Roster Call for National Consultants: CTHB and Migration (SSA)

Background: Trafficking in human beings (THB), including for the purposes of forced labour and sexual exploitation, remains a significant and evolving challenge for the Kyrgyz Republic as a country of origin, transit, and increasingly destination. The crime is characterized by high profitability and low risk, and is increasingly facilitated by digital technologies used for the recruitment, deception, control, and exploitation of victims. Despite ongoing efforts, key systemic challenges persist, including limited institutional capacity, insufficient inter-agency coordination, gaps in victim identification and referral mechanisms, and the absence of a unified data collection and analysis system.

The OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek (POiB) is implementing programmatic interventions aimed at strengthening the national response to THB and irregular migration, with a growing emphasis on victim protection and social services. Current and planned interventions include support to the development and implementation of national strategic anti-trafficking and migration programmes; strengthening of the National Referral Mechanism; capacity building for social workers, law enforcement, prosecutors, customs and border services, and other frontline practitioners; enhancement of inter-agency and cross-border cooperation; support to simulation exercises and targeted awareness-raising initiatives, including engagement with youth and other vulnerable groups.

The POiB is establishing a roster of qualified national experts in the fields of combating trafficking in human beings (CTHB) and irregular migration. The roster will enable the rapid deployment of specialized expertise throughout the project cycle, ensuring responsiveness to emerging needs and full alignment with national priorities and international standards.

About the role

Experts admitted to the roster will be considered for short-term assignments under Special Service Agreements (SSAs) to support the POiB Human Dimension Department, as well as key national stakeholders, including the Ministry of Labour, Social Services and Migration (MLSSM), the Ministry of Internal Affairs, General Prosecutor’s Office, the CTHB and Migration Council under the Toraga (Speaker) of the Jogorku Kenesh, the Office of the National Rapporteur on CTHB, and relevant civil society organizations.

The objective of the assignment is to provide technical, advisory, and operational support to the POiB and its national partners in implementation of anti-trafficking (CTHB) and migration-related issues. Assignments will be structured around four interrelated pillars: prevention, protection, prosecution, and coordination, reflecting the key priority areas of the national response. Across all four pillars, experts will ensure alignment with national legislation, international standards, and OSCE commitments, while contributing to the development of sustainable, results-oriented, and institutionally embedded responses to trafficking in human beings and irregular migration in the Kyrgyz Republic.

Responsibilities

• Develop concept notes and technical materials, liaise with national counterparts to ensure effective outreach, and support the development and revision of prevention-related policies, strategies, and action plans;
• Develop and deliver specialized training courses for law enforcement, prosecutors, social workers, and other anti-trafficking stakeholders, while facilitating inter-agency cooperation and coordination;
• Provide expert support to strengthen victim identification, referral, and assistance mechanisms, including the National Referral Mechanism, and promote victim-centered, trauma-informed approaches aligned with international standards;
• Facilitate communication and cooperation among state institutions, NGOs, and international partners, while strengthening institutional linkages to ensure sustainability and ownership of interventions;
• Preparation of interim and final reports in OSCE reporting template.

Deliverables

• Prevention and capacity-building materials developed and submitted, including concept notes, activity plans, training curricula, presentations, awareness materials, and other technical resources, as approved by the POiB;
• Capacity-building activities delivered for relevant stakeholders, including training sessions, workshops, and awareness-raising events, with supporting documentation (agendas, participant lists disaggregated by gender and institution, evaluation forms, and training reports);
• Technical and analytical inputs provided to policy and programme development, including draft policy documents, analytical notes, reports, and recommendations addressing prevention, victim identification, referral mechanisms, and emerging gaps;
• Technical tools and guidance materials developed or revised to strengthen the National Referral Mechanism (NRM), including standard operating procedures (SOPs), referral guidelines, victim identification tools, checklists, and other victim-centered, trauma-informed guidance materials;
• Coordination and consultation mechanisms supported, including the organization and facilitation of inter-agency meetings, multi-stakeholder consultations, and coordination platforms, with agendas, participant lists, minutes, agreed follow-up actions, and coordination summaries;
• Final activity and analytical reports submitted, summarizing implementation results, key findings, lessons learned, challenges, and recommendations to support sustainable prevention efforts, capacity development, and strengthened inter-agency cooperation.

Requirements

• University degree (Master's level or equivalent is preferable) in Law, Criminal Justice, Human Rights, International Relations, Social Work, or a relevant discipline;
• Minimum of 5 years of progressively professional experience in the areas of combating human trafficking, migration governance, or other related area; additionally, minimum 2 years of relevant background in consultancy services among INGOs, NGOs, and country development sector;
• Demonstrated experience in drafting strategic documents, action plans, or standard operating procedures; and/or practical experience in designing and delivering capacity-building activities or training modules is highly desirable;
• Strong practical understanding of human rights principles including gender mainstreaming and engagement with at-risk and vulnerable groups, including youth; application of victim-centered and trauma-informed approaches; and ability to design and deliver interactive, practitioner-oriented learning methodologies;
• Ability to establish and maintain strong communication and interaction with other experts and counterparts;
• Flexibility, ability to work under minimal supervision, and deliver against tight deadlines;
• Professional fluency in Russian and Kyrgyz with excellent oral and written communication skills; knowledge of English is an asset;
• Digital literacy and proficient use of Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).

Pay

Remuneration will be based on the selected consultant's/expert's qualifications, experience, the tasks and deliverables for this position, and in accordance with the OSCE established rates.