International Consultant to train CCTP employees with OSINT tools and online undercover investigations, IOM Moldova

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Reference code:  SVN2024-38

Open to External Candidates

Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations, and as the leading UN agency in the field of migration, works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners. IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services and advice to governments and migrants.

1. Nature of the consultancy: Category B Consultancy to:
2. Support the Centre for Combating Trafficking in Persons (CCTP) of the National Investigation Inspectorate of the General Inspectorate of police of the Ministry of Internal Affairs to detect and curb victim recruitment and exploitation using social media and online platforms.
3. Support CCTP in developing its capacity to conduct online investigations using undercover and/or preventive operations, aiming to detect and curb victim recruitment and exploitation using social media and online platforms. Monitoring chats, groups on different social media platforms.
4. Assess the devices used by the CCTP employees (performance, display quality, operating system and software, connectivity, security features etc.); the current software in use (Maltego, Shadow Dragon SocialNet data bundle, and Hades) and the necessity for new software products (Facevacs, VPN licese etc.).
5. Support CCTP to strengthen the coordination mechanism with the Cybercrime Investigation Directorate.
6. Support the CCTP to review digital evidence and identify possible lines of investigation for further analysis; collect and preserve evidence from computer systems in accordance with legal standards; determine the meaning of data found on computers, phones, and other devices.
7. Facilitate the research of open-source data.
8. Examine metadata such as file creation dates, modification dates, and author information, and also modification of metadata for the files sent.
9. Support the CCTP to collect, organize, and analyze data from various OSINT to identify trends, themes, investigative opportunities, and key findings relevant to TIP-related investigation.
10. Support the CCTP to assess the credibility of data sources, record research steps, and provide appropriate framing and citations for any information reported.
11. Adapt to new research platforms and technologies for various OSINT and due diligence research projects.
12. Respond to requests from CCTP investigative officers in a timely manner online, or by phone. Organize online meetings weekly (if necessary) with group of investigators, and 1 online meeting every 3 weeks for the all CCTP investigative officers. Preserve the recordings of the meeting and share it with the CCTP employees.
13. Mentor the investigative officers appointed by CCTP on the OSINT tools, and how to use them in investigating TIP cases, as well as Maltego, Hades and other digital tools.
14. Develop SOPs / manual on the use of OSINT tools available and free of charge to be used by current investigative officers but also for onboarding the new employees. The SOPs / manual should present the steps and situations in which certain OSINT tools are used, and the security precautions every employee should consider while using the OSINT tools or doing undercover investigation.
15. Ensure anonymity and security throughout the online research process.
16. Undertake at least two working visits to the Republic of Moldova, 5 days each. The first visit (February 2025) should be focused on assessing the capacities of CCTP and providing introductory guidance for the CCTP staff on the software in use as well as additional OSINT tools which can be used in investigations. The second visit (March 2025) should be focused on in-depth work with the CCTP staff, practical exercises, undercover investigations, and other identified issues between the two investigations.
17. Prepare the agendas/ working plan for the two visits.
18. Provide a monthly report on the work done.
19. Strictly adhere to IOM Standards of Conduct.
20. Keep all information confidential.
21. Perform any other duties that may be assigned.

2. Project Context and Scope: This project addresses the emerging threats posed by technology enabling trafficking in persons (TiP) and connected crimes in the Republic of Moldova. The project specifically focuses on strengthening the capacity of investigation and prosecution actors, as well as raising awareness about on the importance of preventing organized crime, particularly using information and communication technologies (ICT).

Online recruitment, grooming, and exploitation have dramatically increased following the COVID-19 pandemic and the ensuing movement restrictions imposed by states, including the Republic of Moldova, throughout 2020-21. Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine that began in late February 2022 further exacerbated these risks, with Moldova becoming a transit and destination country for over 700,000 persons displaced from Ukraine, over 70 percent of whom are women and children. The project has three main components: 

• Enhancing TiP prevention, detection, and investigation capacities among specialized law enforcement agencies.
• Strengthening institutional capacities of specialized investigation and prosecution actors to deal with emerging threats related to TiP, with a particular focus on ITC-facilitated crime.
• Improving the protection of child victims and witnesses of exploitation and abuse.

3. One of the projects Activities specifically encompasses embedding an expert to support the Centre for Combating Trafficking in Persons (CCTP) of the National Investigation Inspectorate of the General Inspectorate of police of the Ministry of Internal Affairs to detect and curb victim recruitment and exploitation using social media and online platforms. Organizational department/Unit to witch the Consultant is contributing: Protection Unit of the IOM Moldova; Project “Addressing Emerging Threats Related to Trafficking in Persons in the Republic of Moldova” (PX.0418).
4. Category B Consultants: Responsibilities

Payment schedule

5. Performance indicators for the evaluation of results:

• Satisfactory execution of the tasks indicated in this ToR.
• Presentations used, workplan or agendas of the visits.
• Improvement in the knowledge of CCTP staff (analysis of the pre and post questionnaires).
• Reports for each visit.
• SOPs / manual on the use of OSINT and security rules on the use of SOPs.
• Evaluation of the current software and future needs of CCTP in terms of software and other needs.

6. Education, Experience and/or skills required:

• Higher education Diploma in IT, criminal law, other relevant IT certificates.
• Previous experience working with law enforcement.
• Previous experience working with international organizations.
• Knowledge of the counter trafficking field (trends, forms of exploitation, etc) and experience working in national or international organizations in the field of combating trafficking in persons.
• Experience in working with OSINT.
• Experience working with Maltego, and different data subscription (ShadowDragon SocialNet, Hades etc.) or similar software.
• Knowledge of investigative methods.
• Understanding of Moldovan criminal law and cybersecurity context
• Statistic, math, and data science skills.
• Keen attention to details.
• Proven experience in managing, analyzing, and working with metadata across various systems and platforms.
• Strong understanding of metadata standards, data categorization, and the ability to extract, manipulate, and interpret metadata.
• Availability to travel to Moldova in February and March 2025, and if necessary, to undertake additional visits as requested.
• Communication and reporting skills.
• Training delivery experience.
• Working knowledge of English and Romanian.

7. Travel required

Yes. The consultant will have to undertake at least two visits: one in February 2025 and a second one March 2025, and if necessary, a third visit shall be made late March or beginning of April 2025. IOM will cover additionally the DSA for the consultant for each visit and the costs for the flight tickets. Aside from the two mandatory visits, the consultant will work remotely.

8. 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 – 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 Organization’s 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.

Other

Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this special vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation.

A prerequisite for taking up the position is legal residency in the country of the duty station and work permit, as applicable.

How to apply:

Interested applicants are invited to send CV and Cover Letter in English to: hrchisinau@iom.int

Please, indicate the position you are applying for and reference code in the subject line of your message.

Closing date for applications is 03 January 2025.

In order for an application to be considered valid, IOM only accepts the applications duly completed.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Posting period:

From 27.12.2024 to 03.01.2025