Closing date: 31 Oct 2017
Request for Expression of Interest
Global Database on national legal frameworks protecting children from sexual exploitation online
Consultant – Project: Legal Review**.** Sexual Exploitation of Children Online in Asia
Introduction
ECPAT International is a global network of civil society organisations working together to end the sexual exploitation of children. It seeks to ensure that children everywhere enjoy their fundamental rights free and secure from all forms of commercial sexual exploitation. The ECPAT network currently has 97 member organisations in 88 countries in all regions of the world. All members are independent organisations or coalitions working against the sexual exploitation of children (SEC). The Secretariat of the Network is based in Bangkok, Thailand.
Background
Domestic legal frameworks in line with internationally agreed conventions are an essential step in building an effective national response to put an end to the sexual exploitation of children perpetrated through the use of information and communication technologies including the internet.
Starting in 2016, ECPAT International initiated a Global Legal Review on criminal provisions addressing the sexual exploitation of children online. The information from the Global Legal Review is gradually being uploaded to an online repository called the Global Database on national legal frameworks protecting children from sexual exploitation online which has been created for that purpose and soon to be launched publically. The information in the database is organised per country and region. So far, the database displays the domestic legal provisions of 31 countries related to procedural and substantive norms in place in each country as well as additional relevant information has been uploaded. Eventually, the database is meant to expand and include additional countries until global coverage is reached.
The overall purpose of the database is to inform the international and regional organisations, national authorities, practitioners, and any other interested parties on the status quo of the legislation on sexual exploitation of children online.
The objectives of the database are:
To make legal information on sexual exploitation of children online publically accessible;
To provide updated baseline legal information informing on the current status of the criminal legislation in force in the researched countries and monitor the level of compliance with the international and regional legal standards.
To use the information for evidence based advocacy and lobbying for better protection of children from OCSE
The Global Database project is under the remit of ECPAT’s Online Sexual Exploitation of Children (OCSE) Programme.
Purpose of the consultancy
ECPAT is currently seeking to hire a Legal Consultant to continue feeding the database by reviewing the relevant legislation in oneAsian Country(TBC**)** following the existing fields and structure. Priority will be given to a country where currently ECPAT and partners is implementing the Girls Advocacy Alliance Programme in Asia. This review is also in line with the on-going advocacy work with the ASEAN and other regional stakeholders.
The Legal Consultant will be supervised by the Head of Programme OCSE and will work in consultation with the ECPAT member organizations in the country being reviewed.
The Legal Consultant will work home-**based**. No travel is expected and communications will be remote. Consultant is expected to use own computer equipment and communication tools.
TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE CONSULTANT
The consultant shall:
A. RESEARCH ONE NEW ASIAN COUNTRY
Research, collect and analyze information on national laws and legal procedures related to sexual offences against children online in one Asian country currently not present in the legal database;
More specifically, the elements examined will follow the existing structure and are related to:
Substantive criminal national legislation: including the definition and conducts criminalized on child sexual abuse materials, live streaming and grooming;
Procedural criminal national legislation: including issues of extra-territorial jurisdiction and extradition, according to international standards;
Other elements such as case law and the existence of specialized prosecutors and police units;
Ensure that data is properly inserted and there are no serious legal inaccuracies or gaps in the research;
Ensure legal analysis is coherent and reasonable, and recommendations mirror the major areas of difficulties, hurdles and gaps identified in the legislation
UPDATE CURRENT LEGAL DATABASE WHERE NEEDED
Identify where the current information already complied and displayed in the legal database needs to be updated and update accordingly;
C. LIAISE with the legal editor as required before the information is uploaded to the database;
D. LIAISE as required with the service provider who has designed and manages the database while uploading the compiled information;
E. SUPPORT THE LAUNCH THE DATABASE (SOFT LAUNCH)
Work with the ECPAT Secretariat Head of Communications and Head of OCSE to launch the database and prepare communications to the network to inform of this resource and its usage.
EXPECTED TIME LINE AND DELIVERABLES
The relevant legal information from the Asian country has been complied, analyzed and put into the required format;
The legal information has been uploaded to the legal database;
The current norms uploaded from 31 jurisdictions has been reviewed to ensure it is all up-to-date and updated where needed;
The database is launched;
Duration: 20 working days - November-December 2017 –starting immediately
QUALIFICATIONS
· Previous experience in working for children’s rights organizations or cybercrime organizations;
· Experience in participating in the production of legal studies in multiple jurisdictions;
· Solid analytical and conceptual legal skills;
· Demonstrated knowledge of the international and regional legal frameworks related to the rights of the children or cybercrime;
· Sound understanding of the substantive and procedural criminal norms related to computer -facilitated crimes against children or cybercrime;
· Familiarity of legal environments in Asia;
· Demonstrated capacity to write clearly and concisely legal jargon in English;
· Ability to work under pressure and with multi-cultural teams;
How to apply:
Interested candidates are requested to send in their CV and a cover letter indicating a daily fee.
Submission of expression of interest: vacancy@ecpat.net, please mention in the subject line: Legal Consultant OCSE