About IHRB & the Leadership Group for Responsible Recruitment

The Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB) is the leading global think tank working to ensure corporate activity respects the rights of workers and communities. IHRB’s mission is to shape policy, advance practice, and strengthen accountability in order to make respect for human rights part of everyday business. IHRB’s focus areas are diverse and reflect some of the most important and emerging human rights issues facing business.

Launched in May 2016, the Leadership Group for Responsible Recruitment (LGRR) is a collaboration between leading companies and expert organisations, developed as an initiative of IHRB. The Leadership Group operates as a company-led collective advocacy platform harnessing the leverage of major international brands to promote responsible recruitment practices amongst business, the recruitment industry, and government.

All corporate members of the Leadership Group are publicly committed to the Employer Pays Principle (EPP) and its implementation throughout their supply chains. Reflecting the Dhaka Principles for Migration with Dignity, the EPP is a commitment to ensure that no worker should pay for a job - the costs of recruitment should be borne not by the worker but by the employer. Adoption of the EPP across all industries is fundamental to combatting exploitation, forced labour, and trafficking of migrant workers in global supply chains, and represents an important step in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goal 8 of decent work for all.

The Leadership Group was established as a 10-year initiative aimed at the total eradication of recruitment fees being charged to workers anywhere by 2026. LGRR works to create demand, enable supply and improve migrant worker protection through responsible recruitment As the LGRR concludes its ten-year journey in 2026, IHRB will lead a transition phase that consolidates its legacy and informs its next evolution. As part of this, IHRB is commissioning a Synthesis Report capturing key achievements, lessons learned, and the LGRR's influence in advancing the Employer Pays Principle.

Deliverables

Synthesis Report

The consultant will produce a Synthesis Report that:

• Consolidates a decade of LGRR’s learning, achievements, challenges, and global impact in advancing the Employer Pays Principle (EPP) and responsible recruitment

• Challenge LGRR’s Theory of Change by documenting its influence on policy and business practice, capturing shifts in the charging of recruitment fees, EPP adoption, and industry practices over ten years.

• Is informed by targeted interviews with at least 25–30 contributors, including companies, government representatives, civil society partners, and recruitment agencies drawn from IHRB's global network

• Provides an evidence base for new action by donors, businesses, recruiters, and governments, as well as strategic recommendations for IHRB's direct engagement with businesses on responsible recruitment

• Includes baseline and trend data illustrating measurable shifts in recruitment fee charging, EPP adoption, and industry practices over the ten-year period

Measurement of Success — Synthesis Report

• Validated and published by Q3–Q4 2026

• At least 25–30 contributors interviewed across companies, governments, civil society, and recruitment agencies

• Includes baseline and trend data showing shifts in recruitment fee charging, EPP adoption, and industry practice over ten years

• Documents lessons, achievements, challenges, and strategic recommendations for IHRB's direct engagement with businesses on responsible recruitment

The Process

The successful consultant will be expected to:

• Review the full body of LGRR work, including policy documents, research outputs, business commitments, case materials, and the LGRR's ten-year archive

• Conduct targeted interviews with a minimum of 25-30 contributors across companies, government representatives, civil society partners, and recruitment agencies from IHRB's global network — with the list co-developed and agreed with the IHRB team

• Work closely with IHRB's responsible recruitment team through 2–3 workshops to refine the report's framing, structure, and key findings

• Draft the Synthesis Report (maximum 20 pages, excluding annexes), incorporating a strong executive summary and undergoing two full rounds of review, as outlined in the timeline below.

• Compile and present baseline and trend data showing measurable shifts in recruitment fee charging, EPP adoption, and industry practices over the ten-year period

Qualifications and Capabilities

We are seeking an individual consultant or organisation with:

• Demonstrable expertise on responsible recruitment, labour migration, and/or supply chain human rights — ideally spanning multiple sectors and geographies

• Strong analytical and writing skills: the ability to synthesise complex, data-rich material into clear, authoritative, and actionable recommendations for senior business and policy audiences

• Experience conducting and synthesising qualitative interviews at senior levels across business, government, and civil society

• Seasoned understanding of how to engage business audiences, including familiarity with business media, board-level conversations, and industry associations

• Ability to work with quantitative data and present trend analysis in an accessible and compelling way

• Experience in programme evaluation, using practical methods to assess performance, generate insights, and support continuous improvement and decision-making.

Timeline

Submission deadline: Proposals will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Applicants are encouraged to apply early, with a working deadline of 23 April 2026. IHRB reserves the right to close this RfP prior to the listed deadline if a successful delivery provider is identified.

Consultancy period: The consultancy is expected to require up to a maximum of 30 days between the period of April 2026 –August 2026.

Budget & Particulars

• Applicants are invited to submit a clear and detailed financial proposal with day rate and associated deliverables. The total budget for this consultancy is USD 14,000 (all-inclusive).

• Payments will be linked to the timeline and deliverables: 20% upon first draft of the Synthesis Report; 30% upon second draft incorporating Round 1 feedback and completion of interviews; 50% upon submission of the final Synthesis Report.

• Open to all: This consultancy is open to individuals and organisations.

• Contracting: This contract will be subject to a consultancy agreement governed by UK law.

• References: The consultancy will be subject to receipt of at least two satisfactory professional references.

Deadline for applications: 5pm BST on 24 April 2026

Please submit the following:

• A brief cover letter (max 1 page) outlining your interest and relevant experience

• A short technical proposal (max 1 page) describing your proposed approach, methodology, and how you would structure the work

• A financial proposal with a clear breakdown of costs and delivery schedule

• Two examples of relevant prior work (published reports, case studies, or comparable outputs)

• Contact details for two professional references