By continuing to browse this site, you agree to our use of cookies. Read our privacy policy

Consultancy: Early Interventions for Children with Disabilities - Req. #559184

New York City

  • Organization: UNICEF - United Nations Children’s Fund
  • Location: New York City
  • Grade: Consultancy - Consultant - Contractors Agreement
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Human Rights
    • Children's rights (health and protection)
    • Disability Rights
  • Closing Date: Closed

Under the Health Specialist – Child Development and Disabilities, NCDs and Injuries and in collaboration with Karolinska Institute (UNICEF partner on Early Identification and Early Interventions), the consultant will document the work of the expert groups on early identification and early interventions. The consultant will also provide technical advice on the phase 2 of the early identification and early interventions project in three countries (Bulgaria, Uganda and Peru), focusing on the research-evaluation of the model being piloted. The consultant will be actively involved in the documentation of the project and in dissemination of information to countries and the public through knowledge products.

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. 

And we never give up. 

For every child, hope.  

Vacancy Announcement: Consultant

Consultancy Title: Early Interventions for Children with Disabilities

Section/Division/Duty Station: Health – PG-Health-MNCAH Section, New York HQ

Duration: February 15, 2023, to December 30, 2023 – Home Based

About UNICEF

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. 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. UNICEF has over 12,000 staff in more than 145 countries.

BACKGROUND

Purpose of Activity/Assignment: 

Under the Health Specialist – Child Development and Disabilities, NCDs and Injuries and in collaboration with Karolinska Institute (UNICEF partner on Early Identification and Early Interventions), the consultant will document the work of the expert groups on early identification and early interventions. The consultant will also provide technical advice on the phase 2 of the early identification and early interventions project in three countries (Bulgaria, Uganda and Peru), focusing on the research-evaluation of the model being piloted. The consultant will be actively involved in the documentation of the project and in dissemination of information to countries and the public through knowledge products.

Scope of Work:

The project involves the implementation of a 3-Tiered program for early identification, inclusion, and intervention of children with developmental delay and disability. In the first phase the (2018 to 2022, the first two Tiers including screening and community-based intervention and a Communication and Advocacy program for Behavioral and Social Change has been developed and implemented. In the second phase (2023 to 2025), the guidelines for the third Tier will first be developed by 5 international expert groups, thereafter, adapted and implemented in the three countries. When all components are in place, the effect of the entire programme on children, family and community will be evaluated.

The consultant will be providing high level technical advice on early identification and interventions for children with disabilities and , as well as being responsible for documentation and development of key knowledge products.

Specifically, the consultant is expected to:

  1. With the country teams and project leads, develop  the implementation plan for phase 2 of the work, including at HQ and in the 3 countries (Bulgaria, Uganda, Peru);
  2. Provide technical advice and inputs in the preparation of the research protocol for the evaluation of the model in the three countries, and the related applications for institutional and ethical review board approvals;
  3. Document the development of the training packages by the different (5) expert groups involved in the project;
  4. Develop other knowledge products from the project including a background paper (technical brief) on early identification and early interventions, and an implementation guidance document.

Terms of Reference / Deliverables

  1. With the country teams and project leads, develop the implementation plan for phase 2 of the work, including at HQ and in the 3 countries (Bulgaria, Uganda, Peru)
      • Operational plan for the implementation of the program in the three countries - 15 March 2023
  1. Provide technical advice and inputs in the preparation of the research protocol for the evaluation of the model in the three countries, and the related applications for institutional and ethical review board approvals.
      • Documentation of technical advice and input to the research protocol for the evaluation in the three countries and application of IRB and ethical applications - 30 June 2023                           
  1. Document the development of the training packages by the different (5) expert groups involved in the project
      • Documentation of the Training Package and Knowledge products developed by the expert groups - 30 September 2023
  1. Develop other knowledge products from the project including a background paper (technical brief) on early identification and early interventions and an implementation guidance document.
      • Background paper on early identification and early interventions, finalize available draft - 30 April 2023
      • Implementation guidance for the whole model and individual components (pathways) of the program (based on the previous task). - October 2023
      • Final Draft - 30 December 2023

Qualifications

(1) Education

  • Advanced university degree in Medicine, Child Development, Early Interventions or related fields
  • Fluency in English, both spoken and written, is required. Knowledge of French or other UN languages an asset.

(2) Work experience

  • Medical Doctor, Advanced Degree in Medical Sciences or related fields
  • Developmental Pediatrics, Child Development, Early Interventions or related fields
  • Demonstrated Capacity to write scientific papers, guidance documents or similar knowledge products in English.
  • 8 years of relevant work experience

(3) Competencies

  • Plan and take ownership for delivering tasks with minimal supervision.
  • Pay attention to detail, producing work of a high standard.
  • Monitor activities on a regular basis, reviewing work plan to ensure progress and delivery.
  • Maintain focus on priorities and deliverables, in the face of pressure, or when things do not go according to plan
  • Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively.
  • Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment.

Requirements

  • Completed profile in UNICEF's e-Recruitment system and provide Personal History Form (P11) Upload copy of academic credentials
  • Financial proposal that will include:
  • your daily/monthly rate (in US$) to undertake the terms of reference
    • travel costs and daily subsistence allowance, if internationally recruited or travel is required as per TOR.
    • Any other estimated costs: visa, health insurance, and living costs as applicable.
    • Indicate your availability
  • Any emergent / unforeseen duty travel and related expenses will be covered by UNICEF.
  • At the time the contract is awarded, the selected candidate must have in place current health insurance coverage.
  • Payment of professional fees will be based on submission of agreed satisfactory deliverables. UNICEF reserves the right to withhold payment in case the deliverables submitted are not up to the required standard or in case of delays in submitting the deliverables on the part of the consultant.

U.S. Visa information:

With the exception of the US Citizens, G4 Visa and Green Card holders, should the selected candidate and his/her household members reside in the United States under a different visa, the consultant and his/her household members are required to change their visa status to G4, and the consultant’s household members (spouse) will require an Employment Authorization Card (EAD) to be able to work, even if he/she was authorized to work under the visa held prior to switching to G4.  

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results. View our competency framework at: Here

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment. 

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check. 

Remarks:  

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws. 

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts. 

This vacancy is now closed.
However, we have found similar vacancies for you: