Ref.
2026/ESOJJTVAWPIIC/16338
Job offer type
Experts
Type of contract
Service contract
Deadline date
2026/10/23 23:55
Duration of the assignment
Long term
Duration
45 months
Expert Services on Juvenile Justice to Victim and Witness Protection in International Crimes (M/W)
Département Géographique - GEO > DP - Ukraine
Published on : 2026/10/09
CONTINENTAL EUROPE
UKRAINE
KYIV
Mission description
Description of the assignment
1) Planned activities
The Expert shall work under the overall supervision of the Key Expert on Accountability for Core International Crimes and Pillar 2 Lead, and in close coordination with other Project experts and relevant beneficiary institutions.
Depending on the specific assignment and area of expertise, the Expert may be required to provide some or all of the following services:
A. Case development and review support
• Provide expert advice and practical support to investigative and prosecutorial authorities in the development and review of cases concerning core international crimes with a focus on the treatment, protection and participation of victims and witnesses with specific focus on children.
• Advise on the application of victim- and witness-centred, trauma-informed and child-sensitive approaches throughout investigations and criminal proceedings.
• Advise on the identification of victims and witnesses requiring specific protection measures or tailored support, with particular attention to children and other vulnerable victims and witnesses.
• Advise on approaches to interviewing (child) victims and witnesses, including measures to prevent re-traumatisation, secondary victimisation and unnecessary repeated interviewing, while safeguarding the integrity and evidentiary value of testimony.
B. Legal opinions, analytical notes and comparative studies
• Prepare legal opinions, analytical notes, case assessments, comparative studies and other expert products on relevant international and European standards and practices concerning victims, witnesses and children in domestic criminal proceedings.
• Analyse relevant national and international jurisprudence and comparative practice, concerning victims’ and witnesses’ rights, protection and participation, including the treatment of children and other vulnerable individual.
• Identify lessons and good practices applicable to the protection of victims and witnesses and the implementation of victim- and witness-centred approaches in proceedings concerning of core international crimes in Ukraine.
• Provide written responses to legal questions submitted by the Project or relevant beneficiary institutions.
C. Advisory support on evidentiary and procedural issues
• Advise on rights, protection measures and meaningful participation of victims and witnesses in complex international-crimes cases.
• Advise on the collection, preservation, authentication, assessment and use of documentary, digital, open-source, testimonial and other forms of evidence.
• Advise on victim- and witness-sensitive interviewing practices, including child-sensitive and trauma-informed approaches, and measures to prevent re-traumatisation and secondary victimisation.
• Support the identification of practical solutions to complex or recurring evidentiary and procedural challenges concerning the treatment, protection and participation of victims and witnesses in criminal proceedings.
D. Methodologies, standards and legal framework
• Support the development and review of guidelines, methodologies, standard operating procedures, investigative and prosecutorial standards, practical tools and training materials.
• Support the institutional and operational development of the Victims and Witnesses Coordination Centre, including the development and improvement of its working methods, referral mechanisms, coordination arrangements and services for victims and witnesses.
• Advise relevant justice-sector institutions on the development and alignment of the domestic legal and institutional framework governing core international crimes with applicable international law, relevant jurisprudence and recognised good practices.
• Provide expert input into legislative and policy initiatives concerning concerning the rights, protection and participation of victims and witnesses in proceeding of core international crimes, where requested.
E. Training and capacity development
• Design and deliver training sessions, workshops, seminars, mentoring and other capacity-development activities on victim- and witness-centred, trauma-informed and child-sensitive approaches for investigators, prosecutors, Victims and Witnesses Coordination Centre staff, judges and court staff, defence counsel and other relevant justice-sector professionals.
• Prepare training agendas, presentations, case studies, practical exercises, legal materials and other training resources.
• Facilitate discussions on the application of relevant international and European standards and good practices concerning victims’ and witnesses’ rights and protection in domestic proceedings.
F. Coordination, cooperation and analytical support
• Participate, where required, in expert working groups, case-review groups, consultations and coordination mechanisms involving Ukrainian authorities, international experts and partner organisations.
• Contribute to strengthening cooperation and knowledge exchange between investigative, prosecutorial and judicial actors, including the dissemination of lessons learned and good practices.
• Contribute expert inputs to Project reports, studies, policy papers, recommendations, presentations and other outputs.
• Comply with all applicable confidentiality, data-protection, security, ethics and conflict-of-interest requirements.
