International Consultant -Assessment of the Surrogacy Landscape in Georgia: at IOM

Tbilisi, , Georgia -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

06 Aug, 26

Salary

0.0

Posted On

08 May, 26

Experience

5 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Policy Analysis, Legal Research, Qualitative Research, Mixed-Methods Research, Stakeholder Engagement, Human Rights Analysis, Report Writing, Case Study Analysis, Migration Governance, Gender Analysis, Anti-Trafficking Frameworks, Reproductive Rights Knowledge, International Standards Alignment, Ethical Research Standards, Communication Skills, Analytical Thinking

Industry

International Affairs

Description

Introduction Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations, and as the leading UN agency in the field of migration, works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners. IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services and advice to governments and migrants. IOM is committed to ensuring a workplace where all employees can thrive professionally, while working towards harnessing the full potential of migration. Read more about IOM's workplace culture at IOM workplace culture | International Organization for Migration [https://www.iom.int/iom-workplace-culture] Duty Station of the Consultancy: Tbilisi, Georgia (remote assignment, with up to 10 days of travel to Georgia) Duration of Consultancy: 30 Working days over a three-month period Nature of the consultancy :The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is implementing a project aimed at strengthening migrant protection frameworks and preventing trafficking in human beings, with a particular focus on emerging and less-regulated areas of potential vulnerability. One such area receiving increased attention is the expansion of commercial surrogacy practices and their intersection with migration, gender inequality and transnational service provision. In this context, the Government of Georgia has committed, under the National Action Plan for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings (2025–2026), to conduct a comprehensive analysis of national legislation in light of its alignment with the Directive 2011/36/EU[1]. This commitment underscores the importance of ensuring that national frameworks adequately capture evolving forms of exploitation and provide effective mechanisms for prevention, protection and prosecution. Emerging practices, particularly those linked to commercial surrogacy, require closer examination within this policy context. While existing legislation may address key aspects of trafficking, labor exploitation and human rights protection, the complexity and transnational nature of surrogacy arrangements suggest the value of examining whether current legal and institutional frameworks sufficiently address the specific risks associated with this sector. In recent years, countries such as Georgia have experienced an increase in demand for surrogacy services, driven by a combination of relatively enabling legal environments, lower operational costs compared to other regions, and international demand from intended parents. This has contributed to the development of a cross-border surrogacy arrangements involving private clinics, intermediaries and recruitment agents. While surrogacy itself is not inherently exploitative, the absence of comprehensive regulatory frameworks and effective oversight mechanisms in some contexts may create conditions where risks of exploitation could arise. The multi-actor and cross-border nature of surrogacy arrangements can also present challenges for accountability and protection efforts. Legal frameworks governing surrogacy vary significantly across countries, ranging from complete prohibition to partial regulation or permissive regimes with limited safeguards. In contexts where legislation is fragmented or outdated, critical issues such as informed consent, enforceability of contracts, parental rights, medical standards and post-birth protections may remain insufficiently addressed. This regulatory ambiguity can create space for inconsistent practices and underscores the importance of strengthened oversight. At the same time, the socio-economic drivers underpinning women’s participation in surrogacy such as poverty, unemployment, debt and lack of access to social protection, must be understood within a broader structural context. For some women, surrogacy may represent a livelihood option, however, without adequate safeguards, such arrangements may carry potential health, social and rights-related risks. Despite the growing relevance of this issue, there remains a need for comprehensive, evidence-based analysis of how legal, institutional and social factors interact to shape risks in the surrogacy sector, particularly from a trafficking and migrant protection perspective. Existing research is often fragmented, jurisdiction-specific, or focused primarily on bioethical debates, with limited integration of migration and Anti-Trafficking considerations. Against this backdrop, there is a clear need for a systematic and multidisciplinary assessment of the current landscape of surrogacy in relevant jurisdictions. Such an assessment should examine legal and policy frameworks, institutional practices and socio-economic dynamics, while identifying specific vulnerabilities, risk factors and protection gaps. The findings of this research will support IOM’s efforts to strengthen evidence-based programming, inform policy dialogue and contribute to the development of more effective measures to safeguard the rights and well-being of women involved in surrogacy arrangements, particularly those in situations of vulnerability. This consultancy will be implemented through a combined international and national expertise modality, with the International Consultant leading the analytical work and ensuring methodological coherence, while the National Consultant provides contextual grounding and supports data collection and stakeholder engagement. