Individual consultancy: Implementation of Pilot Phase of social assistance protocol for case management of refugees and migrants (with a labor integration ration focus)

Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)A (least hardship)

Family Type (not applicable for home-based)

Family

Staff Member / Affiliate TypeCONS Local

Target Start Date2025-09-15

Deadline for ApplicationsAugust 31, 2025

Terms of ReferenceContract type: Individual Consultancy

Engagement type: Lump-sum

Duration and dates of the contract: 15/09/2025 - 20/12/2025

Position Location (duty station): Brasília/DF

Purpose of project (summary): The World Bank, in partnership with UNHCR and local authorities, is developing two protocols to support refugees and migrants economic inclusion, especially for women, through accessing inclusive services in the employment agencies (SINE) and in the Social Assistance Basic Services (CRAS). A consultant will be hired to pilot these protocols in the Federal District and possibly other states, helping refine and scale them within Brazil’s public systems.

General Background of Project or Assignment, Operational Context:
Forced displacement in Brazil has increased significantly in recent years, with around 800 thousand of refugees and forcibly displaced persons in need of international protection —particularly from Venezuela—seeking protection and opportunities in the country. Despite Brazil's welcoming policies, forcibly displaced individuals often face substantial barriers to accessing basic rights such as social assistance and employment. Challenges include lack of documentation, limited knowledge of available services, language barriers, discrimination and lack of inclusive flows and protocols in these public services.

The World Bank, with support from the Rapid Social Response (RSR) fund, has developed two protocols – one for social assistance and another for labor intermediation – aimed at promoting the economic inclusion of vulnerable migrants and refugees in Brazil, with a particular focus on Venezuelan women. These protocols were developed in close collaboration with Distrito Federal’s local authorities and are aligned with the regular services provided by the Social Assistance Reference Centers (CRAS) and the National Employment System (SINE).

As part of the partnership between the World Bank and UNHCR, UNHCR is supporting the recruitment of a consultant to lead the implementation of the pilot phase of the protocols. This consultancy will focus on testing the protocols in selected municipalities, including in the Federal District and potentially in other states through remote coordination, contributing to their validation, refinement, and potential scalability within Brazil’s public service systems. The protocols will help the World Bank, UNHCR and the Brazilian government to inform decisions on potential improvements to the design and implementation of social assistance, economic inclusion and labor programs targeted to refugees and migrants, with a special emphasis on migrant and refugee women.

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:
To view occupational safety and health considerations for specific duty stations, please visit this link: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel

Purpose and Scope of Assignment:
The objective of this consultancy is to implement and monitor the piloting phase of the social assistance and labor intermediation protocols previously developed by the World Bank. The consultant will work in selected cities / neighborhoods to validate the protocols, support their implementation and overseeing the pilot implementation. The consultant will need to provide the analysis of the pilot and adjusted social assistance and labor intermediation protocols: short note summarizing the pilot implementation and highlighting the most relevant results of the protocols’ application. The final two protocols adjusted according to the pilot should be delivered in separate .pdf format and two short .ppt presentations. The consultant should also provide inputs for a knowledge exchange workshop.

Proposed Deliverables and Consultancy Timeline (30 working days over 3–4 months)
a. Reestablish institutional contact with SINE and SEDES/DF. (1 working day)
b. Update the methodological design of the pilot. (1 working day)
c. Conduct awareness-raising and training sessions for staff. (2 working days)
d. Monitor the pilot implementation. (16 working days over approximately 60 calendar days)
e. Provide remote support to other potential SINE and CRAS offices interested in piloting the protocols, including possible in-person missions (to be covered by UNHCR). (included within the implementation period)
e. Adjust both protocols based on pilot findings. (4 working days)
f. Finalize the pilot evaluation reports. (4 working days)
g. Participate in meetings and dissemination activities. (2 working days)

Required qualifications, language(s) and work experience:

Degree: Bachelor's degree in Social Science, Public Policy, Social Assistance, Economics, Administration, International Relations or related fields.

Minimum years of work experience: At least ten (10) years of relevant work experience with social public policy. Experience working on social assistance, labor services and refugee and migration issues.

Languages:
Required - English (C1) and Portuguese (C1)
Desirable - Spanish (B2)

Skills:
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively with both government officials and frontline social assistance professionals.
• Excellent research and analytical skills.
• Outstanding writing and verbal communication skills in Portuguese.
• Fluency in English (spoken and written).
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks within a defined timeline.
• Familiarity with Brazil’s public service systems, particularly CRAS and SINE, is an asset.
• Experience working with vulnerable populations, including migrants and refugees, is highly desirable.

Monitoring and Progress Controls:
The consultant’s work will be monitored through regular check-ins with the World Bank and UNHCR teams. These will include feedback sessions to assess progress, address challenges, and ensure alignment with the pilot’s objectives and timeline. Progress will also be evaluated based on the timely delivery of agreed outputs and the quality of engagement with local stakeholders, considering the first group of activities (first tranche) to be delivered by 15/10/2025 and the second until 20/12/2025. Reports shall be presented in English, using the World Bank Publications and Research (formal publications and working papers) format. See World Bank Documents & Reports (D&R) site1, as per the proposed schedule:

First installment (15 October 2025)
Due upon completion of the following activities:
• Reestablishment of institutional contact with SINE and SEDES/DF
• Updated methodological design of the pilot
• Staff awareness-raising and training sessions
• Initial phase of pilot implementation
• Submission of a brief progress note

Second installment (20 December 2025)
Due upon completion of the following activities:
• Full monitoring of pilot implementation
• Adjustment of both protocols based on pilot findings
• Finalization of pilot evaluation reports
• Submission of final version of the protocols
• Participation in a final workshop to present the results and in dissemination meetings

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

Eligibility:

This position is advertised to internal and external applicants. Candidates must be legally present in Brazil at the time of application, recruitment and hire. Only Brazil citizens or candidates legally present in Brazil will be considered eligible.

Only short-listed candidates will be notified. The recruitment process might include written test and/or oral interview for this job opening. No late applications will be accepted.

Remuneration:

UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing, training or any other fees).

A competitive compensation and benefits package is offered depending on relevant experience as per the requirements of the job advertisement.

Applications:

All applications must be submitted online in Workday. Email applications will not be accepted. Incomplete and late applications will not be accepted. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Shortlisted candidates might be required to sit for a written test and/or oral interview.

The evaluation of applicants will be conducted based on the information submitted during the application. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

UNHCR is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, sexual orientation, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. UNHCR seeks to ensure that male and female employees are given equal career opportunities. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality.

UNHCR has a zero-tolerance policy against Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA). SEA is unacceptable behavior and prohibited conduct for UNHCR personnel. It constitutes acts of serious misconduct and is therefore grounds for disciplinary measures, including dismissal. Any concerns or suspicions about a possible case of SEA should be reported immediately to the Inspector General’s Office (IGO) at inspector@unhcr.org or through the online complain form at https://www.unhcr.org/php/complaints.php or by confidential fax: +41 22 739 73 80.

Standard Job Description

Required Languages English

,Portuguese

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Desired Languages

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Additional Qualifications

Skills

Education

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Other informationThis position doesn't require a functional clearance

RemoteNo