Emplois au PNUD - 50957- Two (2) International Consultants to Conduct a Nee

Two (2) International Consultants to Conduct a Needs/Feasibility Assessment and Make Recommendations for a DNA Profiling System in the Centre of Forensic Medicine

Lieu :

Chisinau, MOLDOVA

Type de contrat :

Individual Contract

Date de commencement :

17-Nov-2014

Date limite de candidature :

09-Nov-14 (Minuit New York, États-Unis)

Niveau du poste :

International Consultant

Durée du contrat initial

November – December 2014 (up to 15 working days for each consultant)

Langues requises :

Anglais Russe

Durée prévue de la mission :

Le PNUD s’engage à recruter un personnel divers en termes de genre, de nationalité et de culture. Nous encourageons de même les personnes issues des minorités ethniques, des communautés autochtones ou handicapées à postuler. Toutes les candidatures seront traitées dans la plus stricte confidentialité. Le PNUD ne tolère pas l’exploitation et / ou les atteintes sexuelles, ni aucune forme de harcèlement, y compris le harcèlement sexuel, et / ou toutes formes de discrimination. Tous/tes les candidats/tes selectectionnes /ées devront ainsi se soumettre à de rigoureuses vérifications relatives aux références fournies ainsi qu’à leurs antécédents.

Historique

A well-established forensic infrastructure, including appropriate, independent and effective forensic expertise system, including the necessary technical, financial, human and other resources is crucial for a successful justice system. The quality and accuracy of forensic investigations and examinations have an extensive impact on the quality of justice and affect the overall perception of the justice system by the litigants and other users of justice system, including the overall population.

To date, forensic services in Republic of Moldova (RM) require increased attention and support to improve the status of the forensic infrastructure in the interest of successful investigation and prosecution of criminal cases and fairness, transparency and accountability of the judicial system.

Recognizing the need for improvement in the judicial system, the Justice Sector Reform Strategy for 2011-2016[1] in the RM addresses the need of relevant authorities to implement modern investigative and criminal investigation methodologies (priority 2.3.1), as well as enhance the overall capacities and reconsider the place and role of the forensic centre and forensic experts (priority 2.3.3). In relation to this, the Justice Sector Reform Strategy Action Plan[2] stipulates the following specific actions for the achievement of the abovementioned objectives: strengthening the capacities of forensic medicine laboratories (DNA analysis) (Activity 2.3.1.1) and drafting of the methodologies for each type of forensic expertise (Activity 2.3.1.6).

Government Regulation on the National Centre of Forensic Expertise of the Ministry of Justice, No 1052 as of 12 September 2006 stipulates that the National Centre of Forensic Expertise of the Ministry of Justice serves the purpose of a coordinating agency in relation to forensic expertise, while the Centre of Forensic Medicine of the Ministry of Health has exclusive competence over forensic medical expertise.

The Centre of Forensic Medicine faces a number of capacity, institutional, and operational gaps: the forensic experts use outdated methods of laboratory investigation; the facilities are inadequate and need refurbishment; and the laboratory conditions have insufficient illumination and ventilation systems. These issues result from lack of institutional and financial capacities include “lack of uniformed quality standards and no approved and validated methods and procedures that would ensure integrity and identity of the evidence throughout the forensic process”, as well as “lack of sufficient, predictable and stable funding to meet even the needs of a daily work, no adequate equipment, instruments, daily materials, appropriate laboratory and other facilities to conduct basic forensic investigations”.[3]

These gaps were partially addressed by the EU-UNDP Project “Strengthening the forensic examination of torture and other forms of ill-treatment in Moldova” implemented in 2011-2012 which provided the laboratories of the Centre of Forensic Medicine with modernised equipment to conduct histological, toxicological and other investigations, IT equipment to cover the Centre`s basic needs, and a number of specialized books to provide access to modern forensic literature to the Centre staff and experts.

In order to address the needs identified in the Justice Sector Reform Strategy Action Plan, and ensure the sustainability of efforts, further support is necessary, especially in order to ensure and increase the capacity of the Centre of Forensic Medicine. Establishing a DNA Profiling system is one of the pressing needs for the justice system in the RM for ensuring the effectiveness and success of the criminal investigations, as well as contributing to the higher public trust in the justice system in the RM.

At the present moment, there is no State-run DNA Profiling Laboratory that can be used for forensic expertise to contribute to evidence-gathering for criminal investigations and subsequent prosecutions in RM. The Centre of Forensic Medicine lacks the premises, equipment, capacities, facilities and knowledge to ensure efficient running of a DNA Profiling Laboratory to perform DNA analysis for forensic and crime investigation purposes and civil cases (e.g. paternity tests). Consequently, conducting a needs assessment and a feasibility analysis for the establishment of a DNA Profiling Laboratory will be an important step for ensuring an effective DNA Profiling system, including later establishment of a DNA database and other components, which are expected to contribute to a more effective and fair justice system in the RM.

