Research Assistant Consultant

Terre des Hommes Netherlands; Brussel; On-site; EUR 56,000 - 73,000; Part time

Job summary

Terre des Hommes Netherlands invites a Research Assistant consultant with expertise in behavioural science or computer science to advise on online behaviour and algorithm research.

You will support advocacy work, conduct scoping research into content featuring children, perform literature reviews, and help draft outputs and memos for policy influence.

Qualifications

• Relevant academic background in behaviour science, computer science, psychology, or related field.
• Proven experience in qualitative research, including systematic literature review.
• In-depth knowledge of children\'s cognitive development is a plus.
• Excellent communication and research skills.
• Proficiency in English, additional languages welcome.

Responsibilities

• Carrying out a scoping research into algorithmic and recommender systems of content featuring children.
• Support an ongoing desk research on cognitive development and online safety.
• Support the development of evidence-based advocacy Memos and outputs.
• Literature review matrix.
• Report presenting the findings of the scoping research.
• Research outputs as relevant.

Skills

Behavioural science

Computer science

Psychology

Excellent communication

Education

Relevant academic background in behaviour science, computer science or psychology

Job description

Research Assistant Consultant

Terre des Hommes Netherlands is seeking to contract a Research Assistant consultant who is experienced in behavioural science or computer science to advise us on online behaviour and algorithm research.

1. Background Information

Terre des Hommes Netherlands (TdH NL) is an international non-governmental organisation committed to stopping child exploitation. Our mission is to protect children by preventing and stopping child exploitation, and by empowering children to make their voices count. Our vision is that children can flourish in a world free of all forms of exploitation.

We work on addressing the root causes of child exploitation, including online child sexual exploitation and abuse. To this end, we advocate to hold technology companies accountable to ensure children are safe and can thrive online. Our advocacy is evidence based and infused by the voices of children themselves.

2. Objectives of the services required

TdH NL is seeking professional support on conducting research on topics related to children behaviours online, as well as algorithm and recommender systems linked content featuring children.

3. Specific objectives

The objectives include supporting our advocacy work as well as specific deliverables.

Support :

• Carrying out a scoping research into algorithmic and recommender systems of content featuring children.
• Support an ongoing desk research on cognitive development and online safety.
• Support the development of evidence-based advocacy Memos and outputs.

Deliverables:

• Literature review matrix.
• Report presenting the findings of the scoping research.
• Research outputs as relevant.

4. Timing and duration of the contract

The contract will commence from 15/11/2026. The contract is expected to be completed by 28/02/2027. Ideally the consultant will work for a total of 30 days with TdH NL during this period.

5. Qualifications and experience

The consultant should have the following qualifications and expertise:

• Relevant academic background in behaviour science, computer science , psychology or a related field.
• Proven experience in qualitative research, including systematic literature review.
• In-depth knowledge of children's cognitive development is a plus.
• Excellent communication and research skills.
• Proficiency in English, additional languages welcome.

6. Reporting and Communication

The consultant will report to Senior EU Advocacy Manager, and maintain regular communication with the TdH NL SEC Advocacy Team.

7. Budget

The budget for this consultancy assignment will be 350 EUR per day excluding VAT, for a total of EUR 10,500.

About Terre des Hommes Netherlands

Terre des Hommes Netherlands is part of the International Federation of Terre des Hommes organisations, a strategic partnership of member organisations sharing the same brand name and core values for joint lobby and advocacy around children’s rights. Terre des Hommes Netherlands (TdH NL) protects children by preventing and stopping child exploitation, and by empowering children to make their voices count. Our work is grounded in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and seeks to support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Under our new Global Strategy (2023 - 2030), TdH NL is redefining and refining our role as a child rights organisation, with the strategic ambition that “by 2030, Terre des Hommes Netherlands is a catalyst for systemic change to stop child exploitation. We do this by empowering children and their communities, connecting them with those who have power to enact change, and utilising our knowledge and expertise to co-create sustainable, evidence-based solutions.”

The values of TdH Netherlands are: Responsible, Bold, Human-Centred and Playful.

The organisation's core principles are: (1)Children at the Centre, (2) Intersectionality and Power Awareness, (3) Safety and Wellbeing, (4) Sustainability, and (5) Meaningful and Strategic Partnerships.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Integrity and Child Safeguarding

We are not looking for just one type of person - we want to recruit people who can add fresh perspectives, innovative ideas and challenge our thinking. We are especially interested in people whose lived experiences help us to see things we might otherwise miss, and enable us to do better work with and for children. Whether or not you meet 100% of the criteria, we want to hear from you, because we know that different voices, ideas, perspectives and knowledge, working together will enable us to better the lives of children around the world.

TdH NL is committed to ensuring diversity and gender equality within our organisation. We continue to learn about intersectional considerations and power distribution within our organisation and our work. We are dedicated to preventing and eradicating any type of misconduct including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, any other type of misuse of power, lack of integrity or financial misconduct.

Note: We place a high priority on ensuring that only those who share and demonstrate our values are recruited to work for us, this includes a commitment to diversity and inclusion at all levels of our work. All offers of employment will therefore be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which include a valid criminal record check, terrorism finance checks, and/or integrity screenings/references relating to misconduct and disciplinary actions in prior employment.

TdH NL is particularly committed to keeping children and vulnerable individuals safe, and has zero tolerance on (child) abuse. Every TdH NL employee is bound by the TdH NL Code of Conduct that describes the expected behaviour by staff, in particular with regards to Safeguarding children and (young) adults in our programmes. Child safeguarding measures are part of our selection and recruitment process. By submitting your application you accept that TdH NL will conduct such pre-employment screening for successful candidates. TdH NL participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme.