Background

The End Violence Investors Forum (Forum) provides an active collaboration platform for major, international, public and private donors to share knowledge, ideas, and experiences to better align and increase funding and action aimed at ending violence against children (VAC). It has two primary focus areas based upon member interest: preventing online child sexual exploitation and ending child violence in and through schools. The Forum is co-chaired by Global Affairs Canada and the Oak Foundation. Of the approximately 14 members, USAID, Porticus, Wellspring Philanthropic Fund, the

U.K. Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (formerly DfID), and the World Bank primarily focus on the topic of violence in schools. The Forum also engages a wider range of donors through events, roundtables and one-on-one meetings.

The Forum is seeking a consultant to lead efforts under the workstream focused on ending violence in and through schools. The consultant with support two major activities:

• Managing the start-up of a new time-limited Global Commission to End Violence in and through Schools. The Forum has secured funding for a new high-level Commission that will bring together key leaders to:
  • Align on the most impactful interventions known today about how ensure all children are safe and learning; identify investment opportunities based on what’s known; and develop a common research agenda to strengthen the evidence;
  • Develop a framework for cross-sector cooperation and interim targets leading up to 2030.

The Forum is supporting the start-up of this Commission in partnership with the Safe to Learn initiative at the Global Partnership to End Violence Against Children. After the start-up phase, the consultant will continue to support the Commission and coordinate its work with that of the Forum members.

• Developing and implementing a Forum-led donor mobilisation and advocacy effort targeted at increasing investment and action in ending violence in and through schools. Alongside the Commission start up, the consultant will support ongoing efforts to develop and implement a donor mobilisation strategy in collaboration with Forum leadership and members. Additionally, the consultant will be responsible for helping Forum members identify and develop an approach for advocacy in 2021 targeted at increasing education donor investment in ending violence in and through schools. Both the donor mobilisation and advocacy efforts will be closely aligned with and supportive of the Commission’s work.

Key Responsibilities

Ending Violence in and through Schools Commission Start-Up

• Coordinate and manage key tasks required to launch Commission in partnership with Safe to Learn and other key stakeholders. This includes:
  • Organizing consultations with key stakeholders to gather feedback on Commission plan and integrating insights into overall strategy;
  • Identifying and supporting outreach to potential Commission chair, vice-chair, and members;
  • Drafting TORs for writers and consultants; soliciting proposals from potential writers and consultants; and managing selection process;
  • Keeping key stakeholders – and in particular, Investors Forum members – regularly updated on the status of the Commission;
  • Conducting background research as needed on prior commissions; ongoing initiatives and programs to end violence in and through schools; and other topics as needed;
  • Identifying key events and opportunities for the Commission to engage with the education sector in

Donor mobilisation and advocacy strategy

• Work with the Forum’s Senior Strategic Advisor and Forum members to develop and execute a donor mobilisation and advocacy strategy. This includes:
  • Researching funding trends, donors, potential investment areas, and advocacy and engagement opportunities;
  • Using research and consultations to inform strategy goals;
  • Organizing consultations with Forum members and other stakeholders;
  • Developing briefs and background materials to support donor engagement and advocacy;
  • Identify and propose strategies to mitigate political or other risks associated with donor engagement and advocacy;
  • Organising and managing member consultations and packaging relevant and necessary information and evidence;
  • Communicate regularly with Forum members and other key stakeholders to keep them informed of progress and solicit their

Desired Skills and Experience

• Advanced degree or equivalent professional background in public policy, political science, international development, communications, sociology, economics, or similar field;
• Experience working with philanthropy, government donors, and/or international organisations funding education programs;
• Demonstrated ability to work successfully with donor collaboratives and/or build coalitions;
• Demonstrated success in developing and executing advocacy and/or donor mobilization initiatives that achieved funding and/or policy goals;
• Experience working with and advising high-level political officials and/or funders;
• Familiarity with issues related to education and violence prevention at the global and national levels;
• An understanding of child safeguarding issues and experience with youth participation in similar collaboration structures;
• Excellent oral and written communications skills;
• Fluency in English; proficiency in Spanish or French

Expected Commitment

The Forum estimates that the above responsibilities will require approx. 80% FTE, or about 16 days per month. The anticipated contract term is 12 months.

Proposal Timeline

Interested applicants should provide a brief proposal outlining their interest, qualifications, and desired compensation by 6 November 2020 to [email protected]