Deadline for Applications
September 17, 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
2025-09-25
Position title: Technical support to the Ministry of Social Development, Family and Fight Against Hunger (MDS) for the development of national guidance on refugees and migrants shelter management within the SUAS framework
Contract type: Individual Consultancy
Engagement type: Lump-sum
Duration and dates of the contract:
From: 25 September 2025 To: 25 January 2026 (4 months)
Position Location (duty station): Brasília – DF
Purpose of project (summary):
The consultant will support UNHCR’s partnership with the Ministry of Social Development, Family and Fight Against Hunger (MDS) in the development of a national guidance on refugees and migrants shelter management within the Unified Social Assistance System (SUAS). Grounded in the operational lessons from Operação Acolhida and in Brazil’s legal and policy frameworks, as well as in national and international best practices, the guidance will serve as a technical reference for SUAS professionals and public managers at federal, state, and municipal levels.
The consultant will work with UNHCR, IOM, and MDS teams to compile and systematize operational protocols, coordination mechanisms, and field experiences from Operação Acolhida, integrating them into a coherent document tailored for national application. Core content will include technical guidance on shelter management, interinstitutional coordination, and inclusive service delivery for displaced populations.
The work will focus on aligning the final product with the SUAS framework and national and international best practices, facilitating the operational integration of guidelines for shelter management specialized in refugees and migrants into the SUAS, and ensuring that the guidance is practical, accessible, and applicable in different local contexts. This document will contribute to strengthening Brazil’s capacity to provide structured and dignified sheltering solutions for refugees and migrants.
General Background of Project or Assignment, Operational Context:
Since February 2018, Brazil has implemented Operação Acolhida — a federal-level humanitarian response to the Venezuelan displacement crisis. Coordinated by the federal government, the initiative brings together federal ministries, the Brazilian Armed Forces, UN agencies (including UNHCR and IOM), civil society, and local governments to provide safe, organized, and rights-based reception services for refugees and migrants arriving in Roraima.
Operação Acolhida is structured around three core pillars: border management, humanitarian sheltering, and internal relocation (interiorização). The humanitarian sheltering component provides temporary accommodation and essential services — such as food, emergency items, health care, and social assistance — primarily in Boa Vista and Pacaraima. In parallel, the interiorization strategy enables voluntary and safe relocation to other Brazilian states, aiming to support sustainable integration opportunities while reducing pressure on border municipalities. As of 2025, more than 150,000 refugees and migrants have been relocated to over 1,000 municipalities nationwide.
Within Operação Acolhida, the Ministry of Social Development, Family and Fight Against Hunger (MDS) plays a central role in coordinating the inclusion of refugees and migrants within Brazil’s social protection framework. Through its leadership of the Subcommittee on Shelter and Interiorization, MDS defines policies, operational guidelines, and eligibility criteria related to humanitarian sheltering and relocation of displaced populations. The ministry also ensures that services offered in temporary shelters are aligned with the principles and standards of the Unified Social Assistance System (SUAS), promoting access to rights and dignified assistance.
This consultative assignment aims to translate the operational knowledge on humanitarian sheltering practices of Operação Acolhida, as well as other accumulated from national and international best practices in the provision of specialized shelters to refugees and migrants, into a structured, practical, and user-oriented national guidance for use within the SUAS framework. In partnership with MDS, the consultant will systematize lessons learned and institutional procedures to strengthen reception and protection strategies for refugees, migrants, and stateless persons across Brazil.
Occupational Safety and Health Considerations
To view occupational safety and health considerations for specific duty stations, please visit this link:
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travelPurpose and Scope of Assignment:
The consultant will support UNHCR’s collaboration with the Ministry of Social Development, Family and Fight Against Hunger (MDS) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in the development of national guidance on provision of specialized shelter to refugees and migrants within the framework of the Unified Social Assistance System (SUAS). This initiative responds to a formal request from MDS and has been jointly agreed between the three institutions as a strategic effort to strengthen sheltering policies and practices countrywide.
The consultant will be responsible for drafting the content of the guidance in Portuguese, drawing on Brazil’s legal and policy frameworks, the operational experience of Operação Acolhida, complementary practices from SUAS and other public policies, and international best practices. The document will consolidate principles, protocols, and coordination models related to provision of shelter to displaced populations, aiming to serve as a practical reference for SUAS professionals and public managers at all levels of government.
The assignment will include a joint review process with MDS, UNHCR, and IOM. The final product will form part of a broader dissemination strategy, which will include printed copies and a joint launch event, planned and implemented collectively by the three partners.
