Terms of Reference - Safeguarding Consultant

Apply by Friday 4th September 2026.

Safeguarding support for youth and survivor delegates to the EVAC Global Ministerial Conference

Project background

Across the globe, 1 in 2 children - or approximately 1 billion children - worldwide are affected by violence. This staggering statistic reveals the widespread, but mostly unspoken of, crisis faced by children in every setting: at home, in schools, within communities, and even online.

Violence against children is an issue that transcends borders and cuts across culture and socioeconomic class. The effects last a lifetime and are physical, mental, and social. 

Restless Development is working closely with youth mobilisers around the world to take action and call for greater accountability towards ending violence against children (EVAC). On 17th & 18th November 2026, the second Global Ministerial Conference on EVAC will be taking place in Manila, The Philippines. Restless Development and its partners will be supporting a delegation of young people and survivors to participate in this Ministerial Conference, as well as organising a Youth & Survivor Summit (15th & 16th November). The sensitive nature of this work, particularly where youth and survivor advocates are involved, requires dedicated safeguarding support and a framework to ensure participant well-being, mitigate risk, and uphold Restless Development’s commitment to trauma-informed practice.

Role purpose

This role will ensure safeguarding is integrated into all Global EVAC Ministerial Conference youth and survivor activities, as well as providing on site safeguarding services throughout the Conference and Youth & Survivor Summit. 

Responsibilities

1.Throughout the process

• Input to the development of a safeguarding risk assessment for the Global Ministerial Conference on EVAC and advise Restless Development on any action to be taken in response to that assessment.
• Ensure that all organisational safeguarding protocols are understood and adhered to throughout the engagement.
• Coordinate with team members to oversee safeguarding training needs for the youth and survivor delegation and staff.
• Review and oversee processes for informed and ongoing consent, particularly where storytelling, media engagement, and the development of public-facing materials are involved.
• Coordinate with the communications team to ensure appropriate consent is secured and ethical handling of content (photos, videos, narratives), in-line with safeguarding policies.
• Provide safeguarding input for advocacy materials and partner communications.

2.Before the conference

• Review and advise on advocacy and Youth & Survivor Summit plans from a safeguarding perspective.
• Support Restless Development’s Safeguarding Lead to ensure safeguarding is integrated into workstream plans across advocacy, events, and communications.
• Conduct tailored safeguarding risk assessments across all major Conference-related deliverables, including but not limited to:
  • Youth & Survivor Summit
  • Youth Innovations Market Place
  • Conference Satellite Events and Side Events

• Identify potential risks and mitigation strategies for in-person and digital engagement.
• In coordination with Restless Development’s Safeguarding Lead, develop a guidance document to be included as part of the delegation pack shared two weeks ahead of the conference. This should include information on urgent care for mental health on-the-ground in Manila.
• Support the recruitment of on-the-ground safeguarding team and oversee the coordination of this team.
• Provide mental health support to delegation members in advance of the event, ensuring they are adequately prepared and supported in anticipation of potentially sensitive or emotionally demanding content.
• Deliver a 30-minute online session, during a delegation preparation meeting (last week of October).

3.During the conference

• Serve as the head of the safeguarding and mental health support team and provide one-on-one support to individuals should any wellness needs arise.
• Provide on-the-ground safeguarding support during the key moments, including the Youth & Survivor Summit.
• Participate in a delegation preparatory + intro session, leading items together with Restless Development’s Safeguarding Lead - for example a grounding session and a safeguarding briefing (approx 2 hours).
• Facilitate 1-hour wellbeing session during a welcome meeting for the survivor and youth delegates (15 November morning).
• Be available for a debrief session at the end of each day with delegation members.
• Serve as safeguarding focal point at each event, working with the Restless Development team to promptly escalate and report any safeguarding concerns in accordance with organisational procedures.

4.After the conference

• Provide mental health support to delegation members as needed, particularly in response to any safeguarding concerns or emotionally challenging experiences that may have arisen.
• Contribute end-of-Conference safeguarding reflections and documentation for reporting.
• Participate in an online debrief and evaluation meeting (end of November).
• Provide follow-up calls with youth and survivor delegates within a few weeks after the conference to ensure appropriate support and services are accessed upon their return home.

Please note: It will be communicated to youth and survivor delegates that the Safeguarding Consultant is not a replacement for long-term therapeutic support, and that this support will be a temporary go-to resource to discuss immediate concerns and encourage additional support as needed.

Deliverables

• Written safeguarding risk assessments
• Safeguarding briefing and debriefing sessions
• Session plan and materials for the preparation sessions and delegation pack
• Consent procedures and templates tailored for each activation
• Post-event safeguarding reviews and insights
• Participation in planning and coordination calls as needed
• Contribution to campaign reports and donor deliverables

Time commitment and budget
The consultancy will commence on 14th September 2026 and conclude on 18th December 2026. We invite applicants to submit a budget including allocation of days and day rate. 

Strong preference is for the Consultant to be based in The Philippines. 

Travel costs (including travel to Manilla, accommodation, and per diem) within The Philippines will be arranged directly by Restless Development. These costs should not be included in submitted budgets.

Reporting 

The consultant will report to the Restless Development Safeguarding Lead, and work directly with a Safeguarding Working Group that includes key organising partners of the Youth & Survivor Summit.

Qualifications

The Safeguarding Consultant should have:

• Advanced degree or certification in psychology, counseling, social work, or a related mental health field.
• Demonstrated expertise in safeguarding, trauma-informed practice, and de-escalation techniques, especially with survivor communities.
• Expertise in online safety and security.
• Experience managing safeguarding in high-profile or multi-stakeholder events.
• Experience in supporting vulnerable groups to participate in global conferences and
• events.
• Strong understanding of ethical storytelling and consent, including digital and media risks.
• Expertise in child sexual violence, online harms, and global advocacy campaigns.
• Proven ability to handle confidential information with discretion and professionalism.
• Experience working across diverse cultural contexts and global teams.
• Knowledge of the Filipino language is strongly desirable.

The consultant is expected to maintain confidentiality and adhere to the highest professional and ethical standards.

Location

Preferred location is The Philippines.

Application Process

Interested candidates should submit a proposal with their project approach, proposed budget, and CV highlighting relevant experience by Friday 4th September 2026.