Consultancy on statelessness

UNHCR RNE is hiring a consultant with expertise in the areas of prevention and reduction of statelessness, and the protection of stateless persons.
22.07.2020

1. General Background:
In November 2014, UNHCR launched a Global Campaign to End Statelessness in 10 Years. The name of the Campaign is #IBelong, and its strategy is set out in a Global Action Plan, which contains 10 actions that need to be taken to end statelessness. During a High-Level event on Statelessness in October 2019, countries made pledges towards achieving the goals of the Global campaign to end Statelessness by 2024.
Within the framework of the Global Campaign, the UNHCR Representation for Northern Europe (UNHCR RNE) has conducted Mappings of Statelessness in the countries in the region and developed accompanying National Action Plans (NAPs). The mappings analyse the respective countries' national legal frameworks, practices and institutional capacities vis-à-vis the standards set out in the 1954 Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons and in the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness.

2. Purpose and Scope of Assignment:
To assist UNHCR in supporting the respective governments and the national actors in addressing the gaps identified, and implementing recommendations contained in the in the mappings and the pledges made by States in October 2019, UNHCR RNE is hiring a consultant with expertise in the areas of prevention and reduction of statelessness, and the protection of stateless persons.
The consultant will work under the direct supervision of the Deputy Representative and assist UNHCR RNE with formulating advocacy messages and providing technical advice to the national actors in the region on the legal standards in these areas, and their application at national level. The consultant will also facilitate trainings on specific aspects of statelessness, such as the determination of statelessness and the prevention of childhood statelessness. The consultant will moreover assist UNHCR RNE in expanding and strengthening its network of partners in this area and contribute to other activities aimed at supporting the implementation of recommendations and the 2019 pledges on ending statelessness in the Northern Europe countries.

3. Location and duration of the consultancy:
The duration of the consultancy is from 1 September to 31 December 2020. There is a possibility that the contract may be further extended. The consultant will be based at the UNHCR RNE in Stockholm.

4. Qualifications and experience:
a. Education
University degree in law, with specialization in international law, including a focus on international human rights law, and preferably the legal standards pertaining to nationality, the prevention and reduction of statelessness, and the protection of stateless persons.
b. Work Experience
At least four years of relevant professional experience, including on nationality and statelessness issues, or 2 years and a post-graduate university degree.
c. Key Competencies
- Knowledge of/familiarity with UNHCR's policies related to statelessness
- Sound knowledge of the international, and preferably also the European practice and legal standards pertaining to nationality, the prevention and reduction of statelessness, and protection of stateless persons;
- Excellent legal research, analytical and drafting skills;
- Good oral communications and advocacy skills;
- Excellent knowledge of English is essential, working knowledge of another UN and Scandinavian language is an asset;

5. Applications and questions concerning the consultancy:
Candidates with the requisite qualifications are requested to submit their motivation letters and a CV to Kristina Savage (savagek@unhcr.org) by 16 August 2020.
Questions concerning the consultancy can be sent in writing to the UNHCR Representation for Northern Europe (SWEST@unhcr.org).