Programme Specialist (Disability inclusion) – P4  

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, and advocate! 

Job organizational context

The post Programme Specialist (Disability Inclusion) sits in UNICEF’s East Asia and the Pacific Regional Office (EAPRO) to strengthen programming and advocacy for disability inclusion across all sectors at regional and country level, promoting the rights of children with disabilities, and to support strengthening of our operations to promote disability inclusion in our workforce and accessibility of our premises.

How can you make a difference?

As the Programme Specialist (Disability Inclusion), you will set the strategy for and lead and support UNICEF’s regional work on promoting disability inclusion and the rights of children with disabilities across all sectors.

Working closely with the HQ Disability Section, 14 UNICEF Country Offices in the region, UNICEF EAPRO sections and cross-regional and global technical teams and working groups on disability inclusion, you will support UNICEF’s global, regional and country office efforts in mainstreaming disability in policies, practice and programming, as well as operations, with a focus on the roll-out of UNICEF’s Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy (DIPAS) in East Asia and the Pacific, utilising EAPRO’s regional action plan for DIPAS implementation (2024-2025).

You will ensure disability inclusion is effectively integrated into country programmes and programme review processes. You will ensure progress is reflected in annual country office reporting across sectors. You will monitor and document regional progress on disability inclusion and investment in programming.

You will build the capacity building of staff and implementing partners in the EAP region on the rights of children with disabilities and disability inclusive programming.

You will promote disability inclusion for emergency preparedness and response across sectors, working closely with the leads on Emergency, Climate & Environment, Gender and gender-based violence in emergencies.

You will promote and support engagement of Country Offices in treaty body reporting processes relevant to children with disabilities.

You will facilitate knowledge management and exchange amongst country offices, support the generation of child disability data, research and evidence, and ensure evidence-based, coherent approaches within and across sectors to enhance UNICEF programming in disabilities.

In addition, you will be responsible for identifying, developing and monitoring key bilateral and regional partnerships, including with ASEAN, with Organizations of Persons with Disabilities and as part of the UN Issue Based Coalitions, including the Asia Pacific UN Disability Inclusion Working Group, with the aim to drive the advocacy agenda around children with disabilities.

You will also lead and support resource mobilization efforts.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

1. Inclusive programming and environments
2. Rights of children with disabilities
3. Cross sectoral partnerships in support of children with disabilities
4. Disability data and research on the situation of children with disabilities in UNICEF supported programming
5. Capacity building
6. Resource mobilization

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

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in studies related to disability issues, social sciences or relevant discipline.  A bachelor’s degree in relevant discipline, with combination of 2 additional years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of Advanced university degree
• A minimum of eight years of professional experience of working on issues of disability inclusion. At least five years of which should be in the context of low and middle income countries.
• Professional experience working on issues of children with disabilities is highly desirable.
• Strong technical experience of national work, and regional and/or global level work on disability inclusive programme planning and implementation, of advocating on the rights of children with disabilities, and of guiding monitoring and evaluation efforts in a development agency context is required. Experience supporting disability inclusion in emergency context is an asset.
• Clearly demonstrated ability to conceptualize development issues and write high quality technical reports, analytical materials and project proposals is essential.
• Well-developed knowledge leadership and advocacy skills, and the ability to work effectively with others. 
• Direct field and community level experience in programme execution, involving government and international development agencies is highly desirable
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language of East Asia & Pacific is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships (2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (3) Drive to achieve results for impact (4) Innovates and embraces change (5) Manages ambiguity and complexity (6) Thinks and acts strategically (7) Works collaboratively with others.

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework 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.
We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.
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 is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. 

Remarks:

UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For positions in EAP Regional Office, eligible and suitable nationals of programme countries are highly encouraged to apply.

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments are also subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be cancelled.

All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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.

Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.

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

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