Disability Advocacy and Research Associate

Contract

This is a UNV National Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as National UN Volunteer. It is normally only for nationals. More about UNV National Specialist contracts.

Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and follows the UN Disability Inclusion Strategy (UNDIS) launched by the UN Secretary-General in 2019 which serves as a blueprint for fostering sustainable change towards disability inclusion across all areas of work. By supporting the implementation of the CRPD and other international human rights instruments, as well as the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, the Agenda for Humanity, and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, the UN promotes a systematic approach to disability inclusion.

In its commitment to promote disability inclusion, the UN in India fosters collaborative approach and engages with a diverse group of stakeholders. Internally, an inter-agency coordination mechanism, chaired by the UN Resident Coordinator facilitates the implementation of the Disability Inclusion Strategy and the Accountability Scorecard, while externally, engagements with various agencies, governments, and organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs) drive progress. Moreover, the UN in India places a strong emphasis on grassroots engagement and community empowerment to drive sustainable change. It ensures that the voices and perspectives of persons with disabilities remain central to decision-making processes and implementation strategies, aligning with the principle of Leaving No One Behind (LNOB) to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

This assignment is part of an inter-agency collaboration on disability inclusion and advocacy, led and coordinated by the UN Resident Coordinator's Office (UNRCO).

According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 1.3 billion people – or 16% of the global population experience a significant disability today. In India, there are 2.68 crore Persons with Disabilities according to the National Census 2011 i.e. 2.21 percent of the total population in India are persons with disabilities. It is well known that persons with disabilities face exclusion and understanding the detail and causes of exclusion is crucial to achieving inclusion. But this cannot be done without good quality, comprehensive data. The availability of valid and reliable evidence and data is critical in order to develop and evaluate policies and programmes being implemented by Governments at various stages. Consultations organized by United Nations and facilitated by Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) in various regions, highlighted the imperative for advocating disability-disaggregated data, dignified social security measures encompassing additional disability-related expenses, the impact of persons with disabilities in disaster risk reduction and climate justice initiatives. Consequently, this collaborative initiative aims to conduct a research study on disability inclusion, focusing on the socio-economic status of persons with disabilities, while exploring the aforementioned parameters in depth.

As part of the team, the National UN Volunteer will support the Resident Coordinator’s Office (RCO) in coordinating the inter-agency research endeavour and provide comprehensive support in coordination and management of the national study on disability inclusion with diverse stakeholders (UN technical team, advisory groups, documentation of the processes and follow-ups, donor reporting etc.) The incumbent will support the RCO in mainstreaming disability engagement from perspectives of global mandates on disability inclusion agenda across operations and programmes at the country office. The incumbent will also support the RCO in the implementation of the UN Disability Inclusion Strategy (UNDIS) and the country action plan, with a specific emphasis on advancing the inclusion and participation of persons with disabilities, alongside prioritizing accessibility as outlined in the action plan.

Under the overall guidance of the inter-agency study team and the daily supervision of the Disability Rights Officer, RCO, the National UN Volunteer will support the following tasks:

1. Coordination Support: ● Coordination Plan/Matrix Creation: Assist the UN-study team in creating a coordination plan/matrix. Facilitate timely communication among stakeholders, including UN agencies, expert groups, technical teams, and government and non-government stakeholders. ● Data/Research Compilation and Documentation: Collect relevant data, information, research studies, legislation, and programmes to support secondary research. Document all deliberations. ● Progress Tracking and Updates: Support the UNRCO-UN team in tracking the study's progress and stage-wise deliverables from each stakeholder to ensure adherence to deadlines by internal and external partners. ● Ethics Committee Reporting: Prepare timely updates for the Central Ethics Committee (under RPwD Act 2016) as required.

2. Advocacy and Partnership Development: ● Collaboration with UN Agencies: Foster convergence and strengthen partnerships in disability inclusion programming with various UN agencies. ● Strategic Alliances for Disability Inclusion: Facilitate strategic alliances with relevant partners, including Organizations of Persons with Disabilities, to identify new partnership opportunities and maximize existing ones to achieve targeted goals. ● Stakeholder Analysis: Conduct comprehensive stakeholder mapping for the UN-study team and document good practices in the disability sector, including support networks for persons with disabilities. ● Internal Database Creation: Compile various databases to support the inclusion of persons with disabilities, including a list of sign language interpreters and service providers, organizations promoting the employment of persons with disabilities, and businesses owned by or employing persons with disabilities to support their participation in UN tenders and consultancies.

