Disability Inclusion Officer

Contract

This is a UNV International Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Specialist contracts.

The OHCHR field presence in Moldova was established in 2008 and it is led by the Human Rights Adviser, assisted by a team of 18 staff. OHCHR assists the United Nations Resident Coordinator Office (RCO), UN Country Team in Moldova (UNCT), Government, National Human Rights Institution and civil society in strengthening human rights and human rights-based approaches, working closely with the UNCT on capacity building and mainstreaming human rights in their work, as well as providing support in engagement with national actors on human rights, including advising national authorities upon request. Currently, OHCHR in Moldova is implementing multiple projects with funding from various donors (including the European Union, Sweden, the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund, and the United Nations Partnership on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities).

Since the start of the refugee crisis in Moldova in February 2022, OHCHR has also been working to improve access to protection and assistance for the most marginalized groups, such as persons with disabilities, Roma, including through active engagement in inter-agency coordination. Following advocacy efforts of OHCHR and Keystone International in Moldova the Disability and Age Taskforce was created under the Protection Working Group in March 2024 and has been since the created co-chaired by both entities.

The Disability Inclusion Officer will play a pivotal role within OHCHR in Moldova, the Refugee Coordination Forum's sector working groups, and their partners. The Officer’s primary responsibility will be to provide technical guidance and support to the Disability and Age Task Force and enhance disability inclusion across the refugee response in Moldova.

Given OHCHR Moldova's multifaceted focus areas, including refugees' rights, rights of persons with disabilities, social cohesion, women’s rights, security sector reform, and State engagement with international human rights mechanisms, the Disability Inclusion Officer will be exposed to a diverse range of human rights issues. This role offers an invaluable opportunity to gain firsthand experience in advocating for the rights of persons with disabilities and to become familiar with OHCHR's internal processes.

The Disability Inclusion Officer will contribute to fostering a more inclusive and human rights-based approach to humanitarian response, ensuring that the needs and rights of persons with disabilities are integrated into all aspects of the Inter-Agency partner’s work in Moldova. Through collaborative efforts with stakeholders, the Officer will support developing and implementing policies, programs, and initiatives that promote disability inclusion and advance human rights for all individuals, with the principle that no one is left behind.

As the Disability Inclusion Officer for OHCHR Moldova contributing to the Refugee Coordination Forum, under the direct supervision of the Project Manager and in close collaboration with the co-chairs of the Disability and Age Task Force, the incumbent will undertake the following tasks: • Assessment and Monitoring Support: o Assist in conducting comprehensive assessments to evaluate disability inclusion and preparing reports or factsheets to guide decision-making o Mainstream disability dimension in the planned analysis within the refugee response in Moldova. o Support in the monitoring and analyzing of data related to disability inclusion and protection risks of persons with disabilities o Assist in preparing reports and fact sheets from assessment findings to guide strategic decision-making processes. • Inclusive planning and implementation: o Support the Disability and Age Taskforce in inclusive implementation of the work plan for 2024 and development of the plan for 2025 o Assist the members of the Disability and Age Taskforce in identification and advocacy for addressing the specific protection needs of persons with disabilities, including removing barriers to accessing services and rights • Capacity Building: o Assist in enhancing the capacity of humanitarian actors (national and local, state and non-state actors, including Organizations of Persons with Disabilities) to ensure disability inclusion in their interventions. o Contribute to empowering and coaching of Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) and CSOs providing services to refugees with disabilities to advocate for mainstreaming disability inclusion in the refugee response. o Collaborate with other cross-cutting groups to organize joint capacity-building activities emphasizing age and disability inclusion. o Facilitate capacity-building sessions for OPDs and humanitarian actors to deepen their comprehension of age and disability inclusion in humanitarian actions. • Coordination and Information Sharing: o Assist in planning and executing the yearly activities of the Disability and Age Task Force, ensuring these are in line with strategic goals and workplan. o Promote more robust communication among Task Force members and enhance