YoU Decide Conference Facilitator – Terms of reference (ToR)

Missing Children Europe (MCE) is the European Federation for Missing and Sexually Exploited Children connecting 35 organisations from 28 European countries committed to prevent that children go missing and to protect them from any violence, abuse or exploitation that leads to or results from going missing.

About the YoU Decide project

YoU Decide – Supporting Displaced Youth of Ukraine in Making Informed Decisions is an EU-funded initiative led by Missing Children Europe together with Terre des Hommes Hungary, Fundacja ITAKA (Poland), Organisation for Aid to Refugees (Czechia), and Heartwarmingly Research Team.

The project supports young people displaced from Ukraine as they navigate the transition into adulthood in Europe. Through co-creation, participatory research, the Miniila digital platform and dialogue with local stakeholders, YoU Decide brings youth voices and realities to stakeholders and decision makers on national and European levels and develops practical solutions to improve access to reliable information, support systems and opportunities for young people to make informed decisions about their futures.

As part of the EU-funded project YoU Decide – Supporting Displaced Youth of Ukraine in Making Informed Decisions, MCE and its partners are organising the project’s final conference in Brussels, bringing together young people, practitioners, researchers, policymakers, civil society organisations and other stakeholders working on the rights and inclusion of displaced young people from Ukraine.

The conference will focus on the experiences of displaced Ukrainian youth transitioning into adulthood in Europe, highlighting research findings, innovative solutions, youth participation, service provision and policy discussions as to the future of young. The event aims to move beyond viewing young people only through the lens of vulnerability and instead explore how systems can better support their agency, aspirations, belonging and future-making.

To support the successful delivery of this event, MCE is seeking an experienced and creative Conference Facilitator who can help shape an engaging, participatory and meaningful conference experience.

Terms of Reference

Position: Conference Facilitator

Event: YoU Decide Final Conference: Moving Beyond Uncertainty: Displaced Youth of Ukraine Transitioning to Adulthood in Europe
Format: In-person conference
Expected participants: Approximately 50–60 participants
Location: Brussels, Belgium
Expected timeframe: Preparation period: 15 August–15 October 2026; Conference date: 15/10/2026

Budget: 2000 EUR  including Belgian VAT

Purpose of the assignment

The Conference Facilitator will support MCE in designing and delivering an engaging, participant-centred conference that encourages meaningful exchange between young people, practitioners, researchers and decision-makers.

The facilitator will moderate the event, as well as will contribute to advising on the methodology, flow and interactive elements of the event during the preparation stage, ensuring that the conference reflects the participatory values of the YoU Decide project.

Scope of work and responsibilities

The Conference Facilitator will:

1. Support conference design and preparation

• Review the draft conference agenda and proposed methodologies, provide recommendations on session formats, timing, audience engagement and interactive elements to encourage meaningful participation.
• Advise on opportunities to integrate youth voices, audience interaction and participatory elements throughout the programme.
• Participate in preparation meetings with MCE and relevant contributors.

2. Facilitate preparation with Youth Advisory Board members

The facilitator will support meaningful participation of the Youth Advisory Board by:

• Participating in preparation discussions with Youth Board members involved in conference sessions.
• Supporting young people in preparing their contributions and ensuring they feel confident and comfortable in their roles.
• Advising on facilitation methods that create a safe and inclusive environment for youth-led discussions.

3. Facilitate the conference

The facilitator will:

• Act as the main conference moderator and guide participants throughout the day.
• Introduce sessions, speakers and transitions between topics.
• Facilitate interactive exercises and audience engagement activities.
• Support speakers and participants in maintaining focused, constructive and inclusive discussions.
• Ensure that the conference atmosphere remains participatory, respectful and engaging.
• Adapt the flow of the programme when needed based on audience engagement and discussions.

4. Support post-event reflection

Following the conference, the facilitator will provide brief reflections and recommendations on the event format, engagement methods and lessons learned.

Required profile

MCE is looking for a facilitator with:

Professional experience

• Proven experience facilitating conferences, high-level events, workshops or multi-stakeholder discussions.
• Demonstrated experience designing and facilitating interactive and participatory formats.
• Strong track record of moderating events involving diverse stakeholders, including policymakers, practitioners, researchers and communities.
• Experience working with youth participation approaches and methodologies.

Thematic expertise

• Migration and displacement contexts in Europe.
• The situation of displaced people from Ukraine following Russia’s full-scale invasion.
• Youth transitions into adulthood, integration and participation.
• Child protection, safeguarding and rights-based approaches.

Skills and competencies

• Excellent moderation and public speaking skills.
• Ability to create inclusive and safe spaces for discussion.
• Ability to translate complex topics into accessible and engaging conversations.
• Strong intercultural communication skills.
• Ability to work sensitively with young people with lived experience of displacement.
• Creativity and ability to propose innovative engagement formats.
• Excellent organisational skills and ability to collaborate with different stakeholders.

Language requirements

• Excellent command of English.
• Knowledge of Ukrainian and/or Ukrainian displacement contexts is considered a strong asset.

Expected deliverables

1. Input and recommendations on the conference methodology and agenda.
2. Participation in preparation meetings with MCE and relevant speakers/youth participants.
3. Facilitation of the final conference.
4. Short post-event reflections and recommendations.

Working arrangements

The facilitator will work closely with the YoU Decide project lead at Missing Children Europe.

The assignment is expected to include:

• Preparation meetings (online): approximately 8 hours.
• Preparation with Youth Advisory Board/speakers: approximately 3 hours.
• Conference facilitation: one full-day event.
• Post-event follow-up: approximately 1 hour.

The exact scope will be agreed with the selected candidate.

How to apply

Interested candidates are invited to submit:

• A short motivation letter outlining relevant experience.
• CV highlighting relevant facilitation experience and thematic expertise.
• Examples of previous conferences/events facilitated (including links where available).
• Financial proposal/day rate.

Applications should be submitted to: Alyona Samar, Senior Programmes Officer and YoU Decide Coordinator at alyona.samar@missingchildreneurope.eu
Deadline: 10 August 2026, 23.59 CET