About CIVICUS: 

CIVICUS exists to defend people power. As a growing global alliance of over 17,000 members in over 180 countries, we work together to monitor violations of basic civic freedoms, call out the perpetrators of violations and strengthen the power of people to organise by supporting a more accountable, effective and innovative civil society. We strive to promote excluded voices, especially from the global south. 

Background to the work:  

As civic action increasingly takes place online, activists face new opportunities for mobilisation alongside growing digital threats, including surveillance, internet shutdowns, disinformation, and platform restrictions. While the Global Protest Guide provides practical guidance for organising peaceful protests, there is a need for complementary guidance focused on digital collective action. To address this gap, CIVICUS seeks a consultant to develop the Global Digital Action Toolkit, a practical resource that will digital resilience and equip activists and creators with guidance for planning and participating in digital assemblies safely, strategically, and effectively. 

Purpose of the Consultancy: 

The purpose of this consultancy is to research, design, and develop a practical Digital Action Toolkit that equips activists and citizens with actionable guidance for organising collective action in digital spaces. The toolkit should combine practical recommendations, case studies, checklists, examples and visual guidance into a publication of approximately 15 pages suitable for global audiences. 

Objectives:  

The consultancy will:  

• Develop the written content of a practical Digital Action Toolkit.   
• Complement and expand the Global Protest Guide scope. 
• Ensure recommendations are globally relevant while acknowledging different political, legal and technological contexts. 

Scope of Work: 

The consultant will be expected to undertake the following tasks.  

• Identify relevant case studies, examples, and good practices to inform the toolkit. 
• Develop the written content for the practical Global Digital Action Toolkit (approximately 15 pages), including guidance on digital organising and protection, online mobilisation, responsible digital storytelling, strategic communications, and impact measurement. 
• Ensure the toolkit is accessible, practical, and tailored to the needs of activists and civil society organisations across diverse contexts. 
• Collaborate with the CIVICUS FoPA team to incorporate feedback, revise drafts, and deliver a publication-ready manuscript, including recommendations for visuals and layout from a visual designer.  

Expected Deliverables: 

1. Inception Concept Note and Toolkit Outline: Workplan, methodology and proposed structure of the toolkit. 
2. First Draft: Complete first draft of the Global Digital Action Toolkit for review by the CIVICUS team. 
3. Final Toolkit: Publication-ready toolkit (approximately 15 pages), incorporating feedback and including suggested visuals, graphics and references from a visual designer. 

Budget information:  

The total budget available for this consultancy is up to USD 9.000 inclusive of all professional fees, taxes, and any other associated costs. Applicants are requested to submit a detailed financial proposal outlining their consultancy fees and any anticipated expenses.  

How to apply:  

Interested consultant(s) should submit their Expression of Interest (EOI) to the following email address: FoPA@civicus.org with the subject line: EOI – Development of the Global Digital Action Toolkit. The expression of interest should be received by 28 August 2026.  

The consultancy will run for 3 months – mid-September to mid-November 2026. 

Your application should comprise of 3 documents:  

1. A full CV. A two-page (max.)  
2. A cover letter introducing him/herself/team, describing his/her/the relevant skills and experience, and describing his/her/their approach to this assignment with a proposal stating how it will be accomplished.  
3. The Proposed budget.