Baseline Situational Analysis Consultant (ASSET)

POSITION:	Consultant to support the Baseline Assessment for the Actions to Strengthen Systems to End Trafficking (ASSET) project
DURATION:	April 10 – May 28, 2026 (20 days LOE estimated)
REPORTS TO:	Project Director, ASSET
LOCATION:	The assessment will be carried out in Turkmenistan. Beginning and final parts of the assignments may be done remotely.
ESTIMATED BUDGET:	USD $5,000
APPLICATION CLOSING DATE:	April 3, 2026

 

1. BACKGROUND

Winrock International (WI) is a non-profit organization that works with people around the world to increase economic opportunities, sustain natural resources, and empower the disadvantaged. The Actions to Strengthen Systems to End Trafficking (ASSET) project is a five – year US Department of State funded project implemented by Winrock International in Turkmenistan.  The project will use Winrock’s technical expertise, in-country presence, and existing strong relations with key Government of Turkmenistan (GoTM) and NGOs to accelerate Turkmenistan’s progress in countering trafficking in persons (CTIP).

1. OBJECTIVES

Effective with this announcement, Winrock International is recruiting for a Consultant to support the design and implementation of the Baseline Assessment for the ASSET project. The Consultant will help develop the methodology for the assessment, including data collection tools, interview and focus group protocols; assist the Project Director (PD) in carrying out the assessment, and conduct data analyses and drafting of the report.

The assessment aims to explore and document the current trends in human trafficking and labor migration, explore strengths and gaps in responses and capacities of stakeholders, analyze available services for survivors and existing preventative mechanisms, and recommend specific intervention strategies at community, district, regional and national levels that would improve identification and protection of survivors, strengthen justice processes, and reduce trafficking risks among affected populations.

 

The baseline assessment will focus on the following areas:

• Review of domestic, bilateral, and multilateral legislative and policy frameworks related to trafficking in persons (TIP), forced labor prevention, labor migration, migrant protection, and labor rights, including relevant national action plans, sectoral policies, and international commitments.
• Development of a mapping of service providers and referral mechanisms, including government agencies, civil society organizations, trade unions, and private sector initiatives providing services to victims of sex and labor trafficking as well as vulnerable migrants.
• Analysis of economic sectors exposed to risks of trafficking in persons and forced labor, including agriculture (particularly cotton production), construction, and other labor-intensive industries. Identify existing vulnerabilities, systemic gaps in prevention and response mechanisms, and potential entry points for strengthening labor protections and responsible supply chain practices.
• Assessment of the needs, capacities, and challenges faced by stakeholders in complying with international and national standards related to labor rights, forced labor prevention, safe migration, and anti-trafficking efforts. The assessment will examine institutional mandates, operational constraints, incentives for reform, and opportunities for collaboration among government, civil society, and the private sector.
• Exploration and documentation of key internal and cross-border migration patterns, including associated costs, risks, intermediaries, and potential exposure to trafficking and forced labor.
• Preliminary analysis on how at-risk migrants and workers access, share, and use information related to employment and migration opportunities, as well as how employers in sectors with higher labor risks recruit workers domestically and abroad, including the role of recruitment intermediaries and informal labor arrangements.
• Assessment of the availability, quality, and accessibility of protection and support services for at-risk populations and survivors of trafficking, including access to legal assistance, healthcare, social protection, education, and reintegration support.
• Evaluation of existing coordination mechanisms, including national and local task forces, technical working groups, coalitions, public-private partnerships, and multi-stakeholder platforms working on trafficking in persons, forced labor prevention, and responsible labor practices.

TASKS AND DELIVERABLES

 The consultant, in close coordination with the project team, will perform the following tasks:

• Under the guidance of the Project Director (PD) and project team, develop the methodology for the assessment, including research questions, interview and focus group protocols, and data collection approaches.
• Prepare and submit an Inception Report outlining the assessment methods, workplan (Gantt chart), logistics, and management arrangements for the study, as well as the outline for the final report.
• Review relevant project documentation, research reports, media and public data sources to inform the assessment.
• Design data collection tools and support data collection using participatory research methods, and ensuring an enabling environment for participation of women and men, youth and adults.
• Translate (where required) and pilot survey questionnaires and research tools in Turkmen and Russian.
• Involve Winrock NGO partners as part of the field team and, where necessary, engage private sector experts, particularly related to the cotton sector component.
• Oversee data collection, data entry, transcription, and quality control, ensuring appropriate supervision and adherence to methodological standards.
• Ensure compliance with ethical research standards, including confidentiality, anonymity of respondents, and adherence to “Do No Harm” principles (dignity, safety, rights, and privacy).
• Consolidate data into a database compatible with the ASSET-prescribed MS Excel template.
• Submit all relevant data and information collected during the study to ASSET, including datasets, completed questionnaires, transcripts, coded qualitative data, training materials.
• Present preliminary findings and recommendations to the ASSET team and senior management, and subsequently to the Department of State for feedback.
• Prepare a draft evaluation report in English.
• Revise the report based on feedback from ASSET and the Department of State and submit the final evaluation report to Winrock.
• Prepare a 2–3 page stand-alone evaluation brief summarizing the evaluation design, key findings, and recommendations in accessible language suitable for non-specialist stakeholders.
• Coordinate the overall evaluation process, including organizing periodic meetings, consolidating inputs from team members, and ensuring the production of a high-quality final report.
• Maintain regular communication with the ASSET team, including weekly status meetings or calls.

1. APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Interested candidates should submit their CV and a cover letter highlighting applicant’s suggested approach to the assessment.

Winrock International will review all submissions but will only contact shortlisted candidates.

1. QUALIFICATIONS

Winrock seeks candidates who meet the following minimum qualifications:

• A degree in economics, management, international development, public policy, or other relevant field;.
• At least 5 years of professional experience working on donor-funded development programs, including projects focused on economic development, labor governance, or related sectors.
• Demonstrated experience leading or conducting at least two research projects of comparable scope and complexity, preferably for international development programs.
• Extensive experience applying qualitative research methodologies, including mixed-method evaluations.
• Understanding of U.S. Government (USG) or other donor’s performance monitoring frameworks and evaluation standards.
• Fluency in English, Russian and Turkmen (preferred) with excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated experience designing and implementing research methodologies, development of data collection tools, and qualitative data analysis.
• Familiarity with issues related to trafficking in persons, forced labor prevention, responsible supply chains, and labor standards in export-oriented sectors will be considered an asset.
• Demonstrated experience conducting field-based research using approaches.
• Strong ability to synthesize complex datasets and analytical findings into clear, actionable recommendations for policymakers, program managers, and other stakeholders.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and presentation skills.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills, including the ability to manage competing priorities and deliver high-quality outputs within tight deadlines.

Winrock is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing equal treatment for all people. All qualified applicants receive consideration for employment regardless of race, color, religion, sex, gender, national origin, age, disability 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.