National Consultant to provide support on strengthening services for assistance and protection of survivors of violence (Local post for Residents of the Republic of Moldova)

Job Info

Job Identification: 24000

Posting Date: 02/11/2025, 08:27 AM

Apply Before: 02/20/2025, 23:59 PM

Job Schedule: Part time

Locations Chisinau, Republic of Moldova

Vacancy Type: Individual Consultancy

Job Function: Ending violence against women

Initial Contract Duration: up to 90 days within the period February - October 2025

Education & Work Experience: Master's Degree - 5 year(s) experience OR Bachelor's Degree - 7 year(s) experience

Required Languages: Fluency in Romanian and English

Desired Languages: Knowledge of Russian

Vacancy Category: Consultancies

Job Description

Background:

UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security.

The work of UN Women in Moldova is guided by its Country Strategic Note 2023-2027, aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for Moldova (2023-2027), UN Women Global Strategic Plan, National Programs and Strategies and aims to contribute to the gender-responsive implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Strategic Note focuses on four main areas: 1) Ending Violence against Women; 2) Women’s Leadership and Governance; 3) Women’s Economic empowerment and 4) Humanitarian and Peace development nexus and UN Coordination on Gender Equality.  

Violence against women (VAW) is one of the most widespread, persistent and devastating human rights violations phenomena. Despite significant progress, including in legal and policy reforms, the prevalence of VAW in Moldova remains high- three out of four women, or 73%, have experienced some form of partner abuse. 

As of November 2023, UN Women implements an EU-funded Project, “Ending Violence, Expanding Livelihood Opportunities for Women and Accelerating Gender Governance in Moldova (EVOLVE4GE). The project interventions aim to improve the prevention of GBV and contribute to behavioral change toward strengthening the culture of reporting and supporting women and girls in exercising their rights, reaching out to recourse mechanisms, and expanding and improving the specialist services.

The Ministry of Labor and Social Protection (MLSP) is a key agency that ensures establishment and provision of specialized services, including shelters for the survivors of violence in Moldova, in line with the national commitments and international standards for prevention and combating violence against women. Currently, nine national/regional shelter facilities for survivors of violence, with a total capacity of 182 places are operating with state budget allocations. However, meeting the international standards set forth in the Istanbul Convention requires expanding the capacity to more than 79 places. Besides enlarging the existing network of services targeting survivors of violence, it is of paramount importance to ensure all services apply uniform tools, approaches, comply with the existing (inter)national standards, but also accessible for the target beneficiaries. In this regard, and in line with the RESTART reform plans, the MLSP is seeking to:

• Increase access to services for survivors of domestic violence, through expanding the current network of regional centres to ensure the national geographic coverage is inclusive to the rural areas. These services will be provided as part of the community multifunctional centres in Orhei, Riscani, Ungheni and Stefan Voda;
• Ensure that the extended integrated services envisage comprehensive assistance in line with the provision of Istanbul Convention, including 24/7 sheltering services, psychological counselling, legal and medical assistance;
• Strengthen capacities of the staff members within the services, sharing of experience and good practices, and offer mentorship support to the newly extended services; 
• Develop a mentorship and continuous monitoring system for the quality and efficiency of the offered services, including a strengthened data collection system.

The proposed interventions will support the implementation of the general objective nr. 2 „Consolidating the mechanism of protection and assistance for women survivors of violence and domestic violence through multidisciplinary approach, in line with Istanbul Convention“of the Action Plan for the implementation of the National Programme on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence for the years 2023-2027 . It will contribute to the implementation of the first Outcome of the UN Women Strategic Note 2023-2027: „By 2027, institutions deliver human rights, evidence-informed and gender-responsive services for all with the focus on those who are left behind“ under the thematic area „Ending Violence against Women“.

The consultant is expected to report and coordinate regularly with the EVAW Project Specialist and Project Management Specialist concerning the progress of the completion of the deliverables. The proposer is also expected to inform UN Women in a written form of any unforeseen challenge or risk that might occur during the duration of the assignment and will come up with a backup plan to ensure the accomplishment of deliverables. He/she will be supported by the EVAW Project Officer, who will be the point of contact on the contract and payment issues. After completing the assignment, payment will be disbursed to the consultant(s) in instalments upon submission of the report(s) on deliverables and certification by the supervisor that the services have been satisfactorily performed.

Description of Responsibilities /Scope of Work

The aim of the consultancy is to support the MLSP to effectively coordinate and expand the current network of existing services for the survivors of VAW and domestic violence, in line with the existing standards and set timeframe. More specifically, the consultant will be responsible for the following tasks, including but not limited to:  

• Conduct an Analysis of the internal regulatory framework of the 9 existing and 4 newly extended services (Regulation of the services and other internal documents, including active files of the survivors of violence, etc.), ensuring alignment with (inter)national standards and compliance with national accreditation requirements.
• Provide support in revising the services' internal regulatory framework, updating quality standards, and developing an operational manual for the services (centers). 
• Conduct online survey/questionnaire to assess the capacity building needs accross the network of services, develop tailored training materials, and deliver training on operational management and comprehensive assistance and protection for survivors of domestic violence.    
• Provide mentorship to specialists on administrative and service implementation aspects of the extended services targeting survivors of violence. 
• Provide support in data collection processes carried out by service providers, ensuring effective communication with all stakeholders, including donors and authorities.
• Contribute to the development of the concept of the information campaigns and the content of related informational materials (leaflets, video, etc). 
• Participate in regular meetings with MLSP representatives to provide updates, identify bottlenecks, and recommend solutions to overcome challenges.
• Develop a final report summarizing the key results achieved, challenges and opportunities. 

