital collective action.
The new toolkit will therefore focus on helping activists and creators understand how to plan and participate in digital assemblies safely, strategically and effectively.
Purpose of the Consultancy
The selected consultant will research, design and develop a practical Global Digital Action Toolkit of approximately 15 pages.
The resource should provide actionable guidance for people organising collective action in digital spaces. It should combine practical recommendations with examples and easy-to-use resources that can be applied across different contexts.
The final publication is expected to include:
- Practical recommendations.
- Case studies.
- Examples.
- Checklists.
- Visual guidance.
- References.
- Guidance for digital organising and protection.
The toolkit should be designed for global audiences while recognising that political, legal and technological environments differ significantly between countries and regions.
Key Objectives
The consultancy will focus on three main objectives.
Develop practical written content
The consultant will create the written content required for the Global Digital Action Toolkit, ensuring that the guidance is practical and relevant to activists and civil society organisations.
Build on existing CIVICUS guidance
The toolkit should complement and expand the scope of the Global Protest Guide rather than duplicate existing content.
Ensure global relevance
Recommendations should be applicable across different political, legal and technological contexts while recognising the diverse realities faced by activists around the world.
Scope of Work
The successful consultant will be responsible for researching and developing the toolkit from concept through to a publication-ready manuscript.
Key tasks will include identifying relevant case studies, examples and good practices that can strengthen the resource.
The consultant will then develop approximately 15 pages of practical content addressing areas such as:
- Digital organising.
- Digital protection and resilience.
- Online mobilisation.
- Responsible digital storytelling.
- Strategic communications.
- Impact measurement.
The content should be accessible and practical rather than overly academic or theoretical.
The consultant will also work closely with the CIVICUS FoPA team to incorporate feedback, revise drafts and prepare the final publication.
Recommendations for visuals, graphics and layout should also be included to support the work of a visual designer.
Expected Deliverables
The consultancy has three main deliverables.
1. Inception Concept Note and Toolkit Outline
The consultant will develop an initial concept note setting out the proposed:
- Workplan.
- Methodology.
- Toolkit structure.
- Approach to research and content development.
2. First Draft
A complete first draft of the Global Digital Action Toolkit will be submitted to the CIVICUS team for review and feedback.
3. Final Toolkit
The consultant will produce a publication-ready toolkit of approximately 15 pages.
The final resource should incorporate feedback from CIVICUS and include suggested visuals, graphics and references to assist the visual designer.
Budget
CIVICUS has allocated a total budget of up to:
USD 9,000
The budget is inclusive of:
- Professional consultancy fees.
- Taxes.
- Other associated costs.
Applicants are required to submit a detailed financial proposal showing their consultancy fees and any anticipated expenses.
Consultancy Duration
The assignment is expected to run for approximately three months, from mid-September to mid-November 2026.
The consultant should therefore be available throughout the consultancy period to conduct research, prepare drafts, participate in feedback discussions and finalise the toolkit.
Who Should Apply?
This opportunity may be particularly suitable for consultants or teams with experience in areas such as:
- Digital activism.
- Civil society.
- Civic space.
- Digital rights.
- Strategic communications.
- Campaigning.
- Online mobilisation.
- Digital security.
- Research and knowledge production.
- Toolkit and publication development.
Applicants should be able to demonstrate relevant skills and experience and present a clear approach for delivering the assignment.
Experience working with activists, civil society organisations or global and Global South audiences would be highly relevant to the consultancy.
Application Requirements
Interested consultants must submit three documents as part of their application.
1. Full CV
Applicants should provide a comprehensive CV demonstrating relevant professional experience and expertise.
2. Cover Letter
A maximum two-page cover letter should:
- Introduce the consultant or consultancy team.
- Describe relevant skills and experience.
- Explain the proposed approach to the assignment.
- Outline how the consultancy will be successfully delivered.
3. Proposed Budget
Applicants must provide a financial proposal detailing their consultancy fees and any anticipated expenses.
How to Apply
Expressions of Interest should be submitted by email to:
Applicants should use the following subject line:
EOI – Development of the Global Digital Action Toolkit
The application must be received by 28 August 2026.
Key Opportunity Details
- Organisation: CIVICUS Global Alliance
- Position: Consultant – Development of the Global Digital Action Toolkit
- Type: Consultancy
- Location: Global/consultancy-based
- Duration: Approximately 3 months
- Period: Mid-September to mid-November 2026
- Expected output: Approximately 15-page toolkit
- Budget: Up to USD 9,000
- Application deadline: 28 August 2026
- Application email: FoPA@civicus.org
- Subject: EOI – Development of the Global Digital Action Toolkit
Why This Consultancy Matters
Digital platforms have become essential spaces for civic engagement, but they also expose activists and civil society organisations to new forms of risk. Effective digital action requires an understanding of mobilisation, communications, storytelling, digital resilience and online safety.
The Global Digital Action Toolkit aims to turn these challenges into practical guidance that activists and civil society organisations can use in their everyday work.
For consultants with experience in digital organising, civic space, communications, activism or civil society capacity building, the assignment offers an opportunity to contribute to an international resource with a potentially broad global audience.
Final Thoughts
The CIVICUS Global Digital Action Toolkit consultancy presents an opportunity for an experienced consultant or team to help strengthen digital civic action worldwide.
The successful applicant will combine research, practical guidance, case studies and accessible communication to produce a resource that can support activists and civil society organisations navigating increasingly complex digital environments.
With a budget of up to USD 9,000 and a three-month implementation period, qualified professionals should prepare their CV, two-page cover letter and financial proposal and submit them to FoPA@civicus.org before the 28 August 2026 deadline.
Join Our WhatsApp Community
Disclaimer: Remote Job Opportunities (RJO) is not the organization offering this opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the responsible organization directly. Please do not send your applications to RJO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.