• Perform other related tasks reasonably requested by the Project within the scope of the assignment.
2) Anticipated deliverables
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Deliverables: |
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D1. Inception and planning package. An inception document setting out the Expert’s understanding of the assignment, proposed approach and methodology, priority thematic areas, planned activities, coordination arrangements, indicative work plan and expected outputs, prepared in consultation with the Key Expert and relevant Project experts. |
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D2. Case development and review support. Expert advice and practical inputs provided to investigative and prosecutorial authorities on the development and review of cases concerning core international crimes, with a focus on the treatment, interviewing, protection and participation of victims and witnesses, particularly children and other vulnerable victims and witnesses, in written or oral form as agreed with the Project. |
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D3. Legal opinions, analytical notes and comparative studies. Expert products on substantive, procedural and evidentiary issues concerning victims’ and witnesses’ rights, protection and participation, and their application in domestic proceedings, including analysis of relevant international, hybrid and domestic jurisprudence and comparative practice. |
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D4. Advice on victim- and witness-centred approaches. Strategic advisory inputs concerning the implementation of victim- and witness-centred, trauma-informed and child-sensitive approaches, including measures to prevent re-traumatisation, secondary victimisation and unnecessary repeated interviewing, and to strengthen the protection and meaningful participation of victims and witnesses. |
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D5. Guidelines, methodologies and practical tools. Contributions to the development or review of guidelines, methodologies, standard operating procedures, investigative and prosecutorial standards, practical tools and training materials. |
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D6. Legislative and institutional framework inputs. Expert inputs into legislative and policy initiatives and into the alignment of the domestic legal and institutional framework with applicable international law, relevant jurisprudence and recognised good practices, where requested. |
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D7. Training and capacity-development package. Preparation and delivery of agreed training sessions, workshops, seminars, mentoring and other capacity-development activities, including agendas, presentations, case studies, practical exercises, training materials and brief activity reports, as appropriate. |
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D8. Participation in working groups and coordination mechanisms. Expert participation in working groups, case-review groups, consultations and coordination mechanisms, together with summaries of expert positions and recommendations, as requested. |
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D9. Coordination and progress reporting. Regular participation in coordination meetings and submission of periodic activity and progress reports, including a summary of work performed, documents prepared or reviewed, consultations held, activities delivered, outputs produced, issues encountered and proposed next steps. |
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D10. Final expert report. A consolidated report summarising the scope of the assignment, activities undertaken, advisory and analytical support provided, capacity-development activities, key findings, identified challenges, recommendations and proposed areas for further assistance. |
3) Consultation
The Expert shall work under the overall supervision of the Key Expert on Accountability for Core International Crimes and Pillar 2 Lead.
The Expert shall maintain regular communication with the designated Project experts concerning the prioritisation and allocation of advisory, analytical and capacity-development tasks; the scope, methodology and expected outputs of expert products; cases, legal questions and factual materials requiring assessment; consultations with the Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine and other relevant beneficiaries; the preparation and delivery of training, workshops and capacity-development activities; participation in working groups and coordination mechanisms; the submission, review and revision of deliverables; and any circumstances that may affect the quality, timeliness or impartiality of the assignment.
The Expert shall promptly communicate any potential conflict of interest, confidentiality concern or other circumstance that may affect the performance of the assignment.
4) Implementation period
Start date: October 2026
End date: June 2030
Effective duration of the assignment: 45 months
5) Place of performance
The assignment shall primarily be performed on a home-based basis. Frequent travel to and within Ukraine may be required, upon formal request by Expertise France and subject to applicable security and contractual arrangements.
Participation in meetings, consultations and other Project activities may take place in person or online, subject to prior agreement with the Programme Key Expert.
VI. Assignment reports
The expert shall provide periodic activity and progress reporting in accordance with the contractual modality and Programme procedures. This may include monthly or periodic progress reports and timesheets, as applicable, summarizing work performed, tasks completed, documents prepared or reviewed, meetings and consultations attended, outputs produced, issues encountered and proposed next steps. All substantive deliverables shall be submitted to Expertise France for review and acceptance, and consolidated comments shall be addressed within the agreed timeframe.
