Expert Consultancy at African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (ACHPR), African Union: Study on a Legal Framework for Climate-Displaced Persons in Africa

The African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (ACHPR) is a treaty body of the African Union established under the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights, with its Secretariat in Banjul, The Gambia. Through Resolution ACHPR/Res.628 (LXXXII) 2025, the Commission mandated its Special Rapporteur on the situation of refugees, asylum seekers, internally displaced persons and migrants in Africa to commission a study on the development of a specific legal framework for the protection of persons forcibly displaced in Africa as a result of climate change.

The Commission has now issued Terms of Reference and is inviting expressions of interest from an expert, or a multidisciplinary team of experts, to carry out that study. The call was published on 4 August 2026 and applications close on 31 August 2026.

Climate change is driving large-scale displacement across Africa through drought, floods, storms and other disasters. Projections cited in the Terms of Reference put the number of people displaced by climate change in Africa at 113 million by 2050. The absence of any formal international status for "climate refugees" is a growing protection concern.

The 1951 Refugee Convention confines refugee status to persons with a well-founded fear of persecution on five enumerated grounds. The African framework, built mainly on the 1969 OAU Convention Governing the Specific Aspects of Refugee Problems in Africa and the 2009 Kampala Convention on internally displaced persons, goes further, and Article I(2) of the OAU Convention extends protection to persons compelled to flee because of "events seriously disturbing public order". The Specialized Technical Committee on Migration, Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons has called for further reflection on whether that phrase can be read to cover displacement linked to climate change and disasters.

• Analyse gaps in international and regional law on the protection of persons forcibly displaced by climate change, and assess the inadequacy of current instruments to their specific needs.
• Identify protection, assistance and durable-solution needs, with attention to differentiated impacts on women, children, the elderly, persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples and pastoral communities.
• Assess whether the effects of climate change and natural disasters can be classified as "events seriously disturbing public order" under Article I(2) of the 1969 OAU Convention.
• Analyse the implications, opportunities and limits of applying Article II (grant of asylum) to these populations, and the links between climate change, resource conflict and forced displacement.
• Explore the feasibility of establishing a legal status of "climate refugee".
• Formulate recommendations for African Union member states, UNHCR and other stakeholders, including a possible amendment to the 1969 OAU Convention, regional guidelines, a complementary protocol, or a common African position.

The Terms of Reference set out an analytical and inclusive approach combining a documentary review of national legislation and regional treaties, comparative analysis of the 1951 Convention against African instruments, case-law analysis of UNHCR legal considerations and ACHPR jurisprudence, case studies and data collection on environmental migration, and multi-stakeholder consultations with states, Regional Economic Communities, international and regional organisations, civil society, national human rights institutions, affected communities and international law experts.

Three deliverables are expected:

• A provisional report presenting a preliminary assessment of the state of legislation in Africa and proposed avenues for the study.
• A comprehensive final report of 50 to 70 pages, including a mapping of protection gaps, an analysis of the compatibility of existing African instruments with emerging protection needs, a dedicated analysis of Article I(2) of the 1969 OAU Convention, and a range of legal and institutional scenarios.
• A policy brief for policymakers summarising key findings and recommendations.

The Commission is looking for an expert or a multidisciplinary team of experts with:

• High-level legal expertise in international law, refugee law and human rights.
• A solid understanding of climate change issues in Africa.
• Proven experience in pan-African institutional research (for example with the African Union or the ACHPR) and in legal research, with a sound grasp of the African refugee protection system.
• In-depth knowledge of African Union mechanisms and recent developments on climate change, human mobility and human rights on the continent.
• Proficiency in English, French, Arabic or Portuguese.
• Prior experience working with regional or international organisations.

The Terms of Reference impose no nationality or residence restriction, so suitably qualified experts based outside Africa, including in India, may apply.

The study is planned over a total duration of eight months on the following indicative schedule: months 1 to 2 for the methodological note and documentary research; months 3 to 5 for field data collection through surveys and regional workshops; month 6 for submission of the provisional report; month 7 for feedback and integration of observations; and month 8 for validation and submission of the final report.

The Terms of Reference do not state a duty station or a fee. Selection concludes with the issuance of engagement letters and the conclusion of consulting contracts in accordance with procedures agreed between the parties. The work combines desk-based research with field data collection and regional consultations across Africa; the commissioning body, the ACHPR Secretariat, is based in Banjul, The Gambia.

Interested candidates must submit the following electronically:

• A cover letter indicating the position applied for.
• A curriculum vitae or resume.
• A brief technical proposal of no more than three pages covering understanding of the mission, the proposed approach and relevant experience.
• Two recent examples of similar or related work.
• Contact details of three professional references.

Applications go to nkounkoue@africanunion.org, with copies to au-banjul@AfricanUnion.org, MossadA@AfricanUnion.org and heuleche.tognonmegni@rflgd.org. The subject line must read: "Call for expressions of interest - Expert - study on the development of a specific legal framework for the protection of forcibly displaced persons in Africa due to climate change." There is no application fee.

Applications are assessed against academic qualifications, relevant professional experience, technical expertise, understanding of the subject, quality of previous work, and regional and thematic expertise.

The process runs through an administrative review for completeness and admissibility, a technical evaluation against the stated requirements, the drawing up of a shortlist of the most qualified candidates, interviews with shortlisted candidates where considered necessary, and finally selection, recommendation and the conclusion of a consulting contract. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.