Terms of reference for the selection and contracting of an expert, a group of experts or an entity to carry out research/studies on violence against children

General description

The Public Association "CONCORDIA. Social Projects" (hereinafter CONCORDIA Moldova) is a non-governmental organization, part of the network of organizations with the same name, with a presence in the countries of Romania, Bulgaria, Kosovo, Austria, Germany and Switzerland. CONCORDIA Moldova works where the need is greatest. From this perspective, CONCORDIA services are located mainly in rural areas or small towns where support, service provision and exchange is often limited. CONCORDIA Moldova promotes children's rights and prioritizes support for vulnerable children and young people, including by building resilient communities and families, which has a long-term impact on their quality of life and well-being.

CONCORDIA Moldova is committed to preventing violence against children in order to improve the long-term impact on children (at the individual level), on families and communities (at the community level), and on the country (at the systemic level, by changing perceptions in civil society).

CONCORDIA Moldova is implementing the project "Prevention of Violence and Protection of Children in the Republic of Moldova" between February 1, 2025 and January 31, 2028, implemented in partnership with Kindernothilhe e.V. and funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). The project aims to strengthen the capacities of families and communities to create a safe and protected environment for children, free from abuse and violence by implementing sustainable measures to prevent abuse and violence, which will support both children and families in building a healthy and protective environment. The project covers 3 regions of Moldova, namely Florești district, Căușeni district and Nisporeni district. Within Pillar I, CONCORDIA Moldova has the mission to coordinate the implementation of a research or study on the phenomenon and forms of violence against children, with a focus on the causes and motives, as well as to design evidence-based interventions to prevent this phenomenon. The study will also analyze the factors that contribute to the persistence of violence against children and provide recommendations for local, national authorities and other stakeholders.

Research information

Within the project "Prevention of violence and protection of children in the Republic of Moldova", CONCORDIA Moldova will contract an expert or a team of experts or a legal entity (research institution/agency, etc.), who will conduct the research, applying qualitative and quantitative methods. Research that analyzes relevant legislation and policies can contribute to identifying gaps in the legislative framework, which, once corrected, can ensure more effective protection for children.

 Main objectives of the research/study:

• Evaluation of the indicators and defining research variables within the first pillar and the overall objective of the project by defining what needs to be measured, how to measure it, and the steps to follow to ensure effective evaluation. This also includes outlining appropriate measurement methods and establishing clear actions to track progress in order to gain a comprehensive understanding of the project's performance, identify areas that require improvement, and ensure alignment of the project outcomes with the desired objectives.
• Analysis of relevant legislation and policies, which would include the analysis of the regulatory framework on child protection and violence prevention, to identify any gaps or inconsistencies in their implementation, as well as the assessment of the effectiveness of existing measures in legislation and policies for the prevention of violence and protection of children.
• Identification and analysis of the causes and persistence of violence against children - to examine the underlying causes and factors contributing to the persistence of violence against children. It includes investigating social, economic, gender, and psychological drivers of violence, exploring how societal attitudes, cultural norms, and gender differences shape its occurrence, and understanding how a lack of preventive measures and tolerance for certain forms of violence perpetuate the issue. Additionally, it assesses the social, institutional, and familial factors that sustain violence, such as insufficient education, limited child protection resources, and weaknesses within the justice system, while identifying barriers in authorities and social protection systems that hinder effective prevention and intervention.
• Designing evidence-based interventions to prevent violence against children, which would include the development of evidence-based short- and long-term interventions and strategies to prevent and combat violence against children and the design of solutions that include both preventive measures and support measures for victims of violence. This objective will also include recommendations for local, national and other stakeholders to improve child protection policy and legislation.

Ultimately, this research will assist authorities in developing more effective policies to prevent and combat violence against children, while also fostering better protective measures. Additionally, it could play a key role in enhancing collaboration between authorities and civil society organizations (CSOs) to implement concrete solutions.

Tasks and responsibilities

The expert or team of experts or legal entity will have the following tasks and responsibilities:

• Lead and manage the research process and maintain close relations with the project working group.
• Develop the research methodology (including data collection and analysis methods) and ensure that stakeholders in the pilot districts and at the national level are meaningfully involved.
• Develop the study plan and contact stakeholders.
• To comply with the requirements relating to the technical part of the task mentioned in these Terms of Reference in a timely manner and to the highest standards.
• To prepare the study/research, taking into account the comments and feedback received from stakeholders.

Milestones, deadlines and deliverables

Qualifications and requirements of the expert or team of experts:

• At least a master's degree in studies in social sciences, sociology or related fields;
• At least 5 years of experience in organizing sociological research at the national level;
• Previous experience in conducting research in the field of violence against children, abuse, etc.;
• Deep work experience in the region, including experience working with local authorities and practice, political and decision-making processes;
• Deep experience in consulting work within social sector development programs;
• Solid experience in using participatory methods and gender-sensitive approaches;
• Knowledge of local socio-political and economic structures in the Republic of Moldova
• At least one letter of recommendation from relevant institutions/NGOs.

