Supervisor : Principle Investigator, Research on Online Intimate Partner Violence (IPV)  among Teens and Young People in Nepal
Duration: Three Months
Start Date: 20 July 2021 or as soon as possible

Background 

ChildSafeNet is conducting a nationwide research on Online Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) against Teens  and Young People in Nepal, with a grant from Sexual Violence Research Initiative (SVRI) Knowledge for  Action to End Violence against Women and Violence against Children Research Grant.  

Research on Online Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) against Teens and Young People 

The internet use is growing exponentially in Nepal and online forms of IPV are becoming more widespread  and prominent. Knowledgebase on online risks and internet safety among Nepali children and young  people is very low. In Nepal, a few research studies on offline IPV have been conducted in the past.  However, there is a very limited knowledgebase on IPV experienced by teens and young people through  the use of digital technology. The existing literature and research to date is pre-dominantly focused on  married couples/adult partners living together, which often only cover the traditional and offline  understandings of IPV. The increasing surge in internet use have opened ways in which the facilitation of  digital technology plays a huge role in aggravating abuse, violence, and increasing one's susceptibility to  IPV.  

Digital technologies, in this context, have been found to be used by teens and young people, not only for  communicating and initiating new romantic relationships, but also for exerting abuse and control over  partners as relationships progresses. Exploring the continuum of abuse, existing literature seems to  indicate that technology-assisted intimate partner violence and abuse does not happen in isolation, rather  such behaviour is experienced or perpetrated both in person and/or through digital means. Therefore, it  is suggested that there is an increasing use of the technology to perpetrate intimate partner violence and  abuse representing a new form of sexual violence to exert control to partners already in a violent  relationship.  

The main objective of the research is to assess and understand the context, practices and behaviour of teens and young people towards IPV through the use of digital technology and to provide appropriate  policy recommendations to the government and other duty-bearers. The researchwill also use an Artificial  Intelligence (AI) tool for detection and prevention of online intimate partner violence.  

Purpose 

A Research Consultant will work with the ChildSafeNet’s research team on Online Intimate Partner  Violence (IPV) among Teens and Young People in Nepal . The consultant will be responsible mostly in the  pre-research (inception) work with a commitment for three months from 20 July 2021 or as soon as  possible.  

The consultant will be responsible in developing the research design, identifying proper methodical tools  (considering the COVID scenario), drafting qualitative and quantitative questionnaires, and pre-testing  them. The consultant will also be responsible in enhancing and building the capacity of researchers and  field workers.  

Description of Duties  

• Develop research design and instruments for quantitative and qualitative data collection
• Identify appropriate methodological tools for the mixed method study (qualitative and quantitative)
•  Develop research survey and questionnaires for the quantitative and qualitative data collection based  on the age-group segregation among teens and young people 
• Translate the developed surveys and questionnaires from English to simple Nepali 
• Prepare necessary documents and obtain clearance from the Ethical Clearance from National Health  Research Council (NHRC), a specialized ethical review board in Nepal 
• Train the research team and field workers on conducting a gender-sensitive qualitative and  quantitative data collection methods 
• Lead and oversee the overall research related works relating to the online IPV project
•  Supervise research assistants in research designing 
• Develop a work plan and regularly meet the supervisor & the research team to discuss research  assignments, progress and challenges 
• Participate in trainings, meetings, workshops and seminars as necessary 
• Perform other duties assigned by the supervisor 

Person Specifications 

• Master's degree, preferably in social work, sociology or anthropology 
• Five years of experience in conducting research, with at least two years of experience in the field of  child rights and child protection issues (e.g., sexual abuse or violence against children, online risks and  gender-based violence) 
• Expertise in designing research studies and developing research instruments
• Proven track record in developing and using qualitative and quantitative data collection tools
• Experience in conducting desktop, online and field research in a methodical manner 
• Ability to use statistical and data analysis tools (e.g., SPSS and MAXQDA), desirable
• Excellent communication (spoken and written) skills, including the ability to convey complex concepts  and recommendations both orally and in writing, in a clear, concise style 
• Demonstrated track record in writing research reports  
• Knowledge on children and young people's online behaviour and risks, desirable
• Knowledge on child rights, child protection and gender-based violence 
• Knowledge on ethical considerations for research with children and young people on sensitive issues 
• Knowledge of digital technology and use of computer applications

Equal Opportunity 

ChildSafeNet is an equal opportunity organisation and the vacancy is open for all eligible applicants,  regardless of gender, sexual orientation, expression, ethnicity, socio-economic backgrounds, etc. 

Child Safeguarding 

The consultant's work may include direct contact with children and young people, face-to-face or online.  ChildSafeNet is committed to the protection of children and young people from abuse and exploitation.  In order to ensure children and young people are safe, our selection process includes rigorous background  checks.