Consultancy: Chapter on Sexual Exploitation of Boys, Data & Analytics Section, DRP - NYHQ, Requisition #520059

The consultant will be responsible for undertaking two pieces of work that will contribute to the development of a draft chapter to outline the available evidence and data on the sexual exploitation of boys.

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Background & Rationale

Girls have long been assumed to be the main target of sexual exploitation globally, yet there is evidence to suggest that in some locations and contexts, the sexual exploitation of boys may in fact be greater than for girls.^[1] At the ECPAT/Council of Europe facilitated Global Survivors Forum held at the Council of Europe in Strasbourg in November 2016, the vulnerability of boys to sexual abuse and exploitation was particularly highlighted and concerns raised that it was an ‘often hidden problem.’ This assumption of male invulnerability means that boys’ involvement in sexual exploitation continues to go largely undetected and unaddressed.^[2] In some countries, legislation related to the prostitution of children often has a gender bias focusing on women and girls, leaving boys open to being considered offenders rather than victims in cases of sexual abuse and exploitation.^[3]

Despite an existing awareness globally that boys are accessible for sexual exploitation, much of the existing research is outdated, patchy or anecdotal. A 2008 report for the Oak Foundation described a ‘screaming silence’ about the needs of boy victims of sexual exploitation that continues today. As such, there is limited understanding of the scale and scope of sexual exploitation among boys or how they came into these situations and what their needs are. Whilst there are NGOs and child protection agencies working to address the situation, this is mainly done on the basis of frameworks of sexual violence against women and girls and hence, there is a limited understanding and focus on addressing the specific characteristics, experiences and responses of boys.

Purpose

The consultant will be responsible for undertaking two pieces of work that will contribute to the development of a draft chapter to outline the available evidence and data on the sexual exploitation of boys.

The first piece is a systematic literature review (in English) on the sexual exploitation of boys when it comes to the magnitude of the issue, causes, consequences, risk factors etc. The review will focus primarily on formal published literature on the topic but may also incorporate evidence coming from the grey literature, provided some minimum criteria to assess quality are met. The focus will be on quantitative research but may supplement this with findings coming from qualitative research as needed and when relevant.

The second piece will comprise drafting an overview of some of the most salient and key methodological and ethical challenges for collecting data on this population. 

Expected results

The consultant will be responsible for developing a written draft to summarize both pieces of work outlined above. It is anticipated that the written draft will be around 15 pages in length, excluding references and any relevant annexes. 

Duty Station : The consultant can work remotely from his/her home office.

Travel : No travel is required.

Timeframe

Start date: 11 March 2019                                   
End date: 30 August 2019              

Copyright : UNICEF will retain all copyrights of any materials produced by the consultant under this contract.

Remuneration : Payments will be made upon the satisfactory and timely submission and approval of the deliverables and not actual number of days worked.

Key competences, technical background, and experience required  

• University Master’s Degree or higher in psychology, demography, public health, social work or related social science field is required
• Minimum of eight years of progressively responsible professional and relevant work experience in conducting research with a focus on issues relevant to child protection and violence is required
• Knowledge and familiarity of the literature pertaining to sexual exploitation is required
• Prior experience with conducting systematic reviews is required
• Analytical, methodical and precise style of writing
• Strong time management skills and an ability to adhere to deadlines
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
• Fluency in oral and written communication in English

Please indicate your ability, availability and daily/monthly rate (in US$) to undertake the terms of reference above (including travel and daily subsistence allowance, if applicable). Applications submitted without a daily/monthly rate will not be considered.

Remarks

With the exception of the US Citizens, G4 Visa and Green Card holders, should the selected candidate and his/her household members reside in the United States under a different visa, the consultant and his/her household members are required to change their visa status to G4, and the consultant’s household members (spouse) will require an Employment Authorization Card (EAD) to be able to work, even if he/she was authorized to work under the visa held prior to switching to G4.  

At the time the contract is awarded, the selected candidate must have in place current health insurance coverage.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results. View our competency framework at : Here

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.