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Service (to be performed): Support for the implementation of the 2025 Criminal Mutual Legal Assistance Law
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Location of Service provided: On-site and selected provinces/cites
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Duration of Service’s performance: March to August 2026
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I. Background:
In the context of deepening globalization and international integration, transnational organized crime-particularly offenses related to the illegal trade has become a serious challenge to biosecurity, social stability, and sustainable development in many countries, including Viet Nam.
Addressing illegal wildlife trade in the current context requires a more comprehensive strategy that goes beyond focusing solely on specific violations and instead aligns with broader efforts to combat transnational organized crime. International cooperation, especially criminal mutual legal assistance (MLA), plays a pivotal role in overcoming difficulties and obstacles in the investigation and prosecution of such crimes. The Law on Criminal Mutual Legal Assistance No. 103/2025/QH15 (Law on Criminal MLA), adopted by the 15th National Assembly at its 10th Session and effective from July 1, 2026, will provide a more favorable legal framework for strengthening international cooperation in the investigation, prosecution, adjudication, and enforcement of criminal judgments in cases involving foreign elements.
Pursuant to Plan No. 10/KH-VKSTC dated January 15, 2026 of the Supreme People’s Procuracy (SPP) on the implementation of the 2025 Law on Criminal MLA, Wildlife Conservation Society - Viet Nam Program (WCS Viet Nam) will support the Department of International Cooperation and Criminal Mutual Legal Assistance (Department 13) under the SPP in implementing activities to disseminate and introduce the content of the Law.
To ensure the quality of these activities, WCS Viet Nam is seeking to recruit an expert or a team of experts with relevant expertise and experience in criminal MLA to support WCS Viet Nam and the Department 13, SPP in implementing related activities.
II. Objectives:
- Review and update the MLAT Handbook to ensure alignment with the current Vietnamese legal framework;
- Support the organization of two training workshops introducing and updating content on criminal MLA for representatives of local People’s Procuracies and relevant agencies.
III. Description of work:
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Activities
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Outputs/ deliverables
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Completed by
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Allotted time (# of days)
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Payment schedule
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I. Update the MLAT Handbook
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Determined on the basis of the service provider’s proposal and subject to approval by WCS Viet Nam
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2nd Payment will be made in one installment within 15 days after the consulting deliverables are completed and approved by WCS
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1. Review the MLAT Handbook:
- Review the structure of the Handbook developed and published in 2022 by Department 13, SPP and WCS Viet Nam;
- Review and research relevant legal provisions on mutual legal assistance under the new legal framework, including: the Criminal MLA Law, the Law on Extradition, the amended Criminal Procedure Code, the amended Law on Organization of the People’s Procuracy, the amended Law on Organization of the People’s Court, and implementing guidelines;
- Identify content that needs updating, supplementation, or revision
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Scope and content to be updated
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April 2026
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2. Update the MLAT Handbook
- Reach an agreement with WCS Viet Nam and Department 13, SPP on the structure and format of the Handbook;
- Update articles, clauses, and criminal MLA procedures in line with the latest legal documents;
- Adjust descriptions, templates, sample procedures, and appendices
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Draft updated version of the MLAT Handbook
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August 2026
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3. Finalize the MLAT Handbook and support its publication
- Revise the draft Handbook content based on feedback from the Department 13, SPP and WCS Viet Nam;
- Coordinate with WCS Viet Nam to carry out printing procedures;
- Support the distribution of the Handbook to local People’s Procuracies and other relevant agencies
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Final version of the MLAT Handbook
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II. Support the organization of the training course on introducing the 2025 Law on Criminal Mutual Legal Assistance
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1St Payment will be made in one installment within 15 days after the consulting deliverables are completed and approved by WCS
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1. Before the training
- Discuss and agree with WCS Viet Nam and Department 13, SPP on the training plan, including participants, guest speakers, training agenda; implementation methods, proposals for approval of the training courses, communication plan…
- Develop training materials as assigned;
- Support the preparation for training courses: sending invitations and confirming participant lists, arranging logistics, etc.
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- List of participants, trainers and experts;
- Pre and post-training survey results;
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May 2026
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2. During the training
Support WCS Viet Nam and the Department 13, SPP to organize two (02) training courses, ensuring technical and logistical requirements are met in accordance with the agreed plan. Specifically:
- Conduct pre- and post-training surveys;
- Deliver the prepared presentations as assigned ;
- Facilitate and take notes on the discussions during the 02 training courses;
- Support logistical arrangements throughout the training period.
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3. After the training
- Develop a training report;
- Provide support to participants in using the MLAT request templates
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- A training report.
- Technical support provided to participants
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July 2026
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Total allotted time (total working days): Determined on the basis of the service provider’s proposal and subject to approval by WCS Viet Nam
IV. Requirements (selection criteria):
Expert(s) responsible for coordinating with WCS Viet Nam and the Department 13, SPP to implement the above-mentioned activities shall meet the following criteria:
- Holds a Master’s or PhD degree in Law, Judiciary, Procuracy, or other related fields;
- Has at least 5 years of professional experience in law enforcement or in researching/teaching legal issues related to international cooperation and mutual legal assistance;
- Possess skills in research, analysis, and developing guidance materials; designing training programs;
- Have presentation skills and facilitation skills for workshops and training courses ;
- Have experience in organizing training courses or workshops at educational institutions or coordinating activities with non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
- Knowledge and understanding of the handling of violations of wildlife protection regulations in Viet Nam is advantage.
V. Application procedure:
Interested candidates are kindly requested to submit the applications via email to vietnamconsulting@wcs.org before 17:00 on March 20, 2026, including the following documents:
- Technical proposal outlining the methodology to achieve the deliverables/outputs specified in Section III;
- Personnel plan and CVs demonstrating relevant work experience and research outputs of the proposed team members (links or soft copies may be provided);
- Financial proposal (in VND), indicating the total number of working days, the proposed daily rate for each member, inclusive of all applicable taxes and fees (e.g., personal income tax, VAT, etc.).
Note: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.