UNFPA Expert and practitioner on Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV) from justice sector

Description

TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR INTERNATIONAL CONSULTANT

TERMS OF REFERENCE –

International Expert and practitioner on Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV) from justice sector

Hiring Office:

UNFPA Moldova CO

UNFPA is the lead United Nations agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is intended, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. The UNFPA Strategic Plan for 2026-2029 articulates the organization’s response to a complex global environment, providing a roadmap for resilience and renewal. It is designed to accelerate the implementation of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. This mandate is pursued through a focus on four interconnected outcomes: ending the unmet need for family planning; ending preventable maternal deaths; ending gender-based violence and harmful practices; and adapting to demographic change through evidence and rights-based policies. 

In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff, who embody these international norms and standards and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.

 UNFPA is seeking candidates who transform, inspire, and deliver high-impact and sustained results and ensure effective external relations, communications, and partnership-building and resource mobilization in a rapidly changing development and funding landscape. We need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them, and who commit to delivering excellence in programme results.

Background

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), in partnership with the National Agency for the Prevention and Combating of Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (ANPCV) and the National Institute of Justice (NIJ), is supporting the strengthening of the justice sector's response to technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV) in the Republic of Moldova.

Building on the national efforts to strengthen the specialization of criminal investigation officers, prosecutors and judges in cases of violence against women and domestic violence, and in line with the provisions of the Istanbul Convention, the EU Directive on combating violence against women and domestic violence, and international standards on victim-centred justice, the partners aim to integrate TFGBV into the professional development system of justice actors. Moldova has already initiated a broader process of developing specialized curricula and strengthening institutional capacities for justice professionals responding to violence against women and domestic violence, with UNFPA providing technical assistance throughout this process.

Purpose of consultancy:

The assignment requires an experienced international expert, preferably a judge, prosecutor or criminal investigation officer with demonstrated practical expertise in investigating, prosecuting or adjudicating technology-facilitated gender-based violence cases, developing professional training curricula, preparing operational guidance for justice professionals, and delivering capacity-building programmes for judicial training institutions.

The purpose of this consultancy is to provide international technical expertise to design and deliver in person a Training of Trainers (ToT) programme for selected representatives of the National Institute of Justice, equipping them with the knowledge, practical tools and skills and training methodologies necessary to institutionalize and sustainably deliver TFGBV training programmes within the national justice training system.

The consultant will also work in cooperation with the national legal expert to review and strengthen the existing training curriculum by incorporating international standards, comparative European practices and practical case-based methodologies related to TFGBV. 

In addition, the consultant will develop the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), taking into the consideration national legal framework, to support justice and law enforcement professionals in the identification, investigation, prosecution and adjudication of TFGBV cases, ensuring coordinated, survivor-centred and trauma-informed responses.

Scope of work: (Description of services, activities, or outputs)

Under the overall supervision of the UNFPA Programme Analyst on Gender and GBV, the International Consultant will undertake the following tasks:

1. Review of the existing national legal and institutional framework, recent studies, draft training materials, and curricula related to violence against women, domestic violence, cybercrime, digital evidence and technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV), identifying gaps and opportunities for strengthening the capacity of justice professionals.
2. Review and revise the existing training curriculum for prosecutors, judges and criminal investigation officers by integrating international and European legal standards, promising practices, case law, practical exercises, case studies and victim-centred, trauma-informed approaches to responding to TFGBV.
3. Design a Training of Trainers (ToT) programme for selected representatives of the National Institute of Justice to enable them to institutionalize and deliver training on TFGBV for justice professionals.
4. Develop the ToT agenda, facilitator's guide, training materials and curricula, practical exercises, case studies and other training materials necessary for the effective delivery of the programme.
5. Deliver the ToT programme using interactive adult-learning methodologies, practical simulations and case-based discussions, strengthening participants' substantive knowledge of TFGBV and their facilitation skills.
6. Incorporate feedback received during the validation process and training sessions into the final versions of all deliverables.
7. Develop a comprehensive Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for prosecutors, judges and criminal investigation officers on responding to technology-facilitated gender-based violence, including guidance on:

• identification and classification of TFGBV offences;
• collection, preservation and assessment of digital evidence;
• investigation and prosecution of TFGBV cases;
• adjudication of TFGBV cases in line with international human rights standards;
• interinstitutional cooperation and referral mechanisms;
• victim protection, confidentiality and survivor-centred approaches.

