Project Context and Scope:ย
The project โReducing Community-Level Vulnerabilities to TIP in Moldovaโ, implemented by the International Organization for Migration, Mission to the Republic of Moldova, aims to address the challenges facing Moldova, one of Europe's poorest countries, following the arrival of tens of thousands of refugees from Ukraine. The majority of the people arriving are women and children, and they represent vulnerable groups and at-risk populations, such as persons with disabilities, elderly, children, single mother households, minorities, and others. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, the energy crisis, record inflation rates, and heavy strain on Moldovan institutions and public services are predicted to have significant negative impacts on the situation in the country in the coming months. The prevalence of exploitation, abuse, and trafficking in persons (TiP) is likely to grow in the mid- to long-term perspective. The low participation in community-led and central-level TiP response services in Moldova is a key challenge observed in the current context. The intervention targets a two-fold problem: first, poor prevention, identification, and referral capacities in vulnerable communities, and second, low rates of VoT engagement with prosecution efforts. To address these challenges, the intervention proposes improving local actors' prevention capacities in vulnerable communities and attitudes towards participation in judicial proceedings among VoTs.
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An noteworthy aspect is that, in 2024, the position of specialist in the field of preventing and combating domestic violence and rehabilitation of crime victims (including human trafficking) was established in the Republic of Moldova for the first time. As such, within the social assistance reform RESTART, 51 specialists were hired, to complement the already existing network of persons working in the field of social assistance on a national level. This is regarded as a solid step in the right direction to ensure the protection of victimsโ rights.
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After noting the experience of other countries, conducting an independent assessment on the national legal framework on assisting victims of crime, assessing the existing resources, and after consulting and in coordination with the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection, the appropriate course of action is to pilot a novel assistance model for VoT, embedded within the existing governmental networks of social assistance.
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This is to be realized by contracting four highly skilled professionals with legal and social assistance backgrounds to perform the duties of a victim protection coordinator (VPC). The VPCs, including the VPC supervisor, will work directly with VoT on a national level, being a trustworthy single point of contact for referral and accompanying VoT in their direct engagement with the justice system, law enforcement, public or local authorities. The VPC are to facilitate the restoration of respect to victimsโ rights, ensure avoidance of repeated victimisation, contribute to improving the NRMV by reporting on real existing issues they will encounter, share knowledge with social assistance specialist from all levels, ultimately contributing to an effective reintegration to society process for victims.
The VPC team will cover the Centers that assist VoT, cooperate with social assistance authorities and providers on rayon level, liaise and report to the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection โ as such ensuring the coverage of the entire country.
The ultimate goal is to gather first-hand knowledge of what are the real obstacles in providing more efficient assistance to VoT, ensure the respect of their rights, restore their faith in the justice system, understand what can be improved in the process of social reintegration.
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In respect to the specific activities to be performed under this contract, the VPCโs main areas of coverage areย North and Center rayons. However, if there is need, upon the request of the VPC supervisor, the consultant may be required to travel to other parts of the country.
Organizational Department / Unit to which the Consultant is contributing:ย
Department Migrants Protection and Assistance, Prevention and Protection Unit of the IOM Moldova.
Project โReducing Community-Level Vulnerabilities to TIP in Moldovaโ.
