National Consultant - Support the Assessment of the Surrogacy Landscape in Georgia: Legal, Policy and Institutional Perspectives

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 Duty Station: Tbilisi, Georgia Duration of Consultancy: 30 Working days over a three - months 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 assignment will be implemented through a combined international and national expertise modality, with the International Consultant leading the analytical work, while the National Consultant supports contextualization, stakeholder engagement and field-level inputs.

[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 and in close coordination with the International Consultant, the National Consultant will support the implementation of a comprehensive and multidisciplinary assessment of the legal, institutional and socio-economic dimensions of surrogacy in Georgia, with a particular focus on facilitating access to relevant stakeholders, providing contextual insights and contributing to the accuracy and relevance of field-level information. The assignment is expected to include, but not necessarily be limited to, the following components:

• Support the mapping of key stakeholders in the surrogacy sector in Georgia, including clinics, agencies, intermediaries and relevant government institutions, through identification, facilitation of contacts and coordination of meetings with relevant actors. 

• Support data collection activities, including organization and facilitation of key informant interviews (KIIs) with relevant national stakeholders, ensuring access to relevant institutions and actors within the national context. 

• Provide contextual inputs on national legal, institutional and operational frameworks related to surrogacy, migration and reproductive health services, focusing on practical implementation and real functioning of existing systems. 

• Contribute to the identification of emerging patterns, risks and vulnerabilities affecting surrogate mothers, including practice-informed insights derived from national-level experience and stakeholder engagement. 

• Support the identification of relevant case examples and practical experiences related to surrogacy arrangements, including documentation and structuring of available national-level case information, where accessible. 

• Assist in the organization and logistical coordination of stakeholder consultation and validation workshops, including communication with participants and national counterparts. 

• Provide inputs and feedback on draft analytical outputs developed by the International Consultant, particularly regarding contextual accuracy and relevance to the national setting.

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"

Category B Consultants: Tangible and measurable outputs of the work assignment

• Deliverable 1: Input to Workplan and stakeholder mapping, including identification of relevant national actors and support to KIIs coordination, submitted by 12 June 2026.

• Deliverable 2: Consolidated inputs to draft analytical report on the current state, legal frameworks and social implications of surrogacy, including contextual information, stakeholder inputs and field-level insights, submitted by 2026 31 July 2026. 

• Deliverable 3. Support to stakeholder consultation workshop, including logistical coordination and participation support, submitted by 7 August 2026 

• Deliverable 4: Support to validation workshop, including coordination of national participants and consolidation of feedback inputs, submitted by 27 August 2026.

• Deliverable 5: Final consolidated inputs to analytical report, including validation of contextual accuracy and incorporation of national-level insights, submitted by 31 August 2026.

 Performance indicators for the evaluation of results

• Delivers the listed deliverables on time and of good quality. 

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education

• Advanced postgraduate degree (i.e. PhD, MA, MSc) in Law, Human Rights, Social Sciences, Sociology, Public Policy, Migration Studies, Public Health, Gender Studies, or other relevant disciplines related to the assignment.

   

Experience & Skills

• Demonstrated experience in research, policy support, or programmatic work related to human trafficking, migrant protection, gender equality, sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), or related fields in Georgia or similar contexts.
• Strong knowledge of national legal, institutional and policy frameworks in Georgia related to trafficking in human beings, migration governance, labor rights and/or reproductive rights.
• Experience supporting or conducting legal and/or socio-economic research, case studies, or policy assessments, preferably related to vulnerable populations, migration, or exploitation in complex national or transnational contexts.
• Proven experience in supporting qualitative and mixed research processes, including key informant interviews, desk research, stakeholder consultations, data collection, and policy/legal analysis.
• Experience working with government institutions, international organizations, civil society actors, and/or private sector stakeholders in Georgia, particularly in sensitive or regulated sectors.
• Familiarity with assisted reproductive technologies (ART), surrogacy practices, or related ethical and legal debates will be considered an advantage.
• Strong analytical, communication, and report-writing skills in Georgian and English

Languages

For this consultancy, fluency in both English and Georgian is required.

Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.

Required Competencies

IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link. Competencies will be assessed during the selection process.

Values - all IOM staff members must abide by and demonstrate these five values:

• Inclusion and respect for diversity: Respects and promotes individual and cultural differences. Encourages diversity and inclusion.
• Integrity and transparency: Maintains high ethical standards and acts in a manner consistent with organizational principles/rules and standards of conduct.
• Professionalism: Demonstrates ability to work in a composed, competent and committed manner and exercises careful judgment in meeting day-to-day challenges.
• Courage: Demonstrates willingness to take a stand on issues of importance.
• Empathy: Shows compassion for others, makes people feel safe, respected and fairly treated.

Core Competencies – behavioural indicators

• Teamwork: Develops and promotes effective collaboration within and across units to achieve shared goals and optimize results.
• Delivering results: Produces and delivers quality results in a service-oriented and timely manner. Is action oriented and committed to achieving agreed outcomes.
• Managing and sharing knowledge: Continuously seeks to learn, share knowledge and innovate.
• Accountability: Takes ownership for achieving the Organization’s priorities and assumes responsibility for own actions and delegated work.
• Communication: Encourages and contributes to clear and open communication. Explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way.

Notes

IOM covers Consultants against occupational accidents and illnesses under the Compensation Plan (CP), free of charge, for the duration of the consultancy. IOM does not provide evacuation or medical insurance for reasons related to non-occupational accidents and illnesses. Consultants are responsible for their own medical insurance for non-occupational accident or illness and will be required to provide written proof of such coverage before commencing work. 

Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation.

Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, security clearances.

IOM has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and IOM, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities.

IOM does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, processing, training or other fee). IOM does not request any information related to bank accounts.

IOM only accepts duly completed applications submitted through the IOM e-Recruitment system (for internal candidates link here). The online tool also allows candidates to track the status of their application.

No late applications will be accepted. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

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