Title of project: “Identification and referral of victims of trafficking, or presumed victims of trafficking, among refugees in Hungary”
Purpose of project:

The main objective of the consultancy is to develop a specific referral mechanism or Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), for a systematic identification and referral of victims of trafficking to specialized support services, or potential victims of trafficking, among refugees, including those fleeing the war in Ukraine. This will entail trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation, labour exploitation or other forms of exploitation. The system will encompass arrival, registration procedures, first reception and longer-term reception of refugees. It will be developed in cooperation with the relevant government authorities and in complementarity to the existing National Referral Mechanism. Activities will entail a thorough desk research, interviews with key stakeholders (including MoI, border police, NDGAP, judiciary), as well as consultations with entities providing safe shelter and specialized support services, and, as appropriate, interviews with affected or formerly affected persons.

Duration and dates of the assignment:

From: as soon as possible To: 31 December 2024

Further allocations of days and main timeline in Gantt chart format to be proposed by the consultant as part of the methodology.

Location:

50% home-based (remote work), 50% office-based from the UNHCR Representation for Central Europe in Budapest, Hungary.

Assignment and/or Mission travel:

Mission travel is possible to attend interviews and/or focus group discussions outside of Budapest.

Payment and schedule:

Total budgetary amount allocated for individual consultant: USD 8,000

Payment will be made in monthly instalments, depending on satisfactory progress on the development of the SOPs.

General Background of Project or Assignment:

The vast majority of people fleeing Ukraine to Hungary and other countries covered by MCO are women, children and vulnerable persons (with a significant proportion are women-head of households, single women, adolescent girls, older women), who are at heightened risk of trafficking. According to The Europol Early Warning Notification on trafficking risks among refugees fleeing Ukraine, women and children, including unaccompanied minors, are most at risk for sexual and labour exploitation as well as forced criminality and begging, or other criminal activities. More recently, Europol has reported that as a result of their proactive operational responses together with EU Member States more than 30 potential victims of trafficking have been identified. UNODC has also provided an overview of tens of investigations initiated for trafficking in EU countries and suspected cases detected.

Those fleeing the war in Ukraine are likely to be targeted at different stages of their journey to destinations in the EU. On the short term, the highest risks concern the potential targeting of victims by criminals under the pretense of promising transportation, free accommodation, employment or other forms of immediate support. In the longer term, barriers to access rights and services and sustainable self-reliance, particularly affecting vulnerable persons, can create additional risks of exploitation and/or trafficking.

Hungary is a country of origin and transit for women and girls trafficked for sexual exploitation, and a source country for men and women trafficked for labor exploitation. The national legislation covers the identification system of victims of trafficking in human beings and establishes a National Coordination Mechanism. UNHCR works to ensure respect of the specific rights and protection needs of persons under its mandate who are trafficked and/or at risk of trafficking. For this purpose, UNHCR participates in the national coordination structure and promotes measures aiming at supporting prevention of trafficking and access to appropriate protection and care. The Refugee Coordination Mechanism, led by UNHCR, provides a further framework for discussion and consultations in the context of the Ukraine Refugee Response.

The consultant’s work shall contribute to the improvement of the capacity of relevant authorities and stakeholders to systematically identify victims of trafficking, or potential victims of trafficking and ensure access to tailored support services, enhance the inclusion of refugees into the national protection system and improve information-provision for victims of trafficking or at risk of trafficking among refugees on available rights and services.

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations

To view occupational safety and health considerations for specific duty stations, please visit this link: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel

Overall Purpose and Scope of Assignment:

Developing a specific referral mechanism or Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), for the systematic identification and referral of victims of trafficking to specialized support services, or potential victims of trafficking, among refugees.

The Consultant will undertake the following activities:

Draft specific referral guidelines or SOPs, in collaboration with internal and external experts, to ensure systematic identification and referral of refugee victims of trafficking from the migration/asylum (including temporary protection) system to the anti-trafficking system, and vice-versa.
Undertake preparatory desk research on the relevant guidance, international and national legal framework, literature and existing good practices.
Support the organization of a series of consultations for the draft guidance on current practices and recommendations with relevant institutional stakeholders (including MoI, border police, NDGAP, judiciary), entities providing safe shelter and specialized support services, and, as appropriate, interviews with affected or formerly affected persons. This will include organizing in presence and virtual consultations, facilitating consultations, and drafting consultation reports with recommendations. Support the initial roll-out of the guidelines/SOPs, including through external reviews of the draft materials, training and/or awareness events. This may also include the development of multi-stakeholder information material.

A detailed methodology will be submitted by the consultant, which will need to reflect age, gender, diversity, and disability mainstreaming in its design. It shall also have special focus on the most vulnerable groups considering education levels, documentation issues, language barriers.

Qualification and experience required:

Advanced University legal studies or other field of studies relevant for the scope of the consultancy;
Minimum 6 years of working experience related to the counter-trafficking field in Hungary and related field such as development of SOPs with the involvement of private and public actors;
Previous working experience in the field of asylum and migration;
Experience working on consensus building, convening or norms and standards development.

Skills and other competences:

Strong knowledge of the counter-trafficking framework in Hungary.
Knowledge of asylum and refugee issues in Hungary, including in relation to the Ukraine emergency response.
Technical knowledge and skills in community and public engagement.
Technical knowledge and skills in norms and standards development methodologies.
Ability to integrate, synthetize, and communicate ideas from various stakeholders’ perspective.
Self-starter willingness and ability to set up necessary meetings.
Strong organizational and planning skills.
Excellent writing skills in Hungarian and English.
Ability to work with people of different nationalities, religions, and cultural backgrounds.