Consultant for project to support the economic inclusion of persons with disabilities and women in Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco and Tunisia

Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

Result of Service

The incumbent will be responsible for the following: 1. Action plan within two weeks of date of commencement of the contract. 2. Needs assessment report on the needs of PWD and women with disability to engage in economic opportunities. 3. Four Policy Briefs on Assessment of the inclusivity of the economic system in the four target countries. 4. Policy brief with recommendations and best practices for a more inclusive and responsive economic ecosystem.

Work Location

Remote

Expected duration

18 Months

Duties and Responsibilities

Background: ESCWA is implementing a project on “Supporting the economic inclusion of persons with disabilities and women in Lebanon, Tunisia, Jordan, and Morocco” aiming at 1) improving the access of persons with disabilities and women with disability in the Arab Region to the labour market and 2) enhancing the inclusiveness of the economic ecosystem in the Arab region and its responsiveness to the needs of persons with disabilities. Duties and Responsibilities: In this context, ESCWA is seeking to recruit an expert in disability inclusion to carry out the following tasks: • Prepare the needs assessment report on the needs of PWD and women with disability to engage in economic opportunities based on a widely disseminated survey in the four target countries. Relevant activities include but not limited to: o Prepare analytical country reports (5 – 6 pages each) based on the results of the surveys and desktop review of available relevant ESCWA material as well as other secondary or primary resources identified by the consultant and reflected in the action plan. Survey data results will be provided by ESCWA. o Prepare needed presentations and background materials and carry out focus groups with relevant stakeholders to consult on, develop in-depth understanding and validate the results of the country surveys and reports. o Prepare a comprehensive report that provides a regional overview of the needs of women and PwD and compiles the results of the surveys and consultations/focus groups, and propose recommendations and required technical assistance to governments, private sectors and CSOs to promote disability inclusive ecosystems and address identified needs. o Review in-house developed policy brief based on the needs assessment report. • Prepare four policy briefs on the results of the assessment of the inclusivity of the economic system in the four target countries. Relevant activities include but not limited to: o Assessment of the inclusivity of the existing ecosystem by mapping and analyzing factors such as business enablers and opportunities using a disability inclusion lens in the four countries. This should be carried out through desktop review of available ESCWA material as well as other secondary and primary resources identified by the consultant and reflected in the action plan. The assessment should include but should not be limited to target countries business environment, legislation, investment and entrepreneurship measures, financial inclusions policies/strategies and measures, digital transformation policies/strategies, fintech availability, business incubators, SME institutional frameworks, among other relevant factors to be identified and reflected in the inception report. o Compile success stories and good practices from the four countries in cooperation with ESCWA team. o Prepare analytical country reports (5 – 6 pages each) based on the inclusivity assessment and the results of a survey with the private sector on their readiness to recruit persons with disabilities and any other secondary and primary resources identified by the consultant and reflected in the inception report. Survey data results will be provided by ESCWA. o Prepare needed presentations and background materials and carry out a policy dialogue with stakeholders, trade unions, private sector and policy-makers in the sidelines of the SMEs Summit. • Prepare a policy brief with recommendations and best practices for a more inclusive and responsive economic ecosystem. Relevant activities include but not limited to: o Compile success stories and good practices in cooperation with ESCWA team (case studies form the four countries, the regional and other regions). o Attend and substantively contribute to the preparation of the agenda and the sessions of the regional consultation with relevant stakeholders and policy makers on filling the gaps identified in the assessments of tasks No.2 and No.3 above and prepare needed presentations and background materials. o Contribute to and review report on the results of the regional policy dialogue. o Prepare a policy brief with recommendations and best practices for policy makers.

Qualifications/special skills

A Master’s degree in social science, economics, public policy or related area is required. All candidates must submit a copy of the required educational degree. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. A minimum of seven years of experience in socio-economic development, public policy, or social science in relation to disability is required. Relevant experience in the Arab region is required. Research, report writing, development of policy briefs and technical papers experience in both quantitative and qualitative domains is required. Experience in delivering capacity building for or facilitating policy dialogue with different stakeholders is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat; and Arabic is a working language of ESCWA. For this position, fluency in Arabic and English is required. Note: “Fluency” equals a rating of ‘fluent’ in all four areas (speak, read, write, and understand) and “Knowledge of” equals a rating of ‘confident’ in two of the four areas.

Additional Information

Not available.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.