International Consultant – Expert Lawyer Programme Developer & Trainer

According to the 2020 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report of the United States (U.S.) Department of State[1], Azerbaijan is a country of origin, transit and destination for men, women and children subjected to forced labour and sex trafficking within the country and abroad. The report also emphasizes the importance to vigorously investigate, prosecute, and convict traffickers and sentence convicted traffickers to adequate penalties, which should involve significant prison terms. The recommendation on proper prosecution draws the attention on the importance of adequate legal assistance to victim and presumed victim of trafficking (VoT) for the restoration of their rights. In this context, in recent years, the Government of Azerbaijan (GoAZ) put emphasis on increasing the number of lawyers with Bar membership and strengthening the pool of lawyers providing free legal assistance aimed at increasing the level of interest to defend beneficiaries with State paid fee rates. However, the number of lawyers trained and/or specialized on TIP is low and the access to proper legal assistance for victims and presumed victims of TIP is difficult and challenging.

Since 2015, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Azerbaijan implements the project “Counter-Trafficking in Persons (C-TIP) Activity” funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) aiming at assisting the GoAz to further improve the country’s effectiveness in preventing and combating human trafficking and forced labour through raising public awareness on TIP and providing technical and financial support to the civil society organization (CSOs) operating shelters for assisting potential and actual VoT and forced labour, as well as pursuing victim-centered/human rights-based approaches which should be emphasized through services provided by lawyers and paralegal.

According to the 2019 report of the GoAz on TIP, the Prosecutors office and Police disclosed in total 226 cases of TIP, forced labour, and documentation fraud with the purpose of trafficking. In respect to the number of disclosed cases (226), only 27 traffickers were convicted with imprisonment, which sounds respectively lower. This brings the importance of improving effectiveness of proper investigation and in parallel ensuring the provision of quality legal support through the investigation process. In this context, IOM plans to improve victim-centered/human rights-based approaches through services provided by lawyers and paralegals developing a tailored training program for lawyers on TIP, forced labour and assistance to vulnerable population and facilitate a 4-day Training for lawyers on the programmed subject (Activity 2.3.2 of the C-TIP Project). The purpose is to increase the pool of lawyers trained on forms of human exploitation, in particular TIP.

Under the overall supervision of the Chief of Mission, the direct supervision of the Counter-Trafficking Officer, the successful candidate will develop a training curriculum on TIP, forced labour and assistance to at risk of trafficking and exploitation, as well as potential victims of trafficking. Following the approval of the training program, the international consultant will travel to Baku to conduct a 4-day advanced training for lawyers.

1. Objectives

2. Availability of tailored Training Program on the international and national framework to combat TIP, forced labour and assistance to people at risk of trafficking and exploitation, as well as potential victims of trafficking targeted for lawyers contextualized to the National Referral System (NRM) and the Standard Action Procedures (SAP) of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

3. Creation of a pool of 15 lawyers trained in respective topic.

4. Ensure the integration of Victim-Centered and Trauma-Informed approaches by defining a systematic focus on the needs and concerns of the victims and compassionate and sensitive delivery of legal services.

5. Core functions/responsibilities

· The international consultant will work in close coordination with IOM Azerbaijan Counter-Trafficking (CT) Team in Baku and representatives Trainings and Legal Aid Center of Bar Association to develop the Training Program throughout the consultancy period.

· The international consultant will develop Training Program (Training Materials) covering international legislation and aligned with national context upon information provided by local Project Team.

· Based on the list of participants, provided by IOM, the Consultant will facilitate a 4-day advanced training for practical Lawyers in Baku (training material, additional documentation, etc.) ensuring the needs of participants are met and produce a report of the training session.

1. Expected deliverables

a) ToT Program, curriculum, and training materials including Manual and, Power Point presentations, training notes and accompanying material and documentation, evaluation forms, exercises and case studies.

b) Report of the ToT in Baku with evaluation of the participants.

1. Resources and timing

Expenses for this consultancy will be covered by IOM C-TIP Project based on working day rates. Work will be carried out over a 5-week period between mid-April and mid-June 2021.

This consultancy is home-based with a field visit to Baku, Azerbaijan. Logistical and travel assistance will be provided through IOM Azerbaijan country office.

Education

· Master’s degree in Law or a related field from an accredited academic institution with five years of relevant professional experience; or

· University degree in the above fields with seven years of relevant professional experience.

Experience

· Advanced knowledge on Legal baseline and legal understanding of TIP globally and in the neighboring regions such as Europe, Russia, Turkey, Iran and Central Asia. as well as experience in designing and delivering specialized theoretical and practical courses for lawyers in the region and beyond with focus of countering human trafficking and legal assistance of victims of trafficking.

· Strong trainer skill on designing and carrying interactive and well-structured training for law professionals.

· Strong analytical and writing skills to develop counter trafficking training materials for practical lawyers.

· Sound knowledge on international legislation on Human trafficking.

Languages

· Fluency in English is required. Working knowledge of Russian, Azerbaijani or Turkish is an advantage.

The consultant is expected to demonstrate the following competencies:

· Inclusion and respect for diversity respects and promotes individual and cultural differences; encourages diversity and inclusion wherever possible.

· Integrity and transparency: maintain 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.

· Teamwork: contributes to a collegial team environment; incorporates gender-related needs, perspectives, concerns and promotes equal gender participation.

· Delivering results: produces and delivers quality results in a service-oriented and timely manner; is action oriented and committed to achieving agreed outcomes.

· Continuous Learning: promotes continuous learning for self and others

· Accountability: takes responsibility for action and manages constructive criticisms

· Communication: listens and communicates clearly, adapting delivery to the audience