Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)

B

Family

CONS Local

2024-12-01

November 15, 2024

Title of project: Strengthening UNHCR role and relationship with the Government of India

Purpose of project: The consultancy will advise and support the broader goal of positioning UNHCR as a predictable, trustworthy and solutions-oriented partner to the Indian authorities. The consultant will also play a role to provide support to the Chief of Mission on advocacy with government counterparts at Central/State level.

General Background of Project or Assignment, Operational Context:
The consultancy will support the broader goal of positioning UNHCR as a predictable, trustworthy and solutions-oriented partner to the authorities. The role and responsibilities for Consultant is to provide advisory support and advocacy with government counterparts at Central/State level as needed with respect to:
• Provide overall guidance and support to the operation in devising and updating its strategic priorities and policies.
• Expand advocacy avenues with key Government and other stakeholders for UNHCR to strengthen its operating space and to mitigate protection challenges and risks.
• Northeast situation: provide recommendations on UNHCR’s response to Myanmar arrivals post-coup in 2021 and to other developments in the region where the mandate of UNHCR might engage.
• Rohingya: provide support and guidance to the operation in response to the situation of the Rohingya community across different geographical areas (Jammu, Uttar Pradesh, Assam etc) and with respect to different protection risks (arrests/detention/forced evictions etc).
• Provide support and guidance to the implementation of the Solutions Strategy for Sri Lankan refugees in coordination with the Chennai office.
• Solutions: Support advocacy for grant of Exit permits for refugees and asylum seekers leaving for solutions.

The consultancy will advise and support the broader goal of positioning UNHCR as a predictable, trustworthy and solutions-oriented partner to the Indian authorities. The consultant will also play a role to provide support and advocacy with government counterparts at Central/State level.

Purpose and Scope of Assignment:
The consultancy will advise and support the broader goal of positioning UNHCR as a predictable, trustworthy and solutions-oriented partner to the Indian authorities. The consultant will also play a role to provide support and advocacy with government counterparts at Central/State level.

The scope of the Consultancy includes but not limited to:
• Strengthen and enhance UNHCR’s engagement with government counterparts, with particular focus on counterparts from the GoI’s security apparatus including the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Defence, National Security and Intelligence Service and promote regular dialogue at all levels on refugee protection issues.
• Contribute to the formulation and communication of UNHCR’s positions on protection, assistance, solutions and inclusion of refugees, providing suggestions for briefing notes, talking points and issues papers for relevant discussions with security and other government stakeholders.
• Provide periodic analysis of key political, security, socio-economic, and other developments, trends and decisions that may impact UNHCR’s Protection and Solutions Strategy and to liaise with key influencers and forums as necessary.
• Present key messages of UNHCR Protection and Solutions Strategy to relevant interlocutors.
• Perform other related duties as required.

The consultant’s activities will include:

1. Opening up space for dialogue and engagement with relevant government counterparts including security actors at State and Central level on thematic areas of relevance to the protection of refugees and UNHCR’s work as related to the situations mentioned above.
2. Contributing to the development/updating of UNHCR proposals for action including non- papers/Aide Memoires and arranging for consultations on the content of such proposals with key security and other interlocutors at Central/State level in coordination with relevant colleagues.
3. Negotiating space for UNHCR/partner access to refugee communities across all States with refugee concentrations to undertake protection monitoring, identify persons at risk, make referral to services or process for solutions.
4. Raising awareness and discussions with the relevant organization of capacity building with key interlocutors at State level on refugee protection/UNHCR’s role.
5. Provide advisory vis-à-vis Government relations to UNHCR staff, as required.

Required/mandatory qualificatoins and expertise

University degree in Law, Human Rights, International Development, Political Science, International Relations or a related field.

1. Previous experience in Government of India civil service at senior level
2. Excellent analytical and drafting skills
3. Fluency in English
4. UN/UNHCR experience

Standard Job Description

Required Languages

,

,

Desired Languages

English

,

Hindi

,

Additional Qualifications

Skills

Communication, Government Relations, International Relations (IR)

Education

Bachelor of Arts (BA): Human Rights, Bachelor of Arts (BA): International Development, Bachelor of Arts (BA): International Relations, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Law, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Political Science

Certifications

Other information

The Consultant can work from any location in India and will be requested by the office to travel to New Delhi and other locations in India for official missions.This position doesn’t require a functional clearance

Home-Based

No