The FIDH (International Federation for Human Rights) is launching a call for applications to recruit a consultant to conduct research on the shrinking civic space and the erosion of the rule of law in Italy, leading to the publication of a dedicated report as well as communication and advocacy activities at national and international levels.

Subject: Research and drafting of a report on civic space and the erosion of the rule of law in Italy

Type of assignment: Consultancy – Research, documentation and advocacy

Duration: November 2026 to August 2027 (10 months)

Location: FIDH Brussels, FIDH Paris, or remotely from Italy

Commitment: Approximately 10 months (desk research, fact-finding mission, report drafting, communication and advocacy)

Reporting to: Western Europe Director

Maximum budget: €35,000 including VAT, covering all fees, expenses and applicable taxes

Application deadline: 11 October 2026

The full Terms of Reference are summarised below.

About FIDH

The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) unites nearly 200 national civil society organisations spanning over 115 countries, all dedicated to the promotion and protection of human rights. Together, we protect human rights defenders and victims of grave violations, empowering them to take decisive action. We document international crimes, denounce violations, hold perpetrators to account, and advocate for civil, political, economic, social, environmental and cultural rights with key decision-makers, businesses and the public.

Founded in 1922, FIDH is the first network to uphold and promote the universality of human rights. Through our longstanding commitment, we remain a steadfast advocate for human rights on the global stage, embodying the principles of justice, accountability and the inherent dignity of all individuals.

Background

As part of its objective to advance human rights for all, FIDH is committed to protecting and empowering human rights defenders by fostering an enabling environment for civil society worldwide. Through the Observatory for the protection of human rights defenders (a partnership between FIDH and the World Organisation Against Torture), FIDH documents civic space restrictions and alerts about their impact on democratic backsliding. After a pilot investigation on restrictions to freedom of association and peaceful assembly in France, FIDH's Western Europe Desk intends to carry out research on the situation in Italy, leading up to the publication of a dedicated country report and follow-up advocacy towards national authorities and international institutions.

This work will be part of the PROTECT-EU project, for which a consortium of seven civil society organisations – including FIDH – obtained funding from the European Commission's Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV) programme for an initial period of two years (July 2026 – June 2028).

To implement this research, FIDH is looking for an experienced consultant, fluent in both English and Italian, with experience in international human rights law and familiar with the local context and the challenges faced by civil society in Italy. The consultant is expected to effectively liaise between FIDH and local civil society actors, lead on the organisation of the fact-finding mission, conduct monitoring and documentation work and support national and international advocacy in the framework of PROTECT-EU.

Deliverables

Monitoring & Documentation

The consultant will be in charge of organising a fact-finding mission and producing a report on shrinking civic space and rule of law backsliding in Italy, under the supervision of the Western Europe Director.

The international fact-finding mission and report will be based on both documentary research and fieldwork. The report should provide an overview of the key trends, challenges, threats and violations faced by human rights defenders and civil society organisations in Italy, with a focus on restrictions to freedom of association and peaceful assembly.

Prepare Terms of Reference for the fact-finding mission and report outlining the research objectives, scope, methodological approach and workplan.
Lead the preparation of the fact-finding mission in collaboration with FIDH's member organisations in Italy: identification of key stakeholders (ensuring balanced representation across genders, regions, areas of work, etc.), agenda, logistics, list of questions for the semi-structured interviews according to FIDH's previous methodology, etc.
Ensure all research processes are safe, secure, ethical, trauma-informed and culturally sensitive.
Conduct desk research: analysis of national legislation, international and European legal instruments, and public policies; judgments and conflicting opinions from national (and regional) courts; review of reports produced by international organisations and civil society organisations, relevant academic critiques and press articles.
Elaborate and draft an evidence-based, coherent, accessible and advocacy-oriented report (approx. 40–50 pages) in collaboration with FIDH's member organisation in Italy, and remain available to adapt the report to all relevant stakeholders' feedback.

The consultant shall assign to FIDH all intellectual property rights over the deliverables produced under this consultancy (report, briefings, and related materials). The processing of any personal data collected during interviews shall comply with applicable data protection regulations (including the GDPR).

In addition to the report, the consultant is expected to conduct regular monitoring with a view to reacting to developments impacting civil society and human rights defenders through urgent appeals and other actions in the framework of the Observatory for the protection of human rights defenders.

Communication

The consultant shall remain available to contribute to various actions around the publication of the report, including by supporting the public launch event.

Coordinate with relevant colleagues and assist with reviewing the translation and layout of the report and related documents (Italian/English).
Contribute to and attend the public launch event (format to be determined in concertation with FIDH's member organisation in Italy).
Support FIDH's communications department in preparing content for the media and social media: press releases, Instagram posts, infographics, etc.

National & International Advocacy

The consultant will support the Western Europe desk in designing advocacy strategies towards national authorities, European institutions and international bodies to present and promote the report's findings.

Support the organisation of an advocacy mission in Rome in cooperation with local partners.
Organise advocacy rounds at the EU, Council of Europe and/or UN level (including identification of key messages, relevant stakeholders, follow-up work after the meetings, etc.). The number is to be determined based on strategic opportunities identified following the research and the time remaining.

Experience and Qualifications

Degree in law (preferably in Italian public law, international law or international human rights law), political sciences, international relations or relevant studies
At least 5 years' experience in a relevant field (previous experience working with a human rights organisation in Italy would be an asset)
Experience in writing reports, briefings and policy papers
Experience in conducting human rights advocacy at the European/international level
Solid understanding of the political, social and human rights context and the challenges faced by civil society in Italy
Experience working with people from diverse backgrounds showing tact, diplomacy and cultural sensitivity

Skills

Excellent analytical and writing skills
Excellent interpersonal and networking skills
Full command and ability to communicate clearly and concisely in English and Italian (working knowledge of French would be an asset)
Ability to prioritise and manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines

Ethical Considerations & Safety

The researcher must adhere to:

Intersectional feminist, human rights and anti-oppression principles
Secure communication practices
Trauma-informed and survivor-centred approaches
Confidentiality and protection of sensitive information
Informed consent procedures for interviews and case stories
A security risk assessment prior to the fact-finding mission, including an emergency contact protocol

Compensation

The total budget available for this consultancy is up to €35,000 (inclusive of all fees, expenses and applicable taxes).

Application procedure

Applicants are invited to submit:

a CV outlining relevant professional experience;
a cover letter briefly presenting their background and suitability for the assignment;
a portfolio including links to research publications they have authored, if available;
contact details for two references.

Applications must be sent to [email protected] and [email protected], with the following subject line:

"Researcher Italy – [Your Name]"

Application deadline: 11 October 2026. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

In compliance with regulations concerning financial sanctions adopted by the United Nations, the European Union and France applicable to CSOs/NGOs, the person selected for this assignment will be screened against the Liste Unique de Gel des Avoirs.