International consultant to develop the Vision Document of the Republic of Moldova national DNA Database

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Application deadline 1 year ago: Tuesday 3 May 2022 at 23:59 UTC

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This is a International Consultant contract. More about International Consultant contracts.

Background

The UNDP project “Strengthening Efficiency and Access to Justice in Moldova” (A2J) is a multi-year institutional development project designed to contribute to an increased efficiency of justice services and to improved access to justice of men and women in Moldova, in particular from vulnerable and marginalized groups, through enhanced capacities of forensic institutions to provide qualitative justice services, strengthened capacities of the justice sector actors in the selected pilot areas to provide coordinated response to men’s and women’s justice needs and strengthened civil society able to claim the respect of rights and engage in a constructive dialogue with the justice chain actors. Project interventions will offer and encourage equal opportunity for the participation of men and women.

Although important efforts have been deployed at national level during the last years to advance the efficiency, transparency, fairness and accessibility of the justice sector, improvement is further required to ensure coherent coordination among law enforcement, security, and justice institutions for effective administration of justice, so that men and women, particularly from marginalized or minority groups, are able to claim their rights and access justice effectively.

The system of forensic institutions is an integral part of the justice system. The expert conclusions provided by these institutions are critical for the objective and evidence-based delivery of justice. The quality and accuracy of forensic investigations and examinations have an extensive impact on the quality of justice and affect the overall perception of users about the justice system.

A well-established forensic infrastructure, compliant with the international quality standards, with better capacities of the experts, more transparent and efficient institutional processes, standardization in line with the ISO requirements and automation of internal workflows is crucial for the ability of forensic evidence to adequately put the case under review at all stages of the judicial process.

UNDP is supporting the institutional development of forensic institutions , providing assistance in reviewing and amending the regulatory framework, supports development of e-tools aimed at integrating isolated and uncoordinated forensic investigations into a consistent and coordinated process, as well as provides assistance to the national forensic institutions in ISO certification thus confirming compliance with internationally recognized quality standards and demonstrating that they operate competently and generate valid results, thereby promoting confidence in their work both nationally and around the world.

Considering the importance of analysis of DNA for human identification purposes as an integral tool in identifying victims of atrocities, unidentified decedents, mass disaster victims, and individuals involved in police investigations, availability of a national forensic DNA database is utmost important in ensuring rapid identification of persons and thus contribute to enhancing the investigative capabilities of the police.

Furthermore, as investigation and prosecution of crime have to overcome borders by means of various judicial and police cooperation instruments, in particular those on mutual assistance and information exchange, transnational exchange of DNA data became an important element of the process and is being regulated both globally as well at regional level. According to the Global DNA Profiling Survey Results 2019 – Interpol Republic of Moldova stated the intention to develop a DNA database.

In this context Republic of Moldova in line with the provisions of the 2021 – 2022 Government Action Plan aims to develop by December 2022 the concept of the State Register of genetic data, whereas the scope, principles and basic requirements of the forensic genetic recording, as well as the conditions under which biological material may be taken from persons or from biological traces left in place in connection with the commission of criminal offenses is described in the Law on judicial genetic registration. The institution overseeing the process is the Forensic and Judicial Expertise Centre under the General Police Inspectorate.

In this regard, UNDP Moldova seeks to contract an International Consultant to develop the vision document of the Republic of Moldova national DNA Database.

Duties and Responsibilities

The expected output for the International Consultant’s assignment is to provide expert support to the Forensic and Judicial Expertise Centre under the General Police Inspectorate in the context of developing the Vision Document of the Republic of Moldova national DNA Database.

The key output of the assignment, the Vision Document shall be the main source of information and ensure a detailed depiction of the scope of the database, stakeholders, workflows and chain of coordination and subsequently be used in the development of the Technical Specifications and Technical Concept of the national DNA Database in line with the international best practices, European Network of Forensic Science Institutes (ENFSI) recommendations and requirements of the national legislation.

The International Consultant will be supported by a National UNDP Consultant who will provide necessary substantive support and contribute to facilitation of the process of organizing and conducting required tasks in the context of the assignment.

To achieve the stated objective, the Consultant shall perform the following tasks and activities:

