Introduction

In a world witnessing unprecedented levels of displacement, the need for robust, data-driven policies to protect and integrate refugees is more critical than ever. For Indonesia, a key transit and host country for thousands of refugees and asylum-seekers, the challenge of formulating effective, humane policies based on concrete evidence is paramount. The announcement of a UNHCR Home-Based Consultancy Supporting Evidence-Based Policy in Indonesia represents a timely and strategic opportunity for a seasoned policy expert. This role is not a standard research assignment; it is a direct intervention to strengthen the analytical backbone of refugee protection and solutions in a complex operational context. By translating data into actionable insights, the consultant will play a pivotal role in shaping a more predictable and rights-based environment for some of the world’s most vulnerable people.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is seeking an expert consultant to provide high-level analytical and policy support to its Indonesia operation. This home-based consultancy offers the flexibility to contribute to a critical humanitarian mission from anywhere, while focusing on the Indonesian context. The consultant will be tasked with synthesizing complex data from protection monitoring, socio-economic assessments, and legal analyses to produce clear, compelling policy briefs, reports, and recommendations aimed at government counterparts, donors, and UNHCR leadership.

Key benefits of this engagement include a competitive consultancy fee under UN standards, the professional prestige of influencing national policy with a leading UN agency, and the flexibility of remote work. What makes this position stand out is its direct line from analysis to advocacy. The evidence you compile and the recommendations you draft will be used in high-level dialogues with Indonesian ministries, potentially influencing legislation, funding allocations, and operational approaches to refugee management. For a policy specialist passionate about displacement issues, this is a chance to drive tangible change from your home office.

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Background & Job Description

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is mandated to protect refugees, forcibly displaced communities, and stateless people, and to assist in their voluntary repatriation, local integration, or resettlement to a third country. In Indonesia, which is not a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention, refugees and asylum-seekers face significant legal limbo, lacking the right to work or access formal education, and relying on community-based support and limited assistance. Developing evidence-based policies is essential to improving their protection and prospects.

This home-based consultancy will support the UNHCR Country Office in Jakarta and its policy and protection units. The role purpose is to enhance the office’s capacity to generate, analyze, and utilize evidence for strategic advocacy and policy development. The consultant will work closely with UNHCR teams to transform raw operational data—on refugee demographics, protection risks, living conditions, and legal gaps—into polished, strategic documents that make a compelling case for policy reform and improved humanitarian response.

The consultant’s output is a critical tool for change. By providing a clear, evidence-based picture of the situation, the consultant helps UNHCR move from describing problems to proposing viable, data-backed solutions. This work directly supports the organization’s strategic goals of enhancing protection space, promoting solutions, and ensuring accountability to persons of concern in Indonesia.

Key Responsibilities

The consultant’s work will be governed by specific Terms of Reference (TOR) but will center on analytical synthesis and strategic communication.

Comprehensive Data Analysis and Synthesis: Collate, analyze, and interpret quantitative and qualitative data from UNHCR’s protection monitoring systems, participatory assessments, surveys, and partner reports. Identify key trends, gaps, and priority issues affecting refugees and asylum-seekers in Indonesia. This forms the empirical foundation for all policy work.
Drafting High-Level Policy Briefs and Position Papers: Produce authoritative, concise, and persuasive policy documents for different audiences. This includes drafting briefing notes for senior UNHCR and UN officials, developing advocacy papers for government ministries, and creating donor-facing reports that link needs to funding requirements. The ability to tailor messaging is crucial.
Supporting the Development of a National Policy Framework: Contribute to the technical input for discussions on a potential national legal and policy framework for refugees. This may involve comparative analysis of regional models, drafting concept notes, or preparing presentations that outline key principles and implementation pathways based on international standards and good practices.
Evidence-Based Advocacy Material Development: Create compelling data visualizations (infographics, dashboards, charts) and fact sheets that translate complex findings into easily digestible formats for media, civil society, and the public, amplifying UNHCR’s advocacy reach.
Capacity Building Support (Remote): Develop summary guides or deliver remote training sessions (webinars) for UNHCR and partner staff on how to interpret and use evidence for programming and advocacy, fostering a stronger culture of data utilization within the operation.
Stakeholder Analysis and Mapping: Support the identification and analysis of key governmental and non-governmental stakeholders in the policy arena, helping to tailor evidence-based messaging to different institutional interests and priorities.

