UNICEF Zimbabwe is inviting proposals from individual National candidates to undertake a Disability Consultancy for a period of 11.5 months

the main objective of the Consultancy is to provide technical guidance to the UNICEF Zimbabwe Country Office, as well as the government of Zimbabwe and core development partners, to identify and undertake strategic reforms for disability inclusion in Zimbabwe. In particular, the consultant will be tasked with leading in the implementation of the UNICEF Disability Strategy, including an analysis of intervention quality and sustainability.

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

1.      Introduction

The UNCRPD recognises disability as long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments that in interaction with various barriers may hinder the full and effective participation of the affected persons in society on an equal basis with others. Such barriers may be physical, and include lack of access to the built environment; access to and utilisation of basic services and enabling assistive devices including legal protection services. Barriers may also be attitudinal, such as underestimating potential because of perceived limitation of a person's disability.

The Zimbabwe’s Disabled Persons Act Chapter 17:01 of 1992, defines a disabled person as ‘…a person with a physical, mental or sensory disability, including a visual, hearing or speech functional disability, which gives rise to physical, cultural or social barriers inhibiting him from participating at an equal level with other members of society in activities, undertakings or fields of employment that are open to other members of society.”

It is estimated that approximately 15% of world’s population lives with some disability. In Zimbabwe, this rate is estimated at 7% in 2013.

Zimbabwe is part of the global commitment to ‘Leave no one Behind’, which is a key feature of the 2030 Agenda for SDGs[1]. The country recognizes that the dignity of the individual is fundamental and that the Agenda’s goals and targets should be met for all nations and people and for all segments of society. This agenda has for the first time in history been made a top priority for achieving universal rights for all. The hope is that progress towards meeting these goals will be measured across all SDG indicators

Zimbabwe still faces challenges of stigma and negative attitudes about disability which create barriers, which are further worsened by the environment which make it much more difficult for children with disabilities to survive, go to school, access healthcare or participate in the community. CwDs are often denied the opportunities of full participation in the activities of the socio-cultural system of which they are a part.

UNICEF is committed to disability-inclusive sustainable development as illustrated by its global approach to disability which focuses on mainstreaming/integration; developing leadership on Children with Disability (CwDs) and creating an inclusive organisation for ALL. Close consultation and direct active involvement of CwDs depending on their evolving capacities and through their representative Disabled Persons Organisations (DPOs) in the work of the Country Office (CO) is fundamental, as stipulated in the (UNCRPD (Article 4). This will improve mainstreaming, integration and implementation of the CO Strategy priorities and the UNCRPD principles.

1. Objective (s)

In light of the above, the main objective of the Consultancy is to provide technical guidance to the UNICEF Zimbabwe Country Office, as well as the government of Zimbabwe and core development partners, to identify and undertake strategic reforms for disability inclusion in Zimbabwe. In particular, the consultant will be tasked with leading in the implementation of the UNICEF Disability Strategy, including an analysis of intervention quality and sustainability.

1. Specific tasks                                                                                                   

• Coordinate with other Section Teams, UNICEF’s strategic and technical inputs in the implementation of the Country Office Disability Strategy.
• Support the government of Zimbabwe to improve disability inclusion policy planning and implementation, including support to develop a resource mobilization/sustainable financing plan and a medium-term cost projection; and review MIS options, based on existing specifications.
• Support the launch of a high-level advocacy campaign building on key identified interventions in the UNICEF Zimbabwe Disability Inclusion Strategy.
• Provide technical support to the Office of the Presidential Advisor on Disability as well as the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare (MoLSW) to effectively craft a National Disability Policy for disability inclusion.
• Serve as Focal Point for Disability Inclusion at UNICEF, supporting in technical relationships with donors and partners and representing UNICEF in disability working group meetings, sector reviews, and related fora.  
• Provide technical assistance in all operational aspects of UNICEF-supported Disability Inclusion Programmes and ensure effective collaboration and leadership with/of MoLSW, efficient programme management as well as regular monitoring and evaluation activities.
• Identify opportunities for development of research and lessons learned
• Policy advocacy for disability rights and equitable economic growth by participating in relevant forums, conferences and trainings
• Produce high quality papers on policy options for the Office presentation at workshops and conferences
• Support to monitoring progress and formulation of strategies towards inclusion
• Assessment of the country’s policies and their impact on people with disabilities.
• Technical assistance in the process of collecting and sharing lessons learned on the equality and empowerment of people with disabilities to build knowledge and capacity of partners and stakeholders
• Identify lessons learned in relation to areas of strategic priority to guide improvement to attention to disability concerns in national activities
• Provide technical assistance and capacity building support to Government agencies in project formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation related to disability

• Work with civil society and facilitate knowledge building on identified regional and country priority areas related to disability.

   

1. Major Tasks, Deliverables & Timeframe

5.      Timeframe

11.5 Months from June 2018 to 14 May 2019

6.      Consultancy Requirements

Education

Advanced degree in Social Sciences, Economics, or related field

Work Experience of the Consultant

• At least 5 years of professional work experience focusing on the design, implementation, management, and/or evaluation of social protection programmes and systems;

• Strong understanding of disability, including social assistance and social care, both as theoretical concepts and in practice;
• Previous professional experience in providing policy advice to governments on disability programming;
• Experience in working on complex policy-based research related to social protection, poverty reduction, analyzing poverty and vulnerability, etc., is an added advantage;
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with various partners including the government, civil society, private sector, UN and other development donors and high quality liaison and representation at local and national levels;
• Experience working and engaging with senior government officials, donor representatives and civil society on policy and strategic issues;
• Ability to work under pressure, effectively coordinate diverse stakeholders and meet tight deadlines without supervision and compromising quality of work;
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills;
• Good facilitation and presentation skills;
• People living with disability are strongly encouraged to apply

Computer literacy and knowledge of standard PC software packages (MS. Excel, PowerPoint, Word, etc.) is essential.

Application Procedure

If interested and available, please submit your application letter, CV, Technical and an all-inclusive financial proposal detailing monthly professional fees, field travel days (estimated 15 travel days for the duration of the contract) and other miscellaneous expenses.