TERMS OF REFERENCE. Project Strengthening forensic examination of torture and other forms of ill-treatment in Moldova

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1 TERMS OF REFERENCE Project Strengthening forensic examination of torture and other forms of ill-treatment in Moldova A. Job Title: International Consultant to formulate the technical specifications for the forensic medicine laboratory equipment. B. Duty Station: Home based C. Project Reference: Strengthening the forensic examination of torture and other forms of ill-treatment, as a key strategic element in comprehensive, integrated, holistic efforts to end torture and related forms of ill-treatment in Moldova D. Type of Contract: Individual Contract (IC) E. Duration of Assignment: Up to 9 working days in period April-June 2012 F. Background: All forms of torture or other ill-treatment are unequivocally prohibited under international human rights law. Moldova being party to the main UN, international and European treaties and other relevant instruments, ratified the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture by the Law nr. 66-XV dated 30 March The respective Law entered into force on 24 July 2006 and with this a National Preventive Mechanism for the prevention of torture was established in Moldova. However, concerns related to torture and other forms of ill-treatment in detention in Moldova are long-standing and have been the subject of extensive scrutiny by international and European human rights monitoring bodies. Human rights concerns were heightened to the level of emergency in April 2009 after the authorities detained hundreds of people in the wake of demonstrations which turned violent. Abuses included arbitrary detention, widespread ill-treatment, as well as apparently malicious prosecution of a number of individuals. As of September 2009, the prosecutor office has opened criminal proceedings in a handful of cases. However, close to half of over 100 complaints submitted to the prosecutor offices have reportedly been dismissed, many of them because of a lack of basic documentation, including forensics evidence. Therefore, the forensic documentation is crucial for documenting torture cases, and is generally treated as a central component of any effort to prosecute torture. In order to effectively address torture and other related forms of ill-treatment in Moldova in a comprehensive, integrated and holistic approach, UNDP with support of the European Commission and in partnership with Centre for Forensic Medicine launched the project Strengthening the

2 forensic examination of torture and other forms of ill-treatment in Moldova. The overall objective of the Project is to strengthen the forensic examination of torture and other forms of ill-treatment, as a key strategic element in comprehensive, integrated, holistic efforts to end torture and related forms of ill-treatment in Moldova. One of the Project's priorities is to strengthen the institutional and operational capacity of the Centre of Forensic Medicine in the examination of the torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment cases at the national level. In order to achieve this objective, the Project intends to supply the Centre of Forensic Medicine and its territorial departments with a range of medical laboratory equipment and other supplies. The tentative list of equipment is enclosed herewith (see Annex 1). G. Objective: The objectives of this consultancy service are as follows: To formulate the technical specification for the medical laboratory equipment, identified by the Project`s beneficiary, taking into account the last technical developments on the market and the intended use by the beneficiary; To assist UNDP Moldova Procurement Unit and Project staff in technical issues regarding procurement process. H. Scope of work and expected output: In order to achieve objectives the consultant shall: Review the equipment necessities, identified by the Project`s beneficiary, and provide advice on the best technical solutions to meet the beneficiary`s needs; Draft the technical specifications for the equipment to be procured, taking into account the beneficiary`s needs and technical possibilities. The technical specifications have to contain sufficiently generic and impartial requirements (including specifications regarding warranty period, training program, legal (standards and quality assurance), accessories) to ensure an opportunity for any leading company producing/distributing such type of equipment to participate in the tender. The technical specifications will be a part of the tender documentation and have to contain accepted limit (min or max) for each characteristic (parameter) that cover beneficiary needs, and will allow the procurement of the equipment within the available budget; Carry out a market analysis in order to identify the potential suppliers (the leading producers /distributors) of such type of equipment, to estimate the prices of the equipment depending on pattern of applications and technical characteristics. Provide information about reliability, quality, performance, maintenance and usage costs of the equipment supplied by the leading manufacturers; Provide assistance to the UNDP Procurement Unit and Project staff in technical issues regarding procurement process: assist in preparation of tender documentation and participate in evaluation of the bids (technical complies); Provide answers to the questions concerning the technical specification (if any) raised by the potential bidders within bids submission timeframe; Perform the technical evaluation of the received bids and provide clear reasons for technical disqualification of a specific bid;

3 Provide a Rating Score Table to have opportunity to take into consideration the best bids (from those bids that satisfy the minimum requirements) in the evaluation process. I. Deliverables: Deliverable Technical specification for the intended medical laboratory equipment, as part of the tender documents that cover the beneficiary's needs and which ensure the best fit of the quality and price expectations, accompanied by the explanatory note, drafted Assistance to the UNDP procurement unit and Project staff in technical issues regarding procurement process (preparation of tender documents and evaluation of the bids) provided. Timetable By April 10, 2012 By June 30, 2012 Please Note: Deliverables are subject to amendment based on consultation outcomes; further guidance and amendment of the deliverables may be undertaken during the assignment, as needed and discussed. J. Organizational Setting: In order to achieve the given objective the National Consultant will work under direct supervision of the Strengthening the forensic examination of torture and other forms of ill-treatment Project Manager. K. Inputs: The Project staff will provide the consultant with the necessary information and materials for the fulfilment of tasks. L. Conflict of Interest: Persons formally or informally affiliated with organizations or companies which can be potential bidders for the intended purchase of equipment are not eligible for this consultancy. M. Confidentiality: Materials provided to the consultants and all proceedings within the consultancy contract shall be regarded as confidential, both during and after the consultancy. Violation of confidentiality requirements may result in immediate termination of contract. N. Qualifications: Education: University or Master degree in Technical Sciences, Medicine, Chemistry and/or other relevant fields.

4 Experience and Skills: Extensive experience (at least 3 years) in managing technical issues related to the medical laboratory equipment (forensic medicine profile is an asset); Proven experience in developing technical specifications for medical laboratory equipment (forensic medicine profile is an asset); Experience and knowledge of international tenders` basic principles and procedures; Proven experience in working with the international organizations on similar assignments (successful experience in working with UN agencies in Moldova is an asset); Proficiency in written and spoken English; proficiency in Romanian is an asset. Personal qualities: responsibility, creativity, flexibility and punctuality.

5 Annex 1 The tentative list of equipment for the Centre of Forensic Medicine Nr. Description 1. Multistainer with coverslipper 2. Semiautomatic microtome 3. Histobath 4. Histoplate 5. Incubator 6. Binocular microscope 7. Polarized light microscope 8. Laboratory furniture 9. Furniture for stocking slides and histological samples 10. GC with Headspace, FID and MS 11. HPLC with DAD and RI 12. Automated sample preparation system 13. AA spectrophotometer with graphite tube and mercury/hydride capability 14. Digestion oven for AA 15. Drug detection system 16. Ultrapure water system 17. Rotary evaporator 18. N2 and H2 generators 19. Electric stirrer 20. Laboratory chemical resistant furniture 21. Laboratory centrifuge 3000 rpm 22. Binocular microscope with immersion objective 23. Phase contrast microscope 24. Ultrasonic bath 25. Laboratory incubator 26. Colposcope 27. UV lamp (identification of body fluids) 28. UV sterilizer 29. Gynaecological couch with variable height 30. Medical bed 31. Circular electric saw 32. Portable surgical lamp 33. Refrigerator for biological samples 34. Comparison microscope 35. Roentgen film developing system 36. Roentgen spectrometer type Spectroscan Max 37. Chemical hood