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, Education

UNICEF adopted a Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy (DIPAS) in early 2023 outlining the organization’s continued commitment to promoting disability inclusion in programmes and operations. Under DIPAS, regional offices are required to develop regional action plans to implement DIPAS and promote disability inclusion and to recruit at least one dedicated, full-time disability inclusion specialist by 2025, apart from other overarching organizational commitments.

How can you make a difference?

Under the supervision of UNICEF ROSA’s Disability Inclusion Focal Point, the objective of this consultancy will be to support to UNICEF’s work on implementing the DIPAS regional action plan and strengthening disability-inclusive programming and operations within the region. This will be done in close collaboration and coordination with the HQ Disability Section, eight UNICEF Country Offices in South Asia (and the network of Country Office Disability Inclusion Focal Points), UNICEF ROSA programme and other sections and cross-regional and global technical teams and working groups on disability inclusion.

Key Assignments/Tasks:

This section outlines the activities and tasks that are to be executed and completed within the estimated timeline for the completion of the programme. Assignments/Tasks should be outlined in the order they should be carried out by the consultant/contractor.

Key Deliverables

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Education:

• A minimum of eight years of professional experience working on issues related to persons or children with disabilities in the context of low- and middle-income countries.
• Strong technical experience and knowledge in relation to disability inclusion at national, regional and/or global levels
• Experience with and understanding of UNICEF policies, programmes, planning processes and monitoring and evaluation.
• Experience supporting disability inclusion in emergency contexts is an asset.
• Experience working in the South Asia region is an asset.
• Experience working with UNICEF, UN Agencies and/or other international development organizations and knowledge of UN programming and planning processes is an asset.

Competencies:

• Strong and positive interpersonal communication skills and ability to work effectively with others
• Strong and effective coordination skills across multiple partners at different levels
• Competence in using Microsoft programmes (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) as well as SharePoint
• Competence using other key online tools such as Microsoft Teams and Zoom and in organizing activities on these platforms
• Ability to work independency and responsibly

Language Proficiency:

Fluency in English, written and spoken. Proficiency in any South Asian language is a plus.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS).

To view our competency framework, please visit  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: 

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

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.