3. Innovation and Knowledge Management: ● Documentation of Best Practices: Document and share country-level experiences and best practices in disability inclusion and engagement initiatives, including key insights and lessons learned, for internal networks and external partners. ● Executive Documentation Support: Assist in preparing various executive documents, including meeting minutes, action points, and narrative reports featuring human-interest stories and testimonies from beneficiaries and stakeholders. ● Other Related Tasks: Perform any other related tasks as required or assigned by the supervisor.

Corporate Competencies: ● Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards; ● Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UN; ● Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability; ● Treats all people fairly without favouritism.

Functional Competencies: ● Highly developed qualitative and quantitative research skills; knowledge of household surveys (Questionnaire design, sampling methodology and data analysis) will be desired. ● Strong analytical skills, and ability to rapidly analyze and integrate diverse information from varied sources; ● Computer literate; must be able to use the Internet and usage of other research and applied econometric softwares such as STATA, or open source softwares like R, or other common proprietary software like SAS, effectively is an asset. ● Identifies priority activities and assignments; ● Teamwork - excellent interpersonal, organizational and management skills and ability to work within multi-disciplinary teams.

Development and Operational Effectiveness: ● Able to manage complex problems proactively and effectively, including responses to field based emergencies; ● Ability to operate effectively in a changing and complex environment, and to produce results under stress; ● Consistently approach work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude; ● Proven organizational and communication skills; ● Demonstrate strong oral and written communication skills; ● Demonstrate openness to change and ability to manage complexities. ● Strong analytical capabilities.

having undertaken and led research and/or programme on development and disability inclusion. ● Academic credentials in disability studies and prior knowledge and experience in research and research methodology are a strong asset. ● Experience in designing, implementing, managing, and delivering results-based programmes/projects and research on disability and intersectionality. ● Fluency in English is required; Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills is required. ● Sound knowledge in community development, socio protection policy and governance, DRR and climate change, and challenges faced by persons with psychosocial disabilities is important.

New Delhi, as a duty station, presents a dynamic and diverse environment. The living conditions in this vibrant metropolis offer a mix of cultural richness, historical significance, and modern amenities. The city provides various housing options, catering to different preferences and needs. New Delhi's cosmopolitan atmosphere allows for easy integration into its multicultural society. While the city boasts a range of international schools, medical facilities, and recreational opportunities, it is essential to be mindful of factors such as air quality and traffic congestion. Additionally, due diligence is essential, especially when it comes to being cautious with street food and water.

As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials. This position is based in New Delhi. National UN Volunteers are part of the malicious insurance plan. National UN Volunteers are expected to be culturally sensitive and adjust to the prevailing culture and traditions.

You can check full entitlements at the duty station at https://app.unv.org/calculator.

The contract lasts for the period indicated above with possibility of extensions subject to availability of funding, operational necessity and satisfactory performance. However, there is no expectation of renewal of the assignment.

The applicable Volunteer Living Allowance is provided monthly to cover housing, utilities and normal cost of living expenses. Life, health and permanent disability insurance are included (health insurance for up to 3 dependents - except for UN Community Volunteers), as well as final repatriation (if applicable). You can check full entitlements at https://app.unv.org/calculator .

For information specific to your assignment please see below: • Monthly Voluntary Living Allowance (VLA): INR 58,346.66 • Entry lump sum (one-time payment): USD 400 (equivalent in INR) • Travel ticket if/when moving to duty station: USD 200 (equivalent in INR) • Exit allowance (paid on successful completion of the assignment): 1 VLA/12 Months • Medical and life insurance Cigna Private Insurance

You can check full entitlements at the duty station at https://app.unv.org/calculator.

Leave entitlements: • Annual leave: 2.5 days accrued per calendar month • Certified sick leave: 30 days • Uncertified sick leave: 7 days • Learning leave: 10 working days per consecutive 12 months • Maternity leave: 16 weeks • Paternity leaves: 10 days

UNV will provide, together with the offer of assignment, a copy of the Conditions of Service, including Code of conduct, to the successful candidate. The complete UN Volunteer Conditions of Service is available at https://explore.unv.org/cos.”