Consultancy: Technical Support To Programming For Children With Disabilities - Disability Section, PD - NYHQ, Requisition# 506436

The purpose of this consultancy is to build on the existing technical leadership and achievements made over the past 6 years, to ensure continuity of the leadership to further contribute to global knowledge in this area, share knowledge and build capacity within and beyond UNICEF, and provide technical expertise and support at global, regional and country level, within and beyond the region.

If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children, the world's leading children's rights organization would like to hear from you.

For 70 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children's survival, protection and development. The world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.

Background & Rationale

Children with disabilities are one of the most marginalized and excluded groups in society. Facing daily discrimination in the form of negative attitudes, lack of adequate policies and legislation, they are effectively barred from realizing their rights to healthcare, education, and even survival.

Estimates suggest that there are at least 93 million children with disabilities in the world, but numbers could be much higher. They are often likely to be among the poorest members of the population. They are less likely to attend school, access medical services, or have their voices heard in society. Their disabilities also place them at a higher risk of physical abuse, and often exclude them from receiving proper nutrition or humanitarian assistance in emergencies.

UNICEF vision is to build a world where every child can grow up healthy, protected from harm and educated, so they can reach their full potential. Every day UNICEF Disability is working to make this vision a reality.

To continue narrowing the data gaps across the globe, particularly with regards to children with disabilities it is crucial to insure technical expertise is available to respond to growing demand from UNICEF Regional and Country offices and ensure children with disabilities are included in all programmes and policies. 

Purpose

The purpose of this consultancy is to build on the existing technical leadership and achievements made over the past 6 years, to ensure continuity of the leadership to further contribute to global knowledge in this area, share knowledge and build capacity within and beyond UNICEF, and provide technical expertise and support at global, regional and country level, within and beyond the region.

 More specifically, the consultancy will focus, among other themes, on:

1. Data on children with disabilities;

2. Inclusive education (for children with disabilities), using modern information and communication technology; and

3. Innovations in disability mainstreaming.

 Expected results: (measurable results) 

1. Generation of knowledge (15 days)
   • Review of the Situation Analysis completed by UNICEF COs within the last 5 years, interview responsible staff and researchers in each and compile “list of issues” /Considerations to be addressed;
   • Discuss “list of issues”/Considerations with HQ and regional Disability Focal Points to aggregate possible solutions;
   • Revise existing UNICEF Guidelines for Disability Situation Analyses and provide suggestions on revising UNICEF’s Situation Analysis of Woman and Children guidelines;
2. Inclusive Education (3 days)

• Advise regional and country offices on the adequate implementation of existing accessible technology for children with disabilities in education;
• Advise the disability unit and regional focal points on value-added activities related to IE and AT;

3. Technical Support (off-site) to Regional/Country Offices (4 days)
   • Assist in the development plan, hiring of teams, and implementation of Situation Analysis of children with disabilities at country level;
   • Assist in designing and implementing capacity development opportunities for UNICEF staff, related to qualitative research methodology;
4. Participation in disability-related global and regional events (4 days)
   • global and regional events according to needs and requests
5. Support to Head Quarters – Disability Section (4 days)

• Reviewing and commenting on specific documents related to the above activities - concept notes, statements, etc.
• Virtual meetings with the Disability Team

Duty Station

Remote base, travel will be required

Timeframe

 Start date:  5 September 2017          End date: 15 January 2018

Key competences, technical background, and experience required Deadline

• Advanced University degree in a Social Science related to UNICEF’s work, preferably in inclusive education; 
• At least seven years of international work experience, showing progressive professional responsibility, including: policy analysis, project management, planning, data collection, monitoring and evaluation, etc.
• At least seven years of experience leading, supervising or conducting social research, including mixed-methods data collection and analysis
• Strong familiarity with, and understanding of, issues relating to children’s rights, especially the rights of children with disabilities, from the perspective of the social model of disability;
• Familiarity with international legal instruments, policies, and programmes relating to inclusive education, such as those drafted by UNESCO, UNICEF, OHCHR, etc. ;
• Ability to work in a team, in an international environment, with little supervision;
• Previous experience working with UNICEF, is an asset;
• Very good analytical and report writing skills in English and one other UN language.

To view our competency framework, please click here. 

Please indicate your ability, availability and daily/monthly rate (in US$) to undertake the terms of reference above (including travel and daily subsistence allowance, if applicable).  Applications submitted without a daily/monthly rate will not be considered.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organisation.