Call for Consultancy Service for the Development of Unique and Focused Modules for the Prevention and Response of Online Child Sexual Exploitation (OCSE) in Cebu Province

With children making up an estimated one third of internet users worldwide, living in the ‘digital age’ can have important implications for children’s lives. The growth of internet access and use in the Philippines has been the fastest in the region with a  500% increase between 2011 and 2015 (We Are Social, 2015) and as of January 2017, there were nearly 60 million active internet users, comprising 58% of the nation’s total population (We Are Social, 2017). In view of this, the global number of websites containing child sexual abuse content has grown by 147% from 2012 to 2014 alone (OHCHR, 2016) and reports indicate that child sexual abuse material in the Philippines occurs on an industrial scale, generating up to an estimated $1 billion a year (Saler, 2014).

A 2013 study by TdH-NL suggests that eight-in-ten Filipino children are in danger of being sexually abused or bullied online, and reports of live streaming child sexual abuse have increased.  This often involves overseas abusers who connect, via webcam, to an ‘operator’ in the Philippines (UNICEF/IPSOS, 2016) — with children from socially and economically marginalized communities (including children with disabilities) having increased risk.

The Philippines has no specific legislation on OCSE, but it has a comprehensive set of thematic laws and policies which variously cover the issue. The Anti-Child Pornography Act (2009) provides a clear definition of child pornography, covering anyone under 18, criminalises access, download, and possession of images, as well as the selling, distribution and broadcasting of child sexual abuse materials and includes mandatory reporting for Social workers and ISPs (World Bank, 2015). 

More recently, an original and groundbreaking study was conducted by TdH NL in partnership with UNICEF and with involvement of DSWD and San Carlos University in Cebu focusing on the impacts of OCSE, sometimes referred to as “Webcam Child Sex Tourism” or ‘Cybersex’ by those working on the ground, but also seeking to establish appropriate responses to the needs of children and families (Terre des Hommes Netherlands, 2013).The research was in many respects inconclusive in respect of service interventions, but indicated a need to develop greater understanding and response, by working within communities with children, families and practitioners. As a result, TdH NL will manage and implement a research-driven project on Online Child Sexual Exploitation (OCSE) for three years in Cebu Province. The project is primarily aimed to support a comprehensive prevention and response of Online Child Sexual Exploitation (OCSE) related issues. The project will engage with government and CSOs and their respective social workers to increase their capacity to prevent and respond to OCSE in the communities. The project will seek the active involvement of families and communities through the research and the development of community data-gathering mechanisms, which will provide ongoing interaction between the social practitioners and the families and communities that they serve. This project understands children to be the experts of their own realities by engaging the children in action-research and learnings. Further, by means of the inputs from the social practitioners, families and children, and through existing relationships with local CSOs, the project will be able to improve its communication materials, research, and social services delivery according to the expressed needs of children in communities utilizing participatory and technological-driven processes to impact genuine behavioral change communication. 

Overall Objective: To support a comprehensive prevention and response of Online Child Sexual Exploitation (OCSE) in Cebu, the Philippines. 

The project is going to work with 4 main actors, the expected outcomes are below: 

• Outcome 1: The government in Cebu (including DSWD) has increased capacity to prevent and respond to OCSE
• Outcome 2: Civil society organisations (including social workers) have increased capacity to prevent and respond to OCSE
• Outcome 3: Families and Communities contribute to protecting children from Online Child Sexual Exploitation (OCSE)
• Outcome 4: Children protect themselves from Online Child Sexual Exploitation (OCSE)

Target actors

• Government officials = 20 officials
• Civil Society Organisations = 40 staff
• Community members = 20,000
• Children = 4,530 children (2,530 girls; 2,000 boys)

TdH NL is seeking a Consultant to develop the unique and focused modules for the prevention and response on online child sexual exploitation for the six local government units (LGUs) comprising the cities of Cebu, Mandaue, Lapulapu, and Talisay, and the municipalities of Minglanilla and San Fernando.The Consultant is responsible to engage with the relevant LGU partners for the design of the modules based on the learning and training need assessment results in conjunction with the OCSE 2021 Project Results Framework. The unique and focused modules for the rolling out of the capacity building activities for the MLC members, social practitioners and social workers both from the government and non-government actors in the 35 barangays across the six LGUs 

The Consultant receives hierarchical leadership from the Project Coordinator of the OCSE Research Project in Cebu and will collaborate directly with the Project Officers and designated Capacity Building Officers who will be supporting the Consultant. The Consultant for the development of the unique and focused modules is primarily tasked to design the modules or curriculum based on the LTNA results, capacity gaps analysis and proposed capacity building plan. This will involve mixed methodologies and, subject to consultation with TdH NL to carry out the specific tasks: 

• Review the LTNA results, capacity gaps analysis and proposed capacity building plan for the multidisciplinary learning community members in all levels. 
• Development of a modules development tool relevant to prevention and response to OCSE issues.
• Facilitation of workshops with multidisciplinary actors related to child-protection and prevention and response to OCSE issues.  
• Facilitation of workshops with multidisciplinary actors on the design of the modules based on the LTNA assessment results, capacity gaps analysis and proposed capacity building plan. 
• Design of the unique and focused modules on prevention and response of OCSE issues in the context of Cebu Province.  

