About CIVICUS
CIVICUS is a global alliance dedicated to defending people power. With a membership base of over 16,000 organisations and activists across over 175 countries, we work collectively to monitor and expose violations of civic freedoms, hold perpetrators accountable, and strengthen the ability of civil society to organise effectively. We are committed to amplifying marginalised voices, particularly those from the Global South, and fostering an inclusive, innovative, and resilient civic space.
Background
The Protest Lab acts as the innovation hub for the CIVICUS Freedom of Peaceful Assembly (FoPA) Workstream. With a foresight thinking approach, the Lab will leverage CIVICUS’ convening power, to build preventative solutions and foster innovation through the creation of collaborative spaces that enable learning, testing protest strategies, and analysing state responses.
Building on the success of the inaugural virtual onboarding workshop of the cohort, the Freedom of Peaceful Assembly (FoPA) workstream, will convene 19 CIVICUS members from four regions to facilitate collaborative design thinking processes to enhance the development of preventative solutions to FoPA. This in-person event is scheduled for the first week of September 2025. Further, the Innovation Week will seek to:
- Cultivate a shared vision among the Protest Lab cohort.
- Strengthen connections, trust, commitment and solidarity within the cohort members
- Map emerging protest strategies and explore evolving challenges to FoPA to define our collective needs and aspirations.
- Co-create a roadmap for action by identifying key protest needs and envisioning potential innovative solutions.
Objectives of the Engagement
The selected facilitator will play a crucial role in ensuring a dynamic, engaging, and impactful experience. Specifically, they will:
- Co-create and refine the event agenda in collaboration with CIVICUS and the Protest Lab Innovators.
- Facilitate the event to ensure meaningful participation and engagement.
- Foster a strong sense of community and shared purpose among the new cohort members.
- Inspire collaboration, trust-building, and strategic thinking within the cohort.
- Lead discussions to identify challenges to support the development of content and solutions.
- Facilitate sessions that enhance innovation and ensure alignment with project goals.
Scope of Work
The facilitator will be responsible for:
- Designing a participatory and inclusive agenda in partnership with CIVICUS and the Protest Lab Innovators.
- Leading interactive and engaging sessions throughout the Innovation Week.
- Employing dynamic facilitation methodologies that promote dialogue, trust-building, and innovation.
- Delivering a comprehensive post-event report outlining key insights, recommendations, and participant engagement evaluations.
Deliverables
- A collaboratively design and finalised agenda prior to the event.
- Successful facilitation of the Innovation Week, ensuring active participation and meaningful engagement.
- A detailed post-event report summarizing key discussions, outcomes, and recommendations for future engagements.
Duration and Location
- The engagement will take place over the first week of September 2025.
- The event will take place in person, in Africa, (Country and City TBA)
Required Qualifications and Experience
The ideal facilitator should possess:
- Proven experience in designing and facilitating community-building events, particularly in civic engagement, activism, or human rights.
- Bachelor’s degree in social sciences or any related degree.
- Expertise in participatory design and interactive facilitation methodologies.
- Experience working with diverse, multilingual communities.
- Proficient in English- Facilitation will be done in English.
- A demonstrated ability to foster collaboration, innovation, and strategic alignment within activist communities.
Application Process
Interested candidates should submit:
- A proposal outlining their approach to facilitation, including methodologies and relevant experience.
- A detailed budget proposal, including the number of days and daily rate. CIVICUS will cover all travel expenses.
- CV(s) or a company profile highlighting relevant experience.
- Reference letter for previous work engagement.
Individual consultants, small teams, and organisations are welcome to apply.
Submission Deadline
Applications must be submitted by 25 July, 2025 to [email protected] with the subject line, Facilitator- Protest Lab Innovation Week.