The Senior Communications Specialist will provide strategic leadership over ICNL’s communications. We are seeking an experienced, creative professional with strategic insight to spearhead communications within ICNL. The Senior Communications Specialist will report to the Vice President-Operations. This is a hybrid position, requiring at least 3 days in-office. You will be joining a multicultural team with a global reach based in Washington, DC. For full details and application instructions, see here.

The International Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ICNL) works to promote and strengthen civic
freedoms, public participation, and philanthropy around the world. ICNL seeks an individual or
organizational consultant to undertake research on the effects of anti-corruption measures on civic
freedoms and civic space, including impacts on civil society operations and the freedoms of association,
peaceful assembly, and expression. This research will focus on developing a typology of such measures,
their positive or negative civic space effects, and recommendations for civic space and anti-corruption
advocates on how to pursue anti-corruption aims while protecting and promoting civic space. The
proposed consultancy period is from June 15, 2025, through August 30, 2025. Applications will be
accepted on a rolling basis through June 10. The ceiling for this consultancy is $9,000 USD.

Introduction
Efforts to combat corruption have been a priority for governance reform globally, with states and
institutions adopting a range of measures aimed at enhancing transparency, accountability, and the
rule of law. While such measures are often necessary and legitimate, there is growing concern that, in
some contexts, anti-corruption frameworks are being implemented in ways that may inadvertently or
deliberately restrict civic space. This includes, for example, using anti-corruption commissions to
investigate civil society organizations (CSOs) for legitimate activities, failing to tailor beneficial
ownership requirements to the unique structure of CSOs, overbroad or ambiguous lobbying restrictions
applied to limit legitimate speech, or using anti-corruption requirements to justify excessive approval
or reporting requirements for CSOs.

To better understand this dynamic, ICNL will contract with a consultant to produce a report that
examines the impact of anti-corruption measures on civic space. The consultant will develop a typology
of anti-corruption measures and examine their effects on civil society and civic space, providing
concrete examples from a variety of jurisdictions. ICNL will publish this report and draw upon its
findings to help anti-corruption reformers and advocates ensure the anti-corruption measures they
advance are protective of civil society and civic space.

Scope of Work
The consultant will research and prepare a report of approximately 10-15 pages that 1) provides an
overview and typology of anti-corruption measures affecting civic space, 2) examines the nature of that
effect and exacerbating or mitigating factors, and 3) produces recommendations for anti-corruption
and civic space advocates on how to anticipate and mitigate negative civic space effects of anti-
corruption measures. ICNL will provide input and feedback on the structure and content of the report,
based on which the Consultant will refine it. The consultant will be expected to submit a finalized report
to ICNL, incorporating ICNL’s input, by August 30, 2025.

Regular Communication
ICNL and the consultant shall cooperate and regularly communicate with
each other on all matters relevant to research and drafting of the report. The consultant will be expected
to promptly inform ICNL if the approved deliverables cannot be submitted as agreed. If challenges arise
in completing the deliverables in a timely manner, the consultant will present a proposal to resolve the
matter. ICNL may request additional information at any time relating to the report or the work being
undertaken to produce it and the consultant will be required to provide the requested information
within three days of receiving the request. The consultant will provide ICNL with documents, records,
and any other information regarding the project that ICNL may reasonably request.

Content of Proposal
Interested applicants should submit a proposal, of no more than 4 pages,
addressing the following topics:
– Statement of legal domicile and expected location of proposed work.

Applications should be sent to global@icnl.org, with reference to “Civic Space & Anti-Corruption” in
the subject line. All application materials should be submitted in English. Questions related to this
consultancy can be emailed to global@icnl.org. Please note that ICNL is under no obligation to issue a
consultancy and that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Describe the scope of the research to be undertaken. Please include any revisions to the scope of
work presented above, the methodology for conducting the research, and the timeline,
including interim benchmarks and drafts, recognizing that the report must be complete no later
than August 30, 2025.

Describe applicant’s relevant experience, including work on civic space, anti-corruption, and
experience drafting reports equivalent to the work product that will be produced.

If more than one person will be involved in this project, describe who will undertake different
aspects of the project. ICNL reserves the right to approve or reject the use of any personnel.

The cost proposal/line-item budget for this consultancy. The pricing for the cost proposal must
be in USD and fully itemized. For personnel costs, please list each person to be involved in this
project, the proposed day rate(s) and number of days. All other costs, if any, should be listed and
explained. The proposed price should be inclusive of all taxes. ICNL expects to issue one Firm
Fixed Price contract.

Selection Criteria
Applications will be evaluated based on the following factors:

• Demonstrated experience of the applicant in conducting quantitative and qualitative research.

• Experience conducting research on the legal framework for civil society and/or civic freedoms,
  particularly with respect to civic space and anti-corruption measures.

• Quality of the proposed work plan, including the proposed methodology/design, and feasibility
  of the project (e.g., activities are targeted to achieve stated results, and anticipated results are
  realistic and attainable).

• Compliance with application procedures.

• Proposed budget and value for money.
  

How to Apply
To apply for this consultancy, applicants must submit the following items by June 10,
2025:
– Proposal of not more than four pages, including line-item budget;
– Resume or curriculum vitae (cv) for individuals undertaking the research and writing the
report; and any additional background information (e.g., website links, sample reports,
informational materials) as desired.

back to top