International Consultant_Specialised support to Moldovan Border Police for professional curriculum development in line with Frontex Common Core Curriculum

The General Inspectorate of Border Police (GIBP) under the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MAI) of the Republic of Moldova has a key role in implementing  state policy on Integrated Border Management (IBM), and in preventing and combating cross-border criminality, as guided by the IBM Action Plan for 2022-2025. Following the granting of EU candidate status for the Republic of Moldova in June 2022, GIBP is required to undergo important reforms for aligning to EU standards and best practices according to the National Action Plan for the accession of the Republic of Moldova to the European Union for 2024 – 2027 and the Ministry of Internal Affairs’ (MIA) Roadmap for the implementation of priority activities for the European integration in the sphere of internal affairs.

The project “Enhancing the Border Police’s operational and training capacity towards strengthened border management in the Republic of Moldova” financially supported by the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) within the United States Department of State and implemented by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), contributes to addressing multifaceted border management challenges by strengthening the institutional and operational capabilities of border authorities.  

The GIBP has committed to align its professional curriculum to the Frontex Common Core Curriculum (Frontex CCC), which sets learning standards for border police at operational level in EU Member States in line with EU Sectoral Qualification Framework for Border Guard (SQF), while taking into account the national context. This alignment will offer the opportunity to border police graduates to obtain skills and qualifications compatible with other EU countries and will contribute to ensuring interoperability, coherence, and uniformity of border security operations, including in a border crisis situation. The aligning of border police training system with the international standards meets one of the objectives included in the National plan "Building European Moldova" as priority No. 7 - “Securing National Borders of Republic of Moldova.''

The training center of the Border Police known formerly as the Centre of Excellence in Border Security (CEBS), has been integrated into the Academy “Ștefan cel Mare” in November 2024 by Government Decision 789. CEBS has since been renamed the Special Competences Training Department within the Academy. As such, the Academy is currently the only higher education institution in the country responsible for training border police at all levels. Its training programs are accredited by the Ministry of Education to provide both initial and continuing education for new and existing border officials, ensuring they possess the necessary skills for state border surveillance and control missions.

Before the reorganization of the Academy, GIBP, through a previously established working group responsible for developing methodology and training materials for border officers, examined and finalized the alignment of the training curriculum with the Frontex CCC. Successful completion of this training program results in the award of a secondary education diploma and a Bachelor's degree in border security, targeting students/pupils and sub-officers, respectively. However, at the request of the GIBP's Department for Professional Development, specialized support is still required to validate and ensure the curriculum's full compliance with the Frontex CCC. Additionally, the higher education program for border officers - leading to a Bachelor's degree (first cycle) and managed by the newly established Chair “Border Security, Migration and Asylum” within the Academy - also needs to be evaluated and adjusted to meet the standards of the Frontex CCC.

Specialised expertise is needed to support national authorities in reviewing and validating the results of the previously implemented assessment of the first-cycle border police training program—targeted at students and sub-officers pursuing a secondary education diploma or a Bachelor’s degree in border security—and adjust the CCC-aligned components as necessary, ensuring alignment of content, competencies, and learning outcomes with the objectives of the Frontex CCC. Furthermore, additional expertise is needed to fully assess and adapt the remaining components of the first-cycle training program for officers to the Frontex CCC, with the ultimate goal of achieving a complete alignment and validation of the national Border Police curriculum with the CCC in its entirety for the initial training cycle.

Based on the findings and recommendations from this evaluation, new programs and/or learning modules will be designed and developed to address identified gaps, enhance learning outcomes, and ensure the curriculum remains current and impactful. This process will incorporate the mainstreaming of cross-cutting issues such as human rights, migrants' rights, countering migrant smuggling, protection and safeguarding principles, as well as implementation approaches grounded in andragogical (adult learning) principles.

The evaluation exercise will also consider the specific requirements of the national context for curriculum accreditation by the National Agency for Curriculum and Assessment (ANCE), under the Ministry of Education and Research, which is responsible for ensuring quality and development within the educational system of the Republic of Moldova.

IOM builds on the already established collaboration with GIBP and based on the national authority’s request, adopts a structured approach in providing specialized assistance. Such assistance is provided from the perspective of IOM’s mandate and expertise, and in collaboration with other relevant national authorities. 

  Organizational Department / Unit to which the Consultant is contributing

Migration Governance, Immigration and Border Management

IB 0502 – “Enhancing the Border Police’s operational and training capacity towards strengthened border management in the Republic of Moldova” financially supported by the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL).

 

Core Curriculum Development

1. review documentation, materials and documents supporting the activities related to the consultancy;
2. engage with national stakeholders, support the organization of consultations and interactions, meetings;
3. prepare presentations, briefings, reports and info sheets related to the consultancy deliverables;
4. convene, prepare, and coordinate all working meetings with GIBP, Academy and IOM team, including dedicated progress meetings to present updates on agreed deliverables, and flag any pending matters; 
5. undertake travels to and inside Moldova as needed for the implementation of assessment objectives;
6. plan and structure the main stages for the core curriculum assessment in coordination with the working group established by national authorities and in close collaboration with key staff of GIBP’s Department for Professional Development and Academy “Stefan cel Mare” (PA);
7. define clear methodologies and checklists for curricula assessment and its adjustment to Frontex CCC;
8. conduct a desk review of the core curriculum for border police in alignment with the objectives set out in the Frontex CCC and draft a layout of the recommended core curriculum; 
9. organize and facilitate workshops to a)initially structure the work process, b)present the findings of the assessment and discuss the proposed curriculum layout with the national authorities, c) validate the adjusted core curriculum according to the agreed action plan and fine-tune the final product, as needed;
10. coordinate with IOM staff and consultants in the implementation of activities, as needed.

