Individual Consultancy: Technical support to the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples (MPI) on the development of the Report on the Impact of Climate Crisis on Indigenous Refugees and Migrants in Brazil

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

Full-time

On-site

Brasilia, Brazil Brazil

Deadline for Applications

September 3, 2025

Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)

A (least hardship)

Family Type (not applicable for home-based)

Family

Staff Member / Affiliate Type

CONS Local

Target Start Date

2025-09-15

Terms of Reference

Position title: Technical support to the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples (MPI) on the development of the Report on the Impact of Climate Crisis on Indigenous Refugees and Migrants in Brazil

Contract type: Individual Consultancy

Engagement type: Lump-sum

Duration and dates of the contract:
From: 15 September 2025 To: 15 February 2026 (5 months)

Position Location (duty station): Brasília – DF

Purpose of project (summary): The individual consultant will provide technical support to the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples, under the Minister’s Office, on the development of the Report on the Impact of Climate Crisis on Indigenous Refugees and Migrants in Brazil

General Background:
Since 2014, with the worsening of the economic, political, and social crisis in Venezuela – which has led to shortages of basic goods, hyperinflation, and increased violence – thousands of Venezuelans have left their country in search of international protection and better living conditions. These flows are also marked by the presence of numerous Indigenous peoples, who have moved to different countries such as Colombia, Guyana, and Brazil.

It is estimated that, by December 2024, around 655,961 people from Venezuela in need of international protection had arrived in Brazil, including 141,296 recognized refugees, 21,194 asylum-seekers, and 493,471 residence permit holders. Of this total, more than 13,000 are Indigenous individuals belonging to the Warao, Pemon Taurepang, E’ñepa, Kariña, and Wayuu ethnic groups. More than 50% of these groups are asylum-seekers.

Currently, Indigenous refugees and migrants live in almost all Brazilian states, with a greater concentration in Roraima, Amazonas, and Pará. Internally, they move for various reasons, such as family reunification, community conflicts, tensions with institutions, seeking traditional medical treatments, or searching for livelihood opportunities to improve their living conditions — and, more recently, due to climate-related disasters in the country.

These flows present new challenges for public authorities and civil society organizations working in social protection. The intensification of Indigenous mobility has required adaptations to Brazilian public policies so that they are culturally appropriate and truly inclusive for these populations. There is also a need for a coordinated response involving government actors at the three levels of governance, as well as organized civil society.

In this context, technical support built jointly and based on active and dedicated engagement with the communities themselves — through mapping case studies and ethnographic research — emerges as a strategic resource for enhancing public policies tailored to the specificities of each territory.

A systematic study documenting the forced displacement of Indigenous refugees and migrants due to climate crises in the Legal Amazon and in Rio Grande do Sul, for example, can contribute to the development of specific guidelines to protect these populations facing a situation of double vulnerability: as Indigenous peoples and as forcibly displaced persons.

Given this context, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), in partnership with the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples (MPI), intends to hire a specialized consultant to prepare a study on the impact of climate crises on the lives of Indigenous refugees and migrants in Brazil. The study will contribute to strengthening culturally appropriate, inclusive, and participatory public policies, in line with climate justice, international protection, and the rights of Indigenous peoples.

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 individual consultant will provide technical support to the Ministry of Indigenous People (MPI) on the development of the Report on the Impact of Climate Crisis on Indigenous Refugees and Migrants in Brazil, focusing on information systematization, stakeholder engagement, evidence gathering, and the formulation of proposals to guide intersectoral and culturally sensitive public policies. In particular, he/she will have the following responsibilities:

- Conducting a bibliographic and documentary review on climate-related displacement of Indigenous refugees and migrants in Brazil / Work plan, timeline and methodology (15 October 2025)

- Mapping documented displacement cases in Amazon and Rio Grande do Sul /
Preliminary report with bibliographic review and initial case mapping (01 November 2025)

- Conducting interviews with Indigenous refugee and migrant leaders, civil society organizations, and public authorities; Developing representative case studies; / Case studies and preliminary interview results (01 December 2025)

- Systematizing the results in a final report / Final report with critical analysis and recommendations (15 February 2026)

The Consultant has dual reporting lines and is accountable to the Ministry of Indigenous People through the Department for the Promotion of Indigenous Peoples’ Policies and to UNHCR’s Protection Unit for administrative and financial issues.

Required qualifications, language(s) and work experience:

* Degree: Bachelor's degree in Anthropology, Social Sciences, International Relations, Law, Public Policy or a related field from an accredited academic institution.

* Minimum years of work experience:
- Required:
• Minimum of three (03) years of professional experience in activities related to Indigenous People, migration, refugees, protection, asylum, statelessness or other relevant programmes.

- Desirable:
• Experience in working with Indigenous People.
• Experience with qualitative and participatory methodologies.
• Knowledge of climate change, Indigenous rights, international protection frameworks, and Brazilian legislation.
• Strong technical writing skills and ability to produce strategic documents.
• Previous working experience with indigenous refugees and migrants an advantage.

* Language requirements:
- Required: Portuguese (C2) and English (B2)
- Desirable: Spanish (B2)

Required skills
• Excellent communication skills, written and oral.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Excellent planning and prioritization skills.
• Excellent analytical and drafting skills.
• Excellent reporting skills.

Monitoring and Progress Controls
The individual consultant will provide technical support to the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples (MPI), under the Minister’s Office. Deliverables will be reviewed and approved jointly by both institutions, MPI and UNHCR, which may also agree on adjustments to the work plan as needed. All activities, draft reports and the Final Report on the Impact of Climate Crisis on Indigenous Refugees and Migrants in Brazil shall follow the format and structure agreed with MPI and UNHCR and must be submitted in Portuguese.