Open Call: Provision of Legal Services to Forcibly Displaced Persons in Sudan

Deadline: 15-Sep-2026

UNHCR is seeking qualified organizations to provide legal assistance and access to justice for forcibly displaced persons in Sudan, with a particular focus on North Kordofan. The programme will support vulnerable groups through legal counselling, representation, civil documentation assistance, detention monitoring, community legal information, and training of community paralegals. UNHCR Legal Assistance Programme in Sudan: Overview The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has launched a call for expressions of interest to identify qualified organizations capable of delivering legal assistance and protection services to forcibly displaced and vulnerable populations in Sudan. The initiative focuses particularly on North Kordofan and aims to strengthen access to timely, quality, inclusive, and confidential legal services. The programme is intended to help forcibly displaced persons overcome legal and administrative barriers while improving access to remedies and justice. What Is the UNHCR Sudan Legal Assistance Programme? The programme supports legal protection for people affected by displacement and other protection risks. Forcibly displaced persons may face challenges involving: Qualified organizations will help affected people understand their rights, access legal remedies, obtain documentation, and receive appropriate representation. The programme also uses a community-based protection approach by strengthening the capacity of community paralegals. Main Objectives

The initiative aims to:

Improve access to quality legal assistance. Strengthen access to justice and legal remedies. Support vulnerable and at-risk forcibly displaced persons. Improve coordination with UNHCR and relevant authorities. Who Will Benefit? The programme primarily targets forcibly displaced persons in Sudan, particularly vulnerable individuals and groups facing heightened protection risks. People experiencing detention-related legal problems Individuals lacking civil documentation Other vulnerable or at-risk displaced populations

Services may be provided in:

Camps Displacement settlements Urban locations Other locations where affected communities require legal assistance Key Legal Assistance Activities Legal Counselling Organizations will provide individual legal counselling to help displaced people understand their rights, responsibilities, available remedies, and legal procedures.

Counselling may address issues such as:

Family law Civil documentation Immigration matters Detention Gender-based violence Human trafficking Other protection-related legal issues Legal Representation Qualified organizations may represent individuals in relevant legal proceedings.

This can include cases involving:

Immigration Human trafficking Gender-based violence Civil documentation Family law Other cases affecting the protection and rights of forcibly displaced persons Legal representation should be delivered in accordance with applicable professional and ethical standards. Detention Monitoring Regular monitoring of detention facilities is another important component. Organizations will also be expected to provide ongoing mentoring and capacity building to community paralegals. Survivor-Centred and Confidential Services Legal assistance involving sensitive protection issues must be delivered using a survivor-centred and confidential approach. This is particularly important for cases involving: Gender-based violence Human trafficking Children Detention Other serious protection risks Organizations should ensure that affected individuals are treated with dignity and that sensitive information is protected.

Services should prioritize:

Confidentiality Informed decision-making Safety Non-discrimination Dignity Appropriate referrals Protection from further harm Who Is Eligible? The call is intended for qualified organizations capable of providing legal assistance and protection services to forcibly displaced populations in Sudan. Organizations should be able to demonstrate relevant technical and operational capacity.

Applicants should have the ability to:

Deliver legal counselling. Provide or facilitate legal representation. Work with vulnerable displaced populations. Support civil documentation. Conduct legal awareness activities. Monitor and identify protection concerns. Train and mentor community paralegals. Coordinate with UNHCR and relevant authorities. Maintain confidentiality. Report activities and urgent cases regularly. Experience working with refugees, internally displaced persons, asylum-seekers, vulnerable communities, or other populations affected by displacement would be particularly relevant. Geographic Focus The programme has a particular focus on North Kordofan, Sudan. Organizations should therefore demonstrate the operational capacity, local knowledge, partnerships, and community access necessary to implement activities in the targeted areas. How the Programme Works Selected organizations will work in coordination with UNHCR and relevant authorities to deliver an integrated legal protection response. The implementation model can be understood through several stages:

Step 1: Identify Legal and Protection Needs

Organizations identify individuals and communities experiencing legal barriers or protection risks.

Step 2: Provide Legal Information

Affected people receive accessible information about their rights, available services, and potential legal remedies.

Step 3: Deliver Individual Legal Assistance

Qualified personnel provide counselling and, where appropriate, legal representation.

Step 4: Support Documentation

Organizations help eligible individuals navigate procedures for obtaining civil documentation.

Step 5: Monitor Protection Risks

Detention facilities and other relevant environments are monitored to identify individuals requiring assistance.

Step 6: Strengthen Community-Based Support

Community paralegals are identified, trained, and mentored to improve access to basic legal infor