VII. Monitoring-evaluation
Performance indicators
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Deliverables |
Immediate effects |
Intermediate effects |
Verification sources |
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Inception and planning package |
An agreed methodology, work plan, priority thematic areas and coordination arrangements are established. |
A coherent and systematic approach to expert advisory and capacity-development support is established. |
Approved inception package; work plan; agreed methodology; coordination records. |
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Case development and review support |
Cases and case materials are reviewed and expert advice on qualification, case theory, liability and evidence is provided. |
Improved quality, focus and sustainability of complex and leadership-level cases. |
Advisory notes; case-review records; consultation records; beneficiary feedback. |
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Legal opinions, analytical notes and comparative studies |
Relevant substantive, procedural and evidentiary issues are analysed and high-quality expert products are prepared. |
Consistent application of victim- and witness-centred approaches and relevant jurisprudence in domestic proceedings. |
Approved opinions and notes; comparative studies; underlying sources; review comments. |
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Advice on investigative and prosecutorial strategies |
Strategic questions of prioritisation, case selection and linkage are addressed. |
More strategic and better-sequenced accountability efforts by beneficiary institutions. |
Strategy notes; meeting minutes; beneficiary feedback. |
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Guidelines, methodologies and practical tools |
Guidelines, methodologies, standards and tools are developed or reviewed. |
Methodological approaches are institutionalised and applied beyond individual cases. |
Draft and final guidelines and methodologies; expert comments; adoption records. |
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Legislative and institutional framework inputs |
Expert inputs are provided to legislative and policy initiatives. |
The domestic framework is further aligned with applicable international law and good practices. |
Expert comments; working-group records; draft legal acts; policy papers. |
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Training and capacity-development package |
Training, workshops, mentoring and other activities are delivered in accordance with agreed objectives and methodology. |
Improved knowledge and practical skills of justice-sector professionals across the justice chain. |
Agendas; presentations; materials; attendance records; activity reports; participant feedback. |
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Participation in working groups and coordination mechanisms |
Expert positions and recommendations are presented in working groups and coordination formats. |
Strengthened cooperation and knowledge exchange among national and international actors. |
Meeting minutes; expert position papers; coordination records. |
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Coordination and progress reporting |
Regular coordination and reporting are conducted, and progress and challenges are documented. |
Improved coordination, timely identification of issues and effective implementation of the assignment. |
Progress reports; timesheets; meeting minutes; coordination records. |
VIII. Practical information
The expert shall comply with all applicable Expertise France contractual, administrative, security, confidentiality, data-protection, ethics, conflict-of-interest and visibility requirements. Participation in travel, events or activities outside the normal place of performance shall be subject to prior approval and applicable Programme procedures.
The working language of the assignment is English. Deliverables shall be prepared in English, unless otherwise requested by the Key Expert; translation into Ukrainian may be arranged by the Project where required by the beneficiary. The level of effort includes preparation, meetings, consultations, analysis, drafting, presentations and revision of outputs.
Project or context description
Context and justification of the need
The PravoJustice4EU Programme, implemented by Expertise France (EF) with funding from the European Union and the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, supports Ukrainian authorities in the continued reform and strengthening of the justice sector.
PravoJustice4EU is structured around two specific objectives: supporting the EU accession process by aligning the Ukrainian justice system with EU standards, including independence, efficiency, quality, integrity, transparency and access to justice; and supporting accountability for core international crimes in line with European and international standards while fostering a holistic transitional justice approach.
Within this framework, the Programme will continue to strengthen the institutional capacity of justice-sector bodies contributing to effective rule-of-law implementation, including institutions and professional communities involved in the investigation, prosecution and adjudication of international crimes.
The Project aims to support the Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine and other relevant justice-sector stakeholders in strengthening the legal and institutional framework for accountability for international crimes, improving the application of Ukrainian criminal legislation and international legal standards, and addressing substantive, procedural and evidentiary challenges arising in criminal cases and proceedings.
The International Expert on Juvenile Justice and Child-Sensitive Approaches to Victim and Witness Protection in International Crimes will provide specialised international expertise, advisory support and capacity-development assistance with particular focus on vulnerable victims/witnesses and children, including the application of working methods, referral mechanisms, coordination arrangements and services for victims and witnesses, in line with relevant European and international standards and good practices in domestic criminal proceedings.
The assignment will contribute to the development and review of complex cases, the strengthening of investigative and prosecutorial approaches to interviewing victims and witnesses, the alignment of the domestic legal and institutional framework with applicable international law, the professional development of Ukrainian justice-sector practitioners, and the exchange of experience between Ukrainian authorities and international accountability actors.
