National Consultant - Support The Assessment Of The Surrogacy Landscape In Georgia: Legal, Policy And Institutional Perspectives

Organizational Context

The International Organization for Migration (IOM), a UN agency established in 1951, promotes humane and orderly migration. This consultancy supports a project focused on strengthening migrant protection and preventing trafficking, specifically examining the growing area of commercial surrogacy and its intersection with migration and gender inequality. The role contributes to a national analysis of legislation aligned with EU directives, aiming to identify and address exploitation risks.

Job Purpose

This consultancy aims to support a comprehensive, multidisciplinary assessment of the legal, institutional, and socio-economic dimensions of surrogacy in Georgia. The National Consultant will play a crucial role in facilitating access to relevant stakeholders, providing essential contextual insights, and ensuring the accuracy and relevance of field-level information. The work will contribute to identifying emerging patterns, risks, and vulnerabilities affecting surrogate mothers, and will inform IOM's evidence-based programming and policy dialogue. The ultimate goal is to contribute to more effective measures safeguarding the rights and well-being of women involved in surrogacy, particularly those in vulnerable situations, by examining current legal and institutional frameworks and their alignment with anti-trafficking and protection standards.

Responsibilities

The National Consultant will support the mapping of key stakeholders in Georgia's surrogacy sector, including clinics, agencies, and government institutions, facilitating contacts and meetings. Responsibilities include supporting data collection through organizing and facilitating key informant interviews, and providing contextual inputs on national legal, institutional, and operational frameworks related to surrogacy, migration, and reproductive health. The consultant will contribute to identifying emerging patterns, risks, and vulnerabilities affecting surrogate mothers, drawing on national experience and stakeholder engagement. Additionally, they will assist in identifying and structuring relevant case examples, support the logistical coordination of stakeholder consultation and validation workshops, and provide feedback on draft analytical outputs to ensure contextual accuracy and relevance to the national setting.

Work Experience

Demonstrated experience in research, policy support, or programmatic work related to human trafficking, migrant protection, gender equality, or SRHR in Georgia or similar contexts is required. Experience in supporting legal/socio-economic research, policy assessments, qualitative/mixed research processes (including KIIs, desk research, stakeholder consultations), and working with government and international organizations in Georgia is necessary. Familiarity with ART or surrogacy practices is an advantage.

Skills

Strong analytical, communication, and report-writing skills. Experience in research, policy support, programmatic work, qualitative/mixed research methods, stakeholder engagement, and working with government/international organizations. Knowledge of Georgian legal, institutional, and policy frameworks. Familiarity with human trafficking, migrant protection, gender equality, SRHR, ART, or surrogacy is beneficial.

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