Consultant - Study on Statelessness at the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)

Position Number: IC 01
Location: FCT, Abuja
Duration of Contract: Eleven Months
Contract Type: Consultancy
Category: Consultancy/Research
Grade: IC - Level A

Context, Duties and Responsibilities
Organizational context and General background of assignment:

• UNHCR estimates that there are 10 million stateless persons in the world, including 1 million in West Africa. Statelessness refers to the condition of an individual who is not considered a national by any State under the operation of its law. Statelessness has dramatic impact on the enjoyment of Human Rights and the development of concerned societies/states. It also raises serious international security concerns.
• Nigeria and the other 14 ECOWAS Member States adopted the Abidjan Declaration on the Eradication of Statelessness in February 2015, and the Banjul Plan of Action to end Statelessness in May 2017, agreeing to prevent and reduce statelessness by reforming constitutional, legislative and institutional regimes related to nationality in order to include appropriate safeguards against statelessness.
• In October 2011, Nigeria acceded to both UN Conventions on Statelessness.  A draft National Action Plan to eradicate statelessness reviewed and updated by a multi stakeholder committee in 2018, is awaiting final approval. One of the priority actions of the national plan is the mapping of statelessness, i.e. the collection of qualitative and quantitative data on the stateless populations through a research on the risks and causes of statelessness in the country.

Purpose and Objectives of the Study
General:

• The aim of this study is to collect qualitative information on statelessness and provide an analysis of the causes and consequences of statelessness for a national study of Nigeria. This study will build on the already-completed analysis of the history and contemporary framework for the laws and regulations related to citizenship in Nigeria, and the proposed analytical framework and research guidelines for identification of groups and individuals who are stateless or may be at risk of statelessness.
• The study to be conducted by the national consultant will supplement previous desk research with data gathered from interviews and focus groups discussions conducted, including among those administering Nigeria’s identification systems and Nigerian residents who access different forms of identity document - in particular seeking out those who have challenges in obtaining the documents that they need - with a view to confirming, elaborating and adjusting the existing analysis, and providing a more detailed and evidence-based assessment of the risks of statelessness in Nigeria.

Specific Objectives of the Study

• Analysis of the legal, political, administrative and institutional framework in Nigeria to identify the gaps and deficiencies leading/potentially leading to statelessness/risk of statelessness in Nigeria;
• Understanding of the detailed ways in which these frameworks operate to create (risks of) statelessness;
• Identification and description of the profiles of the individuals and groups who are stateless or at risk of statelessness;
• Analysis of the challenges faced by individuals and groups who are stateless or at risk of statelessness and the potential solutions to those challenges;
• Proposal of solutions to the challenges identified.

Functional Expertise and Responsibilities

• The national consultant, in collaboration with an international consultant, will finalise a methodology for the Study, based on the legal and analytical frameworks already prepared
• The final methodology and workplan, with a proposed calendar of activities, will be approved by UNHCR
• Finalise the draft analytical and research frameworks for the study in consultation with the international consultant and UNHCR;
• Search for any not-yet-identified research and literature relevant to statelessness and citizenship administration in Nigeria conducted by NGOs, research institutes, universities, independent researchers, other UN agencies, etc and ensure that it is considered for the current study;
• Investigate (using a methodology agreed upon with UNHCR) the implementation in practice of the laws and regulations governing nationality administration, including (birth certificate, indigene certificate, passport, voter’s card, permit of stay, national identity card, consular card), with the aim of finding out in greater detail than already known which categories of people are facing difficulties in obtaining documentation confirming citizenship and why that might be the case, so as to highlight the gaps in the legal and administrative procedures leading or possibly leading to statelessness.
• Based on the Phase I investigation (and likely in parallel with it), refine the existing analysis identifying the individuals or categories of individuals and populations who are stateless or at risk of statelessness (including information on socio-demographic profile, characteristics, situations, geographical location, etc.)
• For this purpose, conduct further in-depth field study, based on research templates developed collaboratively by the research team, on the experience and situation of specific categories of person or groups identified to be at risk of statelessness, in selected geographical locations across Nigeria (to be finalised in consultation with UNHCR):
• Based on this fieldwork, analyse in greater depth: the challenges faced by the different groups in accessing documentation of citizenship (from Nigeria or from another country); the challenges faced by different groups  in receiving recognition and protection as stateless persons when they qualify for such status; the possible legal provisions and administrative processes for facilitated naturalisation (if any), for persons recognised as stateless; the difficulties created by lack of access to different types of document relating to citizenship in the enjoyment of fundamental rights and accessing basic services, as well as any other obstacle encountered by stateless populations/populations at risk of statelessness; the nature and effectiveness of interventions to resolve their situation by different state and other agencies, if any; the solutions proposed by the affected individuals and communities and by other actors.
• Provide recommendations aiming at improving the legal and administrative framework, as well as practises, in order to: reduce and prevent statelessness; identify and protect stateless persons; find lasting solutions to the situation of stateless persons.
• Finalise the report in consultation and close collaboration with the international consultant.
• Participate as a resource person in a validation workshop to be organised by UNHCR immediately after the completion and certification of the revised study including presentation of the study, provide additional information/clarification, updating the report further to the outcomes of the validation workshop in preparation for publication.
• Provide a method for the treatment of the data collected, respecting the principles of anonymity, informed consent and protection.

Expected Deliverables and Remuneration:

• A preliminary report including the work plan, a detailed methodology, the tools for data collecting for the development of the mission, and the results for the documentary review (by end of 1st Quarter 2020);
• Monthly summary reports on progress (up to one page each) to be submitted to the international consultant and UNHCR;

The draft report of the study;

• The report, finalized in consultation with International expert on statelessness and UNHCR, and its annexes

Essential Minimum Qualifications

• University Degree preferably in Social Sciences, Development Studies or similar discipline with minimum relevant work experience of 4 years, or 2 years with a post-graduate University Degree.
• Experience in conduct of qualitative research and writing of action-oriented research paper.
• Strong analytical skills, experience in similar type of work, familiarity with professional terminology.
• Knowledge of the focus areas of the study and ability to speak at least one of the local languages.

Desirable Qualifications & Competencies

• Nigeria-based and fluency (including writing) in the English language.
• Good communication skill, namely tact and ability to work with illiterate people.
• Previous work experience on statelessness and nationality; editing UNHCR’s publications; or consultancy with UNHCR are desirable.