Consultant - Prevalence Proxy Indicators

Job Description

Consultant Scope of Work

Prevalence Proxy Indicators for MS/FLS, VAWC, and PAP case types at IJM

Tentative: February – June 2026

I. Background

IJM has set a 2030 vision of protecting 500 million vulnerable people from violence across three primary casework areas: Modern Slavery (MS)/ Forced Labor Slavery (FLS), Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC), and Police Abuse of Power (PAP). To achieve this goal, IJM has prioritized strengthening its evidence base to inform program strategy, decision-making, and advocacy. An integral part of this work is the baseline studies that assess justice system performance, the prevalence of the crimes, the confidence of system stakeholders in the justice system, and the reliance of vulnerable community members on the justice system for protection.

As part of this effort, the organization is investing in reliable measurement systems and practical tools to assess progress toward long-term protection outcomes beyond the baselines. Because tracking reductions in violence can be complex and context-dependent, interim indicators are often needed to signal progress between major research or program milestones.

Proxy indicators—indirect measures that approximate a phenomenon when direct measurement is not feasible—can play an essential role in bridging these gaps. They allow teams to monitor patterns of change, identify emerging risks, and refine strategies based on early evidence. Such indicators may be drawn from routine monitoring data, administrative sources, or targeted studies, depending on the operational context.

II. Purpose

To help IJM adequately equip its teams with useful information, the Global Measurement Team seeks a consultant/team of consultants to develop a set of proxy indicators that can work for approximating prevalence across case types in between baseline and endline studies. Specifically, the consultancy will help IJM achieve the following objectives:

1. Establish the Conceptual Frameworks and Methodologies for Collecting and Analyzing Proxy Indicators.

2. Prepare training and guidance materials for IJM staff at all levels on the Proxy Indicators.

3. Develop a peer-reviewed article for thought leadership in this field.

III. Planned Activities

The consultancy will be in collaboration with the Sr. Specialists for Research on MS/FLS and VAWC and will include the following activities:

1. Assess Existing Data Sources and Monitoring Systems [1-3 days]: Review IJM’s current monitoring and evaluation systems, baseline studies, and routine data collection processes to identify potential sources of proxy indicators across the three case types: Modern Slavery (MS)/ Forced Labor Slavery (FLS), Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC), and Police Abuse of Power (PAP).
2. Recommend Proxy Indicators for Prevalence Estimation and Develop a Conceptual Framework for Proxy Indicators [1-5 days]: Create a framework that defines the criteria for selecting proxy indicators, including relevance, validity, reliability, feasibility, and sensitivity to change over time. Propose a set of proxy indicators for each case type that can be used to approximate prevalence in the absence of direct measurement, especially in contexts where prevalence is difficult to measure. These proxy indicators should be aligned with IJM’s Protection Measurement Framework and Research Standards.
3. Pilot Proxy Indicators and Provide Guidance on Methodologies for Data Collection and Use [10-15 days per pilot; including travel days]: Conduct pilot(s) of the proposed proxy measures at project sites. Offer practical recommendations for how IJM teams can collect, analyze, and interpret proxy indicator data through routine monitoring or special studies, including considerations for frequency, disaggregation, and contextual adaptation.
4. Support Integration into Program Planning and Decision-Making [1-3 days]: Develop guidance on how proxy indicators can be used by program teams and leadership to assess progress toward protection goals, inform strategic decisions, and identify areas for course correction between baseline and endline studies.
5. Facilitate Stakeholder Engagement and Validation [1-3 days]: Engage relevant IJM stakeholders (e.g., program teams, research staff, leadership) in the development and validation of proxy indicators to ensure utility, buy-in, and contextual relevance.

Given the breadth of case types and project contexts for this assignment, IJM may hire an individual, a team, or several individuals for each of the pilots. The consultant(s) will propose a tentative work plan as part of their application. The work plan will be finalized following hiring of the consultant.

IV. Planning & Logistics

IJM will provide the following support to the consultant:

• Internal background materials to facilitate the SOW (including the Protection Measurement Framework documents, sample project and quarterly reports, etc.)
• List of suggested resources and references for additional information
• Liaison with relevant stakeholders for engagement
• Regular check-ins to answer questions and facilitate progress towards the deliverables

V. List of Outputs / Deliverables

The following minimum outputs are expected from the Consultant:

• Inception report, including work plan
• Proxy Indicator Guidance, including conceptual framework and proposed methodology(ies)
• Integration and dissemination plan
• Final presentation and report, including any datasets
• Consultancy Exit Interview

VI. Consultant Qualifications

1. Required

• Excellent writing skills in English
• Excellent verbal communication skills
• Proficiency in quantitative and qualitative analysis
• Availability to travel to international project sites, as needed
• Familiarity with IJM project countries’ cultural contexts
• Experience and expertise measuring prevalence in diverse settings
• Masters degree in criminal justice, social sciences, public health or relevant field

2. Desirable

• Knowledge of and technical capacity in GBV, criminology, forced labor, online sexualexploitation of children etc.
• Knowledge of and technical experience in measuring community-based interventions
• Ability to interact and work well with diverse peopleVII.

VII. Timeline and Resources

The engagement is anticipated to span three months, commencing upon contract execution with an expected start date of February 2026, with an estimated effort of 30-60 days. Compensation will be on completion of milestone deliverables, determined at time of contracting.

VIII. Application

ApplicationInterested candidates should email atho@ijm.org with their cover letter, CV/resume, a technical proposal and a financial proposal of no more than 10 pages. The deadline for application is January 11, 2026.

About the Organization

International Justice Mission (IJM) is the global leader in protecting vulnerable people from violence around the world. Our team of over 1,200 professionals are at work worldwide in over 30 offices. Together we are on a mission to rescue millions, protect half a billion, and make justice unstoppable.

We are a global community that cares for one another. We believe that the way we work is as important as the results we achieve. We provide professional excellence with joy and celebration to all those we serve. 

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