National Consultant: Lead Legal Expert to Review Documentation Procedures for Victims of TIP

Position details

• Vacancy type: Consultancy
• Recruiting type: Consultant
• Contract type: Consultancy (Up to 11 months)
• Office or unit: Country Office
• Location: Chisinau, Republic of Moldova
• Application deadline: 2026-11-17T20:55:00+00:00

Context

Introduction

Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations and the leading UN agency in the field of migration. Working closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners, IOM promotes humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It saves lives and protects people on the move, drives solutions to displacement, and facilitates pathways for regular migration, while providing services and advice to governments and migrants. 

IOM is committed to fostering a respectful, inclusive and supportive workplace where all employees can thrive professionally and feel valued. By creating such an environment, IOM aims to better harness the full potential of migration and strengthen its support to people on the move.

IOM invites candidates from diverse backgrounds to apply and provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process when required. Learn more about IOM’s workplace culture at IOM workplace culture | International Organization for Migration

Project Context and Scope

IOM in the Republic of Moldova is implementing the “Reducing community-level vulnerabilities to TIP in Moldova” project, which supports national efforts to strengthen the protection of and assistance to victims of crime, including victims of trafficking in human beings.

Access to identity, civil-status, travel, residence and other relevant documents can be essential for victims of trafficking to exercise their rights and access protection, assistance, justice and longer-term recovery support. In practice, documentation may involve several institutions and may be complicated by missing or expired documents, uncertainty regarding identity or residence status, procedural requirements, unclear institutional responsibilities or the specific protection circumstances of a victim.

MLSP, as the main beneficiary of this assignment and a key institution in the protection and referral system, requires a concise evidence base on the main documentation bottlenecks and possible avenues for resolving them. The assignment will combine a targeted legal and procedural review with analysis of selected anonymised cases and interviews with relevant stakeholders. It will document priority gaps and propose realistic next steps and a practical roadmap for MLSP-led dialogue and advocacy with the Public Services Agency, the Ministry of Justice and other competent institutions.

Two separate but complementary consultancy positions will be issued: one Lead Legal Expert and one Supporting Legal Expert. Both experts will work as a team, while remaining individually contracted for up to 10 working days each. The scope and division of work will be agreed with MLSP and IOM at inception and may be adapted within the available working days.
 

Protection Unit of IOM in the Republic of Moldova; “Reducing community-level vulnerabilities to TIP in Moldova” Project.

Responsibilities

The overall objective is to support MLSP in identifying and addressing priority legal and practical barriers related to the documentation of victims of trafficking in persons.

Under the overall supervision of the IOM Program Coordinator and in close coordination with the other expert, MLSP, the expert will undertake the following:

• Agree on the priority documentation issues, methodology, institutions to be consulted, selected cases or scenarios and division of responsibilities.

• Conduct a targeted review of relevant legislation, regulations, administrative procedures, guidance and available materials concerning identity, civil status, residence, migration, travel and other documentation relevant to victims of trafficking. 

• Analyse a limited selection of anonymised trafficking cases or case scenarios to identify recurring legal and procedural barriers and their consequences for victims.

• Conduct targeted interviews or consultations with relevant stakeholders, which may include MLSP, the Public Services Agency, the Ministry of Justice, migration and law-enforcement authorities, prosecutors, courts, civil-status bodies, consular actors, legal aid providers, specialised services and civil society organisations.

• Document priority legal, administrative, coordination and implementation gaps, including issues affecting Moldovan nationals, foreign victims and persons unable to obtain documents through ordinary procedures.

• Help distinguish issues that may be addressed through coordination, administrative practice or guidance from those that may require regulatory or legislative action.

• Contribute to concise, prioritised recommendations and a practical roadmap for MLSP, indicating suggested follow-up actions, institutions to be engaged and an indicative sequence for inter-institutional dialogue and advocacy.

• Present and discuss preliminary findings with MLSP, IOM and selected stakeholders through a focused validation meeting or workshop and incorporate relevant feedback.