1. Ensure that the revised curriculum and SOP are aligned with:

• the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (Istanbul Convention);
• the EU Directive on combating violence against women and domestic violence;
• relevant international human rights standards and good practices from European jurisdictions.

1. Prepare a final consultancy report summarizing the activities undertaken, methodology applied, key recommendations and finalized deliverables.

Duration and working schedule:

The consultancy is expected to be carried out over the period 10 August – 15 December 2026, for a maximum of 20 working days.

The consultant will work remotely for the preparation and drafting of the deliverables and will undertake one mission to the Republic of Moldova to deliver a 2 day Training of Trainers (ToT) programme for representatives of the National Institute of Justice and other relevant stakeholders.

The exact dates of the mission(s) and the schedule of activities will be agreed upon with UNFPA, ANPCV and the National Institute of Justice, based on the implementation timeline and availability of stakeholders.

The consultant is expected to work closely with UNFPA, ANPCV and NIJ throughout the assignment, participating in coordination meetings (online and in person, as required), incorporating comments received during the review process, and ensuring the timely submission of all agreed deliverables in accordance with the consultancy workplan.

Place where services are to be delivered:

The consultant will work remotely, with one mission to Chișinău, Republic of Moldova, to deliver the Training of Trainers (ToT) programme for representatives of the National Institute of Justice and other relevant justice sector institutions.

Delivery dates and how work will be delivered (e.g. electronic, hard copy etc.)

The International Consultant is expected to complete and submit the following deliverables on the specified dates:

Monitoring and progress control, including reporting requirements, periodicity format and deadline:

The consultant will provide regular progress updates, participate in coordination meetings as required, and submit all deliverables electronically (MS Word, PowerPoint, as applicable, and PDF) according to the agreed workplan. Draft deliverables will be reviewed by UNFPA, ANPCV and NIJ, and the consultant will revise them based on the feedback received.

All deliverables are subject to UNFPA's technical review and approval prior to acceptance and payment.

Supervisory arrangements:

The international consultants will work under the direct supervision of the UNFPA Programme Analyst on GBV, and close collaboration with ANPCV and the National Institute of Justice (NIJ).

Expected travel:

One mission to Chișinău, Republic of Moldova, is envisaged during the consultancy to deliver the Training of Trainers (ToT) programme for representatives of the National Institute of Justice and other relevant justice sector institutions. Any additional travel, if required, will be subject to prior approval by UNFPA.

Required expertise, qualifications and competencies, including language requirements:

The UNFPA Moldova Country Office is looking for an International Consultant who have the following educational background, qualifications, and expertise: 

• Master’s degree in law and/or other related social science fields. 
• At least 7 years of professional experience as a judge, prosecutor, criminal investigation officer, or senior legal expert in criminal justice.
• Demonstrated expertise and applicability of the technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV)
• Strong knowledge of international and European legal standards, including the Istanbul Convention.
• Proven understanding of gender equality, human rights, and survivor-centred, gender-sensitive approaches in the prevention and response to gender-based violence, including the ability to ensure safe, ethical, and confidential handling of GBV-related cases and information.
• Previous experience with UN agencies or international organizations is an asset.
• Fluency in English is required.

Inputs / services to be provided by UNFPA or implementing partner (e.g. support services, office space, equipment), if applicable:

N/A

Other relevant information or special conditions, if any:

Basis of payment: Payment will be done in one installment as a Lump Sum amount upon submission and approval by UNFPA of all deliverables and Final Activity Report as indicated above. 

The fee is established based on the requirements included in this Terms of Reference and the expertise of the International Consultant, in alignment with UNFPA Policy and Procedures for Contracting Individual Consultants.

The ownership of the outputs / deliverables under this consultancy will remain with the UNFPA Moldova Country Office.

Before signing the Contract with UNFPA, each Consultant is required to submit a series of documents (certification of health insurance, completed vendor form etc.) pass the following mandatory courses, and submit the graduation Certificates to UNFPA:

• Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse https://extranet.unfpa.org/Apps/PSEA2017/
• Fraud and Corruption Awareness and Prevention https://extranet.unfpa.org/Apps/Antifraud/English/story_html5.html
• BEsafe https://training.dss.un.org/thematicarea