VoT assistance
To ensure the process of coordinating the activity of specialists in the field of domestic violence and the rehabilitation of victims of crimes at the local/regional/municipal level in order to ensure quality assistance for victims/presumed victims of TiP, identify victims, implement prevention measures, etc; to ensure that specialists/community social assistants (CSA) inform victims of human trafficking what judicial procedures entail, their rights and options and carry out qualitative case management to coordinate the process of victims of trafficking (VoT) referral to specialized services and to assist in accessing such services (legal, medical, social, etc.) to assist specialists/CSAs in the process of reintegration and/or community integration of VoT; to provide training for staff of the social assistance system regarding specific TiP prevention and combating aspects, as well as their assistance and protection procedures; to participate in developing specific procedures for VoT assistance measuresVoT accompaniment
ensure police and prosecutors' actions keepย the victimโs rights and interestsย in the center of the investigation; accompany VoT during judicial proceedings (or other related proceedings), while respecting international standards and best practices in the field; perform visits and accompany VoT in other matters, on a case-by-case basis; to participate in the development of specific procedures/standards for accompaniment activities; to perform trainings and offer methodological support for actors in the social system at local/regional/municipal level in providing accompaniment servicesImprovement of VoT assistance system
Conduct supervisory/methodological support sessions, perform specialized trainings on VoT assistance coordination to other actors in the field of social assistance (e.g. social workers, community mediators); Contribute, by sharing observations and recommendations, to the eventual drafting of SOPs or other types of administrative acts aimed toward regulating the field of victim assistance;Data collection, reporting, other
Support in data collection and analysis of the NRMV related cases, including drafting indicators, monitoring reports on local level; at all times consider the risks of re-traumatization and apply trauma-informed approaches when assisting VoT and performing the duties arising from this contract; regularly liaise with VPC team supervisor and IOM staff for coordination to ensure to ensure that their actions align with relevant governmental policies and humanitarian principles; present a monthly detailed report on the performed activities. The report must also include descriptions of the encountered systemic problems (e.g. institutional, normative) in the course of assisting VoT and proposed solutions. Perform other unspecified duties, at the request of the VPC supervisor, that are reasonably related to the scope of this contract.Category B Consultants: Tasks, deliverables and timeframe to be performed under this contract
Monthly activity report โ by 01 July 2025; Monthly activity report โ by 01 August 2025; Monthly activity report โ by 01 September 2025; Monthly activity report โ by 01 October 2025; Monthly activity report โ by 01 November 2025; Monthly activity report โ by 01 December 2025; Monthly activity report โ by 01 January 2026; Monthly activity report โ by 31 January 2026;Performance indicators for the evaluation of results
The performance of work will be evaluated based on the following indicators:
Completion of tasks specified in ToR. Compliance with the established deadlines for submission of deliverables. Quality of work (consideration of international human rights standards, precision, comprehensiveness, accuracy).ยEducation, Experience and/or skills required
University degree in the field of Law, Criminal Justice, Social Science or other relevant fields; Preferably at least 2 years of practical experience in working with VoT or providing social assistance services; experience in assisting victims during criminal proceedings is an advantage; a legal background is a strong advantage. Fluency in Romanian and Russian. Good knowledge of English is an advantage.ย Experience in implementing social mechanisms that involve law enforcement specialists aiming to increase support of VoT is an advantage. Knowledge of the relevant legal provisions regarding victim-centered and trauma-informed approaches during criminal proceedings. Experience of work with international organizations and, particularly with UN Agencies would be an asset. Excellent communication and coordination skills. High responsibility, self-motivation and self-management, efficiency and tendency to the achievement of result. High level of discretion, integrity, and sensitivity and respect for diversity.Travel required
All travel expenses outside of Chisinau will be covered by IOM.
ย Competencies
Values
Inclusion and respect for diversity: respects and promotes individual and cultural differences; encourages diversity and inclusion wherever possible. Integrity and transparency: maintains high ethical standards and acts in a manner consistent with organizational principles/rules and standards of conduct. Professionalism: demonstrates ability to work in a composed, competent and committed manner and exercises careful judgment in meeting day-to-day challenges.Core Competencies โ behavioural indicators
Teamwork: develops and promotes effective collaboration within and across units to achieve shared goals and optimize results. Delivering results: produces and delivers quality results in a service-oriented and timely manner; is action-oriented and committed to achieving agreed outcomes. Managing and sharing knowledge: continuously seeks to learn, share knowledge and innovate. Accountability: takes ownership for achieving the Organizationโs priorities and assumes responsibility for own action and delegated work. Communication: encourages and contributes to clear and open communication; explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way.Notes
Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation. Consultants engaged to work on a home-based consultancy who do not need to travel do not need to provide vaccination records, regardless of the length of the consultancy contract. IOM covers Consultants against occupational accidents and illnesses under the Compensation Plan (CP), free of charge, for the duration of the consultancy. IOM does not provide evacuation or medical insurance for reasons related to non-occupational accidents and illnesses. Consultants are responsible for their own medical insurance for non-occupational accident or illness and will be required to provide written proof of such coverage before commencing work. IOM does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, processing, training or other fee). IOM does not request any information related to bank accounts. IOM only accepts duly completed applications submitted through the IOM online recruitment system. The online tool also allows candidates to track the status of their application.For further information and other job postings, you are welcome to visit our website: https://moldova.iom.int/careers