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [1] Directive 2011/36/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council on preventing and combating trafficking in human beings and protecting its victims was amended in 2024 (Directive (EU) 2024/1712) to strengthen the EU legal framework. The revision explicitly includes the exploitation of surrogacy, alongside forced marriage and illegal adoption, as forms of exploitation falling within the scope of trafficking in human beings. Project Context and Scope Under the overall supervision of IOM, the consultant will undertake a comprehensive and multidisciplinary assessment of the legal, institutional and socio-economic dimensions of surrogacy, with a particular focus on identifying risks related to trafficking in human beings and exploitation. The International Consultant will work in close coordination with a National Consultant, who will provide contextual insights and support related to the local setting. The consultant is expected to apply a mixed-methods approach, combining legal and policy analysis with qualitative research and stakeholder engagement. While the specific methodological approach may be further refined in consultation with IOM during the inception phase, it is anticipated that the assignment will include, but not necessarily be limited to, the following components: * Assess the current state of surrogacy practices, including mapping the structure, scale, and functioning of the surrogacy sector, identifying key actors (e.g., clinics, agencies, intermediaries) and analyzing trends, modalities and cross-border dimensions of surrogacy arrangements, in close coordination with the National Consultant, particularly in relation to stakeholder identification and local data collection. * Conduct a comprehensive legal and policy analysis of national frameworks governing surrogacy and related fields, including assisted reproductive technologies, migration and residency regulations, and relevant labor, contractual and health rights provisions. The analysis should assess alignment with international standards related to trafficking in human beings, migrant protection and human rights, including the Directive 2011/36/EU, and identify legal gaps and areas that may benefit from further clarification or strengthening. * Analyze institutional frameworks and practices, including roles and responsibilities of relevant state institutions and private sector actors, as well as existing oversight, monitoring and accountability mechanisms. This includes reviewing available complaint and remedy mechanisms accessible to surrogate mothers, with support from the National Consultant in mapping institutional practices and facilitating access to relevant stakeholders. * Examine social and human rights dimensions of surrogacy, including socio-economic drivers influencing women’s participation, gender dynamics, ethical considerations and the broader societal context. Particular attention should be given to vulnerabilities faced by foreign and migrant women, including those in irregular or precarious situations, drawing on contextual insights and field-level information provided by the National Consultant. * Identify potential risks and indicators of exploitation and trafficking, including patterns that may involve of coercion, deception, abuse of vulnerability and restrictions on autonomy, drawing on available case data and stakeholder insights, including practice-based evidence and emerging patterns related to surrogate mothers in the national context, provided by inputs from the National Consultant. * Review relevant cases and comparative practices, including documented cases with trafficking indicators and where relevant, regulatory approaches from other jurisdictions to contextualize findings and identify good practices. * Assess to services and protection mechanisms in practice, including the availability, accessibility and effectiveness of support services for surrogate mothers such as legal assistance, healthcare, psychosocial support and complaint mechanisms with attention to potential barriers faced by migrant women, in collaboration with the National Consultant for the collection and interpretation of practice-based insights. * Develop actionable recommendations aimed at strengthening legal and policy frameworks, improving institutional responses and enhancing protection mechanisms to prevent exploitation and trafficking in the context of surrogacy. * Compile and submit a final consultancy report, including key findings, analytical outputs, and recommendations developed during the consultancy period. All research activities must be conducted in line with internationally recognized ethical standards, including informed consent, confidentiality and the “do no harm” principle, with particular attention to the protection of vulnerable individuals and sensitive information. Organizational Department / Unit to which the Consultant is contributing Project: "Building Resilient Future for Migration-Prone Populations in Georgia"

Responsibilities

Conduct a multidisciplinary assessment of the surrogacy landscape in Georgia, focusing on legal, institutional, and socio-economic risks related to human trafficking. Develop actionable recommendations to strengthen protection mechanisms and legal frameworks for vulnerable women involved in surrogacy.