UNHCR Home-Based Consultancy: Supporting Evidence-Based Policy for Refugees in Indonesia

Qualifications

Education & Certification

An advanced university degree (Master’s or Doctorate) in Law, International Relations, Public Policy, Political Science, Development Studies, or a related field is required.
Certifications in Monitoring & Evaluation, Data Analysis, or Project Management are advantageous.

Experience

A minimum of 7-10 years of relevant professional experience in policy analysis, advocacy, or research, with a significant portion focused on human rights, forced displacement, migration, or humanitarian affairs.
Proven experience working in or on Southeast Asia, with specific knowledge of Indonesia’s political, social, and legal context, is a critical requirement and a major differentiator.
Demonstrated experience in drafting high-quality policy papers, reports, and briefs for an international audience. A portfolio of writing samples will be essential.
Technical Competencies:
- Expert-Level Analytical and Writing Skills: Exceptional ability to synthesize complex information into clear, structured, and persuasive arguments in English.
- Data Proficiency: Strong skills in qualitative and quantitative data analysis. Proficiency in data visualization tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau) is a strong asset.
- Legal and Policy Acumen: Understanding of international refugee law, human rights law, and regional migration governance frameworks.
- Language: Fluency in English is required. Proficiency in Bahasa Indonesia is a highly significant asset and will greatly enhance the consultant’s ability to analyze local documents and context.

Why Apply for This Position

This home-based consultancy with UNHCR Indonesia is a strategic career engagement for a policy specialist. It offers the chance to influence national-level discourse on a protracted refugee situation from a remote setting. The professional credibility gained from producing high-stakes analysis for a UN agency is immense, opening doors to further consultancies with multilateral institutions, governments, and think tanks.

The unique learning experience involves deep immersion in the intricacies of refugee protection in a non-signatory country, a growing area of expertise globally. The networking potential connects you with UNHCR’s senior leadership, government officials, and NGO partners in Indonesia and the region.

The impact of your work is direct and substantive. The policy brief you author could be the document that sways a key parliamentary committee. The data analysis you provide could unlock new funding for community-based protection programs. The engagement model offers intellectual challenge and professional autonomy, allowing you to apply your expertise to a meaningful cause with flexible scheduling.

Application Tips & Insights

Success requires a proposal that demonstrates both methodological rigor and deep contextual understanding of Indonesia.

Craft a Context-Specific Technical Proposal: Your application must show you understand Indonesia’s unique position regarding refugees. Reference specific national policies, recent parliamentary discussions, or operational challenges (e.g., detention issues, community housing). Your proposed methodology should reflect an understanding of how to navigate this complex environment.
Showcase Relevant Regional Experience and Language Skills: Highlight any previous work in Indonesia or ASEAN on migration/displacement. If you have Bahasa Indonesia skills, emphasize them prominently. Provide writing samples that demonstrate your ability to analyze socio-political contexts and formulate policy recommendations.
Avoid Common Mistakes: A generic proposal on “global refugee policy” will fail. Do not underestimate the importance of local knowledge. Avoid overly academic language; UNHCR requires clear, actionable analysis. Ensure your financial proposal is realistic and aligns with UN consultancy fee norms for senior experts.
Timeline Expectations: The process from application to contract can take 6-10 weeks. After the TOR deadline, there is a review period, potential shortlisting with a request for a revised proposal or sample of work, followed by an interview focusing on your contextual and technical knowledge.
Interview Preparation: Be prepared to discuss Indonesia’s political landscape concerning refugees, key ministries and their mandates, and how you would approach building an evidence base to influence them. Expect scenario-based questions on ethical data use and stakeholder engagement in a sensitive context.

