Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)H (no hardship)
Family Type (not applicable for home-based)
Family
Staff Member / Affiliate TypeCONS Local
Target Start Date2023-08-01
Job Posting End DateJune 14, 2023
Terms of Reference1. General Background of Project or Assignment:
The 21st century has seen an overall reduction in the number of refugee returns from the previous decade, chiefly due to the protracted nature of the conflicts that account for most of the worldโs refugee population and a significant proportion of internally displaced persons. The 1990s led to a greater appreciation of the complexities of repatriation and challenged whether the notion of voluntariness, as articulated in UNHCR policy and legal doctrine, entails a binary choice or a scale of options. The principle of voluntariness is strongly implied in non-refoulement as a cornerstone of refugee protection, while in some scenarios, return in adverse circumstances may amount to refoulement, the realities on the ground are not so black and white.
In this โgrey areaโ, the principle of voluntariness is significantly more difficult to operationalise than is reflected in UNHCR guidance where voluntariness is typically viewed in terms of a binary choice for refugees on whether or not to return. Behind the decision, there is a range of complex factors and considerations, and elaborate strategies are often deployed by returnees to spread the risks of
return over time.
In light of these considerations, the binary view of voluntariness that is generally conveyed in UNHCR policy and guidance does not reflect that voluntariness from a refugee perspective is more about a
scale of imperfect options in an environment of constrained choice.
Through this consultancy, UNHCR seeks support to develop additional guidance on benchmarks and redlines to operationalise the key principles of voluntariness, safety, and dignity, so that UNHCR engagement in such return movements is tailored to the context.
2. Overall purpose and Scope of Assignment:
This consultancy is task-based (four and a half months consultancy with indicative start date 1 August and end date: 1 December 2023). Under the overall supervision of the Durable Solutions Officer in UNHCR DIP, in close consultation with the IDP section, the Global Protection Cluster, the Regional Bureaux as well as the Division of Resilience and Solutions and the Office of the Special Advisor on Internal Displacement, the consultant will be responsible for the following deliverables:
1. Revise the Operational Guidelines on Voluntary Repatriation in view of the recommendations made in the UNHCR - ES/2022/04 Evaluation of UNHCR's Repatriation Programmes and Activities 2015โ2021;
2. Following the above, prepare an external version of the Operational Guidelines on Voluntary Repatriation.
3. Develop practical guidance to operationalise the key principles of voluntariness, safety, and dignity, so that UNHCR engagement in such return movements is tailored to the context. This will include some country studies, checklists and scenario-based guidance etc. The practical guidance will be for refugees and IDPs.
4. Link the operational guidance on voluntary repatriation to return and reintegration to create a โreturn continuumโ for refugees as well as IDPs. This will be based on the outcome of the ongoing work on reintegration.
5. Develop an internal website (ie. on sharepoint) for UNHCRโs work on return and reintegration.
6. Facilitation of online workshops with UNHCR FPs in the regional bureau, DIP, GPC and DRS on the consultancy deliverables.
3. Monitoring and Progress Controls (report requirements, periodicity, format, deadlines):
This consultancy is task-based; the tasks will be delivered according to the following timeline:
a. Final outputs:
โข Develop practical guidance to operationalise the key principles of voluntariness, safety, and dignity, so that UNHCR engagement in such return movements is tailored to the context. This will include some country studies, checklists and scenario-based guidance etc. The practical guidance will be for refugees and IDPs (by mid-October)
โข Revise the Operational Guidelines on Voluntary Repatriation in view of the recommendations made in the UNHCR - ES/2022/04 Evaluation of UNHCR's Repatriation Programmes and Activities 2015โ2021 (by mid-November)
โข Following the above, prepare an external version of the Operational Guidelines on Voluntary Repatriation (by mid- November)
โข Link the guidance on voluntary repatriation to return and reintegration to create a โreturn continuumโ for refugees as well as IDPs (mid- November)
โข Develop an internal website (ie. on sharepoint) for UNHCRโs work on return and reintegration (end November)
โข Facilitation of at least two online workshops/webinar (end November)
b. Delivery Periodicity, as above.
Weekly meetings (on Teams) to catch up and regular email exchange.
c. Work on the basis of time employed: No
d. If it is to result in a written product specify:
โข Practical guidance to operationalise the key principles of voluntariness, safety, and dignity, so that UNHCR engagement in such return movements is tailored to the context. This will include some country studies, checklists and scenario-based guidance etc. The practical guidance will be covering refugees and IDPs.
โข Revised Operational Guidelines on Voluntary Repatriation in view of the recommendations made in the UNHCR - ES/2022/04 Evaluation of UNHCR's Repatriation Programmes and Activities 2015โ2021
โข (Possible) guidance chapters to link the guidance on voluntary repatriation with reintegration.
โข External version of the Operational Guidelines on Voluntary Repatriation
โข Develop a sharepoint site (internal) for UNHCRโs work on return and reintegration
โข Language(s): English with excellent drafting skills and working knowledge of French is desirable.
4. Qualifications and Experience
a. Education (Level and area of required and/or preferred education)
University degree in law or political science/international relations, with possible specialization in international human rights law, international humanitarian law or public administration with 4 years, or 2 years and a postgraduate university degree.
b. Work Experience (in relation to education level, please refer to the annex; List minimum number of years and area of relevant work experience . Clearly distinguish between required and desired experience.
A minimum of ten years of relevant work experience on refugee law, internal displacement and researching experiences in relation on durable solutions, with a particular focus on voluntary repatriation, reintegration as well as protection and solutions more broadly.
c. Key Competencies
Required
โข In depth knowledge of international refugee law, human rights law and of protection and solutions for refugees and IDPs, including latest development
โข Demonstrated ability to undertake research and analysis is essential
โข Ability to work autonomously
โข Proven communication and networking skills
Desired
โข Knowledge of other UN languages (French and/or Spanish) a benefit
Standard Job Description
Required Languages
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Desired Languages
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Additional Qualifications
Skills
Education
Certifications
Work Experience
Other informationThis is a Home based ConsultancyThis position doesn't require a functional clearance