Consultancy - Development of a discussion paper on children’s rights and online gaming (20 days), PFP, home-based

UNICEF is seeking an expert consultant to investigate children’s rights and online gaming and sup-port the delivery of a discussion paper on: the risks and opportunities online gaming poses for chil-dren’s rights (Part I), the role of different actors in responding to these risks and opportunities (Part II) as well as recommendations for how each actor can address children’s rights (Part III).

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, Hope...

BACKGROUND

The Children’s Rights and Business (CRB) Unit within the Private Fundraising and Partnerships (PFP) Division is responsible to develop guidance for companies, governments, and civil society to advance how children’s rights are impacted by business. Traditionally, UNICEF’s engagement with the private sector focused mainly on mobilizing funds and other resources towards implementation of (often philanthropic) programmes for children. Today, UNICEF recognizes that such interactions only touch the surface of the potential business has to contribute to UNICEF’s mission and the global agenda for children. UNICEF now works with all stakeholders – companies, government and civil society – to create an enabling environment where business can respect and support children’s rights.

UNICEF’s CRB Unit is currently undertaking a discussion paper series on children’s rights and business in a digital world. This terms of reference is specific to the development of a discussion paper on children’s rights and online gaming.

CONTEXT

Over the last decades the online gaming industry has undergone a rapid evolution, becoming one of the most profitable entertainment industries in the world, with some analysts estimating it is worth more than $20 billion USD per year. Growing internet capabilities and the mobile technology boom have revolutionized the industry and opened doors to a new generation of gamers, changing the way people buy games, update software and communicate and interact with other gamers. And while the move to mobile technology has defined the recent chapter of gaming, new advances in artificial intelligence and virtual and augmented reality will serve as another paradigm shift in the gaming world.

Gaming technology allows millions around the world to enjoy a shared activity, helping children and young people to connect with friends or as a way to spend time with their families. There is also evidence that educational tablet and smartphone games can help children with numeracy and literacy. Numerous computer and tablet games are now regularly used in education and integrated into learning programmes, allowing teachers to monitor the reading and math skills of their students. And for older children, online games can serve as an avenue to for entrepreneurship or civic engagement. In this respect, gamified technology could be used to support UNICEF programming.

However, alongside these potential benefits, children face risks that mirror those they face from their general participation in the online world. These risks range from grooming and cyberbullying to exposure to harmful or inappropriate content of games or pop-ups, and from the collection and monetization of children’s data to aggressive commercial engagement through in-app purchases. In some countries, policy makers are advocating for stricter measures to limit children’s participation in online gaming activities to prevent excessive use or gaming “addiction.”

In sum, the online gaming industry can impact children’s rights in both positive and negative ways, with the potential to affect their rights to protection, participation and inclusion. Together with key industry actors, UNICEF seeks to more closely examine both the risks and opportunities that online gaming implies for children, and to better understand these implications through a child rights lens. The objective of this initiative would be to better understand the impacts, perceptions and attitudes around children’s rights and gaming; and identify roles, responsibilities and recommendations for industry actors along the gaming value chain to develop, offer and market products in a way that both mitigates risks, and also creates benefits for children.

PURPOSE OF THE JOB

UNICEF is seeking an expert consultant to investigate children’s rights and online gaming and support the delivery of a discussion paper on: the risks and opportunities online gaming poses for children’s rights (Part I), the role of different actors in responding to these risks and opportunities (Part II) as well as recommendations for how each actor can address children’s rights (Part III). As part of this discussion paper, efforts should be made to link gaming technology with opportunities to UNICEF programming in areas that include but are not limited to education and civic engagement. These efforts will also involve delivery of a concept for engaging relevant actors on the drafting of the paper and its recommendations. The consultant will also be expected to provide recommendations on engaging industry and other relevant stakeholders on the contents of the paper, as well as taking the recommendations forward, including how to link gaming technology with opportunities to support UNICEF programming in areas that include but are not limited to education and civic engagement.

How can you make a difference?

MAIN TASKS & DELIVERABLES

The consultant will be responsible for supporting  work towards delivery of a discussion paper on online gaming:

I. Desk research and literature review of

• Associations, initiatives, and efforts addressing children’s rights and online gaming
• Map out the online gaming value chain, both the development of games and the experience of gaming

II. Stakeholder engagement

• Develop an engagement plan for engaging key companies and other relevant stakeholders to discuss key challenges to respecting children’s rights and online gaming
• Determine the stakeholders to be engaged
• Organize for and execute individual stakeholder discussions
• Engage internal UNICEF stakeholders for feedback on draft discussion paper
• Collect external stakeholder feedback on draft of discussion paper
• Support facilitation of working group discussions (phone and in-person)

III. Drafting and finalizing the discussion paper

• Draft portions of the discussion paper in collaboration with UNICEF
• Revise draft discussion paper based on feedback collected

IV. Written strategy recommendations for how UNICEF can take this agenda forward, based on the content in the discussion paper.

To qualify as a champion for every child you will have:

QUALIFICATIONS

Education: A master’s degree in law, social or political science, or related field is required.  

Experience: Some 6-8 years of work experience with one of the following is required: human rights, children’s rights, online safety, and marketing. A strong research background is required.

Language: Applicants must have a proven record of excellent writing and analytical skills in English.

ESTIMATED DURATION OF THE CONTRACT AND PROPOSAL

Note that this is a part-time consultancy, consisting of 20 work days between 16 April and 31 December 2018. 

REPORTING TO:

Corporate Alliances Specialist, the Children’s Rights and Business (CRB) Unit

WORK PLACE & EXPECTED TRAVEL:

Consultant is expected to work remotely. Limited travel is expected.