National Consultant to develop of a Package of Methodological and Training Materials on the multidisciplinary response to cases of violence against women and domestic violence

Background:

UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security.

The work of UN Women in Moldova is guided by its Country Strategic Note 2023-2027, aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for Moldova (2023-2027), 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 remains one of the most widespread, persistent and severe human rights violations in the Republic of Moldova. Evidence shows that three out of four women have experienced some form of abuse by an intimate partner; psychological violence affects 71 per cent of women, one in three women has experienced physical violence, and 20.9 per cent have been subjected to sexual violence.

Based on the European Commission Implementing Decision on the Annual Action Plan in favor of the Republic of Moldova for 2022, NDICI-GEO-NEAR/2022/ACT-61535 EU4 Resilience and Governance, UN Women Moldova CO is implementing a four-year project (November 2023 – October 2027) titled "Ending Violence, Expanding Livelihood Opportunities for Women and Accelerating Gender Governance in Moldova" (hereinafter EVOLVE4GE).  The project interventions aim to improve the prevention of violence against women and domestic violence 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.

To advance national efforts to prevent and respond to violence against women and domestic violence (VAW/DV), the EVOLVE4GE project has supported the institutionalization and strengthening of the national capacity development system for multidisciplinary teams (MDTs), a key mechanism for ensuring coordinated, survivor-centred and rights-based services at local level. Under the leadership of the National Agency for the Prevention and Combating of Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (GBV Agency), with support from UN Women and UNICEF, financial support from the European Union, and methodological assistance from AO AVE Copiii, the National MDT Training Programme and Curriculum was developed and is currently undergoing the national accreditation process. The Programme provides a standardized, practice-oriented and evidence-informed learning framework designed to strengthen the knowledge, competencies and practical skills of multidisciplinary professionals across the country. It aims to enable MDT members to deliver coordinated, consistent and survivor-centred responses grounded in rights-based, gender-responsive, trauma-informed and inclusive approaches. The Programme also strengthens the capacity of frontline professionals to respond effectively to the diverse needs of women and girls experiencing multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination, including women with disabilities, Roma women, refugee women, older women and women living in rural communities.

As part of the EVOLVE4GE project, and in partnership with UNICEF Moldova, MDT professionals from districts of Nisporeni, Călărași and Taraclia, representing social assistance, law enforcement, health, education and local public authorities, strengthened their knowledge and practical skills in applying survivor-centred approaches, coordinated case management and interinstitutional cooperation. These efforts contributed to stronger local coordination mechanisms, enhanced institutional capacities and improved access to coordinated, quality services for women and girls affected by violence.

Description of Responsibilities/ Scope of Work

The objective of this assignment is to provide technical expertise to the GBV Agency to develop a package of methodological and training materials on the multidisciplinary response to cases of violence, together with a training evaluation toolkit. The assignment will support the delivery of the National MDT Training Programme and Curriculum through a Facilitator Guide for trainers, trainer PowerPoint presentations, training materials, and tools to assess learning outcomes, training relevance and programme effectiveness.

Under the overall guidance of the GBV Agency and in coordination with UN Women, the National Consultant will undertake the following tasks:

• Conduct a desk review of the MDT Training Programme and Curriculum, relevant methodological resources and existing training materials to inform the development of a coherent, evidence-informed package of methodological and training materials.
• Develop a package of three methodological and training materials on the multidisciplinary response to cases of violence against women and domestic violence, comprising: a Facilitator Guide for trainers; trainer PowerPoint presentations based on the MDT Training Programme and Curriculum; and a participant training package, including key concepts, case studies, practical exercises, handouts and supporting learning materials.
• Develop one training evaluation toolkit, including pre- and post-training knowledge assessment tools and participant evaluation forms, to measure learning outcomes, training relevance and the effectiveness of the training programme.
• Ensure that all methodological and training materials consistently integrate evidence-informed, survivor-centred, gender-responsive, trauma-informed and inclusive approaches, with practical guidance for application by multidisciplinary teams.
• Facilitate technical consultations with the GBV Agency, UN Women, UNICEF and relevant stakeholders to validate the draft package of methodological and training materials and the training evaluation toolkit, ensuring alignment with the MDT Training Programme and Curriculum.
• Finalize the package of three methodological and training materials and the training evaluation toolkit and prepare a brief final report summarizing the work undertaken, key achievements, lessons learned and recommendations to support effective, consistent and sustainable implementation.

