Disability Inclusion Coordination Officer

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Application deadline 1 year ago: Tuesday 12 Jul 2022 at 00:00 UTC

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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.

Persons with disabilities are a key constituency in Zimbabwe and are estimated to make up 9% of the population, however, they remain invisible in all levels of society and face numerous challenges in accessing healthcare, jobs, education, and justice. The Government of Zimbabwe is commended for its willingness and taking the necessary steps towards the promotion of disability inclusion across all sectors and the promotion of disability rights. This commitment is evident through the ratification of the UNCRPD in 2013, adoption of the National Disability Policy (2021), development of the standalone Department of Disability Affairs in 2019, the appointment of two disability senators, the appointment of the national advisor on disability issues, and the progress recorded in terms of the draft Bill on Persons with Disabilities which is set to replace the Disabled Persons Act of 1992 (which is not CRPD-compliant). Albeit the aforementioned developments, persons with disabilities still face a plethora of challenges and barriers which relegate them to the periphery of society, resulting in exclusion, discrimination and being left behind in national development processes and not enjoying their human rights. More still needs to be done to ensure the full implementation and domestication of these frameworks, creation of an inclusive and accessible society for all persons with disabilities, and institutionalizing a culture of inclusivity, equality, and diversity across all sectors, which will contribute towards the realization of Agenda 2030.

It is within this context that the role of the United Nations in Zimbabwe has become increasingly important, as both the Government of Zimbabwe and its Development Partners consider the United Nations Country Team to be a key strategic partner and as playing a vital role in coordinating and channeling support to the country, and ensuring inclusion, and leaving no one behind in all development processes. The UNRCO is strategically placed to support and ensure the UNCT delivers disability inclusive programmes, that promotes the rights of persons with disabilities in Zimbabwe. The UNRCO also supports the Government of Zimbabwe to fulfill its obligations and ensure an inclusive society for all as set out in the National Development Strategy 1, the UNSDCF and also in line with national, regional, and international frameworks that the country is party to.

Within the ambit of the “delivering as one modality” and under the guidance of the UNRCO Gender and Disability Coordination Advisor, the Disability Inclusion Coordination Officer will aid the coordination and execution of the UNCT disability inclusive programming. He/she will support the UNRCO’s oversight and coordination role on disability issues, ensuring high quality, accuracy and consistency of work related to the implementation of UNCT disability related projects and interventions, including the UNDIS implementation. The incumbent will also provide strategic guidance and technical support to UNCT and RCO’s partners on disability inclusive programming, support resource mobilization initiatives targeting disability issues, and support promotion and implementation of the rights of persons with disabilities in Zimbabwe.

The incumbent will undertake the following tasks:

  1. Ensure efficient management and coordination of UNCT programme and strategies on disability inclusion.

- Support implementation of UN Joint projects on disability by making contributions to concepts development, activity implementation and reporting. - Supports the organisation, planning and execution of UNCT activities, workshops, seminars.

  1. Actively track and update on new and available opportunities for funding and participate in tracking and reporting on mobilized resources Support operationalization, implementation, coordination, and reporting of UNPRPD project, and UNCT UNDIS workplan.

- Coordinate and manage the execution of and provide substantive inputs into the implementation of the UNPRPD project, and UNCT UNDIS workplan. - Support UNPRPD and UNDIS reporting processes

  1. Support the development of the UNCT Disability Basket fund, and the related resource mobilisation process -Contribute to the development of the concept note and project document of the UNCT Disability Basket fund -Assist in the organisation of the consultation process, the policy dialogue, as well as the resource mobilisation process. Provide support in creation and management of strategic partnerships

- Support RCO to engage and maintain strategic partnership with national stakeholders, - Support resource mobilization and project development processes on disability issues - Strengthen capacities and awareness of OPDs to effectively engage with relevant UN human rights mechanisms, UN Treaty bodies and partner with UN agencies

  1. Support facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing on disability inclusion within the UNCT, including in relation to research and development of proposals, plans and strategies at UNCT level on disability inclusion.

- Conduct and contribute to the research and development of proposals to mainstreaming disability - Produce key strategic briefs, proposal, plans, concepts, and ideation products in tandem with UNCT disability programming priorities. - Promote flow of information and resources within the UNCT to minimize duplication of activities in the area of disability inclusion - Ensure information sharing between the UNCT, development partners and national partners

  1. Perform any other duties, relevant to the project, as required.
  • Accountability
  • Adaptability and Flexibility
  • Commitment to Continuous Learning
  • Communication
  • Empowering Others
  • Ethics and Values
  • Judgement and Decision-making
  • Knowledge Sharing
  • Leadership
  • Planning and Organizing
  • Professionalism
  • Respect for Diversity
  • Self-Management
  • Technological Awareness -Working in Teams

  • Law, Human Rights, Public Administration, Development Studies, Political Sciences, Social Sciences, or related field.

  • Professional experience in the rights of persons with disabilities, inclusive development programming, and in several broad areas of human rights and development.
  • Knowledge of contemporary development issues nationally and globally especially on disability rights, HRBA, national development priorities, national and global planning frameworks (UNCRPD, SDGs, NDS1, UNSDCF, NDP) is necessary
  • Demonstrable knowledge of result-based management, UN programme management policies, and procedures
  • Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and database packages.
  • Excellent command of English and good communication Skills.

The conditions of life in Zimbabwe are permissive to persons with disability. Several progressive steps have been undertaken by the Government of Zimbabwe and partners to ensure an inclusive and accessible society. Some of these measures include the development and implementation of policy frameworks to advance rights of persons with disability, capacitating persons with disabilities on their rights to enable them to claim their rights and hold institution accountable, and institutional strengthening for effective delivery of disability inclusive services. At the national level there is growing political commitment towards disability inclusion characterised by the appointment of the special advisor to the president on disability issues and the 2 disabilities senators, formulation of the Disability Affairs Department, and the rollout of the recently launched National Disability policy. Meanwhile there is a growing and vibrant Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPD) community representing all facets of disability and playing a significant role in advancing the CRPDs implementation in Zimbabwe.

In terms of infrastructure, most residential houses are single story and allow for easy access to person with disability. Private transport is not really accessible, while deliberate measures have been put in place to ensure information is accessible to persons with disabilities. Office spaces have both stairways, ramps, and elevators to ensure physical accessibility for all.

The ground floor at Block 10 which houses UNDP and RCO is accessible for persons with disabilities, including offices, bathroom, and meeting rooms. Furthermore, through the operationalization of the UNDIS Strategy, there has been progress in terms of undertaking accessibility checks of the UN premises and developing an action plan to address all barriers to physical and information access by persons with disabilities.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

The UN system wishes to create an inclusive workplace and commits to taking appropriate measures to enable persons with disabilities to access and benefit equally from employment and other engagement opportunities such as volunteering, by providing reasonable accommodation. In this context, “reasonable accommodation” means necessary and appropriate modifications and adjustments not imposing a disproportionate or undue burden, where needed in a particular case, to ensure to persons with disabilities the enjoyment or exercise on an equal basis with others of all human rights and fundamental freedoms.[Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Article 2]

Added 1 year ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: unv.org