Request for Proposal: Consultancy for Research Study Analysis of Forced Labor and Labor Trafficking in Indonesia

• Summary

Purpose

To measure the proportion of target population who have experienced Forced Labor and Labor Trafficking in Indonesia and to estimate proportion of vulnerable Indonesian workers that relied on and are willing to interact with the Justice System in Indonesia

Commissioner

Yayasan IJMI Executive Director

Audience

IJM in Indonesia and Asia Pacific Forced Labor Slavery Hub, and IJM’s partners

Dates

February 2025-March 2026

Location

Indonesia (Riau Region, Northern Kalimantan Region, Northern Sulawesi Region, Nusa Tenggara Region, Java Region, Jakarta)

• Background

International Justice Mission (IJM) is a global organization that protects people living in poverty from violence throughout the developing world. IJM partners with local authorities to rescue victims of violence, bring criminals to justice, restore survivors, and strengthen justice systems. IJM combats forced labor/labor trafficking, sex trafficking, and gender-based violence, working through programs across South and Southeast Asia, Africa, Eastern Europe and Latin America. To measurably protect people living in poverty from violence, IJM has developed a protection measurement framework encompassing four protection domains, I.e. Protection can be said to have been achieved when there is decreased Prevalence of crime, improved Performance of the Justice System, increased Confidence of the Justice System actor, and increased victim Reliance on the Justice System.

Yayasan Integritas Justitia Madani Indonesia (IJMI) is a local Indonesian organization and a key partner of IJM (International Justice Mission) in combatting Forced Labor and Labor Trafficking in Indonesia. Yayasan IJMI was established in 2023 and has a mission to protect communities living in poverty from violence by strengthening the Justice System to rescue and restore survivors and ensure accountability for perpetrators in Indonesia. In doing so, Yayasan IJMI aims to strengthen the Justice System in Indonesia to protect over 15.9 M people living in poverty from Forced Labor and Labor Trafficking. This will be achieved through four outcomes; Strengthened and coordinated national and cross-border justice systems effectively implement laws to protect vulnerable workers from forced labor; Survivors of forced labor are protected by trauma-informed national and cross-border justice systems and empowered towards restoration; Local, national, and international agents of change activated to influence national governments to protect migrant and vulnerable workers; and, National public justice and related agencies’ policies, plans, and practices protect vulnerable workers from forced labor.[1]

Based on Yayasan IJMI’s Country Program Strategy, there are four initial priority areas where IJMI will be concentrating their work. These initial priority areas are Riau region (cover 3 provinces: Riau, Riau Island and North Sumatra), Northern Kalimantan (cover 2 provinces: North and West Kalimantan), Northern Sulawesi (can also cover Maluku), and West Nusa Tenggara (NTB).

Yayasan IJMI is proactively developing relationships and credibility with key agencies of the Indonesian government, other NGOs and CSOs, as well as other key stakeholders to strengthen the Indonesian government’s justice system and ensure protection of the most vulnerable through initiatives around caseworks, capacity building, survivor leaderships, advocacy, community and data management. Yayasan IJMI has built a strong foundation in collaborating with the Ministry of Social Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, etc to combat Forced Labor and Labor Trafficking and has been working on different cases with implementing partners and others. Conducting a baseline survey on Prevalence of Forced Labor and Labor Trafficking and Reliance of the Justice System would enable IJMI to understand better the situation of Forced Labor and Labor Trafficking in Indonesian context, so as to design and implement a more targeted and effective strategy.

• Research Study’s Objectives

The Prevalence And Reliance Study Aims To

• (i) Measure the proportion (prevalence) of Forced Labor and Trafficking among the target population, which includes returned Indonesian migrant workers and vulnerable workers within Indonesia.
• (ii) Assess the reliance on the Justice System by estimating the proportion of these vulnerable workers who have either relied on or would consider seeking the Justice System if they were to experience Forced Labor or Trafficking.

This study would need a nation-wide analysis and would need to have robust and reliable data on the scale and distribution of Prevalence of forced labor and labor trafficking in Indonesia to better understand Forced Labor and Labor Trafficking patterns among vulnerable populations in Indonesia, covering both the rates of trafficking and the specific and complex factors that drive it. The results of this research will inform IJMI’s data-driven strategy, priorities, and areas of focus in Indonesia. More detailed study objectives and primary research questions are listed below.

