TERMS OF REFERENCE N°77-National Short-Term Experts – Western Balkans (Digital Evidence Assessment)

CIVIPOL is looking for six national short-term experts in charge of assessing the national legal and regulatory framework on digital evidence in each of the Western Balkan countries, in light of EU standards, and to identify gaps and areas for improvement.

Context of the mission:

The Overall Objective of EU4FAST is to strengthen the rule of law in the Western Balkans. 

The Specific Objective of the action is to improve the conditions for preventing and combatting migrant smuggling and trafficking in human beings in the Western Balkans.
The action has the following outputs:

• Output 1: The ability of Western Balkan law enforcement and judicial authorities to combat migrant smuggling and trafficking in human beings is strengthened.
• Output 2: The ability of Western Balkan law enforcement actors to cooperate with Member States as well as JHA agencies and non-EU law enforcement actors in activities related to migrant smuggling and trafficking in human beings including through the active participation in the European Multidisciplinary Platform Against Criminal Threats (EMPACT) is increased.
• Output 3: The ability of Western Balkan authorities and frontline workers to identify and provide protection to (potential) victims of trafficking in human beings and refer them to competent state and non-state assistance and support services is improved.
  Output 4: The capacity of border authorities of the Western Balkans to prevent and counter migrant smuggling and trafficking in human beings in line with EU standards and human rights is strengthened.

This mission is part of component 1 described above for the achievement of Work package 1.1 – Policy strategy and legislation: informing and supporting the administrative and legislative strategy on THB and migrant smuggling.

Based on assessment reports, notably formulated by the European Commission in the framework of the pre-accession process (chapter 24), activities of the work package aim at identifying and bridging gaps in the legislative framework for LEAs and LEA cooperation at national and regional level related to THB and migrant smuggling. It aims to harmonise the legislative and regulatory frameworks and align them with EU acquis and policies. It also aims to facilitate regional cooperation. Building on the existing reports, support to the integration of the proposed recommendations by the beneficiaries is provided, as well as technical assistance to prioritise and implement them.

Objectives of the activity and expected results

Desired outcomes of the action:

• Analysis of WB6 national regulatory frameworks on digital evidence in light of EU standards
• Expert recommendations to strengthen WB6 related regulatory framework for effective anti-trafficking and smuggling response in light of EU standards 

The overall objective is to assess WB6 national regulatory frameworks on digital evidence for effective anti-trafficking and smuggling response in light of EU standards.

Result(s) of the activity: 

• By the end of the mission, a comprehensive analysis on WB6 national regulatory frameworks on digital evidence in light of EU standards will be presented to the beneficiaries.
• A final report summarizing findings, recommendations, and proposed measures will be shared with all consortium partners and beneficiaries to ensure alignment and follow-up planning.

Required profiles of expertise

For the realization of this mission, Civipol will recruit six national short-term experts: 1 from Albania, 1 from Bosnia Herzegovina, 1 from Kosovo*, 1 from Montenegro, 1 from North Macedonia and 1 from Serbia ; as well one international short-term expert, who will be working collaboratively with the team. 

The following table is applicable for both national and international experts, with specific skills/knowledges specified when needed.