JO: 38327: (Re-advertisement): International Consultancy (Home-based) to research and draft an update COI Note on “The Situation of Palestinian Refu

Agency: UNHCR MENA Regional Bureau in Amman

Title of project: The Situation of Palestinian Refugees in Lebanon

Purpose of project:

The project will seek to update the 2016 country-of-origin document “The Situation of Palestinian Refugees in Lebanon”, which provides information about the situation of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon, including non-registered Palestinian refugees, undocumented (“non-ID”) Palestinians, and Palestinian refugees from Syria, including the human rights and humanitarian situation and limitations in relation to refugees’ access to basic services and livelihoods. Specifically, the Note will also detail the scope of UNRWA’s assistance and protection to Palestine refugees in Lebanon. Finally, the Note will also describe possible obstacles for Palestinians to return / be readmitted to Lebanon.

Duration and dates of the assignment: ASAP for 3 months (full time consultancy).

Duty Station: Home-based

1. General Background of Project or Assignment:

The updated COI Note will assist asylum decision-makers to adjudicate asylum claims of Palestinian refugees who habitually resided in Lebanon. It will serve both UNHCR and UNRWA in responding to inquiries from asylum authorities, courts, refugees and their legal representatives primarily in Europe asking for information on the situation of Palestinians in Lebanon and the availability of UNRWA services and the agency’s ability to provide assistance and protection to Palestine refugees, for the purposes of assessments under Art 1D of the 1951 Convention.

The project is one of the action points agreed between UNRWA and UNHCR at the 2021 High-Level Meeting and is evidence for the two agencies’ continued partnership and collaboration on achieving greater protection for Palestinian refugees.

2. Overall purpose and Scope of Assignment:

Research Methodology:

• Conduct primary and secondary source research necessary to analyze and update information on the situation Palestinians in Lebanon;
• Maintain close working relationship with UNRWA.

Analysis and Research Outcomes:

Provide detailed analysis and assessment of findings based on primary and secondary source information on the current situation of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon. The final report should specifically cover the following research questions:

• Current Situation in Lebanon (political, security, economic);
• Categories of Palestinian Refugees in Lebanon (as per legal status: Palestine refugees, Non-Registered Palestinian Refugees, “Non-ID” Palestinian Refugees, Palestinian Refugees from Syria);
• Legal Status and Civil Documentation;
• Freedom of Movement, Travelling in and out of Lebanon;
• Socio-Economic Situation (Poverty, Unemployment and Food Security; Access to Property and Adequate Housing; Access to Health; Access to Education; Access to Electricity, Water and Sanitation; Socio-Economic Situation of Women and Children and Persons with Disabilities; Availability of UNRWA Services to Palestine Refugees);
• Situation in Palestine Refugee Camps (Security Conditions; Arbitrary Arrest and Detention; Palestinian Individuals in Conflict with Armed Factions);
• Conditions in Select Refugee Camps.

3. Required Qualifications:

• University Degree in law, political science, international relations or another related field.
• 3 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 2 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 1 year of relevant experience with Doctorate degree
• Previous work experience in the area of refugee protection, human rights / international humanitarian law.
• Excellent research, writing and analytical skills.
• Excellent spoken and written English.
• Previous experience in drafting country-of-origin information for UNHCR desirable.
• Previous work in / on the Middle East desirable.
• Arabic desirable.