The CIVICUS Global Alliance is offering multiple high-impact opportunities in 2026 for researchers, consultants, evaluators, and interns interested in civic space, human rights monitoring, data analysis, and global civil society strengthening. These roles support the CIVICUS Monitor, one of the world’s leading platforms tracking civic freedoms across nearly 200 countries and territories.

These openings are ideal for candidates passionate about democracy, human rights, international relations, political science, data coding, and global development. They also contribute directly to global reports such as the People Power Under Attack annual publication and other civic space monitoring initiatives.

 

About CIVICUS Global Alliance

CIVICUS is a global alliance of civil society organizations working in over 180 countries. Its mission is to strengthen citizen participation, defend civic freedoms, and amplify voices from the Global South.

Through its CIVICUS Monitor, the organization documents violations of freedoms of association, peaceful assembly, and expression while producing global civic space ratings and analytical reports used by policymakers, researchers, and civil society actors worldwide.

 

1. Civic Space Research Intern (2026)

Overview of the Role

The Civic Space Research Intern will support the CIVICUS Monitor team in strengthening global research collaboration ahead of the People Power Under Attack report. The intern will contribute to:

• Research on civic space incidents globally
• Implementation of the CIVICUS Monitor incident tracking tool
• Data entry and analysis of civic space violations
• Administrative and coordination support tasks
• Contribution to annual global reporting processes

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree (completed or near completion) in international relations, political science, or related field
• Strong written and spoken English
• Knowledge or experience in human rights research
• Understanding of international human rights frameworks (association, expression, peaceful assembly)
• Additional UN language proficiency is an advantage

Application Requirements

• CV
• One-page motivation letter
• Applications must be original (AI-generated applications are not allowed)

Deadline

8 July 2026, 11:59 PM SAST

Start Date

First week of August 2026

 

2. Data Coding Consultant – CIVICUS Monitor & EU SEE Programme

Overview of the Role

This consultancy focuses on coding and structuring civic space data for analysis and reporting. Consultants will:

• Code civic space incidents from published CIVICUS Monitor updates
• Enter data into standardized civic space incident tools
• Support EU System for an Enabling Environment (EU SEE) data analysis
• Transform qualitative reports into structured datasets for trend analysis
• Contribute to early warning and civic space monitoring systems

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or current student in international relations, political science, social sciences, or related fields
• Strong Excel and data analysis skills
• Experience in human rights research or monitoring preferred
• Strong English communication skills
• Ability to work independently and remotely
• High attention to detail and deadlines

Application Requirements

• CV
• Cover letter detailing coding/data experience
• Proposed hourly and daily rates (USD or ZAR depending on location)
• Availability per week

Deadline

8 July 2026

 

3. Civic Space Research Consultants (Regional Experts)

Overview of the Role

This consultancy supports drafting and editing CIVICUS Monitor country updates and briefs. Consultants will:

• Write and edit civic space country reports
• Analyze trends in human rights and civic freedoms
• Support monitoring of association, expression, and assembly rights
• Provide regional expertise (Africa, Asia, Latin America, Middle East, etc.)
• Contribute to ongoing global civic space documentation

Requirements

• Master’s degree preferred (Political Science, Law, Sociology, International Relations, Journalism, etc.)
• Minimum 3 years of experience with civil society or human rights organizations
• Strong understanding of global civic space trends
• Regional language skills (French, Spanish, Arabic, Russian, etc. depending on region)
• Strong writing and analytical skills in English
• Ability to work independently

Application Requirements

• CV with writing samples
• Motivation letter specifying regional expertise
• Budget (hourly/daily rates in USD or ZAR)

Deadline

8 July 2026

 

4. External End-of-Phase Evaluator (Netherlands MFA Partnership 2021–2026)

Overview of the Role

CIVICUS is seeking an independent evaluator or evaluation team to assess its strategic partnership with the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs under the Power of Voices framework.

The evaluation covers 2021–2026 and includes:

• CIVICUS Monitor
• Membership and networks
• Advocacy campaigns (#StandAsMyWitness)
• Solidarity actions and global initiatives
• International Civil Society Week

Key Responsibilities

• Inception phase design and evaluation framework development
• Mixed-methods data collection (interviews, surveys, case studies)
• Outcome harvesting and contribution analysis
• Global stakeholder engagement (especially Global South actors)
• Final evaluation report (max 60 pages + annexes)

Requirements

• Experience evaluating international civil society organizations
• Knowledge of OECD/DAC or IOB evaluation criteria
• Expertise in qualitative evaluation methods
• Strong English communication skills (additional languages an advantage)
• Independence from CIVICUS-funded programs

Deliverables Timeline

• Inception report: August 2026
• Interim briefing: October 2026
• Draft report: November 2026
• Final report: January 2027

Deadline

13 July 2026, 23:59 SAST

 

General Notes for All Opportunities

• All roles are remote or partially remote
• Strong focus on civic space, human rights, and civil society strengthening
• Preference for candidates with Global South representation
• High emphasis on independent, ethical, and non-AI-generated application materials (where applicable)
• Selected candidates may join CIVICUS preferred supplier lists for up to two years

 

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