The consultant will be expected to provide concrete research results in compliance to the following key deliverables: 

1. Inception Report: Detailed Development of Modules Work Plan, Tool, Methodology and Strategies,Timelining, Cost and Budget
2. Ethical Guidelines in the development of the modules for the multidisciplinary learning community members in the LGUs
3. Final Modules 
4. Final Consultancy Report (based on TdH NL template) 

The consultant will work with and be supervised by Terre Des Hommes Netherlands’ Project Coordinator. The Cebu OCSE Project Officers and designated Capacity Building Officer will provide the consultant with any needed support, materials, and guidance. They will be responsible to determine and agree on whether the consultant’s proposed methodology and tools are addressing the desired outcomes, thus, they will give a go-ahead or propose some changes to ensure that the desired results are achieved. They will also be responsible for quality control of process, documentation and reporting. 

TdH-NL will provide all required relevant materials and project documents to the consultant in a timely manner, and will be the link between the consultant and the local partners in the field.

TdH-NL will review tools, templates and methods, and will provide support in the whole LTNA process including the identification of venues for discussion. They will also ensure that ethical guidelines and child safeguarding policies will be observed in all stages of the process due to the sensitivity of the OCSE topics. 

TdH-NL will manage the consultancy contract, monitor adherence to specified deadlines, and facilitate access to required information. In addition, TdH-NL will provide support throughout all phases of the research process.

• Technical background in Child Rights programming, a strong background in Social Science, with solid experience in conducting inclusive and participatory capacity assessment,  modules development, research and capacity building activities into complex and sensitive phenomena.
• An advanced degree in a relevant field is compulsory.
• Demonstrated experience and expertise in designing child-driven modules relevant to prevention and response of OCSE and other child exploitation issues for child-focused projects, delivering agreed outputs on time and within budget.
• Has adequate professional understanding or familiarity of OCSE issues, social inclusion of girls, boys, LGBTQI and other forms of sexual exploitation of children. 
• Broad knowledge and understanding of child protection programmes and related research on this issue.
• Excellent conceptual, analytical and negotiation skills.
• Strong verbal, writing, reporting and organisational skills with a keen eye to details.
• Proven experience with qualitative and quantitative data analysis.
• Experience of working with national government agencies, local government units, community based organizations, children, victims/survivors, CSOs and with child rights organisations is an advantage.

The Leanring and Training Needs Assessment will explore complex and sensitive topics which may challenge perceptions, and possibly lead to prejudice and discrimination, within existing social and religious value systems. This context will necessitate the development of strict ethical guidelines for this study. Safety of the (child) participants is paramount, and all participants are expected to be treated with dignity and respect.

The consultant shall read, sign and abide by the TdH NL Child Safeguarding Policy and Code of Conduct against corruption, bribery and fraud. It is understood and agreed that the consultant shall, during and after the effective period of the contract, treat as confidential and not divulge, unless authorised in writing by TdH Nl, any information obtained in the course of the performance of the Contract. The ethics process and the review/ evaluation will ensure compliance with:

• The requirements of Terre des Hommes Child Safeguarding Policy; and
• Terre des Hommes’ Consultancy Policy and Standards in relation to: informed consent, voluntary participation, confidentiality and anonymity; steps to minimise discomfort and harm, including intervention and support; feedback of study findings to participants/communities; participation of children under 18 years, and appropriate safety measures for consultants.

Ethical approval will be determined through an Ethics Review process undertaken in one of three ways: from an organisation or institution to which the consultant is attached, from a local ethical approval body in the country in which the research is to take place, and will also require approval from TdH NL.

Interested applicants should submit the consultancy service and financial proposals (maximum of 05 pages), this includes administrative and logistics costs; outlines the proposed cost of doing the consultancy service, with break down of the major cost categories. Proposals should be submitted on or before January 19, 2021 to asia@tdh.nl who will collect and forward to TdH-NL in the Philippines for final selection.

All applications should include the following:

1. Cover letter, which should include:

• Brief explanation about the consultant/s with particular emphasis on previous experience in this kind of work (including thematic focus).
• Proposed methodology with clear definition of the research tools
• Proposed implementation plan

1. Curriculum Vitae
2. Three reports/ documents of previous research works conducted in the Philippines (or in the Asia region/ on child sexual exploitation)