International Consultant_Capacity building assistance on Second Line Checks for Moldovan national border authorities

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 the state policy on Integrated Border Management (IBM), and in preventing and combating cross-border criminality for ensuring the integrity and security of the country. Following the granting of EU candidate status to the Republic of Moldova in June 2022, GIBP is required to undergo important reforms and align 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 reforms are multifaceted and aim to improve core integrated border management activities performed by the national authorities, in line with the EU standards and practices.

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 specific border management challenges by strengthening the institutional and operational capabilities of border authorities.  

The GIBP has committed to review its training system and processes in line with EU Sectoral Qualification Framework for Border Guard (SQF). According to the EU rules governing the crossing of borders by persons, second line checks (SLC) are an essential part of border control, involving additional, thorough inspections away from first line checkpoints. These ensure that passengers screened during first line checks at border crossings are identified and referred for additional checks in line with national legislation and procedures.  

However, the GIBP has been facing significant challenges to ensure conformity in this area, due to the lack of a dedicated curriculum, training resources and skilled personnel to perform second line checks. 

Therefore, IOM Moldova has launched a comprehensive capacity building initiative for strengthening border officers’ skills on Second Line Checks (SLC) in line with SQF. This initiative includes a number of important components, as following:

1. Strengthening the understanding of and national capacity on document verification and document security techniques – in this sense, IOM will organize a 5-day workshop on the inspection of travel documents and use of associated equipment for the detection of forged documents. As an important didactic tool, IOM will utilize the latest edition (3rd) of its own “Passport Examination Procedure Manual” (PEPM). This manual offers valuable information on genuine document material and production, document examination, immigration operating environment, equipment, procedures, reports and examination skills.  The workshop group will be constituted of about 18-20 relevant personnel of the GIBP, Academy “Stefan cel Mare”, Customs Service (CS), General Inspectorate for Migration (GIM) and Agency of Public Services (ASP);
2. Supporting the development of a SLC curriculum for border personnel – a dedicated SLC curriculum will be developed in coordination with national authorities, in line with SQF, to be available for border staff. It will cover inter alia topics like profiling and identification tools, interviewing techniques, document verification, detection of forged documents for effective identification of impostors, vulnerability screening, and right sensitive SLC.
3. Organizing a SLC Trainings of Trainers (ToT) for border management specialists - a minimum 10-day ToT will be organized to strengthen the capacities of border trainers and specialists in the SLC domain. A number of about 16 participants will be selected to attend the ToT based on their knowledge and skills in SLC and ability to deliver trainings. The training group will be constituted of representatives of the GIBP and Academy. SLC ToT may be replicated upon the subsequent request of national authorities and within allocated budget.
4. Coaching and guidance to ToT graduates - as a follow-up to ToT programme, selected ToT graduates will conduct under IOM supervision further training sessions for selected national border officials based on a Coaching Action Plan. This plan will include tailored individual and/or sessions designed to enhance the trainees’ capacity to deliver effective training, incorporating principles of adult learning. The training sessions delivered by the ToT participants will focus on SLC-selected topics. Continuous coaching and guidance from the IOM selected experts will play a critical role in reinforcing the knowledge acquired during the ToT and in supporting the trainees as they cascade this knowledge within their respective institutions.
5. Organizing a ToT on adult learning principles and interactive methodologies for provision of solid theoretical and practical foundation in adult learning to the trainers and instructors. This will include inter alia sessions on teaching, group dynamics, methods of adult learning and education; planning, organization and evaluation of trainings, designing curricula in continuing education. The target group will be constituted of GIBP and CS training officers who are in need of refreshing or improving their adult training knowledge and methods and who deliver or plan to deliver trainings on specific subjects.

IOM builds on the already established collaboration with national border authorities and 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.Project Context and Scope

  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).

TUnder the overall guidance of the IOM Chief of Mission and Programme Coordinator - Migration Governance, and the direct supervision of Programme Officer/IBG Unit, the selected Consultant(s) will be responsible to:

1. develop trainings/workshops materials and agendas according to the set deliverables, such as training agendas, presentations, materials, handouts, pre and post tests and questionnaires to measure the trainees competences in knowledge and skills,;
2. define requirements in terms of equipment needed for training/workshop sessions;
3. adopt a practical and applicative approach to trainings/workshops delivery, apply innovative, interactive and dynamic adult education training methods, presentation of topics in diverse ways, assigning individual, pair and group tasks, presenting and analyzing case studies, simulation exercises;
4. undertake travels to and inside Moldova as needed for the implementation of activities as described in the Terms of Reference.;
5. prepare, coordinate and convene all working meetings with national authorities and IOM team, including dedicated progress meetings to discuss/review progress in the implementation of activities and flag any pending matters; 
6. prepare and submit reports as defined in the plan of deliverables with recommendations for further capacity building;
7. plan and structure the main stages for the SLC curriculum development and alignment to SQF in collaboration and close coordination with the key staff of the GIBP and PA, including through the organisation and facilitation of dedicated workshops and interactions;
8. define and propose clear methodologies and checklists for SLC curriculum development and develop SLC curriculum content aligned to SQF in close coordination with GIBP and Academy;
9. plan, prepare and lead the implementation of a SLC Coaching Action Plan incorporating individual and/or group coaching sessions in close coordination with ToT trainees who would be delivering training sessions to their peers based on obtained knowledge and skills;

Expected Outputs and Deliverables

Nr.

Deliverables

Period

Instalment

1.

Finalised PEPM workshop package, to include: the final Workshop Report upon activity completion (activity analysis, wrap-up analysis of pre- and post-workshop tests and the survey, agenda with objectives, presentations and other materials used for workshop delivery).

By end December, 2025

1

2

SLC Curriculum Inception report to include methodology for SLC curriculum development and its alignment to SQF, draft SLC layout and table of content, feedback on the workshop for the discussion of the draft layout and the follow-up action plan as agreed with national authorities.

By end - November, 2025

2

3.

Finalised SLC ToT training package to include ToT report upon activity completion (activity analysis, wrap-up analysis of pre- and post-workshop tests and the survey, agenda with objectives, presentations and other materials used for ToT delivery.

By end December, 2025 

3

4.

SLC Coaching Plan to include methodology, analyses of the coaching process and of the training sessions delivered by SLC ToT graduates, lessons learned.

By end of March, 2026

3

5.

Finalised ToT in adult teaching training package to include final training report upon completion (activity analysis, wrap-up analysis ofpre- and post-workshop tests and the survey, agenda with objectives, presentations, and other materials used for workshop delivery).

By end of April, 2026

4

6.

Final Report to include: the final SLC curriculum content aligned to SQF and reviewed by the national authorities, wrap-up analysis of workshops, lessons learned, follow-up steps and recommendations for further capacity building actions towards sustainable implementation of SLC curriculum and activities by the Moldovan border management authorities.

By end June 2026

2

The Consultant’ 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 should possess higher education in the filed of border control.  

Experience

• Didactic experience in SLC training with border police;
• Experience in curriculum design and SQF;
• At least 8 years of experience in law enforcement or border management sector.
• Prior work experience with an international organization and proven experience in supporting national authorities in capacity building, such as delivery of trainings, workshops and coaching;
• 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
• Strong understanding of EU Integrated Border Management concepts

Languages

For this position, good English command is required. Romanian 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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