Consulting Services For The Diagnosis And Updating Of Protocols For The Investigation And Prosecution Of Human Trafficking Cases In El Salvador At Pan American Development Foundation

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TERMS OF REFERENCE

INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT

No. 2802.2.1.1

Consulting services for the diagnosis and updating of protocols for the investigation and prosecution of human trafficking cases in El Salvador

1. BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION:

Victim participation in the legal process can be an incredibly empowering and healing experience. However, victims must decide whether they want to participate and must be prepared for the type of testimony or evidence they will have to provide, and what the possible outcomes might be. They also need to trust the people they interact with during the prosecution process.

In this context, with funding from the United States government, the Pan American Development Foundation (PADF) is implementing the Human Trafficking Victim Assistance Project, aimed at strengthening access to justice for victims of human trafficking and reducing impunity for perpetrators. This project draws on PADF’s more than six years of experience in Central America in the field of human trafficking. The project is justified by the urgent need to:

  • Update and harmonize the protocols for care and referral to victims, with a differentiated and rights-based approach.
  • Strengthen inter-institutional and inter-sectoral coordination between the government and non-governmental organizations.
  • Increase the technical capacity of justice sector operators to investigate, prosecute and punish trafficking cases with a trauma-informed approach.
  • To ensure that survivors of human trafficking have the necessary support to actively participate in legal proceedings and access adequate protection services.

2. OBJECTIVE:

Strengthen the institutional response of the Salvadoran justice system to the crime of human trafficking by conducting a technical diagnosis of existing normative and operational instruments, which will generate inputs for the review, updating or development of protocols and guidelines aimed at standardizing the procedures for investigation, prosecution and adjudication of human trafficking cases in the justice institutions of the Government of El Salvador.

Specific objectives:

  1. Analyze the protocols, manuals, research guides and other regulatory instruments used by institutions in the justice sector for the investigation and prosecution of human trafficking cases.
  2. Identify gaps, inconsistencies, or operational limitations in current instruments, including aspects related to new forms of crime, particularly those linked to the use of social networks and digital environments.
  3. Gather technical input through interviews, meetings or consultations with justice system operators, specialized technical staff and decision-makers.
  4. Prepare a technical diagnosis that identifies opportunities for improvement, updating or development of institutional instruments.
  5. Present the diagnostic results to the participating justice sector institutions to facilitate decision-making on the updating or development of institutional instruments.
  6. To provide technical support for the review, updating, or development of the institutional instrument that the participating institutions determine as a priority (protocol, guideline, or directive), aimed at strengthening and standardizing the procedures for investigating, prosecuting, or adjudicating cases of human trafficking.

This consultancy directly addresses the following activity:

Standardize procedures across all GOES justice institutions by reviewing, updating, or creating, as needed, protocols and guidelines for investigating, prosecuting, and adjudicating human trafficking cases.

3. CONSULTANT’S RESPONSIBILITIES:

The consultant will be responsible for facilitating the technical process of diagnosis, drafting and regulatory harmonization in coordination with PADF, FGR, PNC and the National Council against Trafficking in Persons.

Responsibilities include:

  1. Plan and execute the documentary review of protocols, manuals, SOPs and other normative instruments currently used in investigations, prosecutions and sentences of human trafficking.
  2. Design and facilitate interviews or focus groups with key institutional actors, in order to identify operational obstacles, regulatory contradictions and proposals for improvement.
  3. Prepare a diagnostic report that identifies gaps, redundancies, inconsistencies, and areas for improvement in the current procedural frameworks.
  4. Prepare a technical proposal for updating or developing the institutional instrument that the participating institutions determine as a priority (protocol, guideline or guideline).
  5. Coordinate with PADF and the institutions involved the technical validation process and make the necessary adjustments based on the observations received.
  6. Deliver final documents ready for institutionalization, and support in the design and content of a technical presentation event for the new regulatory instruments.

4. PLACE(S) OF ASSIGNMENT:

This consultancy will be conducted remotely and will require some in-person activities for consultation and product presentation within Salvadoran territory, as established by government institutions.

5. CANDIDATE PROFILE:

The ideal candidate should possess the following:

Academic background:

  • University degree in Legal Sciences, Social Sciences, Psychology, Social Work, Human Rights, Public Policy or related fields.
  • Postgraduate training in human rights, victim support, criminal justice, criminology, criminalistics or related areas will be valued.