III. Objectives and desired results
1) General objective
To provide high-quality international expertise, advisory support and capacity-development assistance on victim- and witness-centered approaches in proceedings concerning core international crimes in Ukraine, thereby contributing to effective, credible accountability processes conducted in accordance with Ukrainian legislation, applicable international law and recognised international standards.
2) Specific objectives
· Provide expert advice and practical support on the implementation of victim and witness-centred, trauma-informed and child-sensitive approaches throughout the investigation, prosecution and adjudication of core international crimes.
· Undertake case reviews and provide expert advice concerning the treatment, interviewing, protection and participation of victims and witnesses, with particular attention to children and other vulnerable victims and witnesses.
· Advise investigative and prosecutorial authorities on approaches to interviewing victims and witnesses, including measures aimed at preventing re-traumatisation, secondary victimisation and unnecessary repeated interviewing, while safeguarding the integrity and evidentiary value of testimony.
· Provide expert advice and practical support to the relevant departments of the Office of the Prosecutor General and regional prosecutor’s offices dealing with children affected by international crimes and other vulnerable victims and witnesses.
· Support the institutional and operational development of the Victims and Witnesses Coordination Centre, including the development and improvement of its working methods, referral mechanisms, coordination arrangements and services for victims and witnesses, in line with relevant European and international standards and good practices.
· Provide expert advice on the procedural rights, protection and meaningful participation of victims and witnesses and specifically children in criminal proceedings concerning core international crimes.
· Prepare legal and analytical notes, assessments, recommendations and comparative studies on relevant international and European standards and practices concerning victims, witnesses and children in criminal proceedings.
· Design and deliver training, mentoring and other capacity-development activities for prosecutors, investigators, Victims and Witnesses Coordination Centre staff and other relevant justice-sector professionals.
· Participate, where required, in expert working groups, consultations, case-review groups and coordination mechanisms involving Ukrainian authorities, international experts and partner organisations.
Support the Programme's objectives concerning accountability for core international crimes, fair trial rights and the rule of law.
3) Anticipated results
· Strengthened implementation of victim- and witness-centred, trauma-informed and child-sensitive approaches throughout proceedings concerning core international crimes.
· Improved investigative and prosecutorial strategies, including treatment, interviewing, protection and participation of victims and witnesses, particularly children and other vulnerable victims and witnesses.
· High-quality legal opinions, analytical notes, assessments, recommendations and comparative studies informing the work of Ukrainian authorities and of the Project.
· Enhanced capacity of investigative and prosecutorial authorities to conduct victim- and witness-sensitive interviews while preventing re-traumatisation, secondary victimisation and unnecessary repeated interviewing.
· Improved handling of evidentiary and procedural issues, including digital, open-source and documentary evidence.
· Guidelines, methodologies, standard operating procedures and practical tools developed, reviewed or improved.
· The domestic legal and institutional framework further aligned with applicable international law and recognised good practices.
· Increased professional knowledge and practical skills of investigators, prosecutors, Victims and Witnesses Coordination Centre staff and other relevant justice-sector professionals.
· Strengthened cooperation and knowledge exchange between Ukrainian and international accountability actors on victim- and witness-centred approaches.
· International victim- and witness-centred expertise integrated into Project outputs and technical assistance activities.
Required profile
Required expertise and profile
1) Number of experts per assignment: 2
2) Profile of the designated expert responsible for contract execution
A. Qualifications and skills:
• University degree in law, psychology, social sciences or another field directly relevant to the assignment from an accredited university. A postgraduate qualification (Master’s, LL.M., PhD or equivalent) in international criminal law, international humanitarian law, criminal law, public international law, human rights law, child rights/juvenile justice, psychology, victimology, trauma-informed practice or another relevant field will be considered an asset.
• Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Knowledge of Ukrainian will be considered a strong asset.
• Knowledge of substantive and procedural criminal law and of its interaction with international law.
• Excellent analytical, drafting and reporting skills.
• Ability to work with sensitive case materials, to maintain confidentiality and to comply with relevant ethical and security requirements.
B. General professional experience
• At least 7 years of relevant professional experience in criminal justice, victims’ and witnesses’ rights and support, human rights, child-sensitive justice, psychology/victimology, or another field relevant to the assignment.
• Demonstrated experience in preparing legal opinions, case assessments, analytical notes, comparative studies and other practical legal products.
C. Specific professional experience
Candidates should demonstrate substantial knowledge and practical experience in one or more of the following areas:
· Practical experience in the investigation, prosecution, adjudication or legal analysis of core international crimes.
