UNHCR
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Zambia invites candidates to apply for the following position:
Job Title: Consultancy to Provide Technical, Expertise in the Drafting of a National Refugee Policy Development – Zambia
Position No: XXX
Duty Station: Lusaka
Contract Type/Level: Short-term Consultant (1 August to 30 November 2020 – 4 months)
Issue Date: 9/07/2020
Closing Date: 23/07/2020
Applications Details:
HOW TO APPLY
Applicants should clearly indicate the Title of the Position and Vacancy Notice Number: ZAMLU/VA/2020/001, and send to email address: [email protected] or to The Administrative/Finance Officer, UNHCR Representation Office, P.O. Box 32542
Please note that applications that do not have the post title and/or vacancy number indicated shall not be CONSIDERED and please note only applications for short listed candidates are acknowledged.
Applications after closing date will not be considered.
PROJECT BACKGROUND
In 2017, the Government of the Republic of Zambia repealed the Refugee (Control) Act of 1970 and replaced it with a new legislation. The Refugees Act No. 1 of 2017 was assented to by the Republican President Mr. E.C. Lungu on 12 April 2017. The new Act has among other new provisions, domesticated the 1951 and 1969 OAU Conventions, including most refugee rights. The Government is yet to draft Implementing regulations and adopt a Refugee Policy to complement the implementation of the Refugees Act.
In 2019, the Government of Zambia, through the Office of the Commissioner for Refugees has commissioned a team of experts to develop a national Refugee Policy which when adopted, will guide the implementation of the Act. The team of experts has commenced work in line with the terms of reference (see annex 1)
The Government has invited UNHCR to support the process by providing its technical expertise. UNHCR welcomes the opportunity to support the Government of Zambia in the drafting of the Refugee Policy. UNHCR’s competence to provide technical expertise in the area of asylum derives from the UNHCR’s Statute in conjunction with Article 35 of the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, which obligates states to cooperate with the Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees in the exercise of its functions and in particular to facilitate UNHCR’s duty of supervising the application of the provisions of the Convention. The cooperation includes Government consulting with UNHCR on the drafting of laws and policies and UNHCR providing technical advice and expertise to Governments on the incorporation of refugee law standards and obligations.
In support of Governments desire to put in place a national refugee policy that is in line with international standards, UNHCR wishes to contract the services of an international expert who will work in close collaboration with the local team of experts to develop a national refugee policy.
2. OBJECTIVE OF PROPOSED CONSULTANCY
The main objectives of this project:
A. To provide technical expertise to the Government of Zambia and ensure that the process produces a policy document that will guarantee the international protecton of refugees and enable them to enjoy their basic humanitarian rights as provided for in international refugee instruments as well as the Refugee Act No. 1 of 2017.
2.1 SCOPE OF WORK
The consultant’s role will include the following terms:
A. Conduct a desk review of legal and policy documents relating to refugee protection in Zambia.
B. Facilitate a stakeholder consultative meeting with participation from Government Ministries, UN agencies, Local and international NGOs; and Identify challenges the office of the Commissioner for refugees encounter in the implementation of refugee protection in Zambia and how these challenges can be addressed.
C. Conduct a consensus building workshop on the framework of the policy, with key recommendations from the workshop to feed into the substance of the policy.
D. Draft a policy document
E. Conduct a validation workshop as a prelude to the adoption of the final refugee policy document by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
2.2 DELIVERABLES AT THE END OF THE CONSULTANCY
- An analysis document of the relevant Zambian laws as well as the gaps in the existing legal structure.
- A facilitation of a consensus building workshop; and a presentation at a national event
- A final report: the incumbent’s commitment will end with the submission of a final national refugee Policy document.
2.3 Estimated schedule: 1 August to 30 November 2020 (Four months)
2.4 ESSENTIAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED. Define the educational background, the relevant job experience and the language(s) that are essential to perform the work of the position.
- Minimum 10 years of previous job experience relevant to the function.
- Preferably PHD/Masters Holder in the following; Refugee Law, International Human Rights Law and Public International.
- Computer skills (MS office and People soft applications).
- Fluency in English and working knowledge of another relevant UN language or local language.