Terms of Reference
Research Consultant: Annual Hotline Data Collection
Missing Children Europe (MCE) is seeking an experienced Research Consultant to support its annual data collection and analysis from the 116000 missing children hotlines across Europe. This work is a key part of producing MCE’s annual Figures and Trends Report, which provides critical insights into the emerging trends based on the case data of missing children. The Consultant will refine the data collection methodology, analyse collected data, and ensure the accuracy and reliability of reported trends.
Timeline: 24 February 2025 – 24 June 2025
Estimated number of working days (max): 10-12 days
Total budget: 4000 – 6000 EUR (VAT included)
Co-funded by the European Commission
Missing Children Europe
Missing Children Europe is the European federation for missing and sexually exploited children, representing 30 organisations from 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 recognizes that our member organisations and the ultimate beneficiaries they serve (children, young people, and families) are at the heart of our network. Therefore, our role is to support the work of our member network in Europe by developing cross border solutions to help resolve the issue of missing children at both the national and the European level.
Our priorities are based around four pillars of work:
- Ensuring the quality of services and tools
- Providing research and evidence
- Raising awareness and promoting prevention
- Stimulating the development of effective polices and laws at European level
Background
The 116000 hotline network is a vital service operating in 32 countries across Europe, providing free, 24/7 support to children who are missing or at risk of going missing, as well as their families. These hotlines offer a range of assistance, including emotional, social, legal, and administrative support. Staffed by trained operators, counselors, and psychologists, the hotlines deliver trauma-informed responses to ensure children and families receive appropriate care and guidance.
Each year, Missing Children Europe collects and analyzes data from these hotlines to produce the Figures and Trends Report. This annual publication is a critical resource for professionals, researchers, policymakers, and the public, offering key insights into the issue of missing children in Europe. The findings from this report not only highlight trends but also inform advocacy efforts aimed at strengthening policies to prevent children from going missing and to ensure adequate responses and protections when they do.
For example, the 2022 Figures and Trends Report revealed that the hotlines opened 8,300 new cases of missing children, including at least 624 cross-border cases where children were suspected to have crossed international borders. These findings underscore the role of hotlines in connecting child protection stakeholders and streamlining prevention, intervention, and support measures across Europe.
Given the essential role of the hotlines, accurate and comprehensive data collection and analysis are critical to improving Europe’s preparedness and response to cases of missing children.
Scope of Work
The Consultant will perform the following tasks:
- Methodology review and enhancement
- Review and refine the existing methodology and tools for annual data collection – (questionnaire sent to the hotlines). It will consist of consultation with MCE staff, a review of the preliminary results of the DATA missing project and desk research
- Advise MCE staff on the ideal data collection process and timeline.
- Identify the survey questions to include or include based on hotlines’ available data and MCE’s strategic priorities.
- Data cleaning and assessment
- Support the assessment and consolidation of the initial dataset with MCE staff
- Determine whether additional data or clarification from hotlines need to be sought by MCE staff.
- Analysis and validation
- With MCE staff, conduct analysis of the final dataset, including statistics and tables.
- Verify the accuracy of identified trends and patterns.
- Report validation
- Review the draft Figures and Trends Report prepared by MCE staff to ensure all data-related statements are correct and supported by the evidence.
- Evaluation and feedback
- Participate in a short evaluation meeting with MCE after the report is finalized to identify potential improvements for future data collection processes.
Deliverables
- Refined data collection methodology and questionnaire.
- Initial data assessment with production of statistical analysis. Recommendations for additional data collection, if needed.
- Validation of the Figures and Trends Report, ensuring accuracy in data trends and analysis.
- Summary evaluation of the process, including recommendations for improvements in future data collection cycles.
Timeline and Duration
The consultancy will commence on 24 February 2025 and end on 24 June 2025 (4 months). Publication of the finalized Figures and Trends report is foreseen on 25th of May 2025.
Budget
The consultant will receive a lump sum fee, payable in instalments upon satisfactory completion of deliverables. 50% of the total payment at the first month and the final 50% in the last month upon completion of the tasks.
Estimated number of working days (max): 10-12 days
Total budget: 4000-6000 EUR (VAT included)
Co-funded by the European Commission
Location
This is a remote position.
Reporting
The Consultant will work under the supervision of MCE and maintain regular communication to ensure alignment with project goals.
- Profile of the Consultant
The ideal candidate will have the following qualifications:
- Proven experience in quantitative research in social sciences or a related field.
- Strong methodological and analytical skills, with prior experience in data cleaning and trend analysis.
- A track record of producing high-quality reports based on quantitative/ mix methods research findings ( provide link to publications or attach samples if publication is forthcoming.
- Fluent in English; additional languages are an asset.
- Knowledge of child protection or child-rights issues, particularly related to missing children, is preferred.
Application Process
Interested candidates are invited to submit the following by 20th of February:
- A CV highlighting relevant experience.
- A short cover letter explaining their suitability for the role.
- Examples of previous work completed similar to this role (Links to relevant publications or reports (or attached drafts).)
Applications should be sent to Alyona.Samar@missingchildreneurope.eu with the subject line: Research Consultant Application – Annual Hotline Data Collection 2025
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and shortlisted candidates may be invited for an interview.