About UNICEF: Employment
Researcher; child sexual abuse and exploitation in the converged online/offline environments, Innocenti Research Centre, Florence (Consultancy)
1. Background: To complement the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), and strengthen the protection of children from sexual exploitation, the Optional Protocol on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography, entered into force on the 18 January 2002. Additionally, the Council of Europe Convention on Cyber crime was adopted in 2001 and came into force in 2004. The Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse was adopted in 2007.
This research project is undertaken by UNICEF Innocenti Research Centre, under the Implementation of International Standards Unit, in close collaboration with the Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Centre in the UK. It is designed to enhance the understanding of and responses to child protection, and sexual abuse and exploitation in the converged online/offline environments specifically. The research project has three components; 1) child protection legislation, 2) law enforcement and policy practice and 3)prevention and attitudinal/behavior change.
The aim of the three research components is to provide an evolving, robust base of evidence to inform policy advocacy and programming, both within UNICEF, CEOP and throughout their network of partners and counterparts to strengthen the systemic protection of children from sexual abuse and exploitation – both in the online and offline environments.
An Expert Advisory Group will be formed to give advice in the research process.
The component covered by this TOR will focus on child protection legislation, to protect children from sexual abuse and exploitation in the converged online/offline environments
The research will be based on lessons learned in IRC’s historic sexual abuse and exploitation research. The experience of CEOP as the United Kingdom’s centre dedicated to eradicating the sexual abuse of children is also key; CEOP is part of UK policing and is very much about tracking and bringing offenders to account either directly or in partnership with local and international forces. The Virtual Global Taskforce (VGT) will also be a partner in this research programme (The Virtual Global Taskforce (VGT) is made up of law enforcement agencies from around the world working together to fight child abuse online. The aim of the VGT is to build an effective, international partnership of law enforcement agencies that helps to protect children from online child abuse.)
This initiative will also build on other international standards and child protection research, including in the preparation for the World Congress III Against the Sexual Exploitation of Children and Adolescents, held in Rio de Janeiro in November 2008. UNICEF’s new child protection strategy, the recommendations of the UN Secretary General’s Study on Violence against Children will also inform the research. Further insights from UNICEF more broadly, international law enforcement and external partners will be sought.
2. Objective(s): To develop a robust evidence base for child protection by relating to legal frameworks and legislation to address sexual abuse and exploitation.To contribute to enhanced child protection legislation to protect children from sexual abuse and exploitation in the converged online and offline environments through a description and analysis of legal frameworks and legislation and by providing concrete recommendations, for further research, policy development and programming.
3. Specific activities to be completed to achieve the objectives:
• Present an overview of International standards and legislation to prevent and respond to child sexual abuse and exploitation in the converged online and offline environments:
• Present examples of model legislation to inspire governmental legislative reform and global commitment to address child sexual abuse and exploitation:
• Give examples of legal reform and implementation of legislation to prevent and respond to these forms of child sexual abuse and exploitation (1-2 examples from each geographic region)
• Analyze existing material and identify gaps, key learnings and critical dimensions. Compile conclusions and recommendations for policy makers and programmers.
4. Specific outputs/products/results with specific delivery dates:
Establishment of a database framework at UNICEF IRC on legislation for preventing and responding to child sexual abuse and exploitation in the converged online and offline environments, by 30 August 2009
First draft report of approximately 50 pages with an overview of international standards and legislation, examples of legal reforms and model legislation, including conclusions and recommendation by 31 October 2009
Final report of approximately 50 pages, with feed-back from the advisory group and UNICEF IRC incorporated, fact checked and ready for copy editing by 1 December 2009
5. Qualifications and/or specialized knowledge/experience required and desirable for undertaking the assignment:
Academic background – Advanced university degree in law; social science and other relevant areas.
General experience – Strong professional experience and knowledge on child protection, child rights and other international legal standards. Working experience in a relevant policy/action organization is an asset
Specific experience – A minimum of 8 years of working experience in the field of child protection and international legal standards;
Demonstrated analytical, data management, and research methodology skills and an ability to work independently;
Demonstrated experience in writing in English language for publication. Record of professional publications in this field.
Strong experience in data- base set up.
6. Duration of the consultancy: July 2009 to 15 December 2009, with an estimated 40 working days during the contract period.
7. Work location: At consultant’s home location.
8. Fees: Lump-sum payment for 40 days at Middle-B level (P4) range to be paid in 3 instalments against specific deliverables.
9. How to Apply: Applications shall be sent, electronically, to florencerecruitment@unicef.org, quoting “Consultancy Child Protection Legislation”
Applications should include:
1. A full CV;
2. A completed United Nations Personal History Form.The form may be downloaded from the internet at www.unicef.org/about/employ/index_apply.html
Applications should be received by 15 July 2009
