Consultancy – To strengthen response to online child sexual exploitation and abuse in Thailand, UNICEF Thailand Country Office, Bangkok, Thailand, Job No #574646

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 fulfilling 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, a better future

UNICEF works to ensure the rights of all children in the East Asia and Pacific Region. This means the rights of every child living in this country, irrespective of their nationality, gender, religion or ethnicity, to:

• survival – to basic healthcare, peace and security;
• development – to a good education, a loving home and adequate nutrition;
• protection – from abuse, neglect, trafficking, child labour and other forms of exploitation; and
• participation – to express opinions, be listened to and take part in making any decisions that affect them.

How can you make a difference?

The Child Protection Section of the UNICEF Thailand Country Office is seeking an individual consultant to provide specialized knowledge, guidance, and strategies to enhance the effectiveness of TICAC’s operations and responses to online child sexual exploitation and abuse cases in Thailand. This includes improving information sharing, strengthening expertise in handling online crimes, enhancing collaboration with global platforms, increasing law enforcement capacity, and improving data analysis.

Due to the nature of this assignment, it is considered an ‘elevated risk role’ from UNICEF’s child safeguarding perspective. The consultant will undergo a comprehensive assessment, which includes rigorous background checks.

Work assignment:

The primary objective of this consultancy is to strengthen the capacity of TICAC staff to effectively analyse CSAM and support investigations into OCSEA offences. The assignment will be office-based in Bangkok and the selected consultant will be expected to sit at the TICAC offices in Bangkok. The assignment will include four types of tasks to be delivered.

Training Delivery:

• Develop training modules and deliver at least 3 trainings for TICAC staff in 2025. The trainings shall focus on CSAM analysis, victim identification, and online OCSEA investigations.
• Topics may include:

o Covert internet investigations

o Open-source intelligence gathering

o Online CSAM triage and analysis

o Forensic interviewing techniques

o Other topics as requested by TICAC

• Ensure training materials are culturally appropriate and cater to the specific needs of TICAC.

Knowledge Sharing:

• Share expertise on transnational child sex offences and best practices in combating OCSEA
• Participate in discussions and contribute to the development of strategies for effective law enforcement response to OCSEA.

Collaboration:

• Work collaboratively with TICAC staff to ensure a smooth knowledge transfer and capacity building.
• Foster relationships with relevant national and international stakeholders involved in combating OCSEA, particularly INTERPOL and NCMEC.

Assignment 1: Conduct capacity gaps and need assessment.

Expected deliverable 1: Inception report that includes details of the capacity needs and proposed training plan for the TICAC/RTP staff and implementation plan.

Delivery schedule: 31 October 2024 (Payment: 15 per cent)

Assignment 2: Set up a grading and classification system linked to child sexual abuse material.

Expected deliverable 2: Submission of a compressive report containing the proposed grading and classification system.

Delivery schedule: 30 November 2024 (Payment: 15 per cent)

Assignment 3: Map processes and linkages between Interpol ICSE, NCMEC and locally report CSAM.

Expected deliverable 3: A report on the mapping and internal processes to handle CSAM in TICAC and ways to improve efficiency and progress on linking ICSE with TICAC.

Delivery schedule: 31 December 2024 (Payment: 20 per cent)

Assignment 4: Map internal databases being used to store CSAM and benchmark it against the UK’s CAID database.

Expected deliverable 4: Operational plan with budget estimated budget for setting up a local CSAM hash database for RTP/TICAC

Delivery schedule: 30 January 2025 (Payment: 20 per cent)

Assignment 5: Develop training material, including SOP processes.

Expected deliverable 5: Report that containing training material and SOPs for handing CSAM and the progress in the training plan.

Delivery schedule: 31 March 2025 (Payment: 30 per cent)

Duration of Contract: 1 October 2024 – 31 March 2025 (During the six months period, the consultant is expected to work for 100 days to complete the deliverables listed above. The experts can suggest specific number of days required for each deliverable and the sequence of deliverables in their proposal.)

Duty Travel: This is an office-based consultancy opportunity based in Bangkok, Thailand. The selected consultant will be required to sit at the offices of TICAC/RTP in Bangkok. No travel is required.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Qualifications or Specialized Knowledge/Experience Required:

• University degree or equivalent in a relevant field (e.g., criminal justice, forensics, computer science)
• Minimum of 10 years of professional experience in analyzing CSAM and investigating OCSEA offences
• Demonstrated expertise in CSAM analysis techniques, victim identification methods, and OCSEA investigative procedures
• Fluency in the English and Thai language.
• Strong experience in delivering training on online safety topics
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

Additional persona qualities and experience:

In addition to the above core criteria for the evaluation of the proposal, the following will also be considered for the selection.

• Proven ability to work independently, manage time effectively, and meet deadlines.
• Strong computer literacy and proficiency in relevant software applications.
• Experience working in an international and dynamic environment is preferred.
• Ability to handle sensitive material with discretion and maintain confidentiality.
• Emotional resilience and ability to work effectively with traumatic content.
• Adaptable, works well under pressure.
• Self-motivated, takes initiative, strives for excellence.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS).

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment. 

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 be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check. 

Remarks: 

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

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants. Consultants are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws. 

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts. 

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