Head of Child Participation

**Description**:
ECPAT International is a global network of organisations working together for the elimination of the sexual exploitation of children (SEC) in all its manifestations i.e. exploitation of children in prostitution, online child sexual exploitation, sale and trafficking of children for sexual purposes, sexual exploitation of children in travel and tourism and some other forms of such as early and forced marriage. The ECPAT Network currently consists of 124 members working at national and local levels in 103 countries. Our strength lies in the diversity of our membership, collectively and individually working to address the issue. From large national coalitions to small grass-roots initiatives, we are committed to bringing together a broad range of expertise, perspectives and collective power to unravel the web that perpetuates this abuse.

The ECPAT International Secretariat coordinates the global work of the organisation and is based in Bangkok, Thailand. The Secretariat designs and implements global and regional level programmes, and undertakes programming, advocacy, communication and campaigning and research and facilitates a range of network initiatives.

Job Purpose

The overall objective of the Head of Child Participation position is to ensure children are empowered and meaningfully engaged as partners within the ECPAT movement to prevent and address sexual exploitation of children globally.

This position combines and articulates strategy, practices, processes, implementation and advocacy for an active, rights-based and meaningful engagement with children throughout the work of the ECPAT Secretariat and the ECPAT network across the world, including the engagement of children with lived experiences of sexual exploitation and abuse. The position also entails leading safeguarding and ethical policies, processes and practices within the ECPAT Secretariat.

This position will also act as the Child Safeguarding Focal point for the organisation

Main Responsibilities

Strategic leadership and development

To lead the development and implementation of a child participation strategy for the ECPAT International Secretariat, and the ECPAT network in collaboration with ECPAT members, children and youth, including those with lived experiences of sexual exploitation and with partners
To develop the pathways and approaches for ensuring children are meaningfully engaged as rights-holders and agents of change in addressing sexual exploitation, throughout the core work of ECPAT - influencing strategies and policies, programming and research, advocacy and communications, governance, accountability and learning
To ensure the implementation of processes for channelling and integrating children’s views in all aspects of ECPAT’s work and processes, upholding the indivisible rights to protection and participation
To contribute to or lead fundraising efforts to secure resources to ensure and promote the participation and empowerment of children in addressing child sexual exploitation and related safeguarding approaches and practices

Operational engagement

To initiate, promote and technically support the development and strengthening of innovative child-led and child-participatory initiatives and peer to peer approaches to prevention, response and advocacy to address the sexual exploitation of children
To develop the tools and resources necessary to ensure the ethical and meaningful participation of children, including children with lived experiences of sexual exploitation
To develop capacities in the ECPAT Secretariat, ECPAT members and partners, and in collaboration with children, for promoting and ensuring child participation and meaningful engagement of children in programming and advocacy
To promote and support technically the integration of child participation approaches within programming and network development
To lead and/or manage projects engaging children on addressing child sexual exploitation

Safeguarding

To lead and oversee ethical and safeguarding approaches and processes to safeguard children and adults within our organization and with our partners
To ensure ECPAT leads a culture of accountability through implementing strong safeguards and ethical approaches within the Secretariat and with the ECPAT members and partners. This includes acting as the Safeguarding Focal Point for the organization and overseeing and accompanying all safeguarding processes within ECPAT International Secretariat and its members and partners
To develop and lead capacity building processes on safeguarding for ECPAT International staff and partners
To manage safeguarding concerns and support investigation as necessary
To review, report and adapt ECPAT International’s safeguarding approach, policies and practices

Advocacy, Communications and Representation

To promote and ensure the integration of children’s views in communications and advocacy strategies related to sexual exploitation of children
To develop a