Legal education expert(s) - Moldova
Moldova
Contracted
Mid Level
ABA ROLI LEGAL CLINICAL EDUCATION CONSULTANT(S) – Republic of Moldova
For 30 years and through our work in more than 100 countries, the American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI) and our partners have sought to strengthen legal institutions, support legal professionals, foster respect for human rights, and advance public understanding of the law and citizen rights. In collaboration with our in-country partners-including government ministries, judges, lawyers, bar associations, court administrators, legislatures and civil society organizations, we design programs that are responsive to local needs and that prioritize sustainable solutions to
pressing rule of law challenges.
Legal clinics can play positive roles both contributing to the practical education of new legal professionals and to increasing access to justice among constituencies sharing similar legal problems.
Since Moldova’s independence in 1991, local legal clinics have faced a series of challenges that hinder the implementation of long-term, sustainable legal clinical education programs. These include limited funding opportunities, which have often forced legal clinics to suspend operations for prolonged periods or close altogether, and inadequate institutional support, leading to difficulties in integrating clinical programs within university curricula.
Despite some improvements in recent years, largely due to support from international donors, including ABA ROLI programs, these challenges remain relevant to this day.
A 2021 assessment by the University of South Carolina Rule of Law Collaborative (USC-ROLC), conducted at ABA ROLI's request, found that Moldovan legal clinics face common challenges but lack unity in their work and outreach. Although leaders occasionally connect at donor-sponsored events, there is no regular system for collaboration.
To address this, USC-ROLC recommended two key actions for strengthening legal clinics’ capacities to implement sustainable programs:
ABA ROLI is currently implementing the Supporting Criminal Justice Reform and Strengthening Anticorruption Efforts in Moldova program (2021-2025).
One of its key objectives is to support Moldovan legal clinics in developing and implementing new programs, as well as expand their impact. ABA ROLI aims to achieve this through various initiatives, one of which focuses on enhancing legal clinics’ cooperation and communication in providing skills-based learning.
To address the challenges and implement the recommendations mentioned above, in phase III of the program, ABA ROLI sets out to establish a sustainable collaboration platform for legal clinics. To achieve this goal, ABA ROLI is seeking to enlist expert help in drafting and providing three key documents (deliverables):
ABA ROLI is considering various options for consultant engagement, including a single consultant for one or more deliverables, individual consultants for each deliverable, or a combination of both approaches.
The assignment might require travel to Moldova.
The assignment is expected to be performed between December 15, 2024 - May 15, 2025.
Interested and qualified experts must submit an application comprised of the following materials:
Applications must be submitted by November 25, 2024, 6 PM (EEST) using the following link:https://americanbarassociationruleoflawinitiative.applytojob.com/apply/QlaXuUex4i/Legal-Education-Experts-Moldova
Shortlisted candidates may be contacted for an interview and/or follow-up discussion. The final selection will be based on qualifications, experience, proposed approach and budget considerations.
| Project: | Supporting Criminal Justice Reform and Strengthening Anticorruption Efforts in Moldova |
| Type: | Consultancy |
| Seeking: | Expert(s) in legal clinical education to assist in developing a standardized curriculum and establishing a sustainable collaboration platform for legal clinics in Moldova |
| Anticipated Period of Performance: | December 15, 2024 - May 15, 2025 |
- Organizational Overview
For 30 years and through our work in more than 100 countries, the American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI) and our partners have sought to strengthen legal institutions, support legal professionals, foster respect for human rights, and advance public understanding of the law and citizen rights. In collaboration with our in-country partners-including government ministries, judges, lawyers, bar associations, court administrators, legislatures and civil society organizations, we design programs that are responsive to local needs and that prioritize sustainable solutions to
pressing rule of law challenges.
- Context
Legal clinics can play positive roles both contributing to the practical education of new legal professionals and to increasing access to justice among constituencies sharing similar legal problems.
Since Moldova’s independence in 1991, local legal clinics have faced a series of challenges that hinder the implementation of long-term, sustainable legal clinical education programs. These include limited funding opportunities, which have often forced legal clinics to suspend operations for prolonged periods or close altogether, and inadequate institutional support, leading to difficulties in integrating clinical programs within university curricula.
Despite some improvements in recent years, largely due to support from international donors, including ABA ROLI programs, these challenges remain relevant to this day.
A 2021 assessment by the University of South Carolina Rule of Law Collaborative (USC-ROLC), conducted at ABA ROLI's request, found that Moldovan legal clinics face common challenges but lack unity in their work and outreach. Although leaders occasionally connect at donor-sponsored events, there is no regular system for collaboration.
To address this, USC-ROLC recommended two key actions for strengthening legal clinics’ capacities to implement sustainable programs:
- Standardized Training Curriculum: Developing a consistent training curriculum across clinics would support knowledge-sharing, enhance collaboration, and elevate the profile of clinical education.
- Collaboration Mechanism: Establishing a formal or informal system for regular communication would foster learning, coordination, and the achievement of shared goals among legal clinics.
- Project Overview
ABA ROLI is currently implementing the Supporting Criminal Justice Reform and Strengthening Anticorruption Efforts in Moldova program (2021-2025).
One of its key objectives is to support Moldovan legal clinics in developing and implementing new programs, as well as expand their impact. ABA ROLI aims to achieve this through various initiatives, one of which focuses on enhancing legal clinics’ cooperation and communication in providing skills-based learning.
- Scope of the Assignment and Deliverables
To address the challenges and implement the recommendations mentioned above, in phase III of the program, ABA ROLI sets out to establish a sustainable collaboration platform for legal clinics. To achieve this goal, ABA ROLI is seeking to enlist expert help in drafting and providing three key documents (deliverables):
- A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between legal clinics that outlines their cooperative network;
- A Comprehensive 5-year Common Strategy aimed at achieving legal clinics’ shared objectives;
- A Standardized Curriculum for Legal Clinical Education, which would serve as a reference source for clinics in designing training programs and ensuring their consistency across institutions.
ABA ROLI is considering various options for consultant engagement, including a single consultant for one or more deliverables, individual consultants for each deliverable, or a combination of both approaches.
The assignment might require travel to Moldova.
- Duration of Assignment
The assignment is expected to be performed between December 15, 2024 - May 15, 2025.
- Preferred Qualifications and Experience of Consultant (s)
- Advanced degree in law, public policy, education or a related field;
- Specialization in legal clinical education or a related area is highly desirable;
- Experience in developing legal clinical education programs, including curriculum design and implementation;
- Familiarity with the legal education landscape in Moldova or similar contexts would be an advantage;
- Track record of providing consultancy services to legal institutions, NGOs, or government agencies;
- Experience in strategic planning;
- Experience in managing projects related to legal education or capacity building, including planning, execution, and evaluation.
- Application Instructions
Interested and qualified experts must submit an application comprised of the following materials:
- Curriculum Vitae (CV);
- Cover Letter containing the following: technical proposal (indicating deliverable(s) the consultant is applying for); timeline/workplan for delivery of the key outputs and financial proposal.
Applications must be submitted by November 25, 2024, 6 PM (EEST) using the following link:https://americanbarassociationruleoflawinitiative.applytojob.com/apply/QlaXuUex4i/Legal-Education-Experts-Moldova
- Selection process
Shortlisted candidates may be contacted for an interview and/or follow-up discussion. The final selection will be based on qualifications, experience, proposed approach and budget considerations.
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