Lead Legal Expert: Documentation Procedures for Victims of Trafficking

About the role

IOM in the Republic of Moldova is running a project to reduce community-level vulnerabilities to trafficking in persons (TIP) and protect victims of crime. The Moldavian Law Society for Protection (MLSP) needs a concise evidence base on the main documentation bottlenecks faced by victims and on ways to resolve them. This is a consultancy contract for a Lead Legal Expert, working alongside a Supporting Legal Expert for up to 10 working days, reporting to the IOM Program Coordinator.

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 find recurring legal and procedural barriers.
• Interview stakeholders such as MLSP, the Public Services Agency, the Ministry of Justice, 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 recommendations and a practical roadmap for MLSP, then validate findings with stakeholders.
• Coordinate the Supporting Legal Expert and draft, quality-assure and submit the joint deliverables in Romanian.

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.
• Experience analysing legislation and procedures in trafficking or victims' rights, and extensive knowledge of trafficking cases.
• Experience with public authorities, justice-sector actors, international organisations, legal aid providers or civil society.
• Experience leading legal assessments and coordinating another expert; experience delivering legal training is an asset.

Required skills

• Fluency in Romanian and English; knowledge of Russian is an asset.
• Strong legal research, analysis, interviewing, drafting and communication skills.
• Ability to produce analytical reports, recommendations and roadmaps.

Deliverables include an inception note, preliminary gap analysis, validation materials and a final report with a roadmap, due by 25 December. IOM covers consultants against occupational accidents and illnesses under its compensation plan; applicants must show proof of their own non-occupational medical insurance. Applications are submitted through the IOM e-recruitment system.