Consultancy – Technical Support to Strengthen Child Online Protection in EAP Region, UNICEF East Asia and Pacific Regional Office (EAPRO), Bangkok, Thailand

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfilling their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, a better future

UNICEF works to ensure the rights of all children in the East Asia and Pacific Region.  This means the rights of every child living in this country, irrespective of their nationality, gender, religion or ethnicity, to:

• survival – to basic healthcare, peace and security;
• development – to a good education, a loving home and adequate nutrition;
• protection – from abuse, neglect, trafficking, child labour and other forms of exploitation; and
• participation – to express opinions, be listened to and take part in making any decisions that affect them

How can you make a difference?

The Child Protection Section, UNICEF East Asia and Pacific Regional Office is seeking an individual consultant to provide technical support to strengthen Child Online Protection for the Regional Office and Country Offices in the East Asia and Pacific Region.  This consultancy will be undertaken with guidance of the Regional Adviser on Child Protection and the Child Protection Specialist (VAC, CPSS, COP) and in collaboration with the Child Rights and Business Section. Throughout the consultancy, the consultant will proactively ensure synergies between their work and the work of the regional leads on violence against children, justice and social service workforce strengthening.

Work assignment, Expected deliverable and Delivery schedule: 

This work assignment is remote/home based but with travel expected to the regional office in Bangkok and to countries in the region.

Assignment 1: Provide technical support for child online protection for the UNICEF regional office and for country offices

a. Guide the engagement of UNICEF EAPRO on child online protection and child rights in the digital sphere, including on AI, in line with the UNICEF’s global strategic framework;

b. Provide technical support on child online protection for country offices, including on advocacy, programming and the review of draft legislation, policy and plans of action, with a non exclusive focus on Safe Online grant recipient countries;

c. Identify opportunities for and provide technical guidance for UNICEF Country Offices on the implementation of the ASEAN Regional Plan of Action and supporting guidelines on victim support and on legislative review and reform;

d. Provide in country technical support in priority countries to support the advancement of the child online protection agenda (three country missions – indicative Indonesia, Pacific, Viet Nam);

e. Represent UNICEF on key global and regional fora and events relevant to EAPRO strategic priorities for child online protection, including participating in expert groups set up to test principle-based guidance, tools and approaches; and

f. Attend (virtually) the global UNICEF Cross-Divisional Task Team on COP, biannual planning and review meetings, bi monthly regional and bi weekly section Child Protection team meetings, and provide technical inputs into regional planning and reporting discussions and documents.

Expected deliverable 1: est 64 days

1. Quality technical support for Country Offices ((estimated equivalent of 20 days remote technical support to country offices, plus a maximum of 20 days in country (fees and travel paid when drawn down by Country Offices)) = 40 days

2. Technical support and guidance for EAPRO on child online protection, child rights in the digital world and AI =5 days

3. Attendance at external global and regional fora and events = 5 days

4. Virtual attendance at internal global (including the monthly HQ led cross division task team on COP) and regional meetings = 6 days

5. Attendance at periodic section review meetings and provision of updates on past and planned activities, as well as inputs into annual and mid year planning and reporting mechanism = 8 days

Delivery schedule: Monthly 

Assignment 2: Strengthen the regional framework for child online protection 

a. Conceptualise and execute the end of term assessment of implementation of the ASEAN Regional Plan of Action on the Protection of Children from all forms of Online Exploitation and Abuse in support of ASEAN and in collaboration with the UNICEF Country Offices, including technical support for consultations with children and young people;

b. Provide the technical leadership and support for the development of adjusted and new provisions for the second or extended ASEAN Regional Plan of Action on the Protection of Children from all forms of Online Exploitation and Abuse including drafting, facilitating consultations;

c. Support the roll out of ASEAN Guidelines on legislative reform and on victim support;

Expected deliverable 2: est 77 days

1. Concept note on review implementation of the ASEAN Regional Plan of Action on the Protection of Children from all forms of Online Exploitation and Abuse developed, with proposed set of indicators for review, and for the development of the new five year plan in consultation with ASEAN = 3 days

2. Review tools (survey and in person) developed for dissemination to ASEAN Member States and for use at country level consultations = 5 days

3. Technical support provided to ASEAN Member States and UNICEF Country Offices on the review process = 5 days

4. Children and young people consulted on priorities for online protection for the next five years = 5 days

5. In person regional consultation for the implementation of ASEAN RPA and revised RPA conducted = 3 days

6. End of term review publication on the implementation of the Regional Plan of Action on the Protection of Children from all forms of Online Exploitation and Abuse and the perspectives of children and young people finalized incorporating comments from UNICEF, ASEAN and ASEAN Member States = 33 days

