Nature of the consultancy
This assignment is fundamentally a Senior Technical and Research Advisory role, centered on generating unique, high-impact evidence. The core function is to independently design, execute, and analyze a comprehensive qualitative (and quantitative) study that rigorously maps the complex relationship between labor exploitation, worst forms of labor exploitation (WFLE), and related crimes such as labor trafficking, human trafficking, and modern slavery. The research must give special consideration to the unique vulnerabilities of specific groups, including migrant children and women. This study is expected to be unique and authoritative, providing in-depth sectoral and regional risk analysis and pragmatic recommendations for subsequent studies and policy implementation. By integrating perspectives from multiple actors - government stakeholders, private sector representatives, and migrants themselves - the consultant will establish vital linkages between formalization, labor trafficking prevention, and labor exploitation mitigation. All research and coordination processes will be managed by the consultant under the overall guidance of IOM in close collaboration with the relevant Turkish Ministries and authorities (MoLSS, PMM). The research findings will later on serve as the core technical basis for the development of specialized Training Packages and actionable policy/legal recommendations, ensuring the final output is directly applicable to mitigating labour exploitation and boosting formal employment across Tรผrkiye. ย Project Context and Scope
The overall purpose of the project is to contribute to the transition of Syrians under Temporary Protection (SuTPs) and Turkish workers or Persons under International Protection (PuIP) to formal employment in Turkish labour market.ย The project activity aims to support key stakeholdersโincluding Government entities, NGOs, employers, and trade unionsโin implementing actions that ensure socially inclusive labour market integration, eliminate labour exploitation and worst forms of labour exploitation (WFLE), ensure ethical recruitment (e.g., IRIS standards), and protect the labour rights of refugees and migrants in Tรผrkiye. This consultancy is critical to delivering research study output, which involves developing and conducting targeted research to enhance compliance, institutional capacity, and multi-agency cooperation in the fight against labour exploitation and modern slavery. Key government partners include the Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MoLSS), particularly the Directorate of Guidance and Inspection and the Social Security Institution (SSI), and the Presidency of Migration Management (PMM), Department of Protection of Victims of Human Trafficking.ย
ย Organizational Department / Unit to which the Consultant is contributing
The name of the project is โProvision of Jobs and Socio-Economic Inclusion to Support Transition to Formal Employment in Tรผrkiyeโ funded by the United Kingdom of England and implemented by International Organisation for Migration (IOM). The selected consultant will contribute to Labor Migration and Inclusion (LMI) Unit and Protection Division (PXD) in IOM Ankara Office.ย Tasks to be performed under this contract
Category B Consultants: Tangible and measurable outputs of the work assignmentย
The Senior Consultant will provide high-level technical expertise and strategic guidance to the project team and key national stakeholders. The objective is to execute a targeted, qualitative/quantitative research study on labour exploitation in high-risk sectors to generate evidence-based policy and programmatic recommendations.
Deliverable 1 Labor Exploitation Research Report - Sector-Specific Analysis and Risk Mitigation Strategy (Deliverable by email by 31 March 2026):ย This task is foundational, aiming to generate the evidence base for all subsequent training and policy intervention. The consultant must conduct a rigorous, primary research study, reporting on critical findings related to labor exploitation.