Key Research Questions

Prevalence of Forced Labor and Labor Trafficking

• What is the prevalence of Forced Labor or Labor Trafficking of Indonesian workers within Indonesia (for both returned migrants and domestic workers)?
• Are there notable differences in the prevalence of Forced Labor and Labor Trafficking between cross-border migrant workers (returned) and domestic workers within Indonesia? Specifically, how do these risks vary by top destination countries for cross-border migration?
• How do prevalence rates differ across key labor sectors, such as domestic work, plantations, agriculture, manufacturing, and forced scamming?
• What are the primary vulnerabilities that contribute to Indonesian migrant workers becoming victims of Forced Labor and/or Labor Trafficking within Indonesia as well as returned Indonesian workers?

Reliance on the Justice System

• What proportion of the target population has sought assistance from the Justice System after experiencing Forced Labor or Labor Trafficking?
• What proportion of the target population would consider engaging with the Justice System if they were to experience such exploitation?
• How do reliance rates on the Justice System vary across sectors, and what specific barriers prevent vulnerable workers from reporting?

This study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the scale and patterns of exploitation across sectors and destinations, the vulnerabilities that heighten the risk of trafficking, and the risk of trafficking, and the systemic factors influencing workers’ interaction with the justice system and its mechanisms.

• Research Study’s Methodology

The baseline study on Prevalence and Reliance of Forced Labor and Labor Trafficking in Indonesia intends to apply a mixed-methods approach to (1) measure the prevalence of Forced Labor or Labor Trafficking and to (2) measure the vulnerable Indonesian workers that rely on the public justice system. To measure Prevalence, the study will require a quantitative component, involving the collection of survey data in areas identified as having high instances of Forced Labor and Labor Trafficking. A rigorous and appropriate quantitative methodology tailored to the study’s objectives is encouraged. Quantitative data will be collected through a structured survey within the study location that considered for a high instance of Forced Labor and Labor Trafficking.

To measure Reliance domain, quantitative and qualitative data will be obtained through data collection of nine IJM People’s Reliance Core Standardized Indicators by conducting a large-scale survey using IJM Standardized Indicator Tool and in-depth interviews with survivors of forced labor, labor advocates, and legal professionals. These data collection objectives generally aim to collect information on personal experiences, challenges to access the Justice System and perceptions of Public Justice System effectiveness in addressing Forced Labor and Labor Trafficking cases. By having this combination of qualitative and quantitative methods, it will provide a comprehensive understanding of Forced Labor and Labor Trafficking scope and situation in Indonesia and gives clearer picture how effective Public Justice System in Indonesia in addressing Force Labor and Labor Trafficking cases.

The Baseline study on Prevalence and Reliance in Indonesia will be conducted in alignment with the area that has been identified on Yayasan IJMI Program Strategy that includes Riau Region, Northern Kalimantan Region, Northern Sulawesi Region, Nusa Tenggara Region and Jakarta. The selected consultant(s) will need to apply appropriate methodology to effectively meet the study objectives, including GEDSI (Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion) perspectives and considerations, to answer research questions with close coordination and consultation with IJM.

• Consultancy Scope

The Consultant(s)/firm Is Expected To Undertake The Following Tasks

• Conduct a desk review of IJM and other relevant external documents to understand IJM design, strategy and context on combatting Forced Labor and Labor Trafficking
• Participate in the Co-Creation workshop with IJM and relevant partners to discuss the methodology, sampling strategy and data collection plan
• Develop and finalize Inception Report to outline the problem statement, approach and methodology, roles and responsibilities, deliverables, work-plan and timeline
• Conduct a formative assessment, by conducting interview with NGOs, CSOs, and groups in Indonesia to outline the research procedures and considerations in conducting a study on Forced Labor and Labor Trafficking in Indonesia
• Finalize the research protocol (overall study design, study and sampling methodology, and data collection tools) in collaboration with IJM
• Develop detailed data collection tools and research timeline
• Manage and seek for approval of ethical review and in Indonesia (as applicable) where the study will be undertaken where relevant
• Recruit a local research partner to conduct data collection, design training materials and data collection field instruments, and conduct supervisor and enumerator trainings
• Oversee data collection and conduct regular data quality checks
• Develop data analysis plan, data dissemination and use plan
• Analyze the data collected and draw out key findings
• Present and validate study findings to IJM in a Validation workshop
• Produce a draft report based on a structure agreed with IJM and lead/co-lead consultations with IJM teams and selected external stakeholders
• Finalize the study report and present it alongside IJM in external fora.

