Home-based: Mapping Existing Child Online Safety Policy and Practice Across Asia

Background: 

ECPAT International is embarking on a 3-year programme of regional advocacy to improve the safety of children and the responsiveness of online service providers to child safety in Asia. This programme will be delivered as part of an initiative implemented by an international coalition of civil society organizations under the Down to Zero (DtZ) Alliance (Project “Stepping up the Fight Against Sexual Exploitation of Children – Empowering Children and Communities”)

Consultancy Details: 

ECPAT International would like to create a baseline mapping of existing child online safety policy and practice by digital platforms from and operating in the target region, including regional cooperation mechanisms or structures through which digital service providers can interact and share learning.

This mapping will serve to:

• Inform, guide and shape regional advocacy to governments and the tech sector in cooperation with national partners from the ECPAT network and from the DtZ alliance.
• Guide the strategy for engaging and activating increased responsibility by the tech sector in Asia.
• Build links and outcome-driven relationships between civil society and the tech sector, to further the rights, empowerment and protection of children in digital environments.

Key Tasks: 

ECPAT is seeking an experienced consultant with direct knowledge and understanding of the tech sector in Asia to:

1. Based on the basic methodological approach outlined below, create an overview of:

• Existing national or regional legal and policy frameworks, standards and tools in Southeast Asia and South Asia that 1) regulate; and/or 2) encourage tech companies to safeguard children on their platforms.
• Social media and online gaming usage by children in in DtZ target countries in Southeast Asia and South Asia, with qualitative analysis based on publicly available information and interviews to identify key gaps e.g. mobile gaming safety; use of new payment methods to exploit children.
• Social media and online gaming initiatives, predominantly but not only in DtZ target countries in Southeast Asia and South Asia, that have involved engagement with and consultation of children and young people on their views of risk, harm and safety in the digital environment.
• Publicly available information on large platform child safety policy in Southeast Asia and South Asia, including existing collaborations and engagement with and between tech companies, and promising practice that relates in particular to sexual abuse risk mitigation and harm disruption.

2. Contribute to analysis of the information retrieved through the mapping exercise to produce, in collaboration with the ECPAT Team, a set of recommendations based on gaps and opportunities identified, and an internal advisory note for ECPAT International and the SUFASEC partners on regional advocacy engaging and targeting the digital sector.

Key Deliverables: 

1. Mapping of regional policy frameworks
2. Demographic overview of children's usage of social media and games in the target sub-regions.
3. Overview of platform initiatives to consult and engage children and young people about online safety.
4. Summary / overview (in form of table or similar) of major and other platform safety policy in the target sub-regions.
5. Key insights documents, based on findings and discussions with ECPAT International.

Methodology: 

1. ECPAT International will work closely with the consultant to define the scope (geography, sub-sector etc) of the mapping as well as a more detailed methodology in line with ECPAT’s standards and procedures.
2. Overall, the mapping is expected to combine:
   • Desk review of open-source information
   • 10-15 expert interviews with current or former employees of digital platforms, industry associations, civil society and or other experts on platform child safety policy in the target sub-regions.

Consultant Profile: 

• Prior experience conducting landscape mapping, policy research or similar;
• Based in or with very good knowledge of one or more sub-regions of Asia, in particular Southeast Asia and South Asia, but not excluding East Asia.
• Good writing skills in English;
• Understanding of the causes, impact and manifestations of child sexual exploitation in the digital environment, and of children's rights in relation to the digital environment;
• Ability to work autonomously and multi-task;
• Demonstrable experience and network within the online/digital sector – in particular social media, interpersonal communications services and/or gaming - in Asia, including Southeast Asia and South Asia.
• Strong organisational skills and ability to manage time and meet deadlines;

Timeframe: 

It is expected that this short-term consultancy will involve 15-20 working days and ideally take place from September to no later than mid-November 2023.

Additional Information: 

• This is a home-based position;
• The consultant will provide their own IT equipment and communication tools and provide outputs using standard office software;
• 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.

How to Apply: 

Interested and qualified candidates can apply by submitting the following documents to ECPAT International at vacancies@ecpat.org:

• Curriculum Vitae
• Cover letter not exceeding 1 page highlighting your qualifications, experience and availability for the task
• Short overview of methodological approach
• Daily fee in EUR (and if applicable, any other anticipated charges)

Deadline: applications should be received no later than 27 August 2023