The consultant is expected to work in close coordination with the representatives of the UN Women project team. All written products should be agreed with the representatives of the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection and be provided in electronic copy. The monthly reports to UN Women should be provided in English. 

 Under this assignment the following key results should be achieved: 

• Development of a detailed outline- work plan for the assignment.
• Analysis of the existing regulatory framework of the network of services (13 centres).
• Recommendations for adjusting the internal regulatory acts of the services.
• Creation of a concept for conducting information campaigns, including content for informational materials (leaflets, video, etc).
• Delivery of training on operational management and comprehensive assistance and protection for survivors of GBV and domestic violence.
• Report on the mentoring of specialists delivering aassistance and protection for survivors of GBV and domestic violence.
• A final report outlining the specific information on the results achieved, challenges, and opportunities.

Duration of the assignment 

The estimated duration of the contract is from 28/02/2025 to 30/10/2025. 

Management arrangements

The consultant will work under the overall guidance and direct supervision of the UN Women and the representative of the Department for Gender Equality Policies of the MLSP, to ensure effective coordination and alignment of initiatives/tasks, with a strong focus on promoting gender equality and women's empowerment. 

Performance evaluation

The consultant’s performance will be evaluated against performance criteria such as timeliness, responsibility, initiative, communication, accuracy, and quality of the products delivered. All reports must be provided in English, electronically.

Financial arrangements 

Payment will be disbursed monthly upon submission and approval of time sheet and report on the completed tasks and is subject to the certification made by UN Women and the Department for Gender Equality Policies under the MLSP, confirming that the services have been satisfactorily performed.

Consultant’s Workplace and Official Travel 

The Consultant will have to work remotely and on the premises of the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, as agreed with the ministry’s representatives. However, the consultant is expected to have periodic coordination meetings with representatives of the Department for Gender Equality Policies of the MLSP and the UN Women to ensure effective coordination. The travel is envisaged under the current assignment, to be arranged by UN Women Country Office.

Competencies :

Core Values:

• Integrity;
• Professionalism;
• Respect for Diversity.

Core Competencies:

• Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues;
• Accountability;
• Creative Problem Solving;
• Effective Communication;
• Inclusive Collaboration;
• Stakeholder Engagement;
• Leading by Example.

Please visit this link for more information on UN Women’s Values and Competencies Framework: 

Functional Competencies:

• Strong knowledge of the work context of centres providing assistance to survivors of violence in Moldova;
• Ability in conducting situational analysis;
• Commitment to accomplish work;
• Excellent communication skills; 
• Ability to demonstrate resilience, adaptability and critical thinking;
• Ability to recognize and apply intersectionality awareness.

Required Qualifications

Education and certification:

• Master’s degree or equivalent in law, sociology, gender studies, public relations, development studies, and other social science-related areas relevant to the assignment is required. 
• A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• Additional training and certification in gender equality, human rights, gender-based violence, etc., would be considered an advantage.

Experience:

• At least five (5) years of proven work experience in the field of gender equality and/or preventing and combatting VAW and assistance of survivors of violence is required;
• At least three (3) years of experience in reviewing laws/policies/regulations and/or providing training in the field of preventing and assistance/protection of women survivors of domestic violence is an advantage; 
• Experience in institutional planning, and/or drafting organizational or operational documentation and/or expertise in the accreditation of social services is an advantage;
• Previous experience in working with women support centres, in the government and/or non-governmental sectors in the field of gender equality and/or ending violence against women is an advantage; 
• Experience in conducting needs assessments, providing coaching and mentoring services in the social field is an advantage.

Languages:

• Fluency in Romanian and English is required.
• Knowledge of Russian is an asset.

APPLICATION PROCESS AND SUBMISSION PACKAGE 

Interested candidates are encouraged to submit their online applications by February 20, 2025  through the following link: National Consultant to provide support on strengthening services for assistance and protection of survivors of violence (Local post for Residents of the Republic of Moldova) - UN Women Careers . Applications should include the following documents:

• Duly filled UN Women Personal History form (P-11) which can be downloaded from: https://www.unwomen.org/sites/default/files/Headquarters/Attachments/Sections/About%20Us/Employment/UN-Women-P11-Personal-History-Form.doc . Applications without the completed UN Women P-11 form will be treated as incomplete and will not be considered for further assessment. 
• A cover letter (maximum length: 1 page) to include a brief overview about which of the relevant previous experiences that makes the candidate the most suitable for delivering of all or selected tasks described above.

Only short-listed applicants will be contacted. 

Statements :

In July 2010, the United Nations General Assembly created UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. The creation of UN Women came about as part of the UN reform agenda, bringing together resources and mandates for greater impact. It merges and builds on the important work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system (DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW and UNIFEM), which focused exclusively on gender equality and women's empowerment.

Diversity and inclusion:

At UN Women, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. UN Women recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, national origin, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, competence, integrity and organizational need.

If you need any reasonable accommodation to support your participation in the recruitment and selection process, please include this information in your application.

UN Women has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UN Women, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to UN Women’s policies and procedures and the standards of conduct expected of UN Women personnel and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. (Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.)