Short-term Consultant Opportunity Resource on the Business Case for Digital Rights

The Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) seeks a short-term Consultant to develop a new resource on the business case for digital rights.

Background:

The Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) strengthens democracy around the globe through private enterprise and market-oriented reform. CIPE is one of the four core institutes of the National Endowment for Democracy and an affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Since 1983, CIPE has worked with business leaders, policymakers, and civil society to build the institutions vital to a democratic society. CIPE’s key program areas include enterprise ecosystems, democratic governance, business advocacy, and anti-corruption & ethics.

Scope of Work:

CIPE is developing a new resource that articulates the business case for digital rights. The goal of this new resource will be to (1) articulate key incentives for local private sector actors to support an open and inclusive internet and protect digital rights; (2) share best practices on how the business community can collaborate with broad-based coalitions engaging in digital rights advocacy; and (3) build the capacity of the local private sector to participate in policy dialogues that help shape the future of the internet.

While the resource will be global in scope, the key audience is local business communities in emerging and frontier markets (e.g., business associations, chambers of commerce, economic think tanks, entrepreneurs and small- and medium-sized enterprises). As the local private sector increasingly relies on the internet to conduct business, there is a clear need for a resource that identifies incentives to participate in advocacy initiatives that promote a democratic digital space and best practices on how businesses themselves can also take steps to advance and uphold digital rights.

CIPE seeks a short-term Consultant to develop a new resource on the business case for digital rights. The Consultant will provide strategic guidance, conduct research, and collaborate closely with CIPE to develop an accessible and practical resource to help support local business representatives in shaping an online space where democratic and economic freedoms are upheld. The resource will be published online on CIPE’s website, highlighted at international events, and shared with CIPE’s broader network of democratic and economic reformers, especially those pursuing policy advocacy efforts focused on digital rights and digital transformation.

Products and Deliverables:

Under the direction of the CIPE Global Department staff, the Consultant will:

• Conduct initial desk research, key informant interviews with partners provided by introductions from CIPE, and practitioner interviews or virtual roundtable discussions with experts within the fields of business and human rights, as well as internet governance to be jointly identified by CIPE and the Consultant.
• Develop the resource on the business case for digital rights. It shall be written in English, and the length should be approximately 10,000 – 12,500 words. An outline of the document will be due for CIPE’s review on April 28, 2023, an initial draft of the document will be due on May 12, 2023, and a second draft will be due on June 16, 2023. The final draft will be submitted to CIPE for review and approval no later than July 31, 2023.
  • The resource shall be structured to address:
    • What are digital rights and why protecting digital rights is important for business (document should address these digital rights: https://openinternet.global/principles)
    • How digital rights violations (e.g., internet shutdowns, lack of privacy/security, disinformation) impact the business community;
    • Key incentives for local private sector actors to support digital rights; and
    • Ways that the local private sector can play a meaningful role in preserving democratic and economic freedoms online.
  • The document should leverage existing CIPE materials and include relevant case studies from across emerging and frontier markets.
  • The document should include best practices for the private sector when engaging in digital rights initiatives, such as stakeholder mapping, coalition building, policy analysis and prioritization. It should also provide high level recommendations on how businesses themselves can help protect digital rights within their own operations.
• Provide a comprehensive list of the number and type of stakeholders that contributed to stakeholder discussions or key informant interviews to help inform the development of the resource.
• Deliver a brief presentation for CIPE staff on final resource, together with the CIPE Global Department staff.

Qualifications:

• At least 8 years of relevant work experience, with at least 4 years of experience focused on topics such as internet governance, digital commerce, internet freedom, or business and human rights.
• Experience working with business organizations, civil society organizations, and/or the private sector in developing economies.
• Strong understanding of digital governance and internet freedom topics, including the economic impacts of digital rights violations.
• Experience related to digital rights advocacy and technology regulatory environments is highly preferred.
• Strong written communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Fluency in English required.

Duration:

April 1, 2023 – July 31, 2023

Contact:

To apply for this opportunity, interested applicants should submit a complete application to globalconsultant@cipe.org with the subject “[LAST NAME]: Business Case for Digital Rights.” The full application package should include a CV, cost proposal background (expressed in daily rate in USD and number of billable days), and a statement (not to exceed two pages) that outlines motivation for applying, subject matter expertise, and relevant experience. Applications should be submitted on or before March 15, 2023.