Qualifications and requirements necessary for the legal entity:

• At least one member of the proposed team holds a master's degree in social sciences, sociology or related fields;
• At least 5 years of experience in organizing sociological research at the national level;
• Previous experience in conducting research in the field violence against children, abuse, etc.;
• At least one person in the consulting team (team leader + experts) must be originally from Moldova or have deep work experience in the region. Thus, having experience with local authorities and practice, political and decision-making processes;
• Deep experience in consulting work within social sector development programs;
• Solid experience in using participatory methods and gender-sensitive approaches;
• Knowledge of local socio-political and economic structures in the Republic of Moldova
• At least one letter of recommendation from relevant institutions/NGOs.

Contracting conditions: Concordia Moldova will sign a service contract with the winner based on the competition organized according to the organization's procedures and the requirements of the project "Prevention of Violence and Protection of Children in the Republic of Moldova". The payment terms will be negotiated and agreed by both parties. Payment will be made in Moldovan lei by bank transfer.

Application procedure

Individuals interested parties are encouraged to send:

1. Updated CV, academic diplomas and letter of recommendation (the team of experts - describe roles and responsibilities of each member of the team);
2. Technical offer;
3. Financial offer in Moldovan lei, which will include the gross amount, signed (handwritten or electronic).

Legal entities interested parties are encouraged to send:

1. Updated CVs, academic transcripts and letter of recommendation;
2. The technical offer;
3. Extract from the State Register of Legal Entities;
4. Financial offer in Moldovan lei, which will include the gross amount, signed (handwritten or electronic).

Technical offer must contain (for individuals):

1. CVs of the expert or team of experts;
2. Description of the methodology for processing data collected in the field;
3. The detailed research plan was developed in accordance with the Terms of Reference;
4. Reference data of three organizations for which studies were conducted, indicating contact persons, telephone numbers and e-mails.

Technical offer must contain (for legal entities):

1. Profile of the legal entity indicating the research conducted in the last 5 years, including the presentation of links to them, highlighting research in the field of energy efficiency, as appropriate;
2. CVs of experts included in the research;
3. Description of the methodology for processing data collected in the field;
4. The detailed research plan was developed in accordance with the Terms of Reference;
5. Reference data of three organizations for which studies were conducted, indicating contact persons, telephone numbers and e-mails;
6. Copy of an extract from the register of legal entities.

The file will be submitted in electronic format with an electronic signature to the e-mail address galina.bujor@concordia.md or in original (signed in handwriting) to the address of AO CONCORDIA. Social Projects”, Chișinău, A. Corobceanu 13/1, MD-2004 with the mention “Research/study on abuse, violence against children”.

Deadline for submitting the file – April 28, 2025.

If you have any questions or need clarification, please send them in writing by email to galina.bujor@concordia.md with the mention Clarifications – study.

Winner selection

• The offers submitted under this selection procedure will be evaluated based on the criteria described below.
• Incomplete files will not be examined.
• The bidder that accumulates the highest score according to the evaluation criteria will be invited to negotiate the contract.

When evaluating the offer, the following selection criteria will be taken into account:

AO "Concordia. Social Projects" is not obliged to disclose how proposals are evaluated or to provide information about the bidder selection process.

The above terms of reference do not constitute a contract or commitment. The submission of a bid does not oblige AO "CONCORDIA. Social Projects" to conclude a contract, or to cover the costs incurred in preparing the bid.

At any time before the deadline for submitting bids, AO "CONCORDIA. Social Projects" may modify the request for bids by issuing an amendment. Any additional document issued will be part of the request for bids and will be communicated in writing to all those who have obtained the invitation to quote directly from AO "CONCORDIA. Social Projects".

AO "CONCORDIA. Social Projects" in Moldova reserves the right to accept or reject any bid, to cancel the selection process and to reject all bids at any time before the contract award, without assuming responsibility towards the bidders.

Information confidentiality: All documents provided to the expert(s) and all data collected during the field research must be treated confidentially and used exclusively for the purpose of this research. Respondents will not be identified in reports without their explicit written consent. Photographs, video recordings and other research data that can be associated with individual research participants are anonymized, unless otherwise agreed in writing with the individual concerned.

Ownership of data, findings, products: Concordia Moldova retains full ownership of all data, findings and products obtained during this mission.

Safeguarding and protection: During the mission, the expert(s) undertakes to comply with the safeguarding and protection policies and procedures that are shared and reiterated during the preparatory phase.