7. Second five year Regional Plan of Action on the Protection of Children from all forms of Online Exploitation and Abuse finalized = 20

8. A minimum of three country level presentations given on the ASEAN Guidelines to support roll out = 3 days

Delivery schedule: 30 April 2025

Assignment 3: Strengthen and expand industry engagement at regional and national level action

a. Lead the organization and coordination of the third ASEAN-ICT Forum on Child Online Protection 2024 (est November), including development of concept note, programme, session flows; review of knowledge products; identification of speakers and arrangement of technical and financial partnerships; engagement with ASEC and host country and relevant ASEAN bodies; engagement with conference partners and country offices; engage with design company; development of final conference report; ensure meaningful child participation before, during and after the forum;

b. Undertake a mapping of gaming and finance industry actors in the ASEAN region and implement a plan for engagement of strategic actors in the child online protection agenda;

c. Provide support to the ASEAN Industry Working Group on Child Online Protection, including on their focus engagement for 2024, including preparation of background papers, bi monthly meetings and identify and engage potential additional working group members, in collaboration with the Child Rights an Business Section;

d. Support UNICEF Country Offices in strategizing on industry engagement at national level, including on Child Rights Impact Assessments in Relation to the Digital Environment, corporate Child Rights Reporting and Disclosure, in collaboration with the Child Rights and Business Section;

Expected deliverable 3: 58 days

1. ASEAN ICT Forum – Concept note, programme, session flows; review of knowledge products; invitation letter and other documents prepared;  identification of speakers and arrangement of technical and financial partnerships conducted = 30 days

2. ASEAN ICT Forum conducted and Forum report completed = 8 days

3. Mapping of gaming and finance industry actors in the region and strategic note on engagement = 5 days

4. A minimum of two additional gaming actors and two additional finance sector actors attend the Forum and one additional gaming actor on the ASEAN Industry Working Group = 5 days

5. Industry working group supported, meetings held and outcome document produced on identified priority = 10 days

Delivery schedule: 31 March 2025

Assignment 4: Strengthen and expand evidence generation and knowledge management and sharing workforces

a. Support the roll out of the online evaluation tool for child online safety campaigns and initiatives, including Phase 3 of the initiative;

b. Strengthen knowledge management and sharing and evidence generation on child online protection best practices;

c. Support the conceptualization of research initiatives on child online protection;

d. Develop two lessons learned/best practice document on two key thematic areas related to child online protection in EAPR (max 5 pages each);

e. Undertake a synthesis of evidence generated on effectiveness of COP programmes/best practices in the region available (max 20 pages);

f. Facilitate bi-monthly regional meetings with the Safe Online grantees to enable cross-country learning and collaboration, and facilitate quarterly meetings with all Safe Online grantees (UNICEF) together with UNICEF HQ (1-1.5 hours)

Expected deliverable 4: (est 29 days)

1. Sensitization of Country Offices and partners on the online evaluation tool for child online safety campaigns = 2 days

2. Two page fact sheet/guidance note developed on child online protection in EAPR in the section format = 2 days

3. Inputs developed for resource mobilization for child online protection proposals = 2 days

4. Two thematic lessons learned briefs on two key areas related to OCEA = 8 days

5. Synthesis of evidence generated on effectiveness of COP programmes/best practices in the region available = 12 days

6. Minimum of four regional exchange sessions/community of practices held = 3 days

Delivery schedule: 28th February 2025

Timeline & Deliverables:

By end of April 2024

• Draft concept note on review implementation of the ASEAN Regional Plan of Action on the Protection of Children from all forms of Online Exploitation and Abuse (RPA OCEA) developed, with proposed set of indicators for review and for the development of the new five year plan

• Two page fact sheet/guidance note developed on child online protection in EAPR in the section format

• Regional exchange session/community of practice held on COP

• Monthly HQ led cross division task team on COP attended          

By end of May 2024

• Final concept note on review implementation of the RPA OCEA developed, with proposed set of indicators for review and for the development of the new five year plan incorporating internal and partner feedback

• Two virtual (or in person if coinciding with a mission) sensitisation sessions held on the ASEAN guidelines on victim support and on legislative reform

• Concept note for ASEAN ICT Forum on Child Online Protection developed

• Bi monthly ASEAN Industry Working Group convened and meeting summary shared with members

• One regional thematic lessons learned briefs on a key area related to OCEA

• Monthly HQ led cross division task team on COP attended          

By end of June 2024

• RPA OCEA review tools (survey and in person) developed for dissemination to ASEAN Member States and for use at country level consultations

• One virtual (or in person if coinciding with a mission) sensitisation sessions held on the ASEAN guidelines on victim support and on legislative reform

• Draft programme for ASEAN ICT Forum on Child Online Protection developed

• Mapping of gaming and finance industry actors in the region and strategic note on engagement

• Sensitization of Country Offices and partners on the online evaluation tool for child online safety campaigns facilitated

• Monthly HQ led cross division task team on COP attended          

By end of July 2024

• Bi annual UNICEF EAPRO Child Protection Section review meeting attended (virtual)

• Bi monthly ASEAN Industry Working Group convened and meeting summary shared with members

• Regional exchange session/community of practice held on COP

• Monthly HQ led cross division task team on COP attended          

By end of August 2024

• Speakers for ASEAN ICT Forum on Child Online Protection secured

• Monthly HQ led cross division task team on COP attended          

By end of September 2024

• Final programme for ASEAN ICT Forum on Child Online Protection with all contributors secured

• Invitations circulated for ASEAN ICT Forum and registration system in place

• Bi monthly ASEAN Industry Working Group convened and meeting summary shared with members & two additional members joined from the gaming and or financial industry

• Monthly HQ led cross division task team on COP attended          

By end of October 2024

• ASEAN ICT Forum on Child Online Protection session plans and MC speaking notes finalized and speakers, facilitators, panelists and MC briefed

• Expanded industry participation secured for the ASEAN ICT Forum

• Monthly HQ led cross division task team on COP attended          

By end of November 2024

• In person consultation for the RPA OCEA held

• Consultations with children and young people for the RPA OCEA held

• ASEAN ICT Forum on Child Online Protection conducted

• Outcome document of ASEAN Industry Working Group in identified priority finalized for the ASEAN ICT Forum and presented

• Monthly HQ led cross division task team on COP attended          

By end of December 2024

• Draft ASEAN ICT Forum on Child Online Protection report

• Bi annual UNICEF EAPRO Child Protection Section review meeting attended (virtual)

• Monthly HQ led cross division task team on COP attended          

By end of January 2025

• Draft of end of term review on implementation of the RPA OCEA

• ASEAN ICT Forum report completed incorporating UNICEF and ASEAN Member State feedback

• Bi monthly ASEAN Industry Working Group convened and meeting summary shared with members

• Monthly HQ led cross division task team on COP attended          

By end of February 2025

• Inputs on progress on child online protection provided for the annual section report (200 words)

• Final draft of end of term review on implementation of the RPA OCEA incorporating UNICEF feedback (by 15 February)

• Regional exchange session/community of practice held on COP

• Monthly HQ led cross division task team on COP attended          

By end of March 2025

• Bi monthly ASEAN Industry Working Group convened and meeting summary shared with members

• One regional thematic lessons learned briefs on a key area related to OCEA

• Synthesis of evidence generated on effectiveness of COP programmes/best practices in the region available

• Monthly HQ led cross division task team on COP attended        

By end of April 2025

• Final published end of term review on implementation of the RPA OCEA incorporating ASEAN feedback

• Second five year Regional Plan of Action on the Protection of Children from all forms of Online Exploitation and Abuse incorporating UNICEF, partner and ASEAN feedback

• Regional exchange session/community of practice held on COP

• Monthly HQ led cross division task team on COP attended      

Duration of Contract:  1 April 2024 – 30 April 2025 

Duty Travel:  Travel based on the needs of the countries in East Asia and the Pacific and to attend the ASEAN ICT Forum 2024 (expected to be held in Indonesia or Laos)
 

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Essential:

–  Master’s degree in law, social sciences, anthropology, evaluation or related field

– 8 years of professional experience in a relevant field(s)

– Demonstrated expert and up to date knowledge of child online protection

– Demonstrable excellent organizational skills

– Experience in multi country research

– Excellent interpersonal skills

– Proven high quality writing skills (fluency in English) and excellent communication skills

Desirable:

Experience of child online protection in EAPR

– Demonstrable capacity building skills

– Experience/understanding of legal standards and legal reform

– Experience in organizing forums and events, including with industry actors

– Experience in the provision of technical support to Government partners

 

Interested candidates are requested to submit CV, covering letter, full contact information of minimum 3 references, availability, and proposed daily professional fee in USD by 2^nd March 2024.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS).

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

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UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment. 

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check. 

Remarks:  

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. 

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws. 

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.