1.1. Research Design and Execution (Mandatory Qualitative/Quantitative Focus): Design a scientifically sound qualitative study (mixed-methods acceptable) focusing on high-risk sectors and selected provinces for labour exploitation targeting SuTPs and PuIPs. Critical Outputs (1): Development of robust, contextually sensitive, and ethically compliant data collection instruments and detailed methodologyย 1.2. Primary Data Gathering and Stakeholder Mapping: Systematically gather primary data through diverse research methodologies (e.g., Key Informant Interviews (KIIs), Focus Group Discussions (FGDs)). Data sources must be comprehensive, including local NGOs, academic institutions, public agencies (MoLSS, PMM), legal associations (Bar Associations), the private sector, trade unions, and chambers of commerce.ย 1.3.ย First Draft of Research Report & Policy Recommendations Produce a Comprehensive Research Report and Strategic Roadmap that must serve as the authoritative reference document for all project activities. The report's analysis must be highly detailed, covering: Sectoral Risk Analysis: Deep-dive analysis of labour exploitation indicators, Worst Forms of Labour Exploitation (WFLE), child labour, and human (labor) trafficking risks on a sector-by-sector basis. Formalization Barriers: Clear identification and analysis of all structural and procedural obstacles to the formalization of employment for SuTPs and PuIPs. Actor Needs Assessment: Detailed analysis of the expectations and needs of government and non-government actors, and the specific protection needs of vulnerable groups. Actionable Recommendations: Development of specific, pragmatic, and high-impact Recommendations to mitigate identified risks and strategically boost the formalization of employment opportunities. First draft of research report will be reviewed by PMM Department of Protection of Victims of Trafficking, Ministry of Labour and Social Services, and IOM experts.ย Feedback and recommendations will be incorporated in the final report after the review of the document by PMM, MoLSS and IOM.ย 1.4. Comprehensive Research Report and Strategic Roadmap: Produce a Comprehensive Research Report and Strategic Roadmap that must serve as the authoritative reference document for all project activities. The report's analysis must be highly detailed, covering: Sectoral Risk Analysis: Deep-dive analysis of labour exploitation indicators, Worst Forms of Labour Exploitation (WFLE), child labour, and human (labor) trafficking risks on a sector-by-sector basis. Formalization Barriers: Clear identification and analysis of all structural and procedural obstacles to the formalization of employment for SuTPs and PuIPs. Actor Needs Assessment: Detailed analysis of the expectations and needs of government and non-government actors, and the specific protection needs of vulnerable groups. Actionable Recommendations: Development of specific, pragmatic, and high-impact Recommendations to mitigate identified risks and strategically boost the formalization of employment opportunities. Submission of full report to IOM (Deadline 31 March 2026).Deliverable 2:ย ย Design and Facilitation ofย Comprehensive Capacity Building Roadmap and Training Contentย
This deliverable provides the foundation for sustainable regulatory enhancement and capacity building to foster inclusive labour market integration and combat modern slavery.
2.1. Facilitation & Capacity Building Roadmap:
Development of a comprehensive roadmap, aligned with global standards (e.g., IRIS), to increase awareness and knowledge among key stakeholders. Design and facilitation of specialized, action-oriented training content and materials tailored for MoLSS Labour Inspectors/SSI Auditors (focusing on exploitation screening), Trade Unions/Employers (focusing on due diligence protocols), and Educational Institutions (focusing on risk identification).2.2 Legal Review and Policy Recommendations
Review of a thorough Legal and Policy Gap Analysis of current regulatory and legislative frameworks related to migrant/refugee labour protection, countering trafficking, and modern slavery. Provision of clear Guidance and Policy Recommendations for necessary revisions and enhancements to the legal framework, specifically addressing shortcomings related to SuTPs and PuIPs, to support evidence-based dialogue and provincial action plan strengthening. Execution of the task between 1 December 2025 to 31 September 2026. ย Important note that the design and implementation of trainings and workshops will be determined based on identified needs by MoLSS and PMM. Therefore, there is no assigned date of implementation for this task, and it will be developed in process.ยย Deliverable No. Deliverable Description Due Date Payment Percentage of Total Fee 1.1 Research Methodology & Data Instruments (Critical Output 1) 15 December 2025 Payment upon submission of the final report 100% 1.2 Primary Data Gathering & Stakeholder Mapping Completion 31 January 2026 1.3 First Draft of Research Report & Policy Recommendations 15 February 2026 1.4 Comprehensive Research Report & Policy Recommend.ย 31 March 2026 2
Facilitation & Capacity Building Roadmap (Consultation Report, Roadmap, and Full Training Package Design)ย
(for each training and workshop attendance) Between 1 December 2025- 31 September 2026 Payment upon delivery of the trainings
TBC
Total ย ย ย 100 % ย ย Performance indicators for the evaluation of results Quality and Acceptance of Research Deliverables: (Methodology/Instruments): The research methodology and data collection instruments are assessed as scientifically sound, culturally appropriate, and ethically compliant by IOM. (Research Report): The Comprehensive Sector-Specific Research Report is formally accepted by IOM and the beneficiary institutions, serving as the official reference document for the project. Research Rigor and Evidence Base: The report's findings, analysis, and conclusions are directly supported by verifiable, ethically collected primary data from the mandated diverse range of stakeholders (NGOs, government, private sector, etc.). The analysis rigorously details the five core research areas stipulated in the natura of consultancy (Sectoral Risk Analysis, Formalization Barriers, Actor Needs Assessment, etc.) and presents a high-level analysis of worst forms of labor exploitation in Turkish labor market affecting vulnerable groups (SuTPs and PuIPs).ย Utility and Actionability of Recommendations: The strategic roadmap and recommendations are pragmatic, high-impact, and directly address the stated project objectives (mitigation of labor exploitation risks and boosting formal employment) in relation to the prevention of migrants workers who might be under the risk of exploitation and labor trafficking.
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