Research Consultant: Technology-Facilitated Violence Against Children in Humanitarian Contexts – €15,000–€18,000 Consultancy
Terre des Hommes Netherlands (TdH NL) is inviting applications from experienced researchers for a Lead Research Consultant to conduct operational research on Technology-Facilitated Violence (TFV) against children in humanitarian and displacement contexts.
The consultancy will examine how children experience digital environments during crises, the online threats they face, existing protection gaps and the ability of humanitarian systems to respond to technology-related risks.
The assignment will focus on Ethiopia, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Uganda, Bangladesh and Ukraine, with research activities scheduled across Q4 2026 and Q1 2027.
The available budget for the consultancy is €15,000–€18,000 EUR, inclusive of VAT.
About Terre des Hommes Netherlands
Terre des Hommes Netherlands is an international child rights organisation working to prevent and stop child exploitation while empowering children to have their voices heard.
The organisation places children at the centre of its work and focuses on safety and wellbeing, intersectionality, power awareness and sustainability.
Through evidence-based protection interventions, TdH NL seeks to address the systemic causes of child exploitation and strengthen child protection approaches in different contexts.
Why This Research Matters
Conflict, displacement and humanitarian emergencies can significantly weaken the protective environments surrounding children.
At the same time, children in crisis settings may increasingly depend on digital devices for communication, education, social interaction, financial activities and access to humanitarian services.
This increased digital exposure can create new risks.
Children may encounter online recruitment, financial or sexual extortion, cyberbullying, harassment, exploitation, technology-facilitated gender-based violence and synthetic child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
Much existing research on technology-facilitated violence has focused on high-income countries. This consultancy aims to generate evidence that is directly relevant to children and frontline humanitarian workers operating in crisis and displacement settings.
The findings will help humanitarian organisations strengthen child protection programming, improve safeguarding and inform policy and advocacy.
Objectives of the Research
The research will investigate online risks, protective factors and systemic safeguarding gaps across the five target contexts.
One objective is to understand how children in humanitarian and displacement settings navigate digital environments, including their social media use, digital self-expression and levels of digital literacy.
The research will also examine the nature and prevalence of online threats, including cyberbullying, harassment, technology-facilitated recruitment, extortion and exploitation.
Importantly, the research will explore children’s own perspectives on digital safety and rights. It will examine what children expect from parents, communities, humanitarian organisations, governments and other duty-bearers when it comes to protection online.
Another major focus will be identifying weaknesses in existing humanitarian protection systems, including capacity constraints and gaps in referral pathways.
The study will also examine whether digital humanitarian aid delivery creates additional child protection vulnerabilities.
Role of the Lead Research Consultant
The Lead Research Consultant will have responsibility for the technical design and implementation of the research process.
The assignment will cover four major phases, from research design through to the final report.
Phase 1: Research Design and Tool Finalisation
The consultant will develop the study protocol and adapt the research methodology to the target contexts.
Responsibilities will include preparing:
- Research protocols
- Focus group discussion guides
- Quantitative survey tools
- Ethical review documentation
- Data collection tools
- Methodological frameworks
The consultant will ensure that the research approach is appropriate for working with children and other potentially vulnerable participants in humanitarian environments.
Phase 2: Enumerator Training and Supervision
The consultant will prepare for and participate in training workshops for field enumerators and research partners.
They will provide technical facilitation and oversight before data collection begins.
This will include supporting teams to understand research ethics, safeguarding, data collection procedures and appropriate engagement with children and vulnerable participants.
The consultant will also oversee pilot activities and help ensure that field teams are adequately prepared before the research launches.
Phase 3: Data Analysis and Synthesis
The consultant will lead the analysis of qualitative and quantitative research data collected across the target countries.
Qualitative analysis will involve thematic coding using tools such as NVivo or Dedoose.
The consultant will also lead statistical analysis of survey datasets and ensure that findings are appropriately disaggregated by factors such as:
- Age
- Gender
- Displacement status
The analysis should identify patterns, risks, protective factors and gaps across the different humanitarian contexts.
Phase 4: Final Report
The final stage will involve writing and finalising a comprehensive research report.
The consultant will bring together cross-country findings and translate the evidence into practical recommendations for humanitarian organisations.
The final report is expected to be publication-ready and should provide actionable recommendations for strengthening frontline child protection, safeguarding systems and policy responses to technology-facilitated violence.
Expected Deliverables
The consultancy will produce several key outputs.
These include an approved study protocol and research tools, followed by trained research teams and clearance to begin fieldwork.