Additional Information

Fee Range: This is a home-based consultancy with a fee based on the UN’s established consultancy rates for senior experts. The total contract value will depend on the duration and specific deliverables outlined in the TOR. It is typically a lump-sum contract for the completion of the work.
Contractual Terms: The consultant will be engaged as an Independent Contractor. The fee is all-inclusive. Payment is usually made in instalments tied to the submission and acceptance of key deliverables.
Work Arrangement: This is a 100% home-based / remote consultancy. No relocation to Indonesia is required. However, the consultant must be available for virtual meetings during working hours that overlap with the Indonesia time zone (WIB, UTC+7). A stable internet connection is essential.
Duration: Consultancies are typically for a fixed term, ranging from 3 to 8 months, depending on the scope of work.
Application Deadline: Proposals must be submitted by the strict deadline stated in the Terms of Reference (TOR) published on the UNHCR career portal or UN Global Marketplace.
Equal Opportunity: UNHCR is committed to diversity and welcomes applications from qualified individuals from all backgrounds.

How to Apply

Locate the TOR: Find the specific consultancy advertisement on the UNHCR Career Portal or UN Global Market by searching for “Home-Based Consultancy” and “Indonesia.”
Analyze the TOR: Download and study the Terms of Reference document meticulously. It contains all details on objectives, deliverables, timeline, and submission requirements.
Prepare Proposal Package: This usually requires two separate documents:
- Technical Proposal: Your methodology, workplan, CV, and relevant writing samples.
- Financial Proposal: Your total fee (lump sum) with a breakdown of daily rate and number of days.
Submit as Instructed: Follow submission instructions exactly—usually via email to a specified address with a precise subject line or through an online portal. Do not send to generic addresses.
Official Source: Apply only via the method specified in the official TOR published by UNHCR.
Deadline Adherence: Submit well in advance of the deadline. Late submissions are not considered.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. How “home-based” is this role? Will I need to travel to Indonesia?
The consultancy is designed to be fully remote/home-based. Travel to Indonesia is typically not required or budgeted for. All collaboration will happen virtually. However, the TOR should be reviewed carefully, as on rare occasions a short in-country mission might be included (with separate funding). If no travel is mentioned, assume it is 100% remote.

2. I am an expert on refugee policy but have not worked specifically on Indonesia. Can I apply?
While deep Indonesia-specific experience is a critical asset, exceptionally strong candidates with proven expertise in ASEAN regional policy, comparative analysis of refugee policies in non-signatory states, or similar operational contexts may be considered. Your proposal must then convincingly outline a rapid and effective plan for grasping the Indonesian context, possibly through proposed key informant interviews or specific desk research.

3. What kind of data will I have access to?
You will have access to UNHCR’s anonymized operational data from Indonesia, which may include protection monitoring reports, baseline survey results, and information from assistance programs. You will also be expected to incorporate publicly available data from the Indonesian government, academic sources, and other NGOs. All data handling must comply with UNHCR’s strict data protection and confidentiality policies.

4. Who will be the main point of contact and reviewer of my work?
You will report to a designated staff member in the UNHCR Indonesia Country Office, most likely the Senior Policy Officer, Protection Officer, or the Deputy Representative. Your work will be reviewed and cleared by this supervisor and potentially other technical units (e.g., the regional bureau in Bangkok) before finalization.

5. Can this consultancy lead to a longer-term role with UNHCR?
While a consultancy does not guarantee a staff position, excellent performance significantly increases your visibility and prospects. UNHCR often recruits for fixed-term positions from its pool of known and trusted consultants. This consultancy is an ideal way to demonstrate your value to the team and build relationships within the organization.

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