  1. Prepare an Inception Report and detailed work plan for the assignment;
  2. Carry out a desk review of the EU regulatory framework and national legislation related to genetic data collection, forensic genetic data recording, storing and erasure, data exchange, current internal regulations of the national forensic institutions engaged in the forensic genetics collection and recordings, concepts and guidelines related to development and functioning of a DNA Database, previously developed assessments of the existing technical and infrastructural capacities of the national forensic institutions engaged in the forensic genetics collection and recordings. The consultant shall also analyse the best practices in DNA Databases implementation in the EU Members States, as well as study the internationally acknowledged best practices in terms of DNA Databases, in order to ensure transposition of available knowledge and experience in the process of implementation of a similar database in the Republic of Moldova;
  3. Conduct the mapping of stakeholders and their roles and responsibilities in the context of the future DNA Database implementation. The findings of the mapping will be presented during a workshop with the participation of the project beneficiaries and UNDP Project team;
  4. Develop in collaboration with the National UNDP Consultant, the As is Workflows’ Analysis Report, based on the inventory of workflows, roles, functions and accountabilities within the national forensic institutions and other stakeholders (identified following the mapping) engaged in the forensic genetics recordings in the context of future implementation of a DNA Database;
  5. Develop in collaboration with the National UNDP Consultant, the To Be Workflows, depicting the roles, functions and accountabilities of stakeholders in the context of implementation of a DNA Database. In the process of developing the To Be Workflows the consultant shall ensure transposition of EU requirements and standards related to genetic data recording, storage, erasure and exchange as well as follow the requirements of the national legislation;
  6. Develop in collaboration with the National UNDP Consultant the Vision Document on the future DNA Database, describing the system scope and objectives, system components and approach in ensuring interoperability with e-systems already installed in national forensic institutions engaged in the forensic genetics recordings and other stakeholders as deemed necessary as per findings of the stakeholders mapping. The document shall also include proposals on conceptual architecture, including recommended technology, including in the context of the Enterprise Architecture Framework of the Republic of Moldova, as well as address the requirements and arrangements related to the cross-border exchange of data between national institutions responsible of national DNA Database in line with the European requirements. The Vision Document will be closely coordinated with the Ministry of Internal Affairs, national forensic institutions engaged in the forensic genetics collection and recordings, E-Governance Agency, National Center for Personal Data Protection of the Republic of Moldova (NCPDP) and other relevant state institutions. The Vision Document shall be aligned to the provisions of the Council Decision 2008/615/JHA of 23 June 2008 on the stepping up of cross-border cooperation, particularly in combating terrorism and cross-border crime, and Council Decision 2008/616/JHA of 23 June 2008 on the implementation of Decision 2008/615/JHA on the stepping up of cross-border cooperation, particularly in combating terrorism and cross-border crime, as well as the Police Cooperation Convention for Southeast Europe (PCC SEE);
  7. Conduct participatory consultations to collect feedback and validate the Vision Document on the future DNA Database by means of workshops and/or individual discussions with Ministry of Internal Affairs, national forensic institutions engaged in the forensic genetics collection and recordings, E-Governance Agency and other relevant state institutions. For the scope of consultation, collection of feedback and coordination it is expected that at least 6 (six) activities will be carried out;
  8. Three missions may be considered only when it is confirmed to be safe for staff, consultant, stakeholders and if such missions are possible within the assignment’s schedule. The exact duration and period of the missions shall be coordinated with UNDP. For purpose of estimation of services’ costs, the expected duration of the mission, could be up to five working days, depending on the scope.

* The responsibility for facilitating the consultation process for the purpose of completing the tasks outlined hereto will be borne primarily by the consultant. The consultant shall be responsible for preparing working materials and agendas and will be supported by the Project team, delegated representatives from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Forensic and Judicial Expertise Centre under the General Police Inspectorate, as well as UNDP National Consultant to ensure participation, communication, and coordination with invited stakeholders.

For detailed information, please refer to Annex 1 – Terms of Reference.

Competencies

  • Excellent knowledge and understating of the phases related to set-up and subsequent functioning of a National DNA Databases;
  • Great understanding of the prerequisites for ensuring DNA data exchange at national and cross border levels;
  • Excellent knowledge of the EU regulatory framework related to cross-border police cooperation;
  • Demonstrated interpersonal and diplomatic skills, as well as the ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders at all levels and to present ideas clearly and effectively;
  • Previous work with UNDP and/or other development partners will be an asset;
  • Proven commitment to the core values of the United Nations, in particular, respecting differences of culture, gender, religion, ethnicity, nationality, language, age, HIV status, disability, and sexual orientation, or other status.

UNDP Moldova is committed to workforce diversity. Women, persons with disabilities, Roma and other ethnic or religious minorities, persons living with HIV, as well as refugees are particularly encouraged to apply.

Required Skills and Experience

Academic Qualifications:

  • Master’s degree (or 5 years university degree) in Forensic Sciences, Criminal Investigations, Police Studies, Law or related fields of equivalent scope;

Work experience:

  • At least 5 years of professional experience in the area of law enforcement, forensics and/or judicial expertise;
  • At least 3 years of experience in managing and/or implementation of National DNA Databases for law enforcement/forensic/judicial purposes;
  • Proven previous experience (at least 2 proven previous assignments) in leading and/or actively participating in the work related to conceptualisation of National DNA Databases;
  • Professional experience of working with high-level public officials and providing advocacy and policy advice will be an asset;
  • Professional experience in Central and Eastern Europe on similar assignments will be an asset.

Language:

  • Fluency in English. Knowledge of Romanian and/or Russian is an asset.

Application instructions:

Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications:

  • Offeror’s Letter confirming interest and availability for the Individual Contractor assignment with financial proposal (LUMP SUM) (in USD, specifying a total requested amount per working day, including all related costs, including daily fee, travel expenses and per diems - quoted in separate line items). The travel costs to Moldova shall be indicated separately and will be covered only if the travel will be allowed in the COVID-19 context. Financial proposal template included in Annex 2;
  • Duly updated CV with at least 3 references;
  • Proposal, explaining why he/she is most suitable for the assignment, including past experience in similar assignments, providing a brief information on above qualifications, and brief methodology on how he/she will approach and conduct the work.

Note:

For complete information about this vacancy including detailed tasks and responsibilities, full and detailed description of the evaluation procedure which will be applied please refer to the Terms of Reference, the Individual Consultant Procurement Notice as well as the UNDP General Conditions of Individual Contract, published at the UNDP Moldova website, Jobs Section:

https://sc.undp.md/jobdetails/2430/

Added 1 year ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: jobs.undp.org