Sectoral Qualifications Framework

1. Prepare, plan and deliver training sessions/workshops on Sectorial Qualification Framework and on designing training curricula aligned to SQF for Border Guarding with clearly defined learning outcomes, targeting a mixed groups of trainers and instructors;
2. prepare training agenda, materials, handouts, tests to be applied before and after the training to measure the trainees competences and their progress upon completing the training, as well as post-training questionnaires to assess the training content and approaches, trainers’ performance and organizational aspects;
3. adopt a practical and applicative model to training delivery, apply innovative, interactive and dynamic adult education training methods, presentation of topics in diverse ways, assign individual, pair and group tasks, present and analyze case studies, simulation exercises;
4. prepare and submit reports, as defined in the deliverables plan.

Expected Outputs and Deliverables

NoDeliverablesPeriodInstalment  1.Report on SQF trainings/workshops delivery (modular approach), together with developed materials, pre- and post-training tests, surveys and recommendationsBy end December 20251 2.Inception report for national curriculum alignment to CCC, to include desk review and conclusions, methodology for the assessment, intended layout of the final product, conclusions of the initial consultation workshop and intended work-plan By end December, 20251 3.

Final National Border Management curriculum aligned to Frontex CCC reviewed by the national authorities

By end June, 20262 4.Final report with overall conclusions of the consultancy including analysis of workshops, lessons learned, and recommendations for follow-up activitiesBy end June, 20262 

PERFORMANCE INDICATORS FOR THE EVALUATION OF RESULTS

     The Consultants’ performance will be evaluated against the following criteria:

1. Timeliness. Satisfactory completion of tasks indicated in this TOR
2. Feedback from the stakeholders 
3. Quality of the reports 

Education

The Consultant(s) should possess an advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in one or more of the following fields: Border security/management, Law enforcement, Education and training (especially curriculum design), International relations, migration, or security studies

Experience

• Thorough knowledge of theories and methodologies of curriculum assessment and design;
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in training organization/delivery;
• At least 10 years of experience in the law enforcement or border management sector.
• Demonstrated experience in, knowledge of, and agility with new learning technologies, including digital ones, in a fast-paced -changing environment; 
• Proven knowledge of Frontex CCC is a strong asset. Preferred: Involvement in previous projects that aligned national training curricula to Frontex CCC or supported pre-accession EU states with border police reforms; 
• Prior work experience with an international organization and proven experience in supporting national authorities in capacity building;
• Excellent drafting skills as well as capacity to analyse complex institutional frameworks/systems and make recommendations on this basis;
• Excellent ability to collaborate with national institutions;
• Personal commitment, efficiency, flexibility, drive for results;
• Ability to work effectively and harmoniously with counterparts and colleagues from varied cultures and professional backgrounds;
• Previous consultancy experience for border and migration management institutions is a key asset;
• Strong understanding of the Moldova context on migration and border management is an asset.

Languages

For this position, good English command is required. Romanian command is a key advantage.

Travel Required

YES – in case of an international Consultant, from the duty station to Moldova as agreed with the programme manager.

Required Competencies IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link. Competencies will be assessed during the selection process. Values - all IOM staff members must abide by and demonstrate these three values:

• Inclusion and respect for diversity: Respects and promotes individual and cultural differences. Encourages diversity and inclusion.
• Integrity and transparency: Maintains high ethical standards and acts in a manner consistent with organizational principles/rules and standards of conduct.
• Professionalism: Demonstrates ability to work in a composed, competent and committed manner and exercises careful judgment in meeting day-to-day challenges.
• Courage: Demonstrates willingness to take a stand on issues of importance.
• Empathy: Shows compassion for others, makes people feel safe, respected and fairly treated.

Core Competencies – behavioural indicators

• Teamwork: Develops and promotes effective collaboration within and across units to achieve shared goals and optimize results.
• Delivering results: Produces and delivers quality results in a service-oriented and timely manner. Is action oriented and committed to achieving agreed outcomes.
• Managing and sharing knowledge: Continuously seeks to learn, share knowledge and innovate.
• Accountability: Takes ownership for achieving the Organization’s priorities and assumes responsibility for own actions and delegated work.
• Communication: Encourages and contributes to clear and open communication. Explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way.

Notes

1. Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation.
2. Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, verification of residency, visa, and authorizations by the concerned Government, where applicable.
3. IOM covers Consultants against occupational accidents and illnesses under the Compensation Plan (CP), free of charge, for the duration of the consultancy. IOM does not provide evacuation or medical insurance for reasons related to non-occupational accidents and illnesses. Consultants are responsible for their own medical insurance for non-occupational accident or illness and will be required to provide written proof of such coverage before commencing work.
4. IOM has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and IOM, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities.
5. IOM does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, processing, training or other fee). IOM does not request any information related to bank accounts.
6. IOM only accepts duly completed applications submitted through the IOM online recruitment system. The online tool also allows candidates to track the status of their application.

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