Professional experience:

  • Minimum 5 years of professional experience in criminal investigation, regulatory analysis or judicialization of criminal cases.
  • Demonstrable experience in investigating or prosecuting human trafficking cases.
  • Previous experience in institutions within the justice sector will be highly valued (e.g., prosecutor’s offices, police, or specialized units).
  • Experience as a former prosecutor, criminal investigator, or specialist in criminal prosecution will be especially valued.
  • Experience in preparing institutional diagnoses or regulatory analysis.
  • Mastery of the national and international regulatory framework on human trafficking, due process, victims’ rights, and criminal investigation standards.
  • Ability to draft regulatory instruments, conduct legal diagnoses, and facilitate inter-institutional processes.

Key knowledge and skills:

  • Up-to-date knowledge of the Salvadoran and international legal framework on human trafficking, criminal proceedings, victim protection and human rights.
  • Ability to apply rights-based approaches, non-revictimization and differential approach in technical processes.
  • Assertive communication skills, empathy and active listening, especially when interacting with survivors or frontline actors.
  • Proficiency in systematization tools, document analysis, and clear and structured presentation of results.

Other requirements:

  • Availability for face-to-face or virtual meetings with PADF and counterpart institutions.
  • Organizational skills, adherence to schedules and deliverables.
  • Desirable: knowledge of the Salvadoran context and previous experience with projects funded by international organizations.

6. CONTRACTUAL MECHANISM:

The maximum budget for this consultancy is six thousand US dollars (USD $6,000). The deliverables are presented below:

Milestones/Deliverables Calendar:

  1. Estimated completion date: May 30, 2026
    • Milestone: Approval of the work plan and detailed consultancy schedule.
    • Deliverables: Work plan, consultancy methodology including data collection instruments (interview guides, focus groups or others), and proposed table of contents for the technical report.
    • Percentage of total: 20% of the total
  2. Estimated completion date: June 27, 2026
    • Milestone: Delivery of the diagnostic report with findings and recommendations on the current protocols for investigation, prosecution and adjudication of TIP cases.
    • Deliverables: Technical report of institutional analysis with key findings, gaps, redundancies and recommendations for standardization.
    • Percentage of total: 25% of the total
  3. Estimated completion date: July 8, 2026
    • Milestone: Institutional validation workshop for presentation of the diagnosis and definition of the instrument to be updated or developed.
    • Deliverables: Validation workshop results report.
    • Percentage of total: 20% of the total
  4. Estimated completion date: August 10, 2026
    • Milestone: Presentation of a proposed harmonized protocol/guidelines for the justice sector.
    • Deliverables: Drafted proposal of new protocols or updated guidelines, with a focus on human rights, due process, non-revictimization and inter-institutional coordination.
    • Percentage of total: 20% of the total
  5. Estimated completion date: September 16, 2026
    • Milestone: Closure of the consultancy and delivery of the consolidated final report + presentation event.
    • Deliverables: Document that systematizes the complete process (analysis, writing, validation), and includes the final version for printing, as well as the development of an inter-institutional presentation event.
    • Percentage of total: 15% of the total

The consultant must provide a pricing model for each deliverable listed in the table above.

7. PROPOSAL DOCUMENTS TO BE INCLUDED:

  1. Please attach your curriculum vitae (CV) to demonstrate how you meet the requirements of the terms of reference.
  2. Include descriptions of similar projects or assignments and at least three client references.
  3. Letter of interest.
  4. Technical and economic proposal.

8. CONTRACT DURATION:

The estimated start date of the contract is May 18, 2026. The contract will have an approximate duration of 4 months from the date of signing.

9. PARTICIPATION DATA:

  1. Applications must be received no later than April 27, 2026. All application materials must be sent to hbolanos@padf.org, following the guidelines outlined in these Terms of Reference.
  2. Amendments: At any time before the deadline for submitting proposals, PADF may, for any reason, amend the Terms of Reference document by means of an amendment that will be posted on the PADF website and/or communicated by email.
  3. Clarifications: Questions can be sent to hbolanos@padf.org. The email subject line should include the reference number and title.

10. TERMS AND CONDITIONS:

Award result

These Terms of Reference (TOR) do not obligate PADF to execute a contract, nor do they commit PADF to pay any costs incurred in preparing or submitting proposals. Furthermore, PADF reserves the right to reject any and all proposals if such action is deemed to be in PADF’s best interest. PADF will select the winning proposal at its sole discretion and is under no obligation to share the results of the individual evaluation.

Confidentiality

All proprietary information provided by the bidder will be treated as confidential and will not be shared with potential or existing bidders during the bidding process. This includes, but is not limited to, price quotes, cost proposals, and technical proposals. The results of PADF’s evaluation are confidential.

How to apply

Applications must be received no later than April 27, 2026. All application materials must be sent to hbolanos@padf.org, following the guidelines outlined in these Terms of Reference.

The tender can also be found here: Procurement and Grant Opportunities – Pan American Development Foundation