UN High Commissioner for Refugees
Organizational context
The number of forcibly displaced people worldwide continues to grow, reaching 100 million inclusive of internally displaced persons and refugees. UNHCR is a global organisation working to save lives, protect rights and build a better future for refugees, stateless and internally displaced persons.
Every year, millions of men, women and children are forced to leave their homes to escape conflict and persecution. Supporting the sustainability of return and reintegration is integral to UNHCR’s responsibility to promote durable solutions for refugees and internally displaced persons in partnership with national authorities and other key stakeholders, taking into account the distinct features of the return and reintegration process for refugees and internally displaced persons.
Promoting the sustainability of return and reintegration is part of UNHCR’s progressive and comprehensive approach to Solutions. Reintegration in countries and places of origin is a process that involves the progressive creation of conditions that enable returnees and their communities to exercise their social, economic, civil, political and cultural rights and, on that basis, to lead peaceful, productive and dignified lives.
In this context, UNHCR’s approach is to mainstream reintegration into national policies, guidelines, plans and services under the leadership of government and in collaboration with other actors while supporting with operational engagement in a spirt of partnership, in a coordinated and harmonized manner – including in area-based and mixed return contexts (where there are refugee and IDP returnees).
Considering contemporary norms and policy orientations conveyed including in the GCR and UNHCR Strategic Directions 2022-2026, the guidance chapters provide practical guidance to UNHCR staff including on key considerations, new approaches, tools and UNHCR’s role in planning and implementing reintegration assistance programmes, including through harmonised approaches in mixed return/reintegration contexts where there are refugees and internally displaced returning while guiding on how to support government leadership and ownership and promote inclusion of returnees into national and local development plans, programmes, systems and services.
In this context, it will reflect UNHCR’s remarkable commitment to concerted action on assessment, planning and implementation with the displaced communities, governments, and other actors in the partnership, whole of society and humanitarian and development approaches.
The consultant will develop the guidance chapters based on extensive consultations with relevant UNHCR staff and external stakeholders, data collection through surveys and desk review of internal and external tools and reports including on the evaluation of UNHCR’s Repatriation Programs and Activities 2015-2021.
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Duties and responsibilities
Under the supervision of the Senior Durable Solution Officer, the consultant will develop the guidance chapters on reintegration. Using the 2004 UNHCR Handbook for Repatriation and Reintegration Activities as a basis and considering contemporary norms and policy orientations conveyed including in the GCR, UNHCR Strategic Directions 2022-2026, recommendations of the above mentioned UNHCR evaluation and other key references, the consultant will develop an updated guidance chapters on reintegration with an appropriate design and layout through the below tasks, among others.
Outputs
Phase 1: Inception report developed (including a detailed work plan – to be discussed at inception meeting)
Activities
1. Inception meeting(s) (virtual/ in-person) with Senior Durable Solutions Officer and task team to frame the scope of the assignment and expectations of the consultancy.
2. Desk review and catalogue of all key publications and guidance on the reintegration of displaced persons, and UNHCR’s role in supporting related activities.
3. Virtual consultations with key internal (UNHCR) interlocutors on reintegration – focusing primarily on the agency’s role.
4. A comprehensive map of all internal and external stakeholders – highlighting those best placed to support a balanced review and revision of the agency’s reintegration modalities.
5. Preparation of a detailed inception report (including a workplan) that highlights various contemporary approaches to achieving sustainable reintegration (taking into consideration area-based programming and other considerations spanning the humanitarian, development and peace); the current landscape of activities, models and paradigms; data management on reintegration etc.
Timeline Week: 1-6
Outputs
Phase 2: Develop the survey tool and administer
Activities
Develop a questioner and administer among internal and external actors. This tool is intended to probe deeply into:
1. Current reintegration activities, models and paradigms;
2. New and emerging concepts and approaches to reintegration – in view of area-based programming, mixed situations and other factors;
3. The mainstreaming/ prioritization of needs assessment and analyses in programme design;
4. The uptake and promotion of various models, paradigms, tools and approaches to reintegration by state and non-state actors; and
5. Data management on reintegration at the CO-level by way of regional data repositories.
Timeline Week 7-8
Outputs
Phase 3: Compile the outcome of the survey, conduct further desk reviews, consultations and share first draft of the chapters.
Activities
Using on-line and other methods, administer the survey and conduct further desk reviews and on-line/in-person consultations.
Timeline Week 9-20
Outputs
Phase 4: Present first draft
Activities
Prepare a presentation on the key features and contents of the updated chapters and submit the actual draft for review.
Timeline Week 21-22
Outputs
Phase 5: Review
Activities
Revise and generate the final draft based on the comments from the task team.
Timeline Week 23-24
Outputs
Guidance Chapters Validated
Activities
The Snr Durable Solution Officer and task team to organize and facilitate internal validation workshop.
Timeline Week 25-27
Essential minimum qualifications and professional experience required
Qualification and experience required (degree required, years of work experience, field of expertise, language required):
– Academic: Minimum academic qualification is a university degree in law, development studies, international relations, social studies and other relevant field
– Experience:
A minimum of 10 years of work experience in refugee and/or internal displacement situations/operations and/or research on durable solutions, preferably on reintegration with a solid understanding of and/or background on protection, solution, and development.
Language: English is essential with excellent writing skills and French is an advantage.
Skills: Proven communication and networking skills.
Computer skills: Excellent computer skills including word, excel and PowerPoint.
Location
The successful candidate will be working home-based with mission travels to different locations (Somalia, Colombia, South Sudan and Geneva, one week in each location, travel dates included)
Conditions
The consultancy is planned to be home-based.
How to apply
Interested applicants should submit their letter of motivation and Personal History Form (PHF) to [email protected] indicating DRS/2022/010; First Name/Last Name, Consultancy to develop the updated version of the 2004 UNHCR Handbook for Repatriation and Reintegration Activities in the subject of the email.
Personal History Forms are available at
PHF Form / Supplementary Sheet.
Applications without PHF Form will not be considered.
The UNHCR workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages and opinions. UNHCR seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. Applications are encouraged from all qualified candidates without distinction on grounds of race, colour, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity.