Consultancy to development of a set of a Global Boys Initiative case study in Zimbabwe 10 views0 applications

Request for Proposals – Consultancy

Development of a set of a Global Boys Initiative case study in Zimbabwe

(Based in Zimbabwe only)

Estimated 10 working days during July 2026 – August 2026

Organisational Context

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 forms of child, early and forced marriage. The ECPAT Network currently consists of 141 member organisations working at national and local levels in 113 countries.

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 and research and facilitates a range of network initiatives.

Context of Consultancy

The Global Boys Initiative (GBI) was launched by ECPAT International to shed light and support the development of solutions to end the sexual exploitation and abuse of boys. After a global literature review and a 10-country research project to shed light on key issues on protection and assistance to boys at risk or affected by sexual exploitation and abuse, the GBI started to focus on the passage from theory to practice and conducted a series of 12 case studies collecting and documenting practices of organizations supporting boys at risk or victims and survivors of sexual exploitation and abuse in Colombia, Bolivia, Namibia, Morocco, the United Kingdom, Thailand, Cambodia, South Korea, France, the United States of America, Palestine and Pakistan. These case studies document practices, challenges and lessons emerging from different contexts, and highlight how services and protection responses can better take into account the specific experiences of boys. They serve as practical, locally-led examples for civil society organisations and practitioners seeking to better understand how boys are affected, how to design and implement prevention and response activities, and what resources are needed.

ECPAT GBI team identified Zimbabwe as an important context for a new Global Boys Initiative case study. The case study will be developed in close collaboration with two organisations based in Zimbabwe and will document their approaches, practices, challenges and lessons learned through interviews and field observations. The final product is intended to capture their experiences and translate them into practical insights that may be relevant to practitioners and organisations working in similar contexts or facing similar challenges.

Key Objective of The Assignment

The overall objective of this consultancy is to develop a new ECPAT Global Boys Initiative case study about Zimbabwe, documenting promising practices, challenges and lessons learned related to the prevention of and response to sexual exploitation and abuse affecting boys. As part of this assignment, the consultant will write a new ECPAT Global Boys Initiative case study in Zimbabwe, collaborating with ECPAT International and two other local organisations based in Zimbabwe.

Specific objectives of the assignment include:

• Document the experiences and approaches developed by the two pre-identified local organisations in Zimbabwe;
• Capture emerging lessons, challenges and contextual factors that may be relevant to practitioners and organisations working in similar contexts.

Key Deliverables

• Summary note of the interviews;
• Photos from the field visits in line with ECPAT International Child Safeguarding policy (photos will be used for the layout of the case study only and on social media to launch the case study);
• A complete ECPAT Global Boys Initiative case study on Zimbabwe.

Responsibilities of the Consultant

• One inception meeting with ECPAT International to discuss the objectives, methodology and timeline of the assignment;
• Conduct interviews with key informants based on the ECPAT International GBI methodology;
• Conduct field observations and in-person visits, where feasible, in order to better understand the local context and document community-based initiatives, partnerships and mechanisms supporting boys at risk or affected by sexual exploitation and abuse, and take photos according to ECPAT International Child Safeguarding policy;
• Review and analyse existing documentation, including project reports, evaluations, training materials, communication materials and other resources made available by the two organisations in Zimbabwe;
• Collect examples, experiences and stories that illustrate how organisations and communities are working to prevent sexual exploitation and abuse and support boys affected by these forms of violence, while ensuring adherence to ethical and safeguarding principles;
• Prepare summary notes from interviews and field observations and identify key themes emerging from the consultations;
• Draft the case study in line with the format and methodology used by previous ECPAT Global Boys Initiative case studies and in close consultation with ECPAT International;
• Participate in review and feedback processes with ECPAT International and participating organisations and integrate comments and suggestions into subsequent drafts;
• Participate in the online launch webinar as a panellist.

Timeline

This consultancy requires an estimated number of 10 working within the period July 2026 – end of August 2026.

Consultant Profile

• Be based in Zimbabwe or in the region;
• Proven knowledge and previous experience with children’s rights, child protection, or gender equity issues;
• Demonstrated experience conducting similar assignments, including qualitative interviews and field-based research;
• Strong analytical, writing and documentation skills, including the ability to produce engaging and accessible case studies and knowledge products for practitioner audiences;
• Ability to work collaboratively and incorporate feedback from multiple stakeholders, while managing tasks independently and within established deadlines;
• Commitment to ethical research practices, child safeguarding principles and the values of ECPAT International;
• Advanced ability to work in English;
• High ethical standards and commitment to human rights and feminist principles.

Additional Information

• This is a home-based position using their own equipment.
• The Consultant is expected to act at all times in a manner consistent with the values of ECPAT International and in compliance with the organisation’s policies and procedures including Safeguarding Policies and the Code of Conduct.
• The maximum budget available for this assignment is 2,500 USD (including travel costs).

Our Commitment

• As ECPAT’s International Secretariat we recognise that our strength lies in the diversity of the people who make up our global network, staff, volunteers and consultants. We are committed to being an inclusive workplace where people of all backgrounds and cultures can strive and be themselves. This means we will challenge ourselves to do better and to continue learning, to create and maintain a working environment steeped in respect, tolerance, safety, and where all parties are valued equally.
• As a child-focused organisation, ECPAT has a strong commitment to child safeguarding and rigorous procedures, and the successful candidate will be required to sign our 2 codes of conduct.