Call for an Expert in Digital Rights, Internet Freedom and Online Privacy

The Legal Policy Research Centre (LPRC) Public Foundation invites applications for an expert in digital rights, internet freedom and online privacy to support the implementation of the Uzbekistan Digital Rights Media Initiative (UDRMI).

Lead organisation and coordinator: Modern Journalism Development Centre of the Republic of Uzbekistan (MJDC).

Co-implementing partner: Legal Policy Research Centre (LPRC) Public Foundation.

Associate partner: Republican Social Information Center “ISTIQBOLLI AVLOD”, Uzbekistan.

Funding: European Union.

The project aims to promote digital rights in Uzbekistan, strengthen the professional knowledge and practical skills of media representatives, nongovernmental non-profit organisations (NGOs), civic activists, lawyers and advocates, and develop professional dialogue on the protection of human rights in the digital environment.

The expert’s main area of work will be preparing and delivering training on internet freedom and privacy for media and civil society representatives, developing training materials and participating in joint practical sessions on digital resilience, responsible data practices and risk assessment.

The proposed work relates to the following project activities:

• A1.1. Digital Rights Media Academy — thematic sessions and practical activities for journalists, bloggers and other media representatives.
• A1.2. Training for NGO representatives and civic activists — thematic sessions on internet freedom and privacy, and participation in practical workshops on digital risks and measures to reduce them.
• A1.3. Training for media lawyers, advocates and digital rights specialists — possible expert contributions under separately agreed assignments within the expert’s area of specialisation.
• A1.4. Academic seminar — possible contributions to discussions on including digital rights, internet freedom and privacy in educational curricula and materials.
• A2.1. Regional conference on digital rights — possible participation in expert discussions and the preparation of thematic recommendations for Central Asia.

The specific services will be determined with regard to the programme of activities, the needs of target groups and the allocation of tasks among experts. Participation in A1.3, A1.4 and A2.1, as well as follow-up support to participants, will be agreed separately and specified in the respective contracts and terms of reference.

1. Preliminary terms of reference

1.1. Preparation and delivery of training under A1.1–A1.2

The expert will design and deliver thematic sessions for media and civil society representatives, adapting the content, examples and training methods to the professional tasks of each audience.

Internet freedom

• The concept of internet freedom and its relationship with human rights.
• International and national instruments establishing the principles of a free and open internet.
• Freedom of access to information and lawful restrictions in the digital environment.
• The impact of technological developments and digital platforms on the exercise of users’ rights.
• Approaches to professional work online, taking account of applicable rules and the tasks of media representatives, NGOs and civic activists.

Privacy online

• The concept of privacy in the digital environment and the types of information considered personal.
• Users’ privacy rights enshrined in national legislation and international instruments.
• Key privacy risks associated with working online and using digital services.
• Discussion of practical situations involving privacy and the handling of personal information in the work of media and civil society organisations.

Joint practical sessions

As a member of the expert team, the expert is expected to participate in preparing and delivering practical sessions on digital resilience and responsible data practices, as well as workshops on developing risk maps and action plans.

Joint work with participants will cover:

• digital threats and risks relevant to NGOs operating in different fields;
• the impact of identified risks on the effectiveness and resilience of an organisation’s work;
• tools and methods for assessing the level of digital security;
• developing a risk map tailored to the organisation’s specific characteristics;
• practical steps to reduce risks and strengthen digital resilience.

In preparing and delivering the training, the expert will:

• develop materials for the agreed sessions on internet freedom and privacy;
• deliver thematic sessions independently for the relevant audiences;
• work with other experts in practical workshops, case discussions and the facilitation of group work;
• provide substantive explanations and feedback on issues within their area of specialisation.

1.2. Preparation of training and methodological materials

Under agreed assignments, the expert will prepare:

• presentations on internet freedom and privacy for media representatives;
• presentations on the same thematic areas, adapted for NGO representatives and civic activists;
• examples, discussion questions and practical exercises for the relevant training sessions;
• agreed materials for joint work on digital resilience, responsible data practices and risk assessment.

The materials must be clear and practical, taking account of the national context, applicable rules and the needs of the relevant audience. The content will be agreed with the project team and other experts involved in delivering the training.

The list of materials, their length, formatting requirements, revision procedures and submission deadlines will be specified in separate terms of reference.

1.3. Advisory and mentoring support

Under separately agreed assignments within A1.2–A1.3, the expert may be engaged to provide follow-up support to training participants, including:

• consultations on internet freedom, users’ rights and privacy in the digital environment;
• discussion of practical situations and risks associated with the use of digital services and personal information;
• expert feedback on materials and action plans prepared by participants, within their area of expertise;
• participation in thematic online meetings and webinars.

The content and scope of support will be determined with regard to requests received, participants’ needs and the agreed project tasks.

1.4. Additional expert contributions to A1.3, A1.4 and A2.1

The following contributions may be agreed under separate assignments for the training of legal professionals, the academic seminar and the regional conference:

• preparing thematic talks, presentations and materials on internet freedom, privacy and users’ rights;
• participating in expert discussions on international standards, national approaches and the impact of digital technologies on human rights;
• developing proposals for including the relevant topics in educational curricula and teaching materials;
• providing substantive input into recommendations for promoting and protecting digital rights.

The topics, format of participation and expected results will be determined during the preparation of the respective events, taking account of the expert’s competence.

1.5. Expected results

Depending on the specific assignment, the results of the expert’s work will include:

• presentations and training materials on internet freedom and privacy for the relevant audiences;
• the delivery of thematic sessions and participation in joint practical workshops;
• materials and expert proposals for additional activities, where such participation has been agreed;
• advisory materials and recommendations, where provided for in the assignment;
• a report on the work completed, using the LPRC template.

The required results, number of working days, deadlines for submitting materials and acceptance procedures will be specified in the respective contract and terms of reference.

2. Expert requirements

The following qualifications and experience are required to perform the tasks:

• demonstrated experience in providing expert services on digital rights and digital security;
• expertise in internet freedom, privacy and users’ rights, and knowledge of the relevant international standards and national approaches;
• skills in delivering training and thematic sessions and contributing to practical sessions;
• the ability to prepare training materials and tailor the presentation of complex issues to the needs of media representatives, NGOs and civic activists;
• experience of working on international projects and/or projects of international organisations;
• proficiency in Russian sufficient to deliver training and prepare materials;
• a willingness to work with other experts and meet agreed deadlines.

Applications are expected to be assessed with regard to the relevance of the candidate’s experience to the subject matter and format of the assignments, the quality of submitted work samples, training skills, availability to undertake the tasks and proposed terms of cooperation.

3. Format and terms of cooperation

The work will be carried out under service contracts and separate terms of reference during the implementation period of the relevant project activities.

Materials may be prepared and coordination with the team may take place remotely. Participation in events in Uzbekistan and online events will be agreed in line with the project schedule.

Russian is the working language for expert materials and presentations. The training format and any necessary language support will be agreed during the preparation of the events.

The fee, the method of calculating the cost of services, payment terms and reimbursement of agreed expenses will be determined in the contract, taking account of the content and scope of the assignment.

Services will be accepted on the basis of the results, reports and service acceptance certificates stipulated in the contract. The terms governing the use of the materials produced, the transfer of rights to the outputs and confidentiality will be set out in the contract.

4. How to apply

Interested candidates are invited to submit:

1. A CV describing relevant professional experience.
2. Examples of publications, training or analytical materials they have produced, or links to such materials.
3. Information on their availability to participate in events and prepare materials.

Application deadline: 14 August 2025, inclusive.

Applications should be sent to: info@lprc.kz.

Enquiries: info@lprc.kz.