During the analysis phase, the consultant will develop an analytical codebook and synthesis matrix.
The final stage will produce a comprehensive publication-ready research report, incorporating feedback from the review process.
The research should ultimately provide practical evidence that humanitarian organisations can use to improve child protection programming in digital environments.
Required Qualifications and Experience
TdH NL is looking for a highly experienced research professional with an advanced postgraduate degree in Social Sciences, International Development, Child Rights or a related discipline.
Applicants should have an extensive track record of conducting participatory and trauma-informed qualitative and quantitative research.
Experience researching child protection and technology-facilitated violence in crisis settings is particularly important.
Candidates should demonstrate strong skills in qualitative thematic analysis and statistical data analysis.
Experience using NVivo, Dedoose or comparable research analysis platforms will be valuable.
Applicants should also have experience preparing and delivering ethics and data collection training for field enumerators.
Excellent technical writing skills are required, particularly experience producing high-level research reports for international organisations and audiences.
Safeguarding and Ethical Standards
Because the research involves children and potentially sensitive experiences of violence and exploitation, safeguarding and ethical research practices are central to the consultancy.
The selected consultant must comply with TdH NL’s safeguarding policies, Code of Conduct and Ethical Content Policy.
The consultant will be expected to apply appropriate ethical standards throughout research design, participant engagement, data collection, analysis and reporting.
Protecting participants’ safety, privacy, dignity and confidentiality will be essential.
Consultancy Budget
The total available budget is €15,000 to €18,000 EUR, inclusive of VAT.
Applicants must submit an itemised financial proposal showing their proposed daily fees and other applicable consultancy costs within the available budget.
TdH NL will separately fund and manage direct in-country operational costs.
These include:
- Survey software
- Enumerator field stipends
- Focus group venue hire
- Local logistics
- Transport
- Translation of research tools
- Dissemination workshops
These costs should therefore not be included in the consultant’s financial proposal.
Application Requirements
Applicants must submit their application by email with the subject line:
“Consultancy Proposal – Lead Research Consultant (TFV)”
Applications should be sent to Abby Roberts, Technical Expert – SEC, at a.roberts@tdh.nl.
The deadline is 16 September 2026.
The application package must include three key components:
1. CV / Technical Portfolio
Applicants should provide a CV or portfolio highlighting relevant experience in child protection, humanitarian research and technology-facilitated violence.
2. Technical Proposal
The proposal should explain the applicant’s:
- Methodological approach
- Analytical framework
- Enumerator training strategy
- Ethical standards
- Research work plan
3. Financial Proposal
Applicants must provide an itemised breakdown of their proposed daily fees and workshop participation costs, remaining within the €18,000 maximum budget inclusive of VAT.
Commitment to Diversity and Safeguarding
TdH NL emphasises diversity, inclusion and different perspectives in its recruitment process.
The organisation encourages applications from candidates who can bring fresh perspectives and challenge existing assumptions.
It also places a strong emphasis on safeguarding children and vulnerable people and maintains zero tolerance for abuse, exploitation, harassment and misuse of power.
Successful candidates will be subject to appropriate screening and reference checks, which may include criminal record checks, terrorism finance checks and integrity or misconduct screening.
Consultancy Summary
Position: Lead Research Consultant – Technology-Facilitated Violence Against Children
Organisation: Terre des Hommes Netherlands
Assignment Type: Research Consultancy
Work Areas: Ethiopia, DRC, Uganda, Bangladesh and Ukraine
Timeline: Q4 2026 – Q1 2027
Budget: €15,000–€18,000 EUR inclusive of VAT
Deadline: 16 September 2026
Key Expertise: Child Protection, TFV, Humanitarian Research, GBV, Research Ethics, Qualitative & Quantitative Research
Required Level: Advanced / Experienced Research Consultant
Who Should Apply?
This consultancy is particularly suited to senior researchers, child protection specialists, humanitarian researchers, social scientists and international development professionals with substantial experience conducting research in complex or crisis environments.
Candidates who combine strong research methodology with expertise in child safeguarding, technology-facilitated violence, digital safety, gender-based violence and humanitarian programming may be especially well positioned for this opportunity.
The assignment provides an opportunity to generate evidence that can help humanitarian organisations better protect children as digital technology becomes increasingly embedded in crisis response and everyday life.
Application Contact
Email: a.roberts@tdh.nl
Subject: Consultancy Proposal – Lead Research Consultant (TFV)
Deadline: 16 September 2026
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