Consultant SOW: Facilitate organization of the visit of delegations of Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan to Turkey - Safe Migration in Central Asia (SMICA) Project

Scope of Work

Safe Migration in Central Asia (SMICA) Project

International Consultant, based in Turkey (preferably, in Ankara)

Facilitate organization of the visit of delegations of Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan to Turkey

Consultant Position:  International Consultant to facilitate organization of the visit of government officials from Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan to Turkey, to promote mutual legal assistance, prevention and investigation of crimes related to trafficking in persons (TIP), identification and referral of TIP survivors.

Reports to:                 SMICA Chief of Party, or her designated person 

Location:                     Remote

Duration:                    6 (six) months [Expected start date: February 1, 2025] 

Funded by United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by Winrock International (WI), Safe Migration in Central Asia project (SMICA, 2019-2026), which focuses on building cooperation with local government, private sector, and civil society to promote rights-based migration and counter trafficking in persons (TIP), reduce vulnerability of at-risk population to all forms of TIP, and improve identification and assistance to trafficking survivors.

All questions regarding this application should be addressed to [email protected].

Summary of assignment: 

According to the recently released US TIP Report 2023, trafficking victims in Turkey are primarily from Central and South Asia, Eastern Europe, Azerbaijan, and Syria. Of the 345 victims identified in 2023, most were Syrian (108), followed by Uzbek (57), Afghan (33), and Kyrgyz (15). US TIP Report prioritizes improvement of investigation, prosecutions and convictions of traffickers in its recommendations for Turkey, as well as to Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyz Republic.

This shift in migration patterns highlights the urgent need for improved cooperation and mutual legal assistance Turkey and Central Asian states, mainly, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyz Republic, and Tajikistan. The absence of bilateral agreements, a lack of direct contacts, and language barriers among other factors, hamper international cooperation in this direction. Addressing these challenges effectively requires robust management and support mechanisms that can adapt to the evolving landscape of global labor migration, ensuring the rights and well-being of migrants while fostering positive migration outcomes.

USAID-funded Safe Migration in Central Asia (SMICA), implemented by Winrock International partners with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in strengthening of collaboration and transnational referral mechanisms between Central Asian states with the aim to promote systematic, coherent, and consistent suppression of trafficking in persons. This vision has its origins in numerous national, regional and international events initiated and organized in partnership with national governments, civil society organizations, and the international community.

SMICA is organizing a work visit to Turkey for representatives from the governments of Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and the Kyrgyz Republic. This initiative builds on previous engagements, including a visit by the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Uzbekistan to Turkey and a virtual roundtable in 2022 with key Turkish institutions such as the Supreme Court, the General Prosecutor’s Office, the Ministry of Justice, and the State Migration Service of Turkmenistan. Through this visit, SMICA and UNODC aim to further strengthen dialogue and collaboration with Turkish officials.

SMICA is seeking an International Consultant to help meet the objectives of the visit:

• Improve Legal Assistance Systems. Enhance understanding of the legal assistance systems available to migrants in Turkey and discuss optimization of their effectiveness.

• Combat Trafficking in Persons (TIP). Strengthen collaboration in preventing TIP, enhance victim identification, and improve transnational referral mechanisms for TIP victims.

• Advance TIP Investigations: Increase understanding of legal procedures and practices related to TIP crime investigations.
• Enhance Victim Support: Improve knowledge of transnational referral processes and support mechanisms for TIP victims.

• Establish Working Groups. Explore the creation of a working group on MLA involving Central Asian states and Turkey, and establish regular technical meetings on MLA.

• Address Migrant Challenges. Gain insights into the issues faced by Central Asian migrants in Turkey and develop recommendations for improving support services provided by both governmental and non-governmental organizations.
• Strengthen cooperation in conducting outreach work to Central Asian migrants to reduce the TIP risks and inform them about legal employment opportunities, support programs, hotlines, orientation training activities on safe work and life in Turkey; outreach programs might involve placement of information materials at the airport (CA citizen arrivals gates), recruitment agencies, translation agencies and hotels and places of CA migrants' congestion places.