· Demonstrate substantial knowledge and/or practical experience in one or more of the following areas: victims’ and witnesses’ rights and participation in criminal proceedings; interviewing and protection of vulnerable victims and witnesses; child-sensitive and trauma-informed approaches; prevention of re-traumatisation and secondary victimisation; victim and witness support and referral mechanisms; and/or investigation and prosecution of core international crimes involving vulnerable victims or witnesses.
· Development of case theories and evidentiary strategies, including assessment of linkage evidence, command structures, patterns of conduct and evidence relevant to establishing individual criminal responsibility.
· Legal and evidentiary issues arising in complex international-crimes investigations, including the collection, preservation, authentication, assessment and use of testimonial, documentary, digital, open-source and other forms of evidence.
· Development and delivery of specialised training, mentoring and other capacity-development activities for investigators, prosecutors, judges, defence counsel and other justice-sector professionals.
Previous experience working with prosecutorial, investigative or judicial authorities, victim/witness support services, international organisations, international or hybrid criminal tribunals, civil society organisations or other accountability mechanisms will be considered a strong asset.
Experience in developing SOPs, guidelines, methodologies, referral mechanisms, institutional procedures or practical tools concerning victims and witnesses will be considered an asset.
Knowledge of the relevant EU framework on victims, witnesses and children in criminal proceedings is highly desirable.
Relevant experience in Ukraine or another conflict/post-conflict setting, particularly in relation to victims and witnesses of core international crimes, will be considered a strong asset.
Additional information
Evaluation Criteria
Criterion 1: Financial offer / Price (rate per day) – 30 points
The financial score will cover the comparison of the financial offers of all candidates having submitted a conforming proposal.
Criterion 2: Technical offer – 70 points
Technical evaluation (desk review and/or interview based):
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Sub-criterion 1: Education · University degree in Law from an accredited university – 5 points · Postgraduate degree (Master’s, LL.M., PhD or equivalent) in international criminal law, international humanitarian law, criminal law, public international law, human rights law, victimology, child rights or another relevant field – 5 points |
10 |
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Sub-criterion 2: Experience · At least 7 years of experience a legal practitioner – 10 points · Demonstrated practical experience in the investigation, prosecution, adjudication or legal analysis of core international crimes – 10 points · Demonstrated expertise in n victims’ and witnesses’ rights, protection and participation, including relevant international and European standards, trauma-informed and child-sensitive approaches, and procedural safeguards – 10 points · Relevant experience concerning the protection and participation of victims and witnesses, particularly children and other vulnerable victims and witnesses Ukraine’s accountability for international crimes committed in the context of the Russian Federation’s aggression against Ukraine – 5 points |
35 |
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Sub-criterion 3: Technical Knowledge & Skills · Understanding of the assignment with all specific components proposed within the ToR having been identified and addressed - 22 points: - Excellent – 100% of maximum allotted points - 22 points - Good – 90% of maximum allotted points - 20 points - Satisfactory – 70% of maximum allotted points - 15 points - Poor – 40% of maximum allotted points – 9 points - Very poor – 10% of maximum allotted points - 2 points · Full professional proficiency in written and spoken English - 2 points · Full professional proficiency in written and spoken Ukrainian - 1 point |
25 |
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Total |
70 |
Each technical offer, deemed to be technically conforming, will be attributed a technical score. By adding up the weighted scores obtained for each sub-criterion.
Where the contracting modality provides for a financial offer, the weighting between the technical and financial evaluation shall be specified in the call for applications.
X. Submission Details
The candidate should provide:
• Updated CV demonstrating compliance with the required expertise and profile.
• Financial offer / proposed daily rate, where applicable to the contracting modality.
• The selected candidate will be requested to provide additional supporting documentation requested for evaluation, due diligence or contracting purposes.
Selection criteria for applications
The selection process for candidates will be based on the following criteria :
- Candidate’s training/diplomas related to the expert assignment
Deadline for application : 2026/10/23 23:55
Expertise France is the public agency for designing and implementing international technical cooperation projects. The agency operates around four key priorities :
- democratic, economic, and financial governance ;
- peace, stability, and security ;
- climate, agriculture, and sustainable development ;
- health and human development ;
In these areas, Expertise France conducts capacity-building initiatives and manages project implementation, leveraging technical expertise and acting as a project coordinator. This involves combining public sector expertise with private sector skills to drive impactful results.