[1] http://justice.gov.md/public/files/file/reforma_sectorul_justitiei/srsj_pa_srsj/SRSJen.pdf

[2] http://justice.gov.md/public/files/file/reforma_sectorul_justitiei/srsj_pa_srsj/PA_SRSJ_adoptaten.pdf

[3] “Feasibility Study on Forensic Infrastructure in the Republic of Moldova and the Findings of the External Audit of the Centre of Forensic Medicine”. UNDP Moldova, December 2011. http://www.undp.md/publications/Forensics_Feasibility_External%20Audit_Report_EN.pdf

Devoirs et responsabilités

The scope of work of the International Consultants will be:

Conducting a needs assessment and feasibility study for the set up and creation of a DNA Profiling Laboratory for forensic and crime investigation purposes and civil cases (e.g. paternity tests) at the Centre of Forensic Medicine;
Recommending further practical steps to be taken by the Centre of Forensic Medicine, National Centre of Forensic Expertise and relevant actors and stakeholders in order to set up and run a successful, effective, efficient, and accountable DNA Profiling Laboratory for forensic and crime investigation purposes and civil cases (e.g. paternity tests).

In order to achieve the objectives and to implement the abovementioned activities the International Consultants will work together and will:

Conduct a desk analysis and assessment of:

The international standards and commonly used methodologies of performing and combining DNA profiling for forensic and civil purposes world-wide;
Relevant population statistics, crime rates, rates of mortality as result of violent crimes, criminal investigations and other relevant data to determine an estimated amount of work (average cases a year requiring DNA profiling Laboratories for forensic and crime investigation purposes) to be performed by the DNA Profiling Laboratory in RM;
Current technical capacities (including infrastructure and human resources), resources and constraints of the Centre of Forensic Medicine;

Develop and present a final report in English on the consultancy undertaken including recommendations on:

Which investigative and DNA profiling methodology and approach would be most appropriate considering:

Cost-effectiveness;
Cultural, societal norms in the context of the RM;
Financial resources and restrictions;
Available capacities in the RM;
Future plans related to DNA profiling and using DNA in the justice system in the RM (draft law for establishment of a DNA database, etc.)
Other relevant factors and particularities in the context of the RM.

Equipment and materials (including consumables) needed to sustainably maintain the Laboratory.

Human resources (experts, professional and technical staff, supporting/administrative staff, etc.) and organizational chart for a well-functioning DNA Profiling Laboratory.

Design (elements of space) and specifications of the DNA Profiling Laboratory considering the identified needs, constraints and the applicable international and regional standards (EU legal documents, ESS Standards, ISO 17025, etc.).

A list of administrative, technical and quality assurance procedures to be developed to ensure the security, efficiency and accountability of the personnel and the data at the DNA Profiling Laboratory.

Throughout the whole assignment, the International Consultants may undertake any other tasks related to the assignment as requested.

Compétences

Proven commitment to the core values of the United Nations; in particular, is respectful of differences of culture, gender, religion, ethnicity, nationality, language, age, HIV status, disability, and sexual orientation, or other status;
Extensive knowledge of DNA profiling for criminal investigation and forensic purposes and civil cases;
Knowledge and experience in gathering, analysing and evaluating information and data from a variety of sources.

Personal qualities:

Responsibility;
Creativity;
Flexibility;
Punctuality.

Qualifications et expériences requises

Academic Qualifications:

Master’s Degree or equivalent (5-year university education) in Law, Law-enforcement, Criminology, Biology, Genetics, Forensics or other relevant field;

Years and sphere of experience:

At least 5 years of experience working in DNA profiling for civil and/or criminal purposes, laboratories specialised in DNA profiling, Evidence Screening and DNA Case Analysis;
Demonstrable experience in conducting criminal, civil or other kinds of DNA Analysis and knowledge of DNA profiling skills, tools and techniques;
Experience providing expert advice, consulting services for similar types of assignments with similar deliverables would be a strong advantage;

Languages:

English or Russian language proficiency;
Knowledge of Romanian language would be an advantage.

Application procedure:

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

Cover letter:

Explaining why they are the most suitable for the work, incl. a list of analytical documents, reports, research conducted on DNA profiling for civil and/or criminal purposes, laboratories specialised in DNA profiling, Evidence Screening and DNA Case Analysis, or other task related documents the applicant has elaborated or contributed to;
Providing a brief methodology on how they will approach and conduct the work;

Financial proposal as a lump sum in US Dollars, preferably split per each deliverable (which includes the fee, and all travel costs for two short missions to Moldova). For detailed information on travel requirements, please, refer to Annex 1 – Terms of Reference;

Personal information (as a detailed CV or as a Personal History Form/P11) including records on past experience in similar projects/assignments and concrete outputs obtained, including names of 3 reference persons and their contacts.

Note

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