The international consultant tasks would include:

1. Agree with relevant Turkish authorities and facilitate communication with delegations, through SMICA.
   • Identify and reach relevant state authorities in Turkey;
   • Communicate with Turkish authorities the anticipated visit program, dates, and scope;
   • Based on communications with Turkish authorities, provide recommendations to SMICA about official reach out to Turkish authorities; review draft letters prepared by SMICA and provide feedback, if needed.
2. Follow up the official communication, submitted by SMICA (or delegations) to relevant state authorities of Turkey, through contacting them and agreeing on further steps.
3. Finalize agenda of the visit in close communication with relevant Turkish authorities and diaspora groups (contacts of diaspora-based organizations will be provided by SMICA).
4. Develop the plan for on-the-ground logistics of the visit, including provision of contacts of interpreters, if needed.
5. Facilitate the organization of meetings, per agreed agenda during the visit and moderate negotiations.
6. Prepare visit report with recommendation on the follow-up activities to strengthen MLA.

1. Dates and details of deliverables/payments:

Deliverable

Output

To be accomplished by (date)

Payment

Facilitation of the Study Visit

The visit is agreed with relevant Turkish authorities and communication facilitated with delegations, through SMICA.

o        Identified and reached relevant state authorities in Turkey;

o        Communicated the anticipated visit program, dates and scope with Turkish authorities;

o        Based on communications with Turkish authorities, provided recommendations to SMICA about official reach out to Turkish authorities; reviewed draft letters prepared by SMICA and provided feedback, if needed.

 By February 28, 2025

 10%

Communication followed up. Agenda developed, agreed and finalized.

Followed up the official communication, submitted by SMICA (or delegations) to relevant state authorities of Turkey, through contacting them and agreeing on further steps. Finalized agenda of the visit in close communication with relevant Turkish authorities and diaspora groups (contacts of diaspora-based organizations will be provided by SMICA). 

By March 30, 2025

 20%

Logistical arranegments supported.

Developed the plan for on-the-ground logistics of the visit, including provision of contacts of interpreters, if needed. 

By April 10, 2025

n/a

Visit organized

Facilitated the organization of the visit and meetings, per agreed agenda during the visit and moderate negotiations.

By June 30, 2025

 50%

Submitted and approved (by SMICA) Report

Prepared visit report with recommendation on the follow-up activities to strengthen MLA.   

By August 1, 2025

 20%

III. Methodology and reporting

The consultant will report to the SMICA Chief of Party or her designee.

All materials must be provided in English.

1.  TIMEFRAME: The expected period of performance from the date of contract signature on February 1, 2025 to August 1, 2025.  The fixed-price contract will be concluded.
2. PAYMENT SCHEDULE: Payment will be made in separate tranches, based on deliverables, per table above.
3. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS : Qualifications/Expertise Sought (Required Educational Background, Work Experience, and Skills):
   1. Advanced university degree in criminology, law, sociology, or a related discipline.
   2. Minimum of five years of relevant work experience in countering trafficking in persons (CTIP) or labor migration regulation.
   3. Demonstrated experience in developing training materials, preferably in CTIP or labor migration regulation.
   4. Extensive expertise and a proven track record in developing training materials and facilitating workshops or other training formats, preferably in CTIP or labor migration regulation.
   5. Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
   6. Experience partnering with government agencies in Turkey, particularly stakeholders involved in CTIP and migration issues (preferred).
   7. Experience working in the CIS and Central Asia region (preferred).
   8. In-depth knowledge of the CTIP landscape in Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan (distinct advantage).

APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION DEADLINE

Interested candidates should apply by submitting their CV and proposed lump sum cost for all deliverables and the full scope of work performance to [email protected] by January 20, 2025, with the subject line “International Consultant on Strengthening cooperation between CA states and Turkey.” 

SMICA would like to thank all applicants for their interest but only candidates who meet all the required criteria and are shortlisted will be contacted.

To participate in this application, please send the following documents by email:

1. CV.
2. Price Quotation for all tasks under this SOW. Please indicate the total amount in US Dollars. If the applicant does not indicate whether the amount is gross or net, SMICA will default to gross.

All questions regarding this application should be addressed to [email protected].

Winrock is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunity for all people and value diversity and inclusiveness. Winrock recruits, employs, trains, promotes and compensates regardless of race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, family care status, or any other basis protected by law.
At Winrock we have a clear mission: Empower the disadvantaged, increase economic opportunity and sustain natural resources through unwavering dedication to accountability, equity, innovation, integrity and transformation.
Winrock knows that its success comes from the hard work and steadfast dedication of its diverse workforce. Winrock remains committed to maintaining diversity, inclusion and equity across the entire organization