Consultancy: Inclusion of Children with Disabilities in Covid19 Response and Recovery Actions in the LAC Region

Contract

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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

The scope of this consultancy entails tasks that require intense coordination, systematization and follow-up with internal and external parties, for instance: (a) liaising with regional disability networks such as RIADIS, Grupo Social ONCE and META Juvenil to follow up on the recently signed MoUs and ensuring satisfactory completion of the agreed activities (b) Coordinating with COs and their front line disability partners to maximize the implementation of a soon-to-be-published Guide “A house with many windows” (c) Continue identifying available resources and capacities of Organizations of Persons with Disabilities in the region to contribute with UNICEF programs for more inclusive responses within the pandemic context.

How can you make a difference?

UNICEF promotes the rights and welfare of all children and adolescents in everything we do. Together with our allies, we work in 190 countries and territories to transform this commitment into practical actions that benefit all children, especially focusing our efforts on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded, worldwide.

The UNICEF Latin America and Caribbean Regional Office is based in in Panama, operating in 36 territories, including 24 country offices.

UNICEF works to put the rights and well-being of the most disadvantaged children at the heart of the social, political, and economic agenda, in line with our equity focus, working across our organization and with our partners in government, civil society and the private sector to support shifts in public policy, fuel social engagement, and increase investment for children.

UNICEF works to put the rights and well-being of the most disadvantaged children at the heart of the social, political, and economic agenda, in line with our equity focus, working across our organization and with our partners in government, civil society and the private sector to support shifts in public policy, fuel social engagement, and increase investment for children.

Children and adolescents with disabilities are one of the most marginalized and excluded groups in society, experiencing widespread violations of their rights. They are most likely to face severe social, economic, cultural and civic disparities as compared with those without disabilities. Negative attitudes, stereotypes, stigma, violence, abuse, isolation, as well as lack of adequate policies and legislation, and educational and economic opportunities are daily experiences they face.

UNICEF uses the term ‘disability’ in line with the definition provided in the CRPD (Article 1): “Persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments which in interaction with various barriers may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others.”

UNICEF’s work on disability is guided by a human rights-based approach and inclusive development framework according to the social model of disability. UNICEF strives for meaningful participation of persons with disabilities, including children, adolescents and women with disabilities, in all aspects of UNICEF’s work- in the spirit of the motto “Nothing About Us Without Us”-.

Protecting the rights of children with disabilities has been an integral part of UNICEF agenda since the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) went into force. This work further gained momentum with the passing of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). The Conventions demand recognition of each child as a full member of her or his family, community and society and entail a focus on investment removing all physical, cultural, economic, communication, mobility and attitudinal barriers that impede the realization of the child’s rights– including the right to active involvement in the making of decisions that affect children’s daily lives.

For more information about UNICEF and its work. (www.unicef.org/lac)..)

Purpose of the Assignment

Under the overall guidance of the Inclusive Education Specialists, the consultant will provide guidance, monitor, systematize and report the different actions taken by the regional and country offices to include children with disabilities in COVID-19 response and recovery.

Specific Tasks

1. Coordinate and accompany the regional dissemination and implementation of the proposal "A house with many windows."

• Organize the public presentation of the Guide "A house with many windows" through press releases and video dissemination.

• In coordination with the national offices, organize a new cycle of activities with families, promoting the participation of children with and without disabilities and recommending the development of inclusive actions to respond to Covid-19 within the framework of “building back better”.

• Accompany the follow-up and deepening activities of the approach in Argentina, Peru, Paraguay and Jamaica and facilitate its presentation in Brazil, Panama and a Caribbean country to be designated.

2. Regional campaign "Part of the Solution"

• In coordination with the Inclusion Advisory Team, continue developing activities that present and disseminate collaborative, intersectional and inclusive experiences in response to Covid-19.

• Produce a cycle of podcasts documenting testimonies, experiences and community-based practices of inclusive response to the pandemic.

• Collect mutual aid experiences and inclusive responses to Covid-19. Prepare a digital publication that documents these experiences and systematizes the lessons learned.

3. Support to National Offices

• Strengthen the capacity of the National Offices to implement inclusive responses to Covid-19, facilitating the identification of local partners, supporting the development of alliances and coordinating the training of front liners and technical teams in the aforementioned areas.

• Provide advice and recommendations for family outreach, communication in accessible formats, and reasonable accommodations for inclusion.

• Systematize mainstreaming processes in the region and compile information that makes this type of inclusive practices visible.

Expected Results

1. Organization of the public presentation and press releases for “A house with many windows”

2. Proposal of dissemination plans and activities for “A house with many windows” and follow ups

3. A collection of podcasts and materials for dissemination for the regional campaign “Part of the Solution”

4. Systematization of processes and support provided to National Offices on an ongoing basis for their capacity development

Deliverables

1. Organization of the public presentation and press releases for “A house with many windows” - 20 days

2. Proposal of dissemination plans and activities for “A house with many windows” and follow ups - 20 days

3. A collection of podcasts and materials for dissemination for the regional campaign “Part of the Solution” - 40 days

4. Systematization of processes and support provided to National Offices on an ongoing basis for their capacity development - 30 days

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

• Education: University degree in Social Sciences / Human Sciences.
• Work Experience: More than 10 years of experience providing technical assistance to international agencies and governments in LAC region. A good understanding of inclusive development with a focus on inter-sectorial approaches to children and adolescent’s health, education and social protection required.
• Languages: Fluency in Spanish and English is required. Knowledge of French or Portuguese will be considered an asset.
• Technical knowledge: Professional knowledge and expertise in implementing integrated policies and programs that are inclusive of children and adolescents with disabilities. Extensive knowledge of UNICEF work in the LAC Region in the areas of disability rights and cross sectorial approaches to ECD, education, health and social protection.
• Other skills and attributes: Demonstrated excellent skills in (a) reviewing and systematizing existing practices, (b) writing documents and guidelines for implementation of inclusive initiatives. Demonstrated ability to identify available resources and promising practices in the area of disability inclusion. Ability to work efficiently under tight deadline.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

Click here to learn more about UNICEF’s values and competencies.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply.

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.

Supervision: The consultant will work under the direct supervision of the Education Specialist [Inclusion].

Workplace: This consultancy is home-based.

Duration: This contract is expected to start on 1 May 2021 with an estimated duration of 6 months.

How to apply: Application should be submitted online and should include: Resume, Cover Letter and Financial proposal. Qualified candidates are requested to submit daily and monthly fees in their financial proposal.

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.