The consultant will report to the Project Officer on Ending Violence against Women under the EVOLVE4GE project, who will serve as the primary focal point for all matters related to the contract, deliverables and payments. The consultant’s work will be carried out under the overall coordination of the EVOLVE4GE Project Manager and the UN Women Programme Specialist on Ending Violence against Women.

The consultant is expected to maintain regular communication and coordination with the Project Officer on Ending Violence against Women regarding the progress of deliverables. The consultant must promptly inform UN Women and the GBV Agency in writing of any unforeseen challenges or risks that may arise during the assignment and propose mitigation measures to ensure the timely and successful completion of deliverables.

Deliverables

• All deliverables shall be submitted in Romanian. The final deliverable shall also be submitted in English.

Consultant’s Workplace and Official Travel

This is a home-based consultancy, with no travel required for this assignment. 

Financial Arrangements

Payments shall be made upon certification by UN Women that the services related to each deliverable, as described above, have been satisfactorily performed and that the deliverables have been submitted and approved by or before the due dates specified above.

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.

Competencies :

Core Values:

• Integrity;
• Professionalism;
• Respect for Diversity.

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 Values and Competencies Framework: 

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning

• Demonstrates strong technical knowledge of ending violence against women and domestic violence, including survivor-centred, rights-based, gender-responsive, trauma-informed and inclusive approaches;
• Applies knowledge of national legislation, referral pathways, intersectoral coordination mechanisms and institutional mandates relevant to the prevention of and response to violence against women and domestic violence;
• Demonstrates proven ability to develop high-quality curricula, training programmes, facilitator guides, methodological tools and practical training materials for multidisciplinary professionals;
• Applies adult learning principles, participatory facilitation methods, case-based learning and reflective practice to support effective capacity development.

Technical Quality, Coordination and Communication

• Produces clear, concise, user-friendly and methodologically sound written materials, in line with UN Women standards and the requirements of the assignment;
• Demonstrates strong analytical, drafting and synthesis skills, with the ability to translate complex concepts into practical guidance for facilitators and frontline professionals;
• Communicates effectively and coordinates constructively with UN Women, the GBV Agency, and relevant stakeholders to ensure timely delivery of quality outputs;
• Demonstrates accountability, responsiveness to feedback and ability to deliver results within agreed timelines.

Partnership and Inclusive Collaboration

• Demonstrates ability to work respectfully and effectively in a multicultural and multidisciplinary environment, maintaining constructive working relationships with national institutions, service providers, academia, civil society and development partners;
• Promotes inclusive collaboration and ensures that guidance and training materials are responsive to the diverse needs and experiences of women and girls, including those facing intersecting forms of discrimination.

Required Qualifications

Education and Certification:

• Master’s degree in social sciences, gender studies and/or any other degree relevant to the requirements of the TOR is required;
• A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

• At least five years of professional experience in the field of ending violence against women and domestic violence and/or gender equality is required;
• Experience in developing and/or revising curricula, training programmes, facilitator guides, methodological tools or capacity development materials in the field of ending violence against women and domestic violence and/or gender equality is required;
• Experience in conducting consultations and engaging with national stakeholders, including state authorities, public institutions, service providers, academia and/or civil society organizations, is considered an asset;
• Previous experience working with UN agencies, international organizations or donor-funded programmes is considered an asset.

Languages:

• Fluency in written and spoken Romanian and English is required;
• Knowledge of Russian is considered an asset.

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will contacted.

Statements :

In July 2010, the United Nations General Assembly created UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. The creation of UN Women came about as part of the UN reform agenda, bringing together resources and mandates for greater impact. It merges and builds on the important work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system (DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW and UNIFEM), which focused exclusively on gender equality and women's empowerment.

Diversity and inclusion:

At UN Women, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. UN Women recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, national origin, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, competence, integrity and organizational need.

If you need any reasonable accommodation to support your participation in the recruitment and selection process, please include this information in your application.

UN Women has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UN Women, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to UN Women’s policies and procedures and the standards of conduct expected of UN Women personnel and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. (Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.)

Note: Applicants must ensure that all sections of the application form, including the sections on education and employment history, are completed. If all sections are not completed the application may be disqualified from the recruitment and selection process.