Project Consultant (Independent Contractor) | Côte d’Ivoire Child Protection Program

International Justice Mission; Mission, Northern (KS, KY); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Travel coverage for field visits

Professional indemnity insurance

Office setup support and admin costs

Job summary

International Justice Mission (IJM) seeks a Project Consultant to lead startup planning, stakeholder engagement, and field assessments for a Côte d'Ivoire program focused on strengthening the justice system and protecting children. The consultant will coordinate with government, civil society, and donors, ensuring readiness for long-term program implementation.

Based in or outside Côte d'Ivoire with travel, the role requires in-depth knowledge of the local operating environment, due diligence

Qualifications

• Experience engaging with government authorities and justice-sector institutions in similar contexts.
• Experience supporting organizational startup, registration, expansion, or office.
• Knowledge of Ivorian criminal and public justice systems with child protection context.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and relationships with government, civil society, and faith-based groups.
• Familiarity with NGO partnership development including due diligence and capacity assessments.
• Proven field coordination and leadership in multi-stakeholder engagements.

Responsibilities

• Lead stakeholder engagement with government, justice-sector, civil society, donor and private-sector stakeholders.
• Plan and lead field assessments of the public justice system and conduct stakeholder consultations.
• Identify and assess potential partners, including due diligence and capacity assessments.
• Support registration processes and regulatory requirements for operating in Côte d'Ivoire.
• Coordinate field visits and ensure safety and security coordination with IJM teams.
• Provide strategic recommendations and knowledge sharing for project startup and future implementation.

