Disability Inclusion Expert

Contract

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Result of Service

The consultant will be responsible for supporting DCOs work in collaboration with the Disability Inclusion Team in the Executive Office of the Secretary-General on the implementation of the UN Disability Inclusion Strategy, including: 1) Validation of the UNCT Scorecard reporting on UNDIS implementation during the 2023 programme year 2) Help desk maintained to support UNCT implementation of the UNDIS, including preparations for a regional training. 3) Technical support provided to DCO/RC system focal points on implementation of the UNDIS and the DCO Disability Inclusion Strategy 2022-205

Work implies frequent interaction with the following: DCO staff at HQ and regional levels, RCO staff, the Disability Inclusion Team in the Executive Office of the Secretary-General, UNDIS focal point networks (HQ, Secretariat and UNCT levels).

Work Location

Home Based

Expected duration

2.5 months

Duties and Responsibilities

The United Nations Disability Inclusion Strategy (UNDIS) was launched by the Secretary-General in June 2019 to bring transformative change in the UN’s work on inclusion of persons with disabilities. The Strategy consists of a policy and an accountability framework and covers all the pillars of the UN’s work. The Strategy is being implemented under the leadership of the Executive Office of the Secretary-General. It covers both UN entities and UN Country Teams (UNCTs) and is applicable across programmes and operations. The Strategy’s accountability framework consists of two aligned components: a) an Entity Accountability Framework, and b) a UN Country Team (UNCT) Accountability Scorecard on Disability Inclusion, with performance indicators across four core areas: leadership, strategic planning and management; inclusiveness; programming; and organizational culture. The entity accountability framework and the UNCT Accountability Scorecard form the basis for implementation and reporting on the Strategy at the entity and UNCT levels respectively. The UNDIS specifically provides that the UN Development Coordination Office (DCO) will, “in collaboration with regional offices, support effective disability inclusion at the regional and United Nations country team levels through, inter alia, Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework guidance and accompanying documents and the Management and Accountability Framework.” DCO is responsible for implementing the UNDIS and reporting annually as a UN entity. DCO recently approved its own Disability Inclusion Strategy 2022-2025 to ensure that DCO and the Resident Coordination System (RCS) takes the necessary steps to implement the system-wide policy and strategy. As the manager of the RC System, DCO plays a key role in supporting UN country teams to implement the UN Disability Inclusion Strategy, including through building leadership and communities of practice to enhance coordinated UNCT actions and reporting on disability inclusion. Based in DCO, the consultant shall support DCO and RCS staff to catalyze implementation of the UN Disability Inclusion Strategy and the DCO Disability Inclusion Strategy 2022-2025 at global, regional and country levels, including through the provision of expert advice, and support the actions by UN country teams to implement and report on the UNDIS at country level. The consultant will report to the Disability Inclusion Focal Point in the Development Coordination Office. The supervisor will evaluate the consultant’s achievement of goals and planned targets, timeliness and quality of work.

Responsibilities The specific tasks that the consultant will undertake are as follows: 1) Supporting the further institutionalization and implementation of the UNCT Disability Inclusion Accountability Scorecard • Support the review and validation of UNCT Scorecard reporting for the 2023 programme year in collaboration with the Disability Inclusion Team, Executive Office of the Secretary-General. • Support the Disability Inclusion Team (EOSG) and DCO to receive further details from UNCTs including supporting documentation or examples if required. • Conduct analysis of the Scorecard data to support the identification of key trends and good practices and contribute to the Secretary-General’s annual system-wide report on the implementation of the Strategy by country teams and the annual report on the Quadrennial Comprehensive Policy Review.

2) Supporting the implementation of the Strategy at regional and country levels • In collaboration with Disability Inclusion Team-EOSG, respond to requests for technical support and guidance from UNCTs regarding the UNDIS implementation (including disability inclusive common services in the BOS) and annual reporting. • Support and strengthen the network of UNCT disability inclusion focal points through regular dissemination of information, tools and guidance. • Maintain the UNSDG Knowledge Portal with up-to-date resources on disability inclusion for UNCTs. • Support the preparation of a regional UNDIS workshop for UNCT disability inclusion and RCO inclusion focal points.

3) Contributing to the mainstreaming of disability inclusion within DCO and the Resident Coordinator system • Support the preparation of a report on the implementation of the DCO Disability Inclusion Strategy in 2023 (including data collection as needed). • Provide technical advice to the DCO Disability Inclusion Focal Point and to DCO offices, teams and branches to support their implementation of the DCO Disability Inclusion Strategy (eg. communications, operations, HR, leadership) • Provide support to the activities of the RC system staff peer support network, including organizing meetings.

Qualifications/special skills

Advanced university degree in Social Sciences, Economics, Development, or any other related field. A minimum of seven progressive years of experience working on disability inclusion. Good knowledge of the CRPD and human rights-based approach. Experience in providing technical assistance and training on mainstreaming disability inclusion and the implementation of UNDIS within the UN system. Experience integrating disability inclusion into programmes. Experience in facilitating diverse groups and building consensus. Experience working with inter-agency processes and engaging with organizations of persons with disabilities. Experience supporting disability inclusion focal points in the UN system desirable. Familiarity with UNSDG reporting systems and accountability mechanisms, and reporting on results at UNCT level desirable. Excellent written and oral communication skills.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position(s) advertised, fluency in English is required.

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.