National Consultant: Legal Expert - Documentation Procedures for Victims of Trafficking

About the role

IOM in Moldova is running a project to reduce community-level vulnerabilities to trafficking in persons (TiP) and protect victims of crime. The Moldavian Law on Protection of Victims of Trafficking (MLSP) needs a concise evidence base on the main documentation bottlenecks and ways to resolve them. Two complementary consultancy positions are offered: a Lead Legal Expert and a Supporting Legal Expert, each contracted for up to 10 working days and working as a team.

Key responsibilities

• Agree on priority issues, methodology, institutions to consult, selected cases and division of work.
• Review legislation, regulations, administrative procedures and guidance on identity, civil status, residence, migration and travel documents.
• Analyse anonymised trafficking cases to identify recurring legal and procedural barriers.
• Interview stakeholders such as MLSP, the Public Services Agency, the Ministry of Justice, law enforcement, prosecutors, courts, civil-status bodies, consular actors, legal aid providers and civil society.
• Document gaps and help distinguish issues solvable by coordination or guidance from those needing regulatory or legislative action.
• Contribute to recommendations and a practical roadmap for MLSP, then validate findings with MLSP, IOM and stakeholders.
• Provide legal analysis, case observations and drafting support to the Lead Expert, and review the consolidated draft outputs.

Required profile

• University degree in law; an advanced degree in law, human rights, criminal justice or a related field is an asset.
• At least seven years of relevant legal experience, including substantial work on trafficking, victims' rights, criminal justice or human rights.
• Practical experience as an attorney representing trafficking victims, a judge, prosecutor, human rights defender or legal expert on victims' rights.
• Experience analysing or drafting legislation and procedures on trafficking or victims' rights.
• Experience with public authorities, justice-sector actors, international organisations, legal aid providers or civil society.
• Experience leading legal assessments or multi-contributor assignments and coordinating another expert.

Required skills

• Fluency in Romanian and English; knowledge of Russian is an asset.
• Legal research, analysis, interviewing, drafting and communication skills.
• Ability to produce concise, prioritised recommendations and roadmaps.

Deliverables are due by 25 December, in Romanian, in editable electronic format. IOM covers consultants against occupational accidents and illnesses under its compensation plan; applicants must provide proof of their own non-occupational medical insurance. Applications are submitted through the IOM e-recruitment system.