• Lead the overall analysis and coordinate the work of the Supporting Legal Expert, including allocation of tasks, consolidation of inputs and resolution of substantive gaps or inconsistencies.

• Take primary responsibility for drafting, quality assurance, finalisation and timely submission of the joint inception note, preliminary gap analysis, validation materials, final report and MLSP roadmap.

The list of tasks is indicative. MLSP and IOM may adjust the focus and level of detail during inception, within the available 10 working days and without changing the overall objective of the assignment.

The deliverables will be prepared jointly or in a coordinated manner with the Supporting Legal Expert. The Lead Legal Expert is accountable for their consolidation, quality assurance and formal submission to IOM within the agreed deadlines.

All deliverables shall be submitted in Romanian in editable electronic format.

• Completion of the agreed tasks within the available 10 working days and effective cooperation with the other expert.

• Timely consolidation, quality assurance and submission of coherent final deliverables.

• Clear documentation of priority legal, administrative and practical bottlenecks.

• Appropriate use of anonymised case analysis and stakeholder perspectives.

• Accurate identification of relevant institutional responsibilities and feasible follow-up options.

• Practical, prioritised and concise recommendations and roadmap for MLSP.

• Consistent application of victim-centred, confidentiality and do-no-harm principles

Qualifications

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education, Experience and or Skills required

• University degree in law. An advanced degree in law, human rights, criminal justice or another directly relevant legal field is an asset.

• At least seven years of relevant professional legal experience, including substantial work on trafficking in human beings, victims’ rights, criminal justice, human rights or related legal and procedural matters.

• Proven practical legal experience relevant to victims of trafficking, such as experience as an attorney-at-law representing victims of trafficking before courts or other authorities; judge; prosecutor; human rights defender; or legal expert advising on victims’ rights and access to justice.

• Proven experience analysing, drafting or reviewing legislation, regulations, normative frameworks, procedures or guidance in the field of trafficking in human beings or victims’ rights.

• Extensive knowledge of trafficking cases, including legal and documentation-related barriers affecting victims’ access to protection, assistance, justice and remedies.

• Experience delivering legal training or capacity-building activities on trafficking in human beings, victims’ rights or related legal topics is an asset.

• Experience working with public authorities, justice-sector actors, international organisations, legal aid providers or civil society organisations.

• Strong legal research, analysis, interviewing, drafting and communication skills.

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

• Demonstrated experience leading legal assessments or multi-contributor assignments and producing high-quality analytical reports, recommendations or roadmaps.

• Proven ability to coordinate another expert, consolidate technical contributions and assume responsibility for final deliverables.

Languages

For this consultancy, fluency in Romanian and English is required. Knowledge of Russian is an asset.

Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.

Required Competencies

IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link. Competencies will be assessed during the selection process.

Values - all IOM staff members must abide by and demonstrate these five values:

• Inclusion and respect for diversity: Respects and promotes individual and cultural differences. Encourages diversity and inclusion.
• 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.
• Courage: Demonstrates willingness to take a stand on issues of importance.
• Empathy: Shows compassion for others, makes people feel safe, respected and fairly treated.

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 actions and delegated work.
• Communication: Encourages and contributes to clear and open communication. Explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way.

Notes

IOM covers Consultants against occupational accidents and illnesses under the Compensation Plan (CP), free of charge, for the duration of the consultancy. IOM does not provide evacuation or medical insurance for reasons related to non-occupational accidents and illnesses. Consultants are responsible for their own medical insurance for non-occupational accident or illness and will be required to provide written proof of such coverage before commencing work. 

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

Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, security clearances.

IOM has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and IOM, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities.

IOM does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, processing, training or other fee). IOM does not request any information related to bank accounts.

IOM only accepts duly completed applications submitted through the IOM e-Recruitment system (for internal candidates link here). The online tool also allows candidates to track the status of their application.

No late applications will be accepted. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

For further information and other job postings, you are welcome to visit our website: IOM Careers and Job Vacancies