The consultant(s)/firm will work under the overall management of IJM’s Forced Labor Programs MERL Specialist, Asia Pacific, and collaborate with the Yayasan IJMI team to design and implement the study on time and within budget and under the supervision of Research Steering Committee for this study. This study will be undertaken in accordance with IJM’s protocol and guidelines. Ethical considerations, such as informed consent and confidentiality, will be strictly observed to ensure the safety and dignity of participants.

• Timeline and Deliverables

The Timeline And Deliverables For The Consultancy Is As Follows (a More Detailed Timeline Will Be Shared And Agreed With The Consultant(s)/firm During The Contract Negotiation Process)

Key Deliverables

Timeframe

Contract signed

March/April 2025

Co-creation workshop (design methodology, sampling frame refined, and data collection plan finalized)

April 2025

Research study design and study plan finalized (including ethical review and approval)

April-June 2025

Data collection, data analyzed, and initial findings

December 2025

First draft report submission and validation workshop with government and non-governmental stakeholders as applicable.

January-February 2026

Final report submission

February-March 2026

All products arising from this study will be owned by the International Justice Mission. The consultant(s)/firm will not be allowed, without prior authorization in writing, to present any of the analytical results as their own work or to make use of the study results for private publication purposes.

• Required Consultancy Skills and Experience

Proposal must clearly demonstrate the consultants’ qualifications and experience, addressing the following areas:

• Experience of working on similar research initiatives having demonstrated credibility with the government or international stakeholders (or experience or proven ability to engage with stakeholders including government agencies, NGOs and local communities to collect data);
• Proven experience in designing and implementing large-scale quantitative studies, including survey design, data collection and statistical analysis;
• Familiarity with methods (Qualitative and Quantitative) for measuring prevalence and reliance, including working with indicators of Forced Labor, Labor Trafficking, or similar.
• In-depth understanding of Forced Labor, Labor Trafficking, or related field, particularly in Southeast Asia or Indonesia;
• Working knowledge of migration and forced labor issues and networks in Indonesia;
• Have published works on their research in reputed peer-reviewed academic journals;
• Preferably PhDs in Statistics, Demography/Population Studies, or methodologists on staff;
• Have submitted research protocols through institutional review boards or ethics committees previously, preferably with experience of getting approvals from the relevant government authorities in Indonesia as applicable.
• Request for Proposal Timeline and Application Process

Qualified candidates or candidate teams must submit any questions they may have by February 07, 2025. Responses to the questions will be provided by February 14. IJM will host a call to interested candidates on February 13 at 20:00 (GMT+7). To attend this call, please express your interest via this link: https://forms.office.com/r/0BgLBXBSB6. Interested candidates or candidate teams must submit their application on or before 23:59 on February 26, 2025 (GMT+7).

The Application Should Contain

• A. Cover letter explaining qualifications, experience, and competence of the consultant or each consultancy team member for this specific research study.
• B. Technical proposal with initial proposed methodology and work plan (which will be discussed and finalized between IJM and the selected consultant(s)/firm, no more than five pages).
• C. Résumé package, containing résumés for all team members if applying as a team/firm (no more than four pages per résumé).
• D. Financial proposal, which should show the breakdown of the study cost, including the consultant’s rate, travel, per diems, and any other possible costs.

Questions, written response and completed applications should be submitted in PDF format with “Analysis of Forced Labor and Labor Trafficking in Indonesia – [Last Name/Firm Name]” in the subject line and email to pros@ijm.org and indonesiainfo@ijm.org. IJM has established terms and standards to be used specifically for research studies including this study. If interested in reviewing the terms and standards, please email to request a copy.

IJM holds strict safeguarding principles and a zero tolerance to violations of the Safeguarding Policy, Protection against Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment Policy, and Code of Ethics. Candidate selection is based on technical competence, recruitment, selection and hiring criteria subject to assessing the candidates value congruence and thorough background, police clearance, and reference check processes. IJM requires a background check, police clearance and thorough review of references with an employment offer and/or employment contract.

[1] IJMI Country Program Strategy, 2023