Consultant

Job Description

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 Türkiye.

Responsibilities

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): 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 methodology 
• 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. 
• 1.3. 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. 
    • Feedback and recommendations will be incorporated in the final report after the review of the document by PMM, MoLSS and IOM. 
• 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:  Design and Facilitation of Comprehensive Capacity Building Roadmap and Training Content 

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.  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. 
   

• 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). 
• 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.

Qualifications

Required Skills

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