The work of UN Women in Moldova is guided by its new Country Strategic Note 2023-2027, aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for Moldova 2023-2027 (UNSDCF), 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 in our world today. It is a major obstacle to the fulfilment of women’s and girls’ human rights and to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. In Moldova, as in the region and around the world, it affects individuals regardless of the context, culture, or socio-economic status, with serious repercussions for women, their families, and society in general. The prevalence of VAW in Moldova remains high, three out of four women, or 73%, have experienced some form of partner abuse. 71% were victims of psychological abuse, while a third of women have experienced physical violence and 20.9% sexual violence.  Despite significant progress, including in legal and policy reforms, research, and awareness-raising campaigns, the prevalence of VAW in Moldova remains high.

As of November 2023, UN Women launched the implementation of 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. Importantly, the project envisages enhancing the overall planning, coordination, and oversight of the progress on implementation of the EVAW program through provision of technical and expert support to the National Agency for Prevention and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence. The Agency’s mission is to implement public policies aimed at preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence and to ensure the national implementation of the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence. In accordance with the legislation, the Agency is also authorized to provide policy recommendations and proposals to the central public administration authorities for development of draft normative acts, legislative revisions and policy documents related to violence against women and domestic violence.

In this framework, UN Women Moldova within the EVOLVE4GE project seeks to contract a consultant (here and after “The Consultant”) to support the National Agency for Prevention and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence to enhance the existing mechanisms and practices within the law enforcement sector related to gender-based violence cases.

The overall objective of this consultancy is to contribute to enhancing the response of the Law enforcement to gender-based violence. Additionally, it aims to improve the inter-institutional coordination among GBV service providers and strengthen the referral system in the country.

More specifically, the consultant​​ will be responsible for the following tasks, including but not limited to:

• Conduct an assessment and provide recommendations for enhancing existing protection orders, enforcement mechanisms, reporting mechanisms for violence against women, and the process of laying charges against perpetrators.
• Assess the functionality of the current referral systems across multi-sectoral services, including psychological and psychosocial support, social care, healthcare, as well as police and judicial responses, to ensure effective collaboration and victim-centered support.
• Provide concrete recommendations for amendments to the legal framework and policy measures based on the findings from the assessment and consultations with stakeholders.
• Provide actionable recommendations for strengthening institutional capacities of Law Enforcement Authorities for each as per the functional roles.
• Participate in regular meetings with representatives of the National Agency for Prevention and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence and UN Women, provide updates and recommendations for overcoming identified bottlenecks and challenges.
• Submit monthly progress reports on major tasks performed.

The consultant is expected to work in close coordination with the representatives of the National Agency for Prevention and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence and the UN Women project team. All written products should be agreed with the National Agency for Prevention and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence and UN Women and be provided in electronic copy. The monthly reports to UN Women should be provided in English.

Duration of the assignment 

The estimated duration of the contract is from 01/11/2024 to 31/03/2025.

Management arrangements 

The consultant will work under the overall guidance and direct supervision of the UN Women EVAW Project Officer and the representative of the National Agency for Prevention and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence, 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, emphasizing the effective integration of gender considerations throughout the assignment.

Financial arrangements 

Payment will be disbursed every month upon submission and approval of deliverables and timesheets with actual days worked.  The payment shall be made upon certification by UN Women and EVAW Agency that the services have been satisfactorily performed. The number of days worked is to be determined solely by UN Women. The Consultant agrees and acknowledge that acceptance of the Contract does not guarantee any minimum fee to be paid to the Consultant.

Consultant’s Workplace and Official Travel 

The Consultant will not be located on the premises of UN Women and will have to work remotely. However, the consultant is expected to have periodic coordination meetings with representatives of the National Agency for Prevention and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence and the UN Women EVAW Project Officer to ensure effective coordination. No travel is envisaged under the current assignment. In the case of unforeseeable travel, payment of travel costs should be agreed upon between UN Women and the National Consultant prior to travel and will be reimbursed.

Core Values:

• Respect for Diversity;
• Integrity;
• Professionalism.

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 Core Values and Competencies:

https://www.unwomen.org/en/about-us/employment/application-process#_Values

Functional competencies:

• Strategic Thinking and Leadership
• Gender Mainstreaming
• Digital Transformation Expertise
• Project Management and Coordination
• Stakeholder Engagement and Partnership Building
• Communication and Advocacy
• Resilience and Adaptability
• Critical Thinking
• Intersectionality Awareness