Head of Programme: sexual exploitation of children facilitated by technologies

ECPAT International (ECPAT) is a global network of civil society organisations working collectively for the elimination of all forms of child sexual exploitation. It seeks to encourage the world community to ensure that children everywhere enjoy their fundamental rights free and secure from all forms of sexual exploitation. The ECPAT network currently consists of 122 member organisations in 104 countries. The ECPAT Secretariat coordinates the global work of ECPAT and is based in Bangkok, Thailand.

Position Background

Children and adolescents under 18 account for an estimated one in three Internet users around the world. Children today are living in a digital world where on- and offline distinctions no longer represent separate social spaces. As the world increasingly connects through technology, an array of risks is also present and offenders can use technology with an aim to contact, groom and abuse children. Additionally, they can take advantage of encrypted messaging platforms, peer to peer networks, and specific ‘Darknet’ fora to connect, cooperate, evade identification, organise live-streaming events and to produce, share, sell and store child sexual abuse and exploitation material.

ECPAT for many years has led dedicated research efforts that have established a growing evidence base on child sexual exploitation facilitated by technology. ECPAT has developed close collaboration with key stakeholders in this field ranging from academia to national governments, international organisations, law enforcement and the private sector. Additionally, ECPAT is leading various regional programmatic efforts addressing this problem, with dedicated efforts in Southeast Asia with ASEAN, in South Asia with SAARC, with the African Union, with the Council of Europe, the OSCE and most recently with the European Union. Yet, there is an urgent need to further boost and sustain collective action against online child sexual exploitation at this moment in time.

JOB PURPOSE

ECPAT strives to facilitate a coordinated, national and international civil-society response to this global threat. We are therefore looking for an experienced programmatic expert to lead on streamlining these various efforts and strategically connect them under one global and coordinated programmatic approach, with the aim to guide more effectively the network’s collective effort to address online child sexual exploitation.

Tasks And Responsibilities

Strategy Development for the Initiative/area of expertise

1. Lead on the development of ECPAT’s strategy to address sexual exploitation of children facilitated by technology.
2. Ensure alignment and synergy of the programmatic direction with other programme, advocacy and regional strategies.
3. Further cross sectoral collaborations with multiple specialist areas within and outside of the ECPAT Secretariat.

Programme and Project Management

1. Develop, implement and monitor the annual work plan and budget of the programme.
2. Coordinate the management of related projects.
3. Liaise with Regional Coordinators, where available in the strategic involvement of ECPAT members.
4. Recruitment and management of project consultants and collaborators, if applicable.
5. Compile lessons learned and help integrating learning culture related to this thematic leadership with the Secretariat, the network and the community of interest.

Advocacy and external engagement

The advocacy will focus on pushing for closing programmatic, legal and policy loopholes to provide comprehensive, harmonized prevention of and protection against technology facilitated sexual exploitation of children.

1. In collaboration with other departments, build a network of relevant stakeholder contacts within governments and regulatory bodies.
2. Develop an advocacy agenda for the project on global and regional level in collaboration with the Research and Network Development teams and ECPAT members.
3. Ensure the online agenda is well-reflected in the Summit on Sexual Exploitation of Boys and other major events organised by ECPAT.
4. Draft and consolidate policy briefs and position papers on issues related to child sexual exploitation facilitated by technology.
5. Develop and mainstream common messaging for advocacy and campaigning on sexual exploitation of children facilitated by technology for ECPAT staff and members.
6. Identify opportunities to represent ECPAT International in relevant global, regional and national advocacy activities.
7. Facilitate mechanisms for partnerships across sectors, including survivor’s councils, governments, law enforcement, civil society organisations and academia.

Private Sector Engagement

1. Identify strategic inroads for ECPAT’s engagement with the private sector, primarily focused on the information and communication technologies, gaming industries, online platforms involved in travel and tourism sector, and technology industries and the financial sector.
2. Collaborate with other programmes and their efforts of engaging the private sector, in particular when there is overlap with technology.
3. Engage with other programmes in elaborating guidance for the private sector to help mobilising their review of child protection policies and programmes to ensure the online environment is safe for children and not misused to harbour or facilitate child sexual exploitation.
4. Open doors and generate opportunities for increased private sector funding.

Member Engagement and Coordination

1. In collaboration with selected the Network Development team and ECPAT members, identify mechanisms to follow the recommendations of the ECPAT’s research on child sexual exploitation facilitated by technology.
2. In collaboration with the Network Development team, support membership engagement and actions in the online programme, through sharing of knowledge, learnings, good practices, advocacy tools etc., and facilitate support to members in designing their online programming relevant to their country context.

Research

1. Collaborate with the Head of Research in identifying opportunities for relevant research in areas related to child sexual exploitation and technology.
2. Identify and formulate a respective measurable progress indicators related to technology facilitated child sexual exploitation that can be displayed and tracked on ECPAT’s Impact Map.
3. Work with the Research and Network Development teams to organise development of country baselines for these progress indicators.

Resource mobilization

1. Proactively follow donor trends and relevant calls for proposal and seek to influence and positioning with donors on sexual exploitation of boys.
2. In collaboration with Head of Fundraising, prepare proposals and secure funds for further programming and projects on sexual exploitation of boys.

Qualifications

• Advanced university degree in relevant and at least eight to ten years relevant professional experience within the child rights, protection or online safety fields;
• Demonstrated knowledge of online child sexual exploitation, child online protection issues and/or cybercrime;
• Solid experience in developing and managing complex work plans and evaluate progress;
• Experience of working on global level and across multicultural teams;
• Deep thematic understanding on issues related to communication technologies and related
• Communication: excellent writing, speaking and presentation skills;
• Experience in private sector engagement is a plus;
• Excellent English language skills (written and verbal), knowledge of other network languages (French/ Spanish/ Russian/ Arabic) is a major plus.

Competencies

• Demonstrated commitment to ECPAT’s mission and values;
• Sound strategic thinking and planning skills, including the ability to think creatively, and to innovate and to set priorities in a changing and complex external environment;
• Relating and networking: excellent interpersonal skills, diplomacy, and tact;
• Persuading and influencing: active listening, credible and good negotiating skills.
• Demonstrated excellence in managing multi partner and multi-disciplinary collaboration;
• Leadership and supervision skills and strong drive for results;
• Ability to analyze and synthesize large amounts of information;
• Ability to work autonomously.

Additional Information

• As a child-focused organisation, ECPAT has a strong commitment to child safeguarding and rigorous procedures. The successful candidate will be required to provide three referees and a criminal record from country of residence and country of origin (as applicable).
• Duty station: this position is planned for our Secretariat office in Bangkok; for candidates with a strong preference to be employed home-based, this may be