Job Description

Deadline for Applications

February 20, 2026

Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)

H (no hardship)

Family Type (not applicable for home-based)

Family

Staff Member / Affiliate Type

CONS Local

Target Start Date

2026-03-01

Terms of Reference

Title: Researcher on Statelessness
Duty station: Homebased
Section/Unit: Statelessness Section, Division of International Protection and Solutions
Corresponding level: Individual Consultant
Duration: from 01/03/2026 to 30/10/2026
Working Hours: Not Applicable (Task-Based)

General Background of Project or Assignment:

Action 8 of the Global Action Plan to End statelessness 2.0 (GAP 2.0) is to Issue nationality documentation to those with entitlement to it to prevent statelessness. Individuals may be left stateless because they cannot acquire documents that prove their nationality, even if they are entitled to nationality under the country's nationality law. Denial of nationality documentation leading to statelessness can occur due to discrimination against particular groups. Existing information indicates that this is a major cause of statelessness.

Action 8 is one of the three actions from the GAP 2.0that do not yet have a good practices paper. One of the reasons for this is that there .is. limited global normative guidance on identity documents to adults. However, it is when identity documents recording nationality are issued (typically national identity cards and/or passports) that a person's nationality status comes into question. The procedures for issuing identity documents can assist to prevent and resolve statelessness or create new cases of statelessness, depending on whether the issuance is solidly linked to the underlying legal status of the person applying for the document.

In the past 'decade, the requirement to prove identity has become ever more pervasive, including across regions of the world where identification systems have historically been weak and many have not held a document that serves as conclusive proof of nationality. While these are important initiatives, they often do not engage with the questions around the determination of nationality and statelessness within these processes. And while efforts at developing standards for identification systems are rapidly multiplying, they often do not sufficiently consider the· new risks of digital technologies, such as risks to data protection and privacy. With the rapid expansion of biometric identification systems, and the corresponding increasing requirements to present identification to access public services, the importance of good practices in issuing such documents including to those most marginalized, is ever more important.

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations: NA

Overall Purpose and Scope of Assignment:

The objective of the consultancy is to provide general guidance with indicative examples, and at least five studies in more depth of particular country processes.
The paper will examine good practices in ensuring that everyone with an entitlement to nationality is able to acquire documentary proof of it; that such procedures are accessible and inclusive and implemented in a non-discriminatory manner. The focus will be on how populations for whom lack of documentation creates a heightened risk of statelessness are considered. It will also highlight the responsibilities of consular authorities in relation to (re)issue of identity documents to nationals who are in another country, as. well as the obligation for the authorities of a child's state of birth to assist in contacting consular authorities of another country for nationality of that country to be registered, if the state of birth does not consider the child to have its own nationality. The paper will also draw more generally on normative frameworks around due process in administrative law, and examples where such due process in nationality determination is generally more respected.

This project will involve the following activities to be carried out by the consultant:

• Developing a research methodology and an outline of the paper.
• Conducting a desk review to identify suitable examples and good practices (approx. 5).
• Reviewing the procedures and related legal and administrative framework in each country, drawing on UNHCR materials, academic resources, government documents, court decisions, and other relevant resources.
• Conducting complementary consultations (interviews, queries by email, a webinar) with. UNHCR, civil society, academics, and other actors as deemed relevant. Drafting a draft paper.
• Revise draft paper based on UNHCR feedback.
• Preparing the final paper.

Key deliverables

1. Research methodology, outline of the paper and timeline
2. Identification of 5 country examples and good practices (in discussions with UNHCR)
3. Completion of review of the procedures and related legal and administrative frameworks
4. Completion of complementary consultations
5. Delivery of a first draft paper
6. Delivery of a second draft paper
7. Delivery of a final version of the paper
8. Presentation of findings in an online external meeting

Qualification and experience required:

- Advanced degree (PhD or Masters) in law or a related field, with demonstrated expertise in statelessness and nationality laws and policies;
- A minimum of 10 years with a postgraduate degree in the desired field of education;
- Experience in legal, policy, or academic work related to nationality law and statelessness; Excellent analytical skills: including the capacity to develop analytical frameworks, collect and analyze qualitative and quantitative data from multiple sources to produce meaningful analysis for external reporting;
- Excellent drafting skills: demonstrated ability to write with clarity, high level of analysis, and conciseness, with evidence of contributions to academic research/publications on statelessness and/or nationality laws
- Experience in statelessness law and policy work from several regions;
- Demonstrated organizational skills: the ability to work independently and productively in a fast-paced environment;
- Flexible work attitude: the ability to work productively, independently, and to handle requests or issues as they arise;
- Ability to communicate sensitively and effectively across different constituencies; Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines; and
- Excellent command of English, knowledge of additional UN languages is a plus.

Application requirements

Please submit the following documents with your application:
- CV, with summary of published work

Monitoring and Progress Controls (report requirements, periodicity, format, deadlines):

a. The final product:
Report produced and consultations conducted
i. Number of pages: approx. 20 (plus annexes)
ii. Language(s): English
iii. Number of copies: N/a
The final product: Good Practices Paper Action 8 - Issuing nationality documentation to those with entitlement to it to prevent statelessness

b. Work on the basis of time employed: Yes

Delivery periodicity: 30 October 2026