ORGANISATIONAL CONTEXT
ECPAT International is a global network of organisations working together for the elimination of the sexual exploitation of children 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 143 members working at national and local levels in 115 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.
THE PROJECT
In 2024-2025, ECPAT International conducted research on children’s access to justice and legal remedies in cases of sexual exploitation in Georgia. The resulting publication, Access to Justice and Legal Remedies for Children Subjected to Sexual Exploitation in Georgia, assessed the extent to which children subjected to sexual exploitation can effectively access reporting mechanisms, child-centred justice procedures, recovery and reintegration services, and remedies, including compensation.
The research identified several strengths within the Georgian legal and institutional framework, as well as persistent challenges that may hinder children’s ability to seek justice and obtain effective remedies. Based on these findings, an Advocacy Roadmap was agreed upon with stakeholders in the country outlining priority actions for strengthening access to justice and legal remedies for children subjected to sexual exploitation. The roadmap includes recommendations aimed at improving legal and policy frameworks, enhancing child-centred justice processes, strengthening multidisciplinary responses, and ensuring that children can access appropriate support and remedies throughout their recovery.
Building on this work, ECPAT International is now entering a new phase focused on advancing the implementation of the Advocacy Roadmap and promoting uptake of the report’s recommendations among relevant stakeholders in Georgia. Through targeted advocacy and stakeholder engagement, the project seeks to contribute to policy and practice changes that strengthen children’s access to justice and legal remedies and improve responses to child sexual exploitation.
OBJECTIVES OF THE CONSULTANCY
The objective of this consultancy is to support the implementation of advocacy actions identified in the Advocacy Roadmap accompanying the 2025 report on access to justice and legal remedies in Georgia.
Based on an assessment of strategic relevance, feasibility and available resources, ECPAT International has identified a number of priority advocacy targets within the Advocacy Roadmap for implementation during 2026-2027. Applicants are expected to develop a proposed advocacy and stakeholder engagement plan that contributes to the advancement of two or more of the selected outcomes and targets outlined below, including proposed activities, target stakeholders, expected results and timelines.
Objective 1: Strengthen Child-Centric and Accessible Protection and Reporting Mechanisms
Outcome 1.1: Improved accessibility and child-centricity of referral and reporting mechanisms
Applicants may propose advocacy and stakeholder engagement activities contributing to the achievement of the following selected targets:
- Target 1.1.1: Child protection institutions of Georgia (e.g., police departments, prosecutor’s offices, courts, Legal Aid Service, State Care Agency at the central and municipal levels) adapt their physical spaces and procedures to be child-centric and inclusive for children, including those with disabilities and from minority communities, by the end of 2026.
- Target 1.1.2: Development and dissemination of multilingual, child-friendly informational materials detailing procedures and channels for reporting cases of concern, including materials accessible to children, youth, parents and caregivers from minority communities.
- Target 1.1.3: Training and capacity building for frontline professionals, including law enforcement officers, social workers, hotline staff and other relevant actors, on child-sensitive communication and referral procedures related to child sexual exploitation.
Objective 3: Improve Institutional Capacity and Intersectoral Coordination for Child Protection from Sexual Exploitation
Outcome 3.1: Increased knowledge and awareness among children and parents about child sexual exploitation and prevention measures
Applicants may propose advocacy and stakeholder engagement activities contributing to the achievement of the following selected target:
- Target 3.1.2: Develop and distribute child- and parent-friendly informational materials (e.g., booklets, posters, videos) in at least three languages (Georgian, Armenian, Azerbaijani), and reach at least 5,000 children and caregivers through in-person or digital awareness campaigns.
Outcome 3.2: Age-appropriate, inclusive prevention education is integrated into school curricula and extracurricular programmes
Applicants may propose activities contributing to the achievement of the following targets:
- Target 3.2.1: Work with the Ministry of Education and local schools to integrate basic prevention modules into the national curriculum for grades 1–9.
- Target 3.2.2: Train teachers on the delivery of child-friendly, age-appropriate and culturally sensitive prevention education.
Applicants are encouraged to explain which of the above outcomes and targets they intend to prioritise and to justify their proposed approach. While ECPAT International has identified these targets as priority areas for advocacy in 2026-2027, applicants may also propose complementary actions from the Advocacy Roadmap where these are considered relevant to achieving sustainable policy and practice change.
KEY TASKS AND DELIVERABLES
The exact scope of tasks and deliverables will be finalised with the selected consultant during the contracting and inception phase, based on the proposed methodology and selected advocacy priorities.
CONSULTANT PROFILE
The consultant (or agency with a team of consultants) should demonstrate:
- Proven experience in designing and implementing advocacy initiatives, stakeholder engagement processes, or policy influencing strategies.
- Strong understanding of child rights, child protection, access to justice and legal remedies, and/or responses to child sexual exploitation and abuse.
- Demonstrated experience engaging with government institutions, justice sector professionals, education stakeholders, civil society organisations and other relevant groups.
- Knowledge of the Georgian legal, policy and institutional context, particularly in relation to child protection, education, justice or human rights.
- Experience developing advocacy strategies, policy briefs, stakeholder engagement plans, consultation reports, or similar outputs.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and Georgian.
- Ability to work independently while coordinating effectively with ECPAT International and relevant national partners.
TIMEFRAME
The service agreement is expected to take place between August 2026 and July 2027.
The exact duration, level of effort, timeline and milestones will be determined during the contracting phase and will depend on the advocacy approach and implementation plan proposed by the selected consultant. Applicants should therefore include a proposed timeline and indicative level of effort as part of their technical proposal.
Specific deliverables and deadlines will be agreed with the selected consultant and reflected in the final contract and workplan.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- This is a home-based position using their own equipment. The consultant(s) should be available for online calls including with different time zones in particular with Thailand where ECPAT International Secretariat is based.
- 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.
- Applications from an agency or group of consultants can be accepted.
OUR COMMITMENTS
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.
How to apply
Please send a technical offer along with your financial offer in USD to vacancy@ecpat.org mentioning: Your name and “Advocacy Child-Centred Justice in Georgia”in the subject header.
The technical proposal must identify the objective(s), outcome(s) and target(s) the applicant proposes to focus on (as per list provided in the “Objectives of the Consultancy” section of this Request for Proposals), describe the proposed advocacy and stakeholder engagement activities, and indicate the proposed geographical scope of the assignment. An indicative timeline should also be included. Applicants should submit CV(s) demonstrating relevant experience of the team and a separate financial proposal.
Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we are not able to respond to every application. If you have not heard back from us within 3 weeks from the deadline, it means that your application has not been successful.
Dependent upon the volume of applications received, ECPAT reserves the right to close the advertisement sooner than the suggested closing date.
Deadline: 5 July 2026
ECPAT International anticipates allocating approximately USD 9,000 to this service agreement, covering both personnel and activity-related costs.