Iraq: Technical Advisor- Online Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (OCSEA)

About SEED Foundation: 

SEED Foundation is a locally registered NGO in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. SEED’s mission is to protect, empower, and support the recovery of survivors of violence and others at risk. SEED is committed to delivering quality and holistic approaches, combining international expertise and local know-how to achieve results for the people of Iraq and Kurdistan. SEED’s programming focuses on three key objectives: 1) the delivery of transformational, comprehensive services including case management, mental health, and legal services, as well as psychosocial support activities; 2) strengthening the capacity of service providers through education, training, and capacity-development programs; and 3) ​promoting policy and social change to strengthen rights and protections for vulnerable populations through public awareness, technical assistance, and advocacy.

SEED carries a broad program portfolio focused on Technology-Facilitated Violence focused on services to survivors and those at risk; policy and advocacy focused on legislative, policy, and institutional strengthening; prevention and awareness; and training and capacity building.

SEED staff are expected to perform job duties and responsibilities professionally, respecting SEED’s Code of Conduct Policies. SEED is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants, or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members as part of our commitment to a safe and harmonious work environment.

Role of the OCSEA Technical Advisor (TA): 

The OCSEA Technical Advisor (TA) plays a crucial role in providing expert guidance and support in the prevention, detection, and response to online child sexual exploitation and abuse (OCSEA) activities. The TA will develop and implement technical initiatives, including analysis, assessment, advocacy and creation of advocacy tools, technical assistance, and awareness initiatives. The TA will strategize initiatives for strengthening legislative and institutional frameworks to improve government response on on line violence, technology facilitated GBV, and OCSEA in particular. This position involves working closely with relevant stakeholders, including governmental agencies, non-profit organizations, law enforcement, and technology companies, to develop and implement effective strategies and technologies to combat OCSEA. The TA will stay abreast of emerging trends and technologies related to OCSEA and provide recommendations for mitigating risks and enhancing protective measures.

The OCSEA Technical Advisor will also serve as a technical resource for SEED programming focused on strengthening capacity and systems for addressing online child sexual exploitation and abuse in Iraq, equipping government actors and NGOs to effectively respond to needs, and empowering children and their caregivers through awareness efforts. The TA will conduct analysis, drafting of technical and programmatic documents to support advocacy and technical assistance efforts.

The OCSEA Technical Advisor develop public awareness and prevention messaging, campaigns, and tools to foster behavioral change, safety, and increased access to services. The OCSEA Technical Advisor will support the development, design, and delivery of training to service providers, including on strengthening services and protections for vulnerable children.

Specific Tasks:

Technical Leadership (60%):

• Provide technical advice and guidance on OCSEA prevention, detection, and response strategies, including the development of tools to identify and combat OCSEA activities.
• Conduct regular assessments of digital platforms and social media networks, and for vulnerabilities to OCSEA, and work with relevant parties to address identified risks through enhanced measures and content moderation practices.
• Guide responses to emerging threats and crises related to OCSEA, providing rapid technical assistance and guidance to mitigate harm.
• Draft advocacy and technical assistance strategies, tools, and other documents.
• Engage with technology companies and service providers to encourage the adoption of best practices for preventing OCSEA, such as age verification mechanisms, and reporting mechanisms for illegal content.
• Undertake in-depth research and analysis of emerging technologies, trends, and methodologies used in OCSEA. Translate research findings into actionable insights and recommendations for improving OCSEA prevention and response strategies.
• Provide technical leadership and support in responding to crises and incidents related to OCSEA. Develop protocols and procedures for rapid response to emerging threats and ensure readiness to deploy technical resources as needed.
• Collaborate with the team to develop comprehensive OCSEA prevention and response frameworks, encompassing multi-sectoral approaches.
• Lead/contribute to the design, implementation, and evaluation of research, assessments, and analysis aimed at generating evidence to inform OCSEA policy and practice, aimed at understanding the dynamics of OCSEA, identifying risk factors, and assessing the effectiveness of intervention strategies. This may include conducting surveys, interviews, and case studies to understand the prevalence and nature of OCSEA, as well as evaluating the impact of intervention programs and initiatives.
• In collaboration with SEED’s legal and policy and advocacy team, provide technical support on advocacy for policy and legislative measures to strengthen OCSEA prevention and response efforts, including the allocation of resources and funding support.
• Support the establishment and operation of structures and reporting mechanisms, and victim support services for children affected by OCSEA, ensuring accessibility, confidentiality, and culturally sensitive assistance.
• In coordination with the communication unit, develop and deliver public awareness campaigns and educational resources aimed at promoting safe online behaviors, empowering children and caregivers to recognize and report OCSEA.

Trainings and Capacity Building (30%):

• Develop Deliver and facilitate training sessions, workshops, and webinars on OCSEA-related topics, to build the capacity of stakeholders to recognize, respond to, and prevent online child exploitation. Tailor training sessions to address specific needs and skill levels, and provide ongoing support and mentoring to participants as needed.
• Provide technical input into the development of legislation, policies, and guidelines related to OCSEA, advocating for measures that prioritize the protection of children while respecting fundamental rights and freedoms.
• Represent SEED at conferences, workshops, and expert meetings focused on OCSEA, presenting research findings, sharing best practices, and networking with peers to foster collaboration and knowledge exchange.
• Develop comprehensive training curricula and materials on OCSEA prevention, detection, and response for a range of stakeholders, including law enforcement, social workers, educators, and technology professionals. Ensure that training materials are up-to-date, evidence-based, and accessible to diverse audiences.
• Facilitate opportunities for professional development and networking among stakeholders involved in OCSEA prevention and response. Organize conferences, seminars, and networking events to foster collaboration, knowledge sharing, and best practice exchange among practitioners, researchers, and policymakers in the field.

Monitoring and Evaluation (10%):

• In collaboration with SEED’s Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) team support in ensuring OCSEA activities are properly monitored, documented, evaluated, and reported on.
• Support program M&E, including development of tools, to ensure that M&E systems provide adequate feedback on interventions and its impact.
• Make recommendations for program development and course correction.

Essential Criteria:

• Degree in social or political science, public policy, IT, law, international development, conflict studies, gender studies, human rights, or another related field. Masters degree is a plus.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in protection work, child protection, GBV, or a related field, in an international setting with at least two years of specific expertise in TFGBV or OCSEA response and prevention.
• In-depth knowledge of OCSEA trends, methodologies, and technologies and familiarity with relevant laws, regulations, and international standards pertaining to OCSEA, such as the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Child Online Protection Act.
• Experience in designing and leading policy or technical initiatives.
• Experience implementing donor-funded international development and/or humanitarian assistance programs.
• Experience in the Middle East, Iraq and/or Kurdistan Region is a plus.
• Strong belief in gender equality and human rights.
• Good interpersonal, communication, time management and team-building skills.
• High standard of spoken and written English, with Arabic and/or Kurdish a plus.
• Ability to work in a stressful setting and adapt quickly to changing environments.

How to Apply: 

• Interested candidates are invited to submit their cover letter and resume via this LINK.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
• Applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.