TERMS OF REFERENCE (ToR)

Title: Upgrade minimum standards for survivor-centered shelter care in Serbia

Project: “Safe Haven: Expanding Shelter Resources for Trafficking Survivors in the Western Balkans”

Coordinated by: World Vision International in partnership with Atina (Serbia), Lara Foundation (BiH), Mary Ward Loreto (Albania), and Open Gate/La Strada (North Macedonia)

Supported by: U.S. Department of State – Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons

Date of announcement: 3 November 2025

Selection date (consultants): 12 November 2025

Deliverable deadline: 25 December 2025

1. Background

Victims of trafficking (VoTs) in Serbia face significant barriers to accessing high-quality, survivor-centered shelter services. While Serbian legislation and social protection frameworks provide for specialized accommodation and comprehensive services, existing minimum standards primarily focus on functional and structural aspects, without a comprehensive framework for qualitative standards of care, trauma-informed practice, or survivor participation.

NGO Atina has been delivering specialized sheltering and supported housing services for victims of human trafficking and gender-based violence since 2003, and is one of only two licensed providers of this service in Serbia. Over the course of more than two decades, Atina has developed a trauma-informed, gender-sensitive, and survivor-centered model of care that integrates safe accommodation, psychosocial and legal assistance, reintegration support, and economic empowerment through its social enterprise, Bagel Bejgl.

In 2024, Atina prepared and submitted to the Ministry of Labor a Draft Rulebook on Functional and Qualitative Standards for Sheltering Women and Girls with Experience of Gender-Based Violence, which serves as a foundation for this assignment. Additionally, Atina conducted an Analysis of the Functioning of Shelters for Women Victims of Violence in Serbia, identifying critical gaps in meeting both functional and structural standards across the country. These materials, along with relevant state regulations, will serve as key reference points in this process.

Atina’s professional team, comprising licensed social protection practitioners and experienced shelter managers, will provide expert guidance throughout the process to ensure that the new standards are fully aligned with current practices and institutional frameworks.

2. Legal and Policy Framework

The development of upgraded standards will align with Serbia’s Law on Social Protection (Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia, 2011, with amendments from 2022), which serves as the foundation for regulating the social protection system and defining services, licensing procedures, and quality criteria.

Key supporting regulations and strategic documents include:

The Rulebook on the Closer Conditions and Standards for the Provision of Social Protection Services defines minimum conditions and criteria for service provision.

The Rulebook on Licensing of Social Service Providers sets procedures and professional requirements for licensing.

Rulebook on Records and Documentation in the Field of Social Protection prescribes standards for maintaining and safeguarding records.

Strategy for the Development of the Social Protection System;

Strategy for the Prevention and Suppression of Violence against Women in Family and Partner Relationships;

General Protocol on Cooperation between Institutions in Cases of Violence against Women, defining coordination and minimum intervention standards;

Sectoral Protocols (police, health, social work), establishing standard procedures for response and referral.

In addition, consultants will ensure full compliance with international frameworks, including the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings, the Palermo Protocol, and the EU Victims’ Rights Directive (2012/29/EU).

3. Objective

To develop, validate, and finalize an upgraded set of Minimum Standards for Shelter Provision and Comprehensive Services to Victims of Trafficking in Serbia, covering:

1. Functional standards, operational and procedural guidance, staffing, coordination, documentation, and service delivery;
2. Structural standards, physical space, safety, accessibility, and environmental conditions;
3. Qualitative standards, survivor-centered principles, trauma-informed care, ethics, inclusion, and continuous quality improvement.

These upgraded standards will be tailored to the Serbian context. They will integrate specific provisions addressing migrant survivors, victims of labor exploitation, and gender-based violence, ensuring sustainability and institutional alignment.

4. Scope of Work and Key Tasks

Each of the four consultants will contribute to the following:

Desk Review:

Review existing national and regional documents (rulebooks, laws, strategies), Atina’s prior research and draft standards, and relevant international instruments.

Focus Groups:

Conduct at least one (1) focus group with five (5) professional staff from licensed shelters and supported housing programs;

Conduct one (1) focus group with other service providers and institutions supporting victims of trafficking.

Survivor Survey:

Design and conduct confidential interviews or surveys with survivors who have used sheltering services, ensuring a trauma-informed approach.

Drafting and Revision:

Revise functional and structural standards, incorporate new qualitative standards, and define indicators and implementation guidance.

Validation Workshop:

Present the draft document at a multi-stakeholder workshop for feedback and harmonization.

Finalization:

Deliver an integrated final version with a toolkit and executive summary.

5. Deliverables and Timeline

 

6. Consultant Qualifications

Advanced degree in social work, law, gender studies, human rights, or related field;

Minimum 5 years of professional experience in trafficking response, social protection, or service standards development;

Strong understanding of Serbia’s licensing and social service framework;

Experience conducting focus groups, qualitative research, and survivor consultations;

Excellent written and analytical skills in English and Serbian.

7. Application Process

Applications should include:

• CV (max. four pages);
• Motivation letter outlining relevant expertise;
• Two examples of prior work (manuals, standards, or reports);
• Financial offer (daily rate and total estimated days).

 

Applications must be submitted by November 10, 2025, to: zorana.parezanovic@atina.org.rs

Shortlisted candidates will be contacted on 12 November 2025.

8. Contract and Reporting

NGO Atina will engage consultants under short-term consultancy contracts.

Atina’s professional team will provide technical oversight and ensure compliance with Serbian legal and procedural frameworks.

9. Ethical Standards

All activities must adhere to international ethical and protection principles, ensuring informed consent, confidentiality, and avoidance of retraumatization. Survivor participation will be voluntary, protected, and anonymous.

10. Project Context and Partners

This activity is part of the regional project “Safe Haven: Expanding Shelter Resources for Trafficking Survivors in the Western Balkans”, coordinated by World Vision International, in partnership with:

Atina (Serbia)

Lara Foundation (Bosnia and Herzegovina)

Mary Ward Loreto (Albania)

Open Gate / La Strada (North Macedonia)

Supported by the U.S. Department of State – Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons.