CALL FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST INDEPENDENT CONSULTANT Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) and Heat Stress: Understanding risks, impacts and effective prevention policies for workplaces.

The International Organisation of Employers (IOE) is requesting expressions of interest from independent consultants to support the development of practical guidance on occupational safety and health (OSH) and heat stress, targeting Employers’ and Business Membership Organisations (EBMOs), companies and SMEs worldwide.

About us

IOE is the largest private sector network in the world, representing 50 million businesses through 150 national employers’ organisations. IOE is the sole representative of business in social and employment policy debates taking place at the International Labour Organization (ILO), the United Nations, G20 and other global forums. IOE is recognised for its unique expertise, advocacy, and influence as a powerful and balanced voice for business at the international level. IOE consolidates the perspectives and priorities of national employers’ and business organisations in one single, effective, and coherent voice. Our vision is to create a sustainable economic environment worldwide, promoting free enterprise that is fair and beneficial to both business and society.

Background on topic

Climate change is leading to rising global temperatures and more frequent, intense, and prolonged heatwaves, increasingly affecting workplaces across regions and sectors. As a direct consequence of these climate-related changes, heat stress has emerged as a major occupational safety and health (OSH) challenge, with significant implications for workers’ health and safety, labour productivity, and business continuity. As awareness of climate-related workplace risks continues to grow, employers and companies worldwide are facing increasing pressure to adapt working conditions and practices. There is a clear and growing demand from businesses for practical, accessible guidance on preventing and managing occupational heat stress, implementing climate adaptation measures at the workplace level, and navigating evolving legal, policy, and regulatory frameworks linked to climate change.

Scope of work:

Develop a concise and practical guidance document (approximately 10 pages) tailored to employers’ and business membership organisations (EBMOs) and companies, including SMEs. The document should include case examples, good practices, and key messages to strengthen the capacity of businesses to address heat stress in the workplace. In particular:

• Identify key climate-related risk factors, impacts and preventive measures related to occupational heat stress.
• Identify current and emerging approaches, tools, and technologies for the prevention, monitoring, and management of heat stress at work, including low-cost and practical solutions relevant to SMEs and different sectors.
• Provide an overview of existing or emerging policy frameworks on heat stress and climate change adaptation across regions.
• Map existing guidelines, toolkits, frameworks and good practices that can be of use to EBMOs and SMEs.

Timeline: first draft to be provided by end of March 2026. Final work to be delivered by end of May 2026.

Location: Home based / Remote

Subject to IOE’s planning and needs, the consultant may be invited to contribute to the dissemination of the guidance, including through participation in an international launch event and/or a webinar aimed at EBMOs and business audiences. Any such participation would be discussed and agreed separately and would not form part of the present consultancy contract.

Competencies

• Proven expertise in occupational safety and health (OSH) policy and practice.
• Demonstrated knowledge of heat stress and workplace prevention strategies.
• Experience producing policy-oriented and practical guidance for business audiences.
• Ability to translate technical content into clear, actionable guidance.
• Strong writing and editorial skills in English.

Funding: the total funding available is 5’000 EUR

Required: Candidate must be registered as an independent consultant in their country of residence or apply through a registered organisation/company.

Please send your application package (cover letter, CV, samples of relevant work and references) to projectprocurement@ioe-emp.com with the subject line “IOE Consultancy – OSH and Heat Stress.”

Deadline: 16 February 2026.