Call for consultants, global Living Systematic Review consultant(s): What works to prevent childhood sexual violence

The Safe Futures Hub: Solutions to End Childhood Sexual Violence is a collaborative initiative co-led by SVRI, Together for Girls, and WeProtect Global Alliance. It was launched in September 2023 to transform the evidence ecosystem by improving access to, generation of, and implementation of solutions to prevent childhood sexual violence (CSV). The Hub aims to integrate underrepresented perspectives, unite researchers and practitioners, and foster evidence-driven collaboration to ensure a safer future for children. 

As part of its Building Knowledge pillar, the Safe Futures Hub is developing a Global Living Systematic Review on what works to prevent childhood sexual violence. This review will be organized around the INSPIRE strategies and will be set up to allow regular updating using a Living Systematic Review (LSR) approach (hosted on an interactive dashboard) - a cutting-edge methodology that ensures continuous monitoring and integration of new evidence into a dynamic evidence base. 

This Global Systematic Review will expand and build upon the "Building Safe Futures" evidence review, which focused on low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). By incorporating high-income country (HIC) evidence, this initiative will allow for comparative analysis across different contexts, bridging global knowledge gaps in childhood sexual violence prevention. 

To support this effort, SVRI is seeking a full-time team of consultants (e.g., independent researchers or University or research institute-affiliated researchers) to lead the Global Systematic Review process, ensuring that findings are synthesized and made available in an interactive, user-friendly dashboard following a pre-determined template. 

We welcome applications from both individual consultants and teams of consultants. If applying as a team, please outline the roles and responsibilities of each team member and how your collective expertise aligns with the project scope. 

The Global Systematic Review Consultant(s) will oversee the design, implementation, and continuous updating of the Global Systematic Review. The consultant will be responsible for: 

1. Systematic Review Development & Oversight 

• Define the scope, objectives, and key research questions aligned with the INSPIRE strategies based on the methodology used in ‘Building Safe Futures’.
• Develop a systematic review protocol, including inclusion/exclusion criteria, search strategy, and data extraction framework.
• Identify and utilize a gold-star systematic review checklist such as AMSTAR or Prisma.
• Register the review protocol with Prospero, Cochrane or other systematic review registries.
• Identify key databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Google Scholar, etc.) and define and translate search terms.
• Conduct literature searches in English, French, and Spanish to ensure comprehensive global coverage, particularly for LMIC contexts.
• Establish a knowledge management system for tracking studies, leveraging systematic review software or AI-supported tools like Rayyan. 

2. Evidence Collection & Analysis 

• Conduct comprehensive searches across published academic sources in English, French, and Spanish.
• Screen titles, abstracts, and full texts based on predefined inclusion criteria.
• Extract key intervention details, outcomes, and implementation insights into a database.
• Assess study quality and risk of bias using tools such as GRADE or Cochrane RiB.
• Categorize findings based on intervention types (following published LMIC evidence review and INSPIRE guidance).
• Expand upon the "Building Safe Futures" evidence review by developing knowledge products that incorporate new findings from HICs and compare them with existing LMIC findings.

3. Living Systematic Review (LSR) Management 

• Develop a framework for ongoing evidence monitoring and integration into the LSR (e.g., automated searches or AI system; recommended frequency of updates).
• With support from the 3 lead agencies, engage experts, practitioners, and Advisory Group members to validate the protocol, and knowledge products. 

Dashboard Development & Knowledge Mobilization 

• Identify and recommend an appropriate platform for hosting the interactive evidence dashboard, cost can be included in the proposal. (see one example here)
• Define dashboard structure and work with the SFH team to identify key filters (e.g., region, intervention type, effectiveness, etc.).

4. Learning Brief on High-Income Countries (HICs)

• Develop a dedicated learning brief or other knowledge product summarizing key evidence and lessons from HICs, identifying best practices, challenges, and gaps and
• comparing findings with LMIC-focused insights from the "Building Safe Futures" evidence review to draw cross-contextual learnings. 

5. Stakeholder Engagement & Dissemination 

• Facilitate expert consultations and peer review processes with the SFH team through an existing advisory group. 

This is a 12-month consultancy (March 2025 – February 2026) with the following key milestones, with some flexibility to accommodate unforeseen delays: 

The ideal team should have: 

• Lead researcher with an advanced degree (PhD preferred) in public health, epidemiology, social sciences, or a related field. 
• Extensive experience in leading systematic reviews, particularly in the area of child protection and violence prevention. 
• Knowledge of ethical considerations in systematic review research. 
• Expertise in LSRs, including software or AI-assisted review methodologies (preferred).  
• Experience working with INSPIRE strategies and international violence prevention frameworks. 
• Excellent writing and communication skills, with the ability to translate evidence into actionable insights. 
• Experience engaging global stakeholders, policymakers, and funders. 
• Ability to manage complex projects across multiple time zones and organizations. 
• Fluency and experience doing scientific research in English, Spanish, and French. 

The consultant will report to the Safe Futures Hub Director and project leads from SVRI, Together for Girls, and WeProtect Global Alliance. Regular bi-weekly progress check-ins will be scheduled, and the consultant will participate in monthly Hub coordination meetings. 

Interested applicants should submit: 

• A proposal outlining the overall approach to the project.CV for lead consultant highlighting relevant experience, including references 
• Proposed budget. 
• Relevant work samples (e.g., prior systematic reviews). 

Send applications to [email protected]  with the subject: “Global Systematic Review Lead Application”.

March 21st, 2025 

The Safe Futures Hub & SVRI are committed to fostering an inclusive, equitable, and diverse research environment. We strongly encourage applications from individuals and organizations representing LMICs, women, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, and persons with disabilities. Our work culture prioritizes collaboration, psychological safety, and well-being. 

Successful applicants will be required to sign the SVRI Code of Conduct along with any other relevant documentation as part of the onboarding process.