National Anti-Trafficking Experts (SSA) - OSCE Mission to Moldova, Chisinau

• Issued by: OSCE Mission to Moldova
• Requisition ID: MOL000059
• Contract Type: Special Service Agreement (SSA) / Consultant
• Grade: No grade
• Job Type: Consultant
• Number of posts: 30
• Location: MOL - OSCE Mission to Moldova, Chisinau
• Issue Date: Jan 12, 2024
• Closing Date: Mar 20, 2024
• Education Level: Bachelor's Degree (First-level university degree or equivalent)
• Job Field: Human Rights

Background:

The Republic of Moldova remains a source country for women, children and men subjected to different forms of trafficking in human beings (THB). Despite advancement towards increased organizational and operational capacity of national anti-trafficking practitioners, multi-agency collaboration and effective application of survivor-centred and human-rights based approaches remain limited.

In line with its Mandate, the OSCE Mission to Moldova supports national authorities and civil society from both banks of the Dniester/Nistru to fight trafficking in human beings focusing on the prevention and prosecution of human trafficking, protection of potential and identified victims of trafficking. On the basis of the national and international framework, including the National Program for Preventing and Combating Trafficking in Human Beings for the years 2024-2028 and the OSCE Action Plan to Combat Trafficking in Human Beings, the Mission provides support in developing policies and legislation, capacity building for various institutions, including police, border police, judges, prosecutors, lawyers, social workers, labour inspectors. To achieve these commitments at the highest possible standard, the Mission often requires the expertise and services of qualified national experts who assist the Mission and the Moldovan authorities in particular aspects of the complex human trafficking phenomenon.

The main areas of services include legal and social analysis and research, drafting of legal framework, procedures and guidance for the criminal justice response to human trafficking, including child trafficking, identification, referral and assistance of trafficking victims and the application of the victim-centred approach in the prosecution and conviction of the human trafficking offences.     

The Mission, in collaboration with national and international stakeholders, will continue working towards further advancing the legislative framework as well as strengthening multi-agency capacity and cooperation of state actors and civil society organisations, equipping national anti-trafficking practitioners with a pragmatic understanding of the implementation of survivor-centred and human-rights based approaches, and tools for increased multi-agency collaboration.

The selected consultants will contribute their expertise and assistance to the Mission in operationalizing its all-inclusive approach (Prevention, Prosecution, Protection, and Partnerships) and implementing a wide range of activities to enhance the preparedness and effectiveness of national stakeholders involved in the fight against human trafficking, in line with the OSCE Action Plan to Combat Trafficking in Human Beings.

The OSCE is committed to achieving a better balance of women and men within the Organization.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

Under the supervision of the Human Dimension Officer and the National Programme Officer, and in close cooperation with other international and national experts, the experts will perform:

1. Serving as a subject matter expert on the criminal justice response to human trafficking/social protection, providing expertise on relevant professional skills including identification, investigation, interviewing, and prosecution of human trafficking, focusing on the integration of survivor-centred and human rights-based approaches into broader anti-trafficking efforts;
2. Drafting procedures, guidance and other material to support policy development, training and technical assistance and professional skill development;
3. Reviewing and updating of legal documents, guidelines, reports, and publications related to human trafficking, contributing to the organization's knowledge dissemination efforts;
4. Conducting diagnostic assessments of the country’s and/or criminal justice/social welfare agencies’ response to human trafficking and propose relevant guidance;
5. Conducting needs assessments and gap analyses. Translating findings into evidence-based interventions and policy recommendations, contributing to informed anti-trafficking strategies;
6. Formulating comprehensive, evidence-based frameworks, methodologies, programming and tools, integrating innovative, practical, and trauma-informed approaches to enhance victim-centred responses, and offender-focused investigations and prosecutions;
7. Architecting and delivering specialized interdisciplinary capacity-building initiatives, training programs, and workshops tailored to the needs of diverse stakeholders, including law enforcement, social workers, health care providers, and other pertinent professionals, enhancing their comprehension of the intricate dynamics inherent in human trafficking;
8. Collaborating with interdisciplinary teams to develop comprehensive approaches to combat human trafficking, ensuring that survivor-centred, trauma-informed, and human rights-based approaches are integrated into broader counter-trafficking efforts. 

Duration of Assignment:

The duration of the consultancies will depend on the specific projects/activities

For more detailed information on the structure and work of the OSCE Mission to Moldova, please see: https://www.osce.org/mission-to-moldova. 

Necessary Qualifications:

• Moldovan citizenship or permanent residence in the Republic of Moldova;
• University degree in Law, Law Enforcement, Criminal Justice, Forensic Science, Political Science, Counter-Terrorism and Homeland Security, Security and/or Social affairs a closely related field;
• Minimum 5 years of experience as practitioner and/or expert for international organizations in the prosecution and/or investigating human trafficking; victims’ identification, interviewing victims of trafficking;
• In-depth understanding of national legal frameworks related to human trafficking. Expertise in analysing and interpreting laws and regulations pertaining to trafficking of persons, ensuring alignment with international standards and conventions;
• Proven experience in designing and implementing methodologies for enhanced offender-focused investigation and prosecution, and victim-centred response;
• Proven expertise in championing the enhancement of legal and prosecution frameworks related to the protection of survivors of labour and sexual exploitation, including minors. Proficiency in integrate survivor-centred, trauma-informed, and human rights-based approaches within legal frameworks would be considered an asset;
• Demonstrated experience in designing, facilitating, and evaluating comprehensive capacity-building initiatives tailored to the unique needs of national stakeholders involved in anti-human trafficking efforts. Strong facilitation and training skills, with proven ability to communicate complex concepts to diverse audiences;
• Demonstrated in-depth pragmatic understanding of multi-agency and human rights-based approaches to combating trafficking in human beings, coupled with a proven track record in fostering partnerships with state actors and civil society organizations to enhance the efficacy of anti-trafficking initiatives;
• Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, with an ability to integrate diversity considerations into assigned tasks;
• Self-motivated with excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively and cooperatively in a team of experts;
• Detail-oriented, excellent organizational skills;
• Professional fluency in Romanian languages, knowledge of Russian and English would be considered as a strong asset;

• Self-disciplined and responsible to deadlines;
• Good PC skills, ability to use the Internet;
• Ability and willingness to work as a member of team, with people of different cultural, and religious backgrounds, different gender, and diverse political views, while maintaining impartiality and objectivity.

Remuneration Package:

Remuneration will be based on the selected consultant's/expert's qualifications, experience, the tasks and deliverables for this position and in accordance with the OSCE established rates.

If you wish to apply for this position, please use the OSCE's online application link found under https://vacancies.osce.org/.

Please note that applications received after the deadline, submitted in different formats than the OSCE Application Form or in other languages than the English language will not be considered.

The OSCE retains the discretion to re-advertise/re-post the vacancy, to cancel the recruitment or to offer an appointment with a modified job description or for a different duration.

Only those candidates who are selected to participate in the subsequent stages of recruitment will be contacted.

The OSCE is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all religious, ethnic and social backgrounds to apply to become a part of the Organization. 

Candidates should be aware that OSCE officials shall conduct themselves at all times in a manner befitting the status of an international civil servant. This includes avoiding any action which may adversely reflect on the integrity, independence and impartiality of their position and function as officials of the OSCE. The OSCE is committed to applying the highest ethical standards in carrying out its mandate. For more information on the values set out in OSCE Competency Model, please see https://jobs.osce.org/resources/document/our-competency-model.

Please be aware that the OSCE does not request payment at any stage of the application and review process.