EXTENDED DEADLINE for contracting a national consultant in the field of law

International Center “La Strada” Announces a Call for Contracting a National Consultant for the Development of a Legislative Proposal to Strengthen Child Protection Mechanisms Preventing Interaction with Individuals Previously Convicted of Serious Crimes

Place of Consultancy: Chișinău, Republic of Moldova

Duration of Consultancy: 15 August – 31 October 2025

Nature of Consultancy:

The national consultant, contracted by the International Center “La Strada,” in coordination with another national expert contracted by IOM, and an international consultant who, with IOM support, prepared a policy document on a sexual offenders’ registry with proposals for the Republic of Moldova, will provide expertise in drafting a legal framework, specifically a legislative instrument accompanied by a justification note. This instrument should reasonably prevent individuals previously convicted of crimes against children from interacting with children, taking into account available governmental resources.

The consultant team will collaborate with representatives of relevant ministries and governmental agencies (Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Labor and Social Protection, etc.) to identify shared visions of these institutions and their expectations regarding the drafting of the legal framework.

In particular, the consultant will:

• Identify relevant types of offenses (e.g., child pornography);
• Identify roles/functions involving direct interaction with children;
• Draft a legislative proposal, accompanied by a justification note, prohibiting employment of individuals convicted of crimes against children;
• Draft a proposal for creating or adjusting the normative framework regulating inter-institutional cooperation for informing victims and/or their legal representatives in cases of release from detention or arrest of individuals accused or convicted of child sexual abuse and/or exploitation;
• Ensure that the proposed interventions comply with the European Convention on Human Rights, the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings, the Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse (Lanzarote Convention), and other relevant international human rights treaties.

Project Context and Scope:

The project “Strengthening Collaboration between Law Enforcement Agencies and National and International Actors Regarding Reporting and Removal of Child Sexual Abuse Material and Enhancing the Capacities of Specialized Law Enforcement and Criminal Investigation Actors in Preventing and Addressing Emerging Threats Related to Human Trafficking (HT)”, implemented by the International Center La Strada, aims to strengthen cooperation between national and international institutions regarding reporting and removal of child sexual abuse material and to enhance the capacities of specialized bodies in preventing and combating human trafficking.

Following international recommendations and models adopted in neighboring countries, the Republic of Moldova initially considered creating a database of individuals who committed serious crimes—referring to crimes such as human trafficking for sexual exploitation, child trafficking, rape, sexual harassment, child pornography, sexual acts with minors, sexual corruption, recruitment of minors for sexual purposes, exploitation of begging, or use of exploited persons’ services. The proposed registry was to be organized and managed by the specialized structures of the General Police Inspectorate (IGP) and kept separate from the national criminal record system (e-Cazier).

However, based on consultations conducted in 2024 with IOM support, involving an international expert, representatives of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Information Technology Service, and other governmental actors, it was concluded that creating a separate information system is unnecessary. The existing instrument—the “Detailed Criminal Record Certificate”—already provides the necessary functionalities to access data regarding individuals who committed sexual abuse and exploitation offenses. Creating a separate registry would duplicate existing capacities and impose unnecessary administrative and financial burdens.

Therefore, the proposal to create a new database was reconsidered, and current efforts focus on optimizing and promoting the use of the existing Detailed Criminal Record system to ensure access for institutions and employers to relevant information, particularly in sectors involving contact with children or other vulnerable groups.

The Behavioral Integrity Certificate, initially foreseen, aimed to certify the absence of entries in the registry of individuals who committed serious crimes, particularly for persons applying for employment or volunteer positions involving contact with vulnerable groups, such as children, the elderly, or persons with disabilities. Following expert consultations and considering the availability of the Detailed Criminal Record Certificate, the approach has been revised.

Under the revised concept, individuals intending to apply for positions involving regular contact with children—regardless of whether the employer operates in the public or private sector—will be required to provide the employer with the Detailed Criminal Record Certificate. This certificate reflects both criminal and administrative history. Based on the information contained in the certificate and in accordance with the applicable legal and normative framework, employers will assess the candidate’s suitability or incompatibility with the position.

This approach ensures child safety and protection of other vulnerable groups without creating a new registry, by using and strengthening existing mechanisms within the national criminal record system.

In 2024, with support from the International Organization for Migration (IOM), an international expert conducted interviews and consultations with key governmental actors—including the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection—as well as representatives of civil society. These consultations led to a policy document presenting different approaches and options regarding a potential registry of individuals convicted of serious crimes, particularly sexual crimes against children and other vulnerable groups.

As a result of these discussions and following a detailed technical analysis conducted jointly by the IOM expert and specialists from the IT Service within the Ministry of Internal Affairs, it was concluded that there is no practical need for a separate information registry, given the existence and functionality of the Detailed Criminal Record Certificate. This existing instrument already provides access to relevant information on individuals’ criminal and administrative records.

Instead, the recommended action is to amend the legal framework regulating employment procedures, in both the public and private sectors, by introducing the obligation for employers to request the Detailed Criminal Record Certificate from candidates for positions involving contact with children. Based on the certificate’s data and applicable legal provisions, employers will determine whether a candidate is suitable or not for the position.

This approach ensures higher efficiency and avoids duplicating systems while strengthening protection of children and other vulnerable groups through improved preventive measures integrated into the existing institutional and legal framework.

Tasks, Deliverables, and Deadlines:

• Report on public consultations regarding feedback from relevant governmental actors and civil society on the most appropriate model for a registry of individuals convicted of serious crimes – by 30 September 2025.
• Final draft legislative proposal establishing a child protection mechanism, as detailed in section 3 above – by 31 October 2025.

Performance Indicators for Evaluation:
Performance will be assessed based on:

• Completion of tasks specified in the Terms of Reference;
• Compliance with deadlines for deliverables;
• Quality of work (adherence to international human rights standards, accuracy, completeness, and precision).
• Required Education, Experience, and Competencies:
• University degree in Law, Criminal Justice, or other relevant fields;
• At least 8 years of practical experience in criminal justice and review of legal and normative documents and protocols;
• Strong knowledge of constitutional law and human rights;
• Fluency in Romanian and English;
• Experience reviewing legal and social mechanisms involving law enforcement bodies aimed at preventing sexual exploitation, violence, and harassment;
• Experience collaborating with international organizations, particularly UN agencies, is an advantage;
• Excellent communication and coordination skills;
• High responsibility, self-motivation, self-management, efficiency, and result orientation;
• High level of discretion, integrity, sensitivity, and respect for diversity.

Travel Requirements:
No travel is required.

Competencies:

Values:

• Inclusion and Respect for Diversity: respects and promotes individual and cultural differences; encourages diversity and inclusion wherever possible.
• Integrity and Transparency: maintains high ethical standards and acts in accordance with the organization’s principles, rules, and codes of conduct.
• Professionalism: demonstrates competence, balance, and dedication in work and exercises sound judgment in addressing daily challenges.

Core Competencies – Behavioral Indicators:

• Teamwork: develops and promotes effective collaboration within and across teams to achieve common goals and optimal results.
• Results Delivery: produces and delivers quality results in a service-oriented manner, meeting deadlines; is action-oriented and committed to agreed results.
• Knowledge Management: consistently seeks to learn, share knowledge, and innovate.
• Accountability: takes responsibility for achieving organizational priorities and delegated tasks.
• Communication: encourages and contributes to clear and open communication; explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring, and motivating manner.

Application Deadline: 26 August 2025

• Interested candidates may send their applications (CV and motivation letter) to vmaevschi@lastrada.md.
• For more information, contact: +373 060222833, Veronica Maevschi, Children Program Director.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews.