Country-level Advocacy Consultant

Country-level advocacy consultant (10 countries/ positions)

Developing travel & tourism with child protection in focus for a sustainable post COVID-19 pandemic recovery

July 2021- July 2022: up to 55 working days over this period

The project includes 11 country-level positions in: Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Nicaragua, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Madagascar, Tanzania, the Philippines, Vietnam and Germany.

Introduction

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 122 members working at national and local levels in 104 countries. The Secretariat of the Network is based in Bangkok, Thailand.

The Code of Conduct for the Protection of Children from Sexual Exploitation in Travel and Tourism (“The Code”) is a multi-stakeholder initiative, hosted by ECPAT International, with the mission to provide awareness, tools and support to the travel and tourism industry in order to combat the sexual exploitation of children. The Code currently has over 350 member companies operating in more than 150 countries.

Purpose of the assignment

ECPAT International seeks to engage the services of an Advocacy and the private sector engagement specialist/consultant to work at country level and in tourism destination locations in the respective countries (one consultant in each priority country).

ECPAT is implementing an international project in three regions (Africa, Asia and Latin America) focused on advocating with key decision makers to improve laws and policies related to child protection in the context of travel and tourism with its online elements, and engaging and supporting the travel and tourism sector as part of sustainable post Covid-19 pandemic travel and tourism recovery with child protection in focus. The actions to be implemented under this Consultancy will support with the implementation of the project objectives at country level. The actions will be implemented closely with the ECPAT member organization in the country. A (limited) country/regional level budget for advocacy, events and development and/ or translation of materials and campaign is available from the Secretariat office.

Task and responsibilities

The Consultant will be working under the project responsibility of ECPAT’s Head of Programme and The Code Manager, and under guidance of the ECPAT member organisation in the country with regard to national context for stakeholders, national messaging focus and priorities, and campaign implementation. The consultancy work plan adjusted to national level will be developed in collaboration with the ECPAT member, once the consultant has been identified.

Specific tasks include:

· Advocate with key decision makers at country level to improve laws and policies to better protect children from sexual exploitation in the context of travel and tourism, with its online elements. The Consultant will be supported by an evidence-based advocacy strategy developed by ECPAT International, consulted and agreed to by the national members in destinations. The priority areas for advocacy were established through the country analysis based on the 24-points of the Legal Checklist and will be further adjusted at country levels in consultation with ECPAT International Secretariat and ECPAT members.

· Engage the private sector at country level through implementing a business engagement strategy, including organisation of events in online/offline modality for increased prevention efforts by business. The Consultant will be supported by ECPAT International, with specific attention for engagement with The Code. The private sector engagement will be based on the implementation of the risk analysis template developed by ECPAT International/The Code with the support of ECPAT Germany and in consultation with ECPAT members, with the aim of increasing private sector engagement at country levels, including through connecting with German companies operating in destinations.

· Support the process of development and implementation of a global awareness raising campaign through its adaption and implementation at the national level in tourism destination countries. The campaign will be based on a roll-out of the project’s risk analysis template. The campaign aims to raise awareness among people living from tourism in destinations and from travel consumers on the impact of COVID-19 on children and communities and the ways to prevent the risk of trafficking and sexual exploitation of children. The final purpose is to push for and demand ethical standards from the travel and tourism industry. The consultant will implement their work based on the standards and templates of the global campaign developed by ECPAT International, and guided by national members to adapt to national context, sensitivities and audience.

Working arrangements

The Consultant will start in July 2021 and end in July 2022.

The consultancy will be implemented on part-time basis and is expected to take up to 55 days over the full consultancy period. The consultant will prepare detailed time-sheets that will reflect hours dedicated to the project (working day is 8 hours).

· Consultancies will be contracted per country; development of a national level work plan will be the first deliverable; the work plan will include review, revision, and acceptance processes for deliverables.

· A (limited) budget for event organisation, campaign costs, materials or other costs will be made available by ECPAT International on a needs basis, based on national level work plan.

· National ECPAT member organisations will provide guidance and oversight. The details of this engagement will be agreed upon per country after selection of the consultant.

· The consultant reports to the Project Lead – Head of Programme, ECPAT Secretariat.

· The consultancy will be home-based, using own computer and communication equipment and facilities.

Qualifications and experience (to be specified in the letter of interest by Consultant):

· Relevant higher education qualifications.

· Demonstrated knowledge of children’s rights and child protection issues, in particular in the context of travel and tourism with its online elements, at the country level.

· Experience in lobby and advocacy with key decision makers in the country and a track record of developing high quality, results- based and impact oriented strategy documents.

· Knowledge of travel and tourism sector in the target country and experience in private sector engagement in implementing child protection policies.

· Strong networking, organisational, communication and public relations skills.

· Fluency in written English and official language(s) of the target country.

· Proven ability to work independently and meet deadlines, while coordinating with partners.

Please submit your letter of interest, including requested daily rate in U.S. Dollars (USD), and CV to vacancy@ecpat.org no later than 5 July 2021.

ECPAT International is committed to keeping children safe. The selection process reflects our commitment to the safeguarding of children.

Tags: ECPAT International