Under the technical supervision of MDS and in close coordination with UNHCR and IOM, the consultant will:
a) Prepare and submit a detailed workplan and annotated outline for the guidance, to be validated by the three partners;
b) Collect and analyse relevant documentation, policies, and operational guidance for provision of specialized shelter to refugees and migrants under SUAS;
c) Produce draft versions of the guidance and incorporate feedback from MDS, UNHCR, and IOM;
d) Deliver the final version, ready for editing and layout;
e) Support institutional coordination meetings, including those related to the design, printing, and launch of the guidance;
f) Perform other tasks necessary to ensure the quality, timeliness, and institutional alignment of the final product.
The consultant will report to UNHCR’s Protection Unit for administrative and programmatic aspects and will work in direct coordination with UNHCR, MDS and IOM for technical validation and alignment with national policy objectives, under the following schedule:
Deliverable 1 – Partial – 25 October,2025
1.1. Workplan and Annotated Outline: A detailed workplan including timeline, methodology, and responsibilities, to be validated by MDS, UNHCR, and IOM.
1.2. Annotated Outline: A structured outline of the guidance, with explanatory notes describing the content and approach of each chapter/section.
1.3. Initial Literature & Policy Review: Compilation of relevant documents, laws, policies, protocols, and best practices—both national and international.
1.4. Summary Report: An initial synthesis highlighting key findings from the document review and their implications for the content and structure of the guidance.
Deliverable 2 – Partial – 25 November, 2025
2.1. First Draft of the Guidance: A complete first draft of the guidance, developed according to the agreed outline and aligned with Brazil’s legal, policy, and operational frameworks.
2.2. Integration of Feedback (Round 1): Incorporation of comments and suggestions from a first technical review meeting between MDS, UNHCR, and IOM.
Deliverable 3 – Final - 25 January, 2026
3.1. Final Version of the Guidance: Fully revised and consolidated document, ready for editing and layout, including all annexes and practical tools.
3.2. Integration of Feedback (Round 2): Incorporation of all final comments and adjustments from the second round of technical reviews by MDS, UNHCR, and IOM.
3.3. Executive Summary: A concise version of the guidance highlighting objectives, key principles, and recommendations, suitable for quick reference and dissemination.
3.4. Launch Preparation Support: Technical and logistical support for the launch event, such as preparing the agenda, drafting talking points, and creating visual or summary materials.
Required qualifications, language(s) and work experience:
* Degree: Bachelor's degree in Social Sciences, Law, Public Policy, International Relations, or a related field from an accredited academic institution.
* Minimum years of work experience
- Required:
• Minimum of five (05) years of professional experience in areas related to humanitarian sheltering, social assistance, migration, refugees, and/or other relevant programmes.
• Field of expertise includes the design, implementation, or evaluation of sheltering strategies and programmes, preferably within national social protection frameworks such as the Unified Social Assistance System (SUAS). The candidate demonstrates strong competencies in developing operational guidance, coordinating multi-stakeholder processes, and working with public institutions at federal, state, and municipal levels.
• Knowledge of Brazil’s legal and policy frameworks on migration and asylum, familiarity with Operação Acolhida’s sheltering model, and ability to systematize lessons learned into practical guidance will be considered strong assets.
• Skilled in facilitating dialogue among government agencies, international organizations, and civil society, with proven ability to deliver high-quality technical outputs under tight deadlines.
- Desirable:
• Experience in multilateral processes or in the Federal Government is an advantage.
• Previous working experience with an international organization or UN system would be an advantage.
• Experience as Individual Consultant for UN Agencies will be considered an asset.
• We encourage people with experience in drafting, implementing and monitoring public policies, and writing regulations to apply.
* Language requirements:
- Required: English (B2 or above) and Portuguese (C2)
- Desirable: Spanish (B1/Intermediate or above)
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:
Monitoring of the consultancy will be carried out through bi-weekly coordination meetings and the submission of monthly reports to UNHCR’s Protection Unit in Brasilia, and a final executive report upon conclusion of the consultancy.
Each report will summarize in a concise and objective manner, in Portuguese:
a. Activities performed during the reporting period (monthly);
b. Meetings attended and decisions taken;
c. Engagement in external activities;
d. Documents and information materials drafted, revised or launched;
e. Any other relevant activity.
Standard Job Description
Required Languages
Portuguese
,
English
,
Desired Languages
,
,
Additional Qualifications
Skills
Education
Certifications
Other information
This position doesn't require a functional clearance
Remote
No