Moreover, due to the lack of knowledge and the toxic masculinity environment, GBV survivors are still recognized among professional society (medical, social, and law enforcement) as victims of crimes without gender-sensitive needs.

Having that, UNFPA CO collaborates with the government on promoting the MSR to GBV approach, including (i) scaling up the GBV services, (ii) developing SOPs, (iii) training key professionals to introduce the program of working with perpetrators, as well as (iv) strengthen the capacity of forensic medical expertise.

This assignment’s purposes are (i) to develop recommendations to bring closer the national forensic medical regulations to advanced international practice in forensic medical examination of GBV survivors and (ii) to raise awareness of the national forensic medical workforce on the advanced international standards in forensic medical examination of GBV survivors.

Phase 1. Rapid assessment of the current situation

It is expected that during this phase, the International consultant will be focused on two goals:

1. Identifying gaps between existing legislation and practice in forensic medical examination and advanced international standards, including but not limited by “Health care for women subjected to intimate partner violence or sexual violence. A clinical handbook” (WHO, 2014), and “Forensic Evidence Processing in Gender-Based Violence Cases. Handbook for Criminal Justice Practitioners” (UNODC Regional Office for Southern Africa, 2024).
2. Developing recommendations to implement the mentioned above advanced international standards into the national legal landscape.

This phase should be conducted by desk review and comparison of the mentioned above advanced international standards and the following existing legislation and documents

• Current national criminal and criminal procedural legislation on organization and ensuring forensic medical examination of living GBV survivors in all stages of the criminal investigation
• Subsidiary legislation on forensic medical examination of living GBV survivors (processing evidence, DNA analysis, quality assurance of the lab testing, admissibility of forensic evidence, etc.) This section also should cover the signs and methods to identifying the victims of human trafficking
• Assessment of the existing level of technical equipment and laboratory methods used in processing evidence and forensic medical examination of living GBV survivors (and the victims of human trafficking) at the Central Forensic Medical Laboratory (Ashkhabad)
• Recommended legislative amendments, other procedural changes, and list of equipment to process evidence and conduct forensic medical expertise of living GBV survivors.

Phase 2. Developing a training package

It is expected that a training package will be problem-based and developed by customizing advanced international standards on the forensic medical examination of the living GBV survivors (as well as victims of human trafficking) with the findings of the first phase of this assignment.

The training package has to satisfy the following requirements:

• Training duration 3 working days
• Initial (pre-test) and final (post-test) levels of knowledge of the trainees have to be assessed
• Covering sessions on (i) recommended rules and procedures, (ii) recommended laboratory methods, and (iii) features of interpersonal interaction between forensic experts and GBV survivors
• Using learning (situational) cases, as well as simulations with trainees
• Using training videos applicable to Turkmenistan conditions, if possible.

Phase 3. Capacity building

This phase will be implemented by the International consultant during his (her) field mission in Ashkhabad for 25 national forensic experts.

Phase 1. Rapid assessment of the current situation: 5 days

Phase 2. Developing a training package: 5 days

Phase 3. Capacity building: 4 days (3 daysof actual training and 1 day for reporting)

1. Report on rapid assessment of the current situation in forensic medical examination of GBV survivors with technical recommendations on legislative amendments and other procedural changes (initial version) Deadline: September 3rd.
2. Package of training materials Deadline: August 6^th
3. Training report Deadline: August 20^th
4. Report on rapid assessment of the current situation in forensic medical examination of GBV survivors with technical recommendations on legislative amendments and other procedural changes (final version) Deadline: October 1^st

Ethical Considerations

UNFPA requires its consultants to adhere to ethical principles and standards when doing research. The selected consultant should clearly identify any potential ethical issues and approaches, as well as the processes for ethical review in the inception report.

National Ownership

The involvement of appropriate national partners will be a critical condition for the development of all the mission outcome materials in ensuring stakeholder ownership and its subsequent utilisation.

During presence in the country consultant will meet with UNFPA staff and deliver actual 3-day training. Exact number of days in country and travel dates to be communicated to the selected consultant. Logistic arrangements such as visa, tickets, stay in Turkmenistan to be arranged by the UNFPA country office. Travel costs will be covered according to the UNFPA’s Duty Travel Policy.

• Recognised international expert with at least 7 years of professional experience in criminal law, forensic medical expertise with focus on gender-based violence.
• Advanced degree in law/human rights, forensic expertise, public health, and/or other related disciplines.
• Strong analytical skills with experience in reporting (preferably to UN agencies)
• Experience with conducting focused and interactive trainings.
• Fluency in English. Knowledge of Russian is an advantage.
• Familiarity and experience with Central Asian or Eastern Europe countries is an asset.

• visa and logistics support during the mission to Turkmenistan;
• all the necessary materials, data, information, and available reports;
• organizing all necessary meetings with the country officials and (or) national partners;
• logistic support to organize the training in Ashkhabad.