TERMS OF REFERENCE for the selection of a group of consultants (one national and one international) for curriculum development and delivery of a Continuous Training Program to the personnel of the North Regional Centre for Integrated Assistance to Child Victims/ Witnesses of Crime (Barnahus)

Contract Type: Service Provision

Anticipated Consultancy Duration: December 2023 to February 2024

1. Context

The National Centre for Child Abuse Prevention (CNPAC/NCCAP) is a non-governmental organization dedicated to diminishing the occurrence and impact of violence against children. Our mission encompasses prevention, advocacy, capacity building, and the provision of specialized services.

Following the advocacy initiatives led by CNPAC, on December 27, 2019, the Government of the Republic of Moldova established a specialized assistance service for child victims/witnesses of crime, in line with GD no. 708/2010, which approves the Framework Regulation on the organization and functioning of the Regional Centre for Integrated Assistance to Child Victims/Witnesses of Crime and Minimum Quality Standards. As outlined in paragraph 6 of this regulatory act, the provision of Barnahus-type services is designated for the North, Centre, and South regions of the Republic of Moldova, situated in the municipalities of Balti, Chisinau, and Cahul, respectively. The inaugural regional center of this kind, formed through collaboration between the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection and CNPAC/NCCAP, serves the Northern area of the Republic of Moldova and is located in Balti. Since 2022, CNPAC/NCCAP, under service contracts signed with the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, has been ensuring the operational functionality of the Regional Centre for Integrated Assistance to Child Victims/Witnesses of Crime North. In adherence to the stipulations of paragraph 34 within the Framework Regulation on the organization and functioning of the Regional Centre for Integrated Assistance to Child Victims/Witnesses of Crime, specialists at the Centre are mandated to partake in a continuous training program of no less than 20 hours per year.

In our ongoing commitment to fortify the Barnahus-type service in the Republic of Moldova, the National Centre for Child Abuse Prevention (CNPAC/NCCAP), with the generous support of the World Childhood Foundation, is currently undertaking the implementation of the project “Multidisciplinary Response to Cases of Violence Against Children”. One of the pivotal objectives of the project is to enhance the quality and efficiency of the Barnahus-type Centre’s operations by facilitating annual continuous training for its personnel. In pursuit of this goal, the project involves developing a comprehensive curriculum for the continuous training program and ensuring its effective delivery. Given the relatively recent establishment of the Barnahus-type service in Moldova and the resultant absence of in-house expertise, it becomes imperative to enlist the collaboration of specialists from other European countries possessing extensive experience in delivering the Barnahus-type service. This collaboration is essential for contributing valuable insights and expertise to the formulation of the curriculum for continuous training and the subsequent execution of the training program.

2. Aim and Objective of the Initiative

The aim of this initiative is to enhance the capabilities of specialists at the Regional Centre for Integrated Assistance to Child Victims/ Witnesses of Crime. This involves ensuring that they possess the requisite competencies and skills to adeptly identify the support needs of child victims/witnesses of crime and to provide specialized assistance accordingly.

The objectives of this initiative encompass the following:

• Development of a comprehensive curriculum for continuous training, incorporating a well-defined rationale, purpose, and objectives. The curriculum will also delineate the competencies to be developed (with a pronounced emphasis on practical application and seamless integration) and will articulate the aims and conditions of training.
• Delivery of the continuous training program to the team of North Regional Centre for Integrated Assistance to Child Victims/ Witnesses of Crime (with a duration of 20 hours).

In substance, the content of the continuous training program is intended to enhance the capacities of specialists, fortifying their knowledge, skills, and competencies. This augmentation is intended to empower them to deliver a comprehensive, multidisciplinary response to children within the framework of the Barnahus service. The program will concentrate on, though not exclusively, the following thematic areas: Legislative changes in the domain of Child Protection, with a specific focus on those pertinent to the examination and investigation of offenses against children, as well as the provisions outlined in national policies that pertain to the broader field; Assessment of the Best Interests of the Child within the context of Barnahus assistance; Multidisciplinary approach to assisting child victims/ witnesses of crime within the Barnahus framework; Prevention of professional burnout in the context of working with sensitive subjects, etc.

3. Terms of Delivery and Deliverables

The development of the curriculum for continuous training and the subsequent delivery of the continuous training program to the team of the North Regional Centre for Integrated Assistance to Child Victims/ Witnesses of Crime will transpire within the stipulated timeframe spanning December 2023 to February 2024.

Deliverables: Curriculum for Continuous Training Program; Courseware for Continuous Training Program; 20-hour Continuous Training Program Delivered.

4. Qualifications and Experience Required

Experience

• Possession of a degree in pedagogy, psychology, social work, law, sociology, or any other pertinent field;
• Proven experience in curriculum development, demonstrating expertise in crafting educational programs and delivering training;
• Profound understanding of the legal framework pertaining to the protection and assistance of child victims of violence, coupled with familiarity with the PROMISE international standards;

 Skills

• Demonstrated excellent analytical skills, ability to summarise and clearly present processes;
• Exceptional writing skills characterized by a structured, intelligible, and concise approach without compromising the core message;
• Ability to work swiftly, including in online environments, underscoring adaptability and efficiency in task execution;

5. Application Procedure and Selection Process

Submission Requirements:

• CV of the candidate demonstrating qualifications, skills, and experiences directly relevant to the consultancy;
• Present tangible evidence of past similar product development projects (such as links in the CV or documents attached to the application message);
• Technical offer encompassing an overview of the consultancy delivery approach, a proposed plan, and the terms of delivery;
• Financial offer (no. of days, daily fee, and net price in Euro);
• Affidavit of suitability that the candidate has not been convicted in the past for conduct incompatible with the provision of services for children, and that he/she has not been subject to investigation for criminal actions or breach of conduct, which endanger the physical or psychological integrity of children.

6. Evaluation Criteria for Applications Submitted:

Academic Background and Educational Qualifications – 20 pct.;

Level of Expertise – 40 pct.;

Quality and Relevance of the Technical Offer – 30 pct.;

Financial Offer – 10 pct.

How to apply. Interested candidates are invited to submit their applications to the E-mail address: concurs@cnpac.md or physical address to CNPAC/NCCAP mun. Chisinau, 37/B Tricolorului Street. Use the subject line “Application – Barnahus Continuous Training Program”.

Additional information can be requested at (+373) 78805031 or by email cbagrin@cnpac.md

Application Evaluation Process:

The assessment of applications for the Barnahus Continuous Training Program will be conducted in two stages:

• First Stage: Initial File Examination

At this stage, submitted files will undergo a comprehensive review to assess candidates’ adherence to the specified requirements;

• Second Stage: Interview Process

Pre-selected candidates, based on the results of the initial file examination, will proceed to the second stage involving interviews. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews.

Applications received after the specified deadline will not be considered and, regrettably, will be rejected from the evaluation process. Only the selected candidate will be notified of their success in the selection process.

Deadline for applications: 24 November 2023, 18:00 local time

Note: Please be informed that CNPAC/NCCAP adheres to the provisions outlined in Law No 133/2011 on the Protection of Personal Data. By submitting your application file, you explicitly consent to the utilization of your personal data for the purpose of the recruitment process. Documents containing personal data will be managed with the utmost confidentiality and will only be retained for the duration of the recruitment period.