Result of Service

Inception note and detailed workplan is delivered and approved by UNODC.

Evidence and resource mapping, including an annotated bibliography and matrix of relevant tools, standards, initiatives, promising practices and relevant stakeholders is carried out.
Annotated outline and consultation package for the guidance manual is provided.
Complete first draft of the guidance manual suitable for expert review is delivered.
Expert Group Meeting inputs, presentation materials, meeting synthesis and comments-response matrix are provided.
Revised and final complete draft guidance manual, with all annexes and practical tools, ready for editorial review and clearance.
Final guidance manual incorporating UNODC’s final feedback is provided.
Concise recommendations note on dissemination, piloting, monitoring and possible conversion into digital learning products is carried out.

Work Location

Home-based

Expected duration

7 Sept-20 Dec 2026

Duties and Responsibilities

Trafficking in persons for forced labour can occur across sourcing, recruitment, production, manufacturing, transport and distribution. Risks are heightened by complex subcontracting arrangements, labour intermediaries, excessive recruitment fees, informal work, migration-related vulnerabilities and limited visibility beyond first-tier suppliers. Businesses therefore require practical, operational guidance that translates international standards and due diligence expectations into measures that can be adapted across sectors, company sizes and regions. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is the guardian of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) and its supplementing Trafficking in Persons (TiP) Protocol. UNODC is mandated to promote global adherence to the Protocol and to assist Member States in their efforts to effectively implement it. UNODC Civil Society Team facilitates meaningful contribution to and involvement of non-government stakeholders in UNODC mandates. UNODC’s Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling Section (HTMSS) provides normative and policy guidance, as well as technical assistance in assessing and strengthening national responses on prevention, investigation and prosecution of human trafficking, developing international cooperation, and respecting the rights of victims. This technical assistance is provided on the basis of a range of tools developed by HTMSS to allow for a coherent approach in implementing the Protocol among Member States, such as training manuals, needs assessment toolkits, model laws and case law database as well as frameworks for action to implement the Protocol. In line with its mandate, UNODC is implementing Phase II of the project “Public-private partnerships: Fostering engagement with the private sector in the implementation of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and its Trafficking in Persons Protocol”. The project aims to facilitate private-sector application of due diligence measures to prevent and address trafficking in persons for forced labour in supply chains and to strengthen cooperation with public authorities and civil society. Building on the UNODC Compendium on Public-Private Partnerships to Prevent and Combat Trafficking in Persons published during Phase 1 of the project, the Human Trafficking and Business e-learning course developed by UN.GIFT, the Supplier Sensitization Initiative promoted by the UN Task Force for combating human trafficking and forced labour in supply chains, as well as complementary resources developed by partner organizations, UNODC will produce a guidance manual on preventing, identifying and responding to trafficking in persons for forced labour in supply chains. The manual will be developed through evidence review, technical drafting, online consultation and validation by an Expert Group Meeting of stakeholders from the public and private sectors, international organizations, academia, civil society and, where appropriate, persons with lived experience. Under the joint supervision of Programme Officer, Civil Society Unit, and Team Leader, Knowledge Development and Innovation of the Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling Section, the consultant will carry out the following tasks:

Prepare an inception note setting out the methodology, detailed workplan, proposed research questions, quality-assurance approach and preliminary table of contents.
Conduct a comprehensive desk review and mapping of UNODC materials and complementary resources from relevant international organizations, governments, businesses, employer and worker organizations, civil society and PPP initiatives.
Analyse recent developments concerning human rights due diligence, responsible recruitment, public and private procurement, remediation, social auditing, supply chain mapping, contractual controls, ethical data use and business engagement in countering trafficking in persons.
Identify and assess promising practices, practical examples and potential case studies, ensuring to the best extent, a variety including from a geographical perspective. Verify permissions, confidentiality and appropriate attribution requirements before proposing materials for inclusion.
Develop an annotated outline and content framework for the guidance manual, showing how existing UNODC tools will be integrated or cross-referenced without unnecessary duplication.
Identify relevant stakeholders, prepare materials for, participate in and synthesize feedback from an online stakeholder consultation, including targeted questions and a concise consultation summary.
Draft the guidance manual in clear, accessible English, including practical recommendations, risk indicators, decision points, checklists, sample tools, model approaches and examples adaptable across sectors and company sizes. Ensure that the draft addresses how trafficking risks arise through recruitment, subcontracting, labour intermediaries, informal work, migration vulnerabilities and low supply chain visibility. Translate due diligence expectations into practical steps to identify, prevent, mitigate, track, communicate and remediate trafficking-related adverse impacts. Integrate public-private partnership approaches linking businesses and suppliers with procurement authorities, labour inspectorates, licensing bodies, criminal justice authorities, civil society organizations, trade unions and other relevant actors. Integrate victim-centred, trauma-informed, gender-responsive, disability-inclusive and worker-informed approaches, including safe reporting, referral, protection from retaliation and access to remedy.
Support the preparations for the Expert Group Meeting (EGM); identify relevant experts, prepare and deliver a technical presentation at the EGM; facilitate relevant working sessions as requested; document recommendations; and prepare a comment-response matrix.
Revise the guidance manual, incorporating consolidated feedback and recommendations from the EGM, clearly documenting how comments were addressed.
Prepare a final, complete draft ready for editorial review, together with recommendations for dissemination, piloting, monitoring of use and possible adaptation into digital learning or other knowledge products, and finalize the draft incorporating UNODC final feedback.
Maintain regular communication with UNODC, clarify issues that might arise, provide brief progress updates, flag emerging issues promptly and submit all source files, references and supporting materials in an organized electronic format.

Qualifications/special skills

An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in law, business and human rights, or a related field is required. A first level university degree in similar fields in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

A minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible experience in countering trafficking in persons and forced labour, promoting business and human rights, responsible business conduct, human rights due diligence, labour rights, monitoring supply chains or a closely related field is required.
Demonstrated experience researching and drafting substantial policy guidance, manuals, toolkits, due diligence frameworks or comparable knowledge products for business, government or international audiences is required.
Experience translating legal, policy and technical standards into practical operational tools, checklists, indicators, case studies or model provisions is required.
Experience engaging private-sector entities and suppliers, including procurement, compliance, sustainability, human resources or supply chain functions, is required.
Excellent analytical, research, synthesis and drafting skills, with meticulous attention to evidence and citation. is required.
Ability to work independently, manage competing deadlines and collaborate effectively in a remote, multicultural environment is required.
Proficiency in standard office software and in organizing references, comments and version-controlled source materials.is required.
Commitment to the values of the United Nations and to ethical, non-discriminatory and safeguarding-sensitive working methods is required.
Experience facilitating multi-stakeholder consultations or expert meetings and integrating diverse technical feedback is desirable.
Experience with public-private partnerships, public procurement, labour inspection, licensing, criminal justice cooperation, and remediation is desirable.
Experience applying victim-centred, trauma-informed, gender-responsive and worker-informed approaches is desirable.
Previous work with the United Nations or another international organization is desirable.
Experience working across regions and/or with businesses of different sizes and sectors is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position, fluency in English (both oral and written) is required. Knowledge of other official UN languages is an advantage.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.

International Consultant (Expert in trafficking in persons for forced labour in supply chains)