Thailand: Child and Youth Participation Officer

Vacancy Notice

Child and Youth Participation Officer

Duty station Bangkok, Thailand

Reports to: Head of Communication and Advocacy

Duration of contract Initial one year contract (renewable)

Grade C

Starting date As soon as possible

Organisational Background

ECPAT International is a global network of organisations working together for the elimination of child prostitution, child pornography and the trafficking of children for sexual purposes. It seeks to encourage the world community to ensure that children everywhere enjoy their fundamental rights free and secure from all forms of commercial sexual exploitation.

The ECPAT network currently has 85 member organisations in 77 countries in Africa, Americas, Europe, Asia and the Pacific. All of these members are independent organisations or coalitions working against the commercial sexual exploitation of children. The ECPAT Secretariat coordinates the global work of ECPAT International and is based in Bangkok, Thailand. The Secretariat designs programmes, advocacy and strategies to facilitate a range of network initiatives to make the greatest impact on combating Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC).

ECPAT has been committed to child and youth participation since its inception, offering opportunities for young people to raise their voices in the fight against CSEC. ECPAT champions the principle that those with first-hand knowledge are in an excellent position to contribute to the design of effective strategies against CSEC and bring attention to the rights and needs of survivors. Since 1996 ECPAT has been providing young people and children with different opportunities to realize their right to participate, through including them in organisational governance, providing venues for young people to express their views on the international stage, capacity building, and empowering children and youth to advocate for child rights.

Putting the voices of child victims/survivors at the heart of the ECPAT Network is one of the ECPAT International key change goals outlined in its recent Strategic Framework. The new strategy aims to ensure that the voices of CSEC victims are taken into account in policy, legislation, programs and practice at local, national, regional and international levels.

The year 2016 will be the 20^th anniversary of the First World Congress against the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC), held in Stockholm and hosted by the Government of Sweden, with ECPAT, UNICEF and the NGO group for the CRC as co-organisers. Since 1996 two additional World Congresses − Yokohama in 2001 and Rio de Janeiro in 2008 − were held on the same topic. The outcome documents of these important Congresses set the global agenda for action to combat the sexual exploitation of children. To mark the 20-year milestone ECPAT will organise and conduct an international Campaign, including activities focused on bringing victims and survivors voices on the international arena.

Job purpose

Based in ECPAT’s advocacy and communication team and working in close collaboration with the Child and Youth Participation programme, the Child and Youth Participation Officer ensures that the voices of children and youth and victims of commercial sexual exploitation are central to the organisation’s advocacy, campaigning and communication.

Tasks and Responsibilities

2016 Campaign against CSEC

• Support the mobilisation of children and youth/victims in ECPAT’s new global campaign;
• Coordinate the organisation of the Virtual World Congress for Survivors of Child Sexual Exploitation;
• Coordinate the launch of the ‘Bill of Rights’ for child victims, including organising events, developing a communication plan and producing communication materials.

Voices of children and youth in ECPAT’s advocacy and communication

• Ensure children and youth/victims’ voices are included in ECPAT’s communication and advocacy, including by producing relevant materials;
• Ensure ECPAT’s child participation policies and media guidelines are current and operational;
• Collect children and youth/victims’ stories (writing, audio, video…);
• Support Programmes and Research teams to include children and youth/victims’ voices in publications and activities;
• Liaise with other child rights and youth/victims organizations.

Support the development of funding proposals

• Proactive assessment of fundraising opportunities;
• Development of funding proposals;
• Ensure adequate and timely reporting.

Profile

Qualifications

• University degree in communication/media/international relations/human rights, development or related fields
• 3- 5 years operational experience, including at least two in children and youth participation;
• Demonstrated experience in project management
• Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing communication plans (incl. media relations)
• Excellent English language skills; knowledge of French/ Spanish/ Russian is a plus.

Competencies

• Demonstrated commitment to ECPAT’s vision, values and principles;
• Communication: excellent writing, speaking and presentation skills;
• Drive for results;
• Relating and networking: excellent interpersonal skills, diplomacy, and tact;
• Persuading and influencing: charismatic, credible and good negotiating skills.
• Sound strategic thinking and planning skills, including the ability to think creatively, to innovate and to set priorities, create management work plans and evaluate progress.
• Ability to operate and travel within culturally diverse settings

Salary and benefits

ECPAT offers a competitive remuneration package and staff benefits.

For more information on how to apply please see our website: http://www.ecpat.net/employment