Title: Research Consultant
Project: YoU Decide – Supporting Youth of Ukraine in Making Informed Decisions (Social Innovation Fund, Co-funded by the European Commission)
Duration of consultancy: May 2025 – February 2026
Expected starting date: 8 May 2025
Deadline to apply: 27 April, 2025 23:59 CEST
Budget: €51,000 – €54,000 EUR
Location: Remote with possible travel to project countries
- Background
Missing Children Europe is the European federation for missing and sexually exploited children, representing 33 organisations across 27 European countries. Our mission is to enable the development of effective and holistic child protection systems to prevent children from going missing; support missing children and their families; and protect children from any risk of violence and abuse that may lead to or result from going missing.
Missing Children Europe (MCE), in partnership with Terre des Hommes Hungary (TdH), ITAKA Foundation Poland, and the Organization for Aid to Refugees (OPU) Czechia, is launching YoU Decide, a 1.5 year-long EU project supporting displaced Ukrainian youth in making informed decisions about their future.
Project Overview:
In the context of integration, social inclusion, and prevention of displaced youth from Ukraine going missing, this project addresses their specific challenges by empowering them to make informed decisions and seek support, especially when they become unaccompanied or transition into adulthood. The complexities of their already vulnerable situation are further exacerbated by persistent risks of malicious offers leading to exploitation, trafficking, and scams, which are of particular concern. Despite the availability of information and services targeted at Ukrainian refugees in EU Member States, the nuanced support needed for this specific group has been overlooked.
This project presents a scalable and sustainable innovative solution to fill this critical gap. The countries implementing solutions are Poland, Hungary, and Czech Republic, focusing on the capital cities. By leveraging technology in the form of a mobile application, Miniila, and participatory project design, this initiative aims to create a sustainable impact on the integration and protection of displaced Ukrainian youth.
Moreover, this initiative aims to influence regional, national, and European policies by highlighting the specific needs and vulnerabilities of displaced Ukrainian youth and recommendations to address these needs. Through collaboration and coordination with local integration actors, the project seeks to address the identified gaps and advocate for more comprehensive support systems and policies.
To understand the context, assess the needs, and identify critical gaps in support for the displaced youth of Ukraine, the project includes a research component encompassing desk research, dissemination of surveys, and conducting focus group discussions with the target group (displaced youth of Ukraine 15-24 y.o. in three localities: Warsaw, Budapest and Prague).
- Objectives of the Consultancy
The Research Consultant will be responsible for designing the research activities and coordinating their implementation across three localities and production of the report based on collected data. While the consultant will not directly collect data, they will provide local researchers with guidelines and training to lead focus group discussions and other data collection efforts. The consultant will also ensure ethical compliance throughout the process and will be responsible for the analysis and reporting of findings to inform best practices in supporting displaced youth from Ukraine.
- Scope of Work and Deliverables
| Task | Description | Timeline |
| Development of Research Design | Develop research design in consultation with project’s consortium and the Youth Advisory Board; present in taskforce meetings; define research objectives, methods, sampling, and analysis plan. | May–June |
| Development of Data Collection Guidelines | Design templates for mapping services and stakeholders; develop guidelines for focus groups and surveys incorporating ethical considerations and a trauma-informed approach to guide partners carrying out data collection in the three project countries (Poland, Hungary. Czechia). | June–July |
| Training on Data Collection and Ethical Aspects | Prepare and provide online training (half-day event) for data collection teams, covering ethical considerations and trauma-informed approach. | August-September |
| Ethical Monitoring and Compliance | Develop and submit ethics approval documents; monitor adherence to ethical guidelines; conduct debriefs with interviewers post-research. | Ongoing from June 2025–February 2026 |
| Survey Development and Dissemination | Develop and finalise survey questions, along with dissemination guidelines to reach 200 respondents across three capital cities. | July-August |
| Data Analysis | Analyse data collected through surveys, focus group discussions, and desk research conducted by partners in respective localities. | October–December 2025 |
| Report on Findings and Recommendations | Compile findings into a final research report (15–20 pages in English); integrate feedback from project partners and the Youth Advisory Board. | November 2025–February 2026 |
| Deliverables | ||
| Guidelines document for data collection including ethical considerations – 10 February 2026 Research report with recommendations Report presenting the research design and methodology, all of the findings with an analysis, and the recommendations in consultations with the project consortium and Youth Board (Electronic PDF, EN, 15-20 pp.) – 16 February 2026 | ||
- Consultant Profile
- Qualifications: Advanced academic degree (Ph.D. preferred) in social sciences, social work, migration studies, psychology, or a related field.
- Experience: Minimum of 5 years of research related experience, preferably in migration/displacement contexts.
- Languages: Fluency in English, Ukrainian, and Russian is mandatory.
- Desirable:
- Lived experience of migration/displacement.
- Experience in transnational projects (including EU funded initiatives) and working with international partners.
- Reporting and Coordination
The consultant will work under the supervision of the project coordinator and collaborate with national partners. Regular updates will be provided through task force meetings and email consultations.
- Application Process
Interested candidates should submit the following:
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Cover Letter: Outlining motivation and suitability for the role (1 page max).
- Technical Offer:
A detailed proposal (maximum 3 pages) describing the applicant’s approach and methodology to carry out the consultancy. The technical offer must include the following components:
- Research design and methodological approach:
A proposed methodology for the development of the research design, including key research questions.
- Research design and methodological approach:
- Data collection guidelines :
Proposed methods for data collection, including mapping, survey instruments, focus group facilitation. The strategy should demonstrate an understanding of ethical and trauma-informed research principles when working with vulnerable populations, particularly displaced youth.
- Data collection guidelines :
- Data analysis framework:
A methodological approach for analysing the qualitative and quantitative data, including coding techniques, thematic analysis (or other relevant analytical methods) and tools proposed for analysis.
- Data analysis framework:
- Training proposal:
An outline of the content, objectives, and format for a half-day training session on ethical considerations and trauma-informed approaches for local data collection teams to guide them in preparation and implementation of focus group discussions. The training plan should indicate learning outcomes and any supporting materials or frameworks that may be used.
- Training proposal:
- Financial Proposal: A detailed budget breakdown, including:
- Daily professional fee.
- Any other relevant expenses related to the performance of services under the contract.
The financial proposal must be all-inclusive and take into account various expenses expected to be incurred during the contract.
- List of publications and relevant work done and at least 2 (two) samples of deliverables in similar assignments (research report, training module, guidelines etc).
- References: Contact information for two recent professional references.
Deadline for Applications: 27 April, 2025 23:59 CEST
Submission to: Alyona.samar@missingchildreneurope.eu
- Payment Terms
The total consultancy fee will range between €51,000 and €54,000 (including Belgian VAT, where applicable). Payment will be made in instalments, based on the successful completion of agreed deliverables and upon mutual agreement between both parties.
Please note: The consultant will be fully responsible for the payment of taxes, social security contributions, or other duties required under the laws of their country of residence.