UNHCR Hiring Remote Consultant: Researcher on Statelessness & Legislative Safeguards for Children

Are you a legal researcher, human rights expert, or social policy analyst with a passion for child protection and statelessness? The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is hiring a Remote Consultant to lead a groundbreaking comparative research study on nationality laws and their procedural application across 10–12 countries.

This high-impact consultancy will analyze how states implement safeguards against childhood statelessness, with a focus on Article 1 of the 1961 Convention. You’ll contribute to global policy change and support governments in aligning with international standards—all from a remote work environment.

🗓 Apply by: August 10, 2025
🌍 Location: Remote
📄 Contract Type: Consultancy
📅 Duration: Until December 31, 2025
💼 Workload: Independent, with UNHCR coordination
💰 Compensation: Competitive (exact amount shared upon selection)

🌍 Background & Purpose

Although international law guarantees children the right to a nationality, many are still born stateless due to legal or procedural gaps. UNHCR seeks to close this gap by improving understanding of how national safeguards are applied—or not—in real-world contexts.

Your work will directly influence how states interpret and implement protections for children, including institutional procedures, legal frameworks, and access to nationality. The goal is to generate comparative insights and actionable recommendations for governments and civil society.

UNHCR Hiring Remote Consultant

📋 Key Responsibilities

As the Researcher on Statelessness, you will:

• 📌 Design a Research Methodology & Workplan: Define research questions, tools, milestones, and outcomes.

• 📚 Conduct a Desk Review: Examine the legal and procedural context in 15–20 countries regarding childhood statelessness.

• 🔍 Narrow the Focus: Select 10–12 countries for deep analysis based on relevance and diversity.

• 🧑‍⚖️ Analyze Legislative & Procedural Frameworks: Study nationality laws, administrative processes, access issues, and institutional capacity.

• 🤝 Engage Stakeholders: Identify and consult with government officials, NGOs, UN agencies, and legal experts.

• 🗣️ Collect Data: Conduct interviews and field-informed qualitative research to supplement documentary review.

• 📝 Report Writing: Draft a structured 30–50 page report including comparative findings, country case studies, and strategic recommendations.

• 🔄 Revise with Feedback: Submit drafts to UNHCR and incorporate expert input before final submission.

🎓 Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Law, Social Sciences, Human Rights, or related field (Master’s or PhD preferred)

Experience

• At least 6 years of relevant experience with a BA, or 5 years with a postgraduate degree

• Strong background in nationality law, child rights, statelessness, or legislative policy

• Expertise in qualitative research, legal analysis, and comparative frameworks

• Excellent report writing, stakeholder engagement, and project management skills

• Prior experience with UN, international NGOs, or academic institutions is an asset

Languages

• Fluency in English is required

• Knowledge of French, Arabic, or Spanish is a plus

Additional Information

• 💻 Work Mode: Fully remote

• 📅 Contract End Date: December 31, 2025

• 📄 Deliverables:

  • Research methodology and timeline

  • Desk review report

  • Stakeholder engagement plan

  • Draft and final research papers (30–50 pages)

• 💼 Environment: Independent research with regular coordination with UNHCR

• ⏱ Flexibility: Consultant must work independently, meet deadlines, and respond to evolving research needs

• 💵 Compensation: Competitive consultancy rates (shared with shortlisted applicants)

FAQs

Q1: Is this a full-time role?
No, it’s a consultancy with independent hours and project-based milestones, to be completed by December 31, 2025.

Q2: Is the role open to non-lawyers?
Yes. While law degrees are preferred, applicants with backgrounds in human rights, social sciences, or public policy and relevant research experience are welcome.

Q3: Can I work from anywhere?
Yes. The consultancy is fully home-base.

Q4: Do I need to travel?
No travel is required. Stakeholder engagement will be conducted remotely.

Q5: What documents should I submit?
You need to submit:

• CV

• Draft 1-page methodology

• Summary workplan with timeline