SEC NL & Sufasec Programme Intern

Terre des Hommes Netherlands (TdH NL) protects children by preventing and stopping child exploitation, and by empowering children to make their voices count. Our work is grounded in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and seeks to support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

The Sexual Exploitation of Children (SEC) Program is seeking an intern, who is registered as a postgraduate student, has good research, communication and report writing skills, and is passionate about children's rights to support the new Dutch SEC NL program and the SUFASEC (Step Up the Fight Against Sexual Exploitation of Children) program implemented by the Down to Zero Alliance. Do you fit this profile?

Are you excited to learn new skills and work in an exciting, innovative and dynamic programs environment? If so, keep reading!

The SEC intern is part of the SEC thematic team and is managed by the SEC Manager. The intern is expected to support two specific programs under the SEC Thematic Program. The intern will be a part of the SEC team and will collaborate with staff from other TdH teams, including other colleagues from the impact department, eg staff working for the Research and Influencing and Programs team, as well as colleagues working for the Engagement Department, eg the Programs Communications Specialist.

For the support to the Down to Zero Alliance the intern is also expected to liaise with the relevant Alliance members if necessary.

The Down to Zero (DtZ) Alliance is a consortium of six organizations (Plan International Netherlands, Defense for Children–ECPAT, Free a Girl, Child Rights Coalition Asia, Conexión) led by Terre des Hommes Netherlands. Together, they work with 30+ partners in 12 countries across Asia and Latin America to prevent and end the sexual exploitation of children through the MoFA-funded Step Up the Fight Against Sexual Exploitation of Children (SUFASEC) program (March 2023–February 2026).

SUFASEC focuses on:

• empowering children, youth, and communities to challenge harmful norms,
• improving protective environments for children, and
• strengthening accountability of duty bearers.

It includes a dedicated lobby and advocacy component at regional, international, and EU levels.

The SEC NL Program seeks to raise awareness and change the behaviors of children, parents, caregivers and professionals in the Netherlands and aims at systemic change, meaning to sustainably shift social norms, laws, policies, institutional practices, and power relations to prevent online sexual exploitation and protect children's rights.

The SEC NL Program focuses on children's empowerment, safe families and communities, and strengthened laws, policies and multi-stakeholder mechanisms.

• participatory child-centered research
• education and empowerment
• children, youth and community champions
• child-led advocacy
• institutional strengthening

The internship is both a learning and personal development experience for the intern, as well as knowledge-enhancing for the internship provider. The specific tasks and projects will be defined in agreement with the intern and will be based on interest, knowledge, experience and skills.

• Co-create a learning and mentorship plan tailored to suit your interests, needs, knowledge capacity and skills with clear goals to review progress during and at the end of the internship.
• Participate in regular one‑on‑one learning and support sessions with the SEC Manager, mid‑term and post‑internship reflection meetings.
• Maintain an internship diary and submit a reflections report at the end of the internship.
• Complete online child safeguarding training and introductory online courses on children's rights, gender and intersectionality.
• Track hours and maintain a healthy internship‑life balance.
• Contribute to a respectful and inclusive workplace.