Closing date: 23 Sep 2019
Request for Expression of Interest
Consultant: Legal Advisor Disrupting Harm
Organisational Context
ECPAT International is a global network of organisations working together for the elimination of the sexual exploitation of children (SEC) in all its manifestations i.e. exploitation of children in prostitution, online child sexual exploitation, sale and trafficking of children for sexual purposes, sexual exploitation of children in travel and tourism and some forms of child, early and forced marriage. The ECPAT Network currently consists of 109 members working as independent organisations or coalitions at national and local levels in 96 countries.
The ECPAT International Secretariat coordinates the global work of the organisation and is based in Bangkok, Thailand. The Secretariat designs and implements global and regional level programmes, and undertakes programming, advocacy and research to facilitate a range of network initiatives.
Project background
ECPAT International secured funding for the implementation of the project Disrupting Harm: evidence to understand online child sexual exploitation and abuse (OCSEA), a collaborative project along with Interpol and UNICEF office of Research – Innocenti supported by the Fund to End Violence Against Children. The project will assess the scale, nature and context of the abovementioned issue in 14 countries across Southern and Eastern Africa and Southeast Asia, starting in early 2019 and ending in early 2021.
The three organisations will leverage existing research, conduct primary research and rally key partners and multi-sectoral stakeholders to:
- Establish context by conducting extensive research to map the policy and legal landscapes;
- Analyse the threat via the collection and analysis of crime data as well as other types of data;
- Ensure children’s voices are heard via cross-sectional, nationally-representative household surveys.
The research framework and outputs are envisioned as an important step towards in-depth analysis of online child sexual exploitation and abuse, to produce key findings and identify priority areas for adequate interventions. The project will also pilot new methodologies to determine the context, scale and manifestations of these crimes in 14 countries, with recommendations expected to have relevance for a broader audience.
The six countries of focus in the Southeast Asian region are Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. The eight countries of focus in the Southern and Eastern Africa region are Ethiopia, Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda, Mozambique, South Africa and Namibia.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Within this collaborative partnership, ECPAT is responsible for a “contextual research” component of the project. ECPAT will undertake this research in two distinct phases: phase one of the project involves comprehensive exploration of the existing secondary data on legislation and systems addressing OCSEA at country level, and in phase two ECPAT will directly undertake primary research activities to fill gaps in the data that were identified in the first phase. This research will be tailored to the country contexts.
The primary research will focus on collecting data from:
National law enforcement and justice actors, including regional mechanisms;
Hotlines and helplines;
Frontline service providers;
Child victims and survivors on Access to Justice related issues;
Victims of OCSEA.
Data will be collected through surveys, key informant interviews, focus group discussions and in-depth individual interviews.
Fourteen national level reports and two regional level reports will be generated as well as data reports for the six major primary research activities. ECPAT’s role in the project includes the consolidation of findings of all three project partners in country and regional level reports.
With the technical advice and support from experts within ECPAT’s Secretariat, a project-team has been established, including a Project Manager, Regional Specialists and Research Officers, and a pool of about 12 specialised researchers for country level research and regional consolidation.
ONLINE CHILD SEXUAL EXPLOITATION AND ABUSE NATIONAL ASSESSMENTS
ECPAT International is seeking a Legal Advisor (Consultant) to provide technical guidance to the research team and for the review of legal research output documents in the two afore described phases of the Disrupting Harm project
Key Areas of Responsibility
Review research methodology and tools for Access to Justice and Legal Remedies as well as the analysis;
Review analysis of legislation and policies related to OCSEA (both substantive and procedural provisions) conducted by ECPAT Team in 14 countries;
Backstop for team members conducting key informant interviews with national law enforcement or justice sector actors;
Provide support to Regional Specialists and other technical consultants as required on legal issues.
Deliverables
Due Date
Review research methodology and tools for Access to Justice and Legal Remedies
31 October 2019
Review analysis of OCSEA legislation and policies in 14 countries
31 January 2020
Backstop team members conducting key interviews
Jan-May 2020
Review analysis of the research for Access to Justice and Legal Remedies
June 2020
General support on legal issues in Disrupting Harm research
October 2019 – September 2020
Required Competencies/Qualifications
The successful candidate will meet the following criteria:
Core Competencies
Deep understanding of and knowledge on OCSEA legislation
Ability to work autonomously
Accountability
Fluency in English and excellent English writing skills
Understanding of development context, activities and actors
Significant experience in analysis of legislation and research.
Qualifications & Experience
Advanced degree in Law with a focus in international law and/or human rights or equivalent
Strong research and writing skills
Knowledge of international legal standards related to child’s rights
At least ten years of professional work experience in law, human rights, child protection, international development projects.
Timeframe
It is expected that the consultancy will require 30 working days over a period of 12 months. A more detailed work plan will be agreed on in the induction phase of the consultancy. The consultancy will commence on 1 October 2019.
Management and Reporting Arrangements
Throughout the project, the Consultant will report to the Project Manager.
Additional Information
The consultant is expected to be home-based, using own computer and communication equipment and facilities
Consultancy payments will be based on a daily fee and actual working days carried out for the assignments
All discussions and documents relating to this Terms of Reference will be treated as confidential by the parties
No travel is envisaged for the role, however in case the Consultant travels it will be carried out according to ECPAT International’s Travel Policies and Procedures and related costs will be compensated in addition to the daily consultancy fee
The Consultant is expected to act at all times in a manner consistent with the values of ECPAT International and in compliance with the organisation’s policies and procedures including Child Safeguarding Policy and the Code of Conduct
How to apply:
Interested candidates are requested to send in their CV and a cover letter indicating an expected daily fee (in USD).
Submission of expression of interest by email to: vacancy@ecpat.net; please mention in the subject line: Legal Advisor DH
Deadline:23 September 2019
ECPAT International is committed to keeping children safe. The selection process reflects our commitment to the safeguarding of children. The process may include requests for criminal/ police records.