EU Policy and Advocacy Associate

EU Policy and Advocacy Associate on online child sexual exploitation and abuse

December 2022 – June 2023 (Full time)

Organisational Context

ECPAT International is a global network of civil society organisations dedicated to ending the sexual exploitation of children (SEC) in all its manifestations. This includes the exploitation of children in prostitution, in the context of digital environments, in the context of trafficking of children for sexual purposes, the sexual exploitation of children in travel and tourism and some forms of child, early and forced marriage. The ECPAT Network currently consists of 122 members working as independent organisations or coalitions in 104 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, campaigning, advocacy and research to facilitate a range of network initiatives.

Project background

Project Beacon aims to influence the adoption of new and improved policies and legislation that will ensure child protection is actively considered and remains possible in digital environments. Due to maternity leave of a Beacon project team member, the team is looking for additional project support on advocacy and policy work.

Since 2020, the team has been working closely on developments in relation to key legislative processes including the Interim Derogation to the E-Privacy Directive, the Digital Services Act, the proposal for a regulation to prevent and combat child sexual abuse, and the revision of the EU Directive 2011/93/EU on combating the sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of children and child pornography.

In addition to advocacy at the EU level in Brussels, Project Beacon also involves cooperation with ECPAT members in EU Member States on lobbying, advocacy and public awareness activities. This includes building on and translating the overarching messages of Project Beacon for national audiences in EU Member States, and conducting targeted education, advocacy and lobbying with national MEPs as well as national governments.

This area of work falls within the Child Protection and Technology Programme, which oversees ECPAT’s response to the role of technology in facilitating child sexual exploitation.

Objectives of the assignment

The EU Policy and Advocacy Associate will help ensure continuity for the work of Project Beacon in the EU. The Associate will work closely with the Head of Child Protection and Technology and the EU Communications Associate. The role is suitable for a young professional with relevant educational background and some experience in EU policy and advocacy work.:

Deliverables/ activities

• Propose and on request conduct policy and legal analysis relevant to the work of Project Beacon.
• Review and where necessary act upon incoming event and information briefings.
• Act as a daily point of contact for ECPAT within the EU CSA Legislation Advocacy Group (ECLAG).
• Participate in weekly and ad hoc strategy meetings (online) with the team.
• Where relevant, respond to questions and requests from ECPAT’s members in the EU.
• Attend ECPAT relevant events and meetings in Brussels on request.
• Provide logistical support with planning events/expert meetings.
• Produce minutes and reports from meetings, as appropriate and required.
• Other tasks as agreed and required.

Additional Information

• This is a home-work position. The place of work will be Brussels, Belgium, or a location within 1.5 hours of Brussels. However, upon request, ECPAT will consider providing co-working space for the consultant in Brussels.
• 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 Staff Code of Conduct.

Travel

• Travel is not foreseen, other than to and from Brussels, depending on the location of the consultant.
• In the case of travel to and from Brussels, transportation costs will be reimbursed based on receipts. In the case of other travel requested by ECPAT, the consultant will be provided with the relevant rules for travel and reimbursement.

Management and Reporting Arrangements

The Consultant will report to the Head of Child Protection and Technology.

Timeline

The consultancy will run from available start date of the consultant (as soon as possible) until 30 June 2022.

hours

The consultant will work 35-40 hours per week.