The CIVICUS Global Alliance is Seeking a Consultant: Social Listening & Digital Manipulation Research – Apply By 30 March 2026 @Unknown

The CIVICUS Global Alliance is seeking an experienced consultant to support the Digital Democracy Initiative (DDI) in implementing its 2026 research on social listening and digital manipulation. This remote consultancy will produce actionable insights into digital narratives affecting civic space and democracy, with a focus on the Global South. The assignment spans 10–12 months and is open globally.

About CIVICUS

CIVICUS is a global alliance of civil society organisations and activists committed to strengthening citizen action and protecting civic space worldwide. Through research, advocacy, and engagement, the organisation works to expose threats to civic freedoms, influence policy, and support collective civil society responses.

About the Digital Democracy Initiative

The Digital Democracy Initiative (DDI) emerged from Denmark’s Tech for Democracy project to protect and expand inclusive democratic spaces in the digital era. The initiative is led by CIVICUS in partnership with organisations such as Global Focus, Access Now, and European Partnership for Democracy. Its mission is to strengthen local civil society actors operating in restrictive environments and ensure that digital tools support civic engagement.

Scope of Assignment

The consultant will design and implement research to produce three data packages on digital manipulation, with thematic areas including:

• Algorithmic Bias & Polarisation – Analysis of narrative amplification and online visibility
• Digital Manipulation During Elections – Monitoring online discourse and platform bias during electoral cycles
• Early Warning Indicators – Identifying digital patterns that precede civic crackdowns or restrictive legislation

Key Responsibilities

Research Design & Methodology

• Develop robust social listening methodologies, including keywords, hashtags, and influencer networks
• Recommend suitable analytical tools and platforms (e.g., Brandwatch)
• Ensure compliance with ethical and legal data standards to protect vulnerable civic actors

Data Collection & Analysis

• Conduct structured social listening across platforms
• Produce clean and documented primary datasets
• Perform sentiment, narrative, network, and visibility asymmetry analyses
• Develop data visualisations and analytical summaries for each research output

Capacity Building

• Conduct at least three training sessions for CIVICUS focal points on social listening tools and data interpretation
• Provide ongoing advisory support during research
• Recommend strategies for sustaining internal social listening capacity within CIVICUS

Deliverables

1. Inception Report – Methodology, tool recommendations, and risk/ethics assessment
2. Research Data Packages (3) – Documented datasets, analytical briefs, data visualisations, and methodology notes
3. Capacity Building Package – Training materials, recorded sessions, and advisory memo
4. Final Consolidation Report – Lessons learned and recommendations for sustainability and future research

Reporting & Coordination

The consultant will report to the DDI Project Learning & Communications Officer and the DDI Programme Lead. Collaboration with the Editor-in-Chief, local partners, and CIVICUS civic tech and campaigning teams is required to ensure quality and timely delivery.

Required Qualifications

• Proven expertise in social listening, digital disinformation, and online research methodologies
• Strong quantitative and qualitative digital research skills
• Experience working on democracy, elections, or civic space issues
• Capacity to conduct training and build research capability
• Familiarity with civil society organisations in Global South contexts
• Ability to produce clear, actionable insights and visualisations

Application Process

Applicants must submit by 30 March 2026 to digitaldemocracy@civicus.org:

• Technical Proposal (max 7 pages)
• Proposed Methodology Outline
• Financial Proposal with cost breakdown
• CVs of key team members
• Two to three relevant work samples

Location & Duration

• Remote, open to applicants globally
• Duration: 10–12 months

About CIVICUS

CIVICUS Global Alliance champions the power of civil society to create positive change worldwide. Through research, advocacy, and collaboration, CIVICUS strengthens civic space, empowers local actors, and supports civil society in navigating complex global challenges.

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Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization seeking for a consultant. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications & CVs to GSO, 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.