Home-Based Consultant

Job Posting Organization:
The organization behind this job posting is likely affiliated with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), which is dedicated to protecting the rights and well-being of refugees and stateless persons. Established in 1950, UNHCR operates in over 130 countries and has a mission to ensure that everyone has the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another state. The organization works to safeguard the rights of refugees, promote durable solutions, and prevent statelessness, which is a critical issue affecting millions of people worldwide. UNHCR's work is guided by law" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">international law and the principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence. The organization employs thousands of staff members and collaborates with various partners, including governments, NGOs, and civil society organizations, to fulfill its mission and provide assistance to those in need.

Job Overview:
The consultancy position focuses on examining the legislative and procedural implementation of safeguards that grant nationality to children born on a State's territory who would otherwise be stateless. This role is crucial in addressing the issue of childhood statelessness, which is a significant concern under international human rights law. The consultant will conduct an in-depth analysis of approximately 10 countries from different regions, assessing both the legislative frameworks and the practical procedures established to ensure that eligible children can acquire nationality. The consultant will be responsible for developing a research methodology, conducting desk reviews, and engaging with key informants to gather data. The final deliverable will be a comprehensive paper that includes recommendations for States on effective implementation of the safeguard, based on comparative analysis and best practices identified during the research.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will undertake several key activities, including:

• Developing a research methodology that outlines the approach and timeline for the project.
• Conducting a desk review to identify 15-20 countries that have incorporated the safeguard into their national legislation and have established procedures for its implementation.
• Reviewing the legislative and procedural implementation of the safeguard in the selected countries, utilizing UNHCR materials, academic resources, government guidance, and court decisions.
• Identifying key informants from government authorities and NGOs who have knowledge of the procedural implementation of the safeguard, in collaboration with UNHCR offices.
• Selecting 10-12 countries for in-depth analysis based on the findings from the previous steps.
• Conducting interviews with key informants and employing other data collection methods as outlined in the methodology.
• Preparing a detailed outline of the paper for review by UNHCR.
• Drafting a draft paper based on the approved outline for UNHCR's feedback.
• Revising the draft paper according to feedback received from UNHCR. 1
• Preparing the final version of the paper, which will include a thorough examination of the legislative and procedural implementation of the safeguard, along with actionable recommendations for States.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a Bachelor’s degree or advanced degree (PhD or Masters) in law, social sciences, anthropology, sociology, international/community development studies, or a related field. Candidates must have a minimum of 6 years of relevant work experience with a Bachelor’s degree, or 5 years with a postgraduate degree in the desired field of education. Additionally, experience in legal, policy, or academic work related to nationality law, statelessness, or international human rights law is essential. The consultant should possess excellent analytical skills, including the ability to develop analytical frameworks and collect and analyze qualitative and quantitative data from multiple sources. Strong drafting skills are required, with the ability to write clearly and concisely while maintaining a high level of analysis. Demonstrated organizational skills and a flexible work attitude are also necessary, as well as the ability to communicate sensitively and effectively across different constituencies. The consultant must be able to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines, and an excellent command of English is mandatory, with knowledge of additional UN languages considered a plus.

Educational Background:
Candidates must hold a Bachelor’s degree or an advanced degree (PhD or Masters) in relevant fields such as law, social sciences, anthropology, sociology, or international/community development studies. This educational background is critical for understanding the complexities of nationality law and the issues surrounding statelessness, as well as for conducting thorough research and analysis.

Experience:
The position requires a significant level of experience, specifically a minimum of 6 years of relevant work experience for candidates with a Bachelor’s degree, or 5 years for those with a postgraduate degree. This experience should be in fields related to nationality law, statelessness, or international human rights law, demonstrating the candidate's ability to engage with complex legal and policy issues effectively.

Languages:
An excellent command of English is mandatory for this position, as the final deliverables will be produced in English. Knowledge of additional UN languages is considered a valuable asset, as it may facilitate communication and collaboration with diverse stakeholders and enhance the consultant's ability to engage with international contexts.

Additional Notes:
This consultancy position is home-based, meaning that the consultant can work remotely. The assignment is expected to start on August 25, 2025, with a deadline for applications set for August 10, 202

• The final product will be a comprehensive paper of 30-50 pages in English, examining the legislative and procedural implementation of the safeguard to grant nationality to children born on a State’s territory who would otherwise be stateless. The final version of the paper is due by December 31, 202
• The role is classified as an Individual Consultant position, and it does not require a functional clearance.