Consultant - UN Disability Inclusion Strategy

Result of Service 1. Technical assistance to review and address digital accessibility of UN websites and internal platforms: 15 days of work 2. Five virtual training sessions for UN staff on different aspects of web and digital accessibility: 7 days of work 3. Review of web platforms and digital/online platforms on an ad hoc basis: 15 days of work 4. Technical assistance as required to entities and country teams on digital accessibility: 23 days of work

Work Location Home-based/Remote

Expected duration 60 days through 31 December 2022.

Duties and Responsibilities Working with the Disability Inclusion Team in the Sustainable Development Unit, Executive Office of the Secretary-General, the consultant will be responsible for supporting increased capacity of staff at HQ and country level to implement web and digital accessibility, which will in turn contribute to entity and country team implementation of the United Nations Disability Inclusion Strategy (UNDIS), particularly indicator 6 on accessibility.

The specific tasks that the consultant will undertake are as follows:

1. Supporting improved accessibility of UN websites and internal platforms e.g. the United Nations Security Council website, UNDIS entity accountability framework online reporting platform and resources pages (15 days) - Submit detailed accessibility testing report and support and/or provide guidance to address accessibility issues

2. Conducting virtual training sessions for UN Staff on different aspects of web and digital accessibility (7 days) - Virtual trainings on creation of accessible documents and accessible web pages - Up to five sessions with training/reference materials that participants could use after session

3. Reviewing web platforms, digital trainings and digital/online products on demand for accessibility and support with remediation and/ or advice wherever necessary (15 days) - Submit detailed accessibility testing report with support and/or guidance to developers on addressing accessibility issues

4. Providing technical assistance to UN entities and country teams on digital accessibility, including accessibility of documents and publications (23 days) - Support to be provided to approximately 10 entities and/or country teams assistance to make up to 300 pages of documents/webpages accessible

Qualifications/special skills Academic Qualifications:

Advanced university degree in IT, web design, software development, and programming. Bachelor’s degree with 2 years relevant experience OR certification in IT will also suffice.

Experience:

- At least 7 years experience in working on WCAG, ARIA, GIGW, EN standards, ICT accessibility testing and auditing, etc. - Previous experience in creation of accessible formats, specifically with the United Nations and/or other international organizations - Experience of conducting web and document accessibility trainings at international level - Experience of working with assistive technologies e.g. JAWS and NVDA screen readers - Experience working with persons with disabilities

Language:

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, fluency in English is required.

Additional Information At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disability. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application.

The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

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.