Skills

Country entry

Startup experience

Justice system knowledge

Child protection knowledge

Stakeholder engagement

Partner development

Field coordination

Travel readiness

Job description

**Terms of Reference****Project Consultant (Independent Contractor)****Côte d'Ivoire Child Protection Program****International Justice Mission (IJM)**## **Background**International Justice Mission (IJM) is planning to establish a multi-year project in Côte d'Ivoire aimed at strengthening the justice system's capacity to protect children from violence. This initiative will be implemented as part of IJM's West Africa Anti-Trafficking Program, which currently operates in Ghana.IJM has previously supported the Ivorian law enforcement with a strategic focus on combating online child sexual exploitation. This initiative, launched in 2024 under Project BOOST, was designed to strengthen the country's law enforcement and judicial response to cyber crimes against children. Project BOOST was implemented in partnership with global organizations including the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), UNODC and META. IJM's venture into Côte d'Ivoire represents a significant step in broadening child protection efforts in West Africa to strengthen regional resilience against diverse forms of child abuse and lay the foundation for more cohesive justice responses across the region.In support of the project's design, implementation, and anticipated outcomes, IJM seeks an experienced consultant to lead startup planning, stakeholder engagement, field assessments, and operational preparation activities that will inform decision-making and potential future project implementation. The consultant will work closely with relevant stakeholders to ensure the delivery of high-quality outputs consistent with project objectives.## **Scope of Work**IJM envisions a seven-year project beginning in FY27 (April 2026 - March 2033). During the initial phase (first 2 years), activities would focus on registration, stakeholder mapping and engagement, operational startup, staffing, baseline study, advocacy, and the identification of strategic intervention opportunities. Implementation will be a mix of direct delivery and implementation through partnerships, depending on partner availability and the timing of in-country registration.The Project Consultant may be based in Côte d'Ivoire or elsewhere but must be able to travel to and within Côte d'Ivoire as required to fulfil the responsibilities of the assignment. They will work closely with IJM staff and relevant stakeholders to support project startup planning and readiness activities including the following:* Lead stakeholder engagement and relationship-building with government, justice-sector, civil society, faith-based, donor, and private-sector stakeholders.* Lead field assessments of the public justice system and facilitate stakeholder consultations to inform project startup and design.* Identify, assess, and engage potential strategic and implementing partners, including conducting preliminary due diligence and capacity assessments.* Support organizational registration processes and related legal, regulatory, and administrative requirements for operating in Côte d'Ivoire.* Advise on country entry, startup planning, and operational readiness, including staffing, recruitment, office establishment, service provider identification, and operational systems.* Coordinate and lead field visits, interpretation, stakeholder meetings, and consultations, working closely with IJM's safety and security team to ensure safe and effective operations.* Provide strategic recommendations, knowledge sharing, and coordination to support project startup and future implementation.## **Deliverables**The Consultant will be responsible for delivering the following:* Registration and Country Entry Plan outlining legal, regulatory, and administrative requirements, registration pathways, timelines, risks, and recommended actions.* A comprehensive stakeholder mapping and engagement strategy identifying key government, justice-sector, civil society, faith-based, donor, and private-sector stakeholders, with recommendations for engagement.* Partner identification and assessment report including mapping of potential partners, preliminary due diligence, capacity assessments, and partnership recommendations.* Operational readiness and startup plan with recommendations on staffing, recruitment, office setup, service providers, operational systems, and startup risk mitigation.* Field assessment and visit reports summarizing stakeholder consultations, site visits, key findings, and recommendations arising from field engagements.* Monthly progress reports providing updates on activities completed, findings, challenges, risks, and planned next steps.* Final Consultancy Report and Project Startup Roadmap consolidating all findings and recommendations, including stakeholder engagement, partnerships, registration, operational readiness, and priority actions for Years 1 and 2.All deliverables, reports, assessments, recommendations and other work produced under this TOR shall be subject to the Intellectual Property provisions of the Partnership Agreement.## **Duration, Remuneration, and Reporting*** Contract duration: 1st December, 2026 - 30th November 2027 (12 months), with possibility of extension subject to agreement by both parties;* Time commitment: 40 hours per week, with flexibility for extended field visits.* Remuneration: to be agreed based on qualifications and experience;* The Project Consultant is expected to cover basic administrative costs (e.g. use personal laptop, phone, internet access, and other routine administrative resources unless otherwise agreed in writing etc.);* Professional indemnity insurance and compliance with applicable legal and tax obligations shall be the responsibility of the Consultant;* Travel, accommodation and meals for approved field visits will be covered by IJM in accordance with applicable IJM travel and expense guidelines. Exceptional, unbudgeted or non-standard costs may be reimbursed only if approved by IJM in writing in advance;* Reporting: The Consultant will report to the Program Support Manager, and will work closely with the Director West Africa Program; and* Location: The Consultant is not required to be based in Côte d'Ivoire, but must be able to travel regularly within the country and maintain effective engagement with key stakeholders. Familiarity with the Ivorian operating environment and the ability to build and manage relationships with government, civil society, and justice-sector stakeholders is essential.## **Required Skills and Experience*** **Country Entry, Government Engagement and Startup Experience:** The Project Consultant is not required to be Ivorian or based in Côte d'Ivoire; however, they must demonstrate a strong understanding of the country's operating environment and possess the ability, confidence, and credibility to engage effectively with government authorities, justice-sector institutions, civil society organizations, and other key stakeholders. Existing professional networks in Côte d'Ivoire are desirable but not required. Experience supporting organizational startup, registration, expansion, or office.* **Justice System and Child protection Knowledge:** Understanding of Ivorian criminal and public justice systems, with experience in child protection contexts with in-depth working knowledge of the nuances of child protection in Côte d'Ivoire. An understanding of the Ghanaian criminal justice system is an added advantage.* **Stakeholder Engagement and Relationship Management:** Strong track record in managing relationships with government, civil society, and faith-based organizations particularly in Côte d'Ivoire or similar contexts.* **NGO Partnership Development:** Familiarity with Ivorian child protection NGOs; expertise in partner identification including conducting preliminary due diligence and capacity assessments.* **Field Coordination & Leadership:** Proven experience planning and leading high level stakeholder engagement