Disability Inclusion Officer

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.

The United Nations Country Team in Lesotho, under the leadership of the Resident Coordinator (RCO), has been selected to participate in this initiative. Within this context, this UNV assignment will further strengthen the coordination efforts of the RCO’s Office in developing, implementing and providing oversight over the UN’s Covid-19 response programme. The appointed UNV will work with other staff members within the RCO under the operational guidance of the Head of the Resident Coordinator’s Office and overall leadership of the Resident Coordinator to deliver on the UN Country Team’s efforts towards disability inclusion.

Additionally, to create a collaborative partnership to include persons with disabilities in the workforce within the UN in Lesotho and broadly to realise their rights in line with the goals in the 2030 Agenda and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) in 131 countries where the UN has operations; and to leverage the UN’s operations, institutional frameworks, infrastructure, and network to include persons with disabilities in the workforce in Lesotho.

Within delegated authority and under the supervision of the Resident Coordinator or her designated mandated representative(s), the Disability Inclusion Officer will work within the RCO team and: • Liaise and support organizations of persons with disabilities to plan and achieve their advocacy targets; • Coordinate and support assessment inclusivity of the UN ICT, HR recruitment processes and physical accessibility of the UN house; • Provide quality assurance and supervision of the inclusion consultants hired by RCO/UNDP;
• Facilitate capacity building of UN staff on disability mainstreaming and targeting persons with disability in programming; • Facilitate awareness and training on how persons with disabilities could access ICT, procurement and employment opportunities within the UN system;
• Ensure that the Lesotho Phase 0 Global Partnership for persons with disabilities project plan is developed and routinely updated as required;
• Support coordination of various UN entities and national stakeholders to ensure they meaningfully participate in project; • Support RCO in convening and coordinating project meetings;
• Support course correction and project improvement based on identified needs; • Support quality assurance of all performance and programme information received from UN agencies; • Support preparation of project quarterly reports outlining status of implementation of activities and monthly progress reports to UNCT; • Work with UN Communications Group to develop relevant and informative communications products on the project; • Work with Results Groups to support the mainstreaming of UN programming principles into the Joint Work Plans; • Support secretariat functions of the RCO in the project; • Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.

Professionalism; Teamwork and respect for diversity; Flexibility; Integrity; Commitment to continuous learning; Planning and Organising; Communication

multi-stakeholder co-ordination and facilitation is highly desirable as well as professional work experience at the national and/or international level • Effective communication, networking and organizational skills and ability to work well in a team; • Ability to work well under pressure and in response to rapidly changing needs; • Excellent oral and written skills; excellent English drafting, formulation, reporting skills; • Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing; • Ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development; • Experience in disability inclusion will be advantageous; • Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel; • Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; • Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment; • Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines; • Sound security awareness;

Lesotho is a small land-locked country completely surrounded by South Africa. While the rural and mountain areas are severely struck by poverty, the capital, Maseru, is fairly developed and access to basic amenities is good especially when considering the proximity to South Africa (UN House is a 5 minute drive from the border). Lesotho enjoys a sub-tropical climate with cold winters (June to September) and scorching hot summers (December to March). Mainly because of the high altitude, Lesotho is free from many of the diseases found in other Southern African countries. There is no malaria and bilharzia, colds and influenza are the most common ailments. The HIV and AIDS prevalence rate is however estimated at 23% in the country. Lesotho has two official languages Sesotho and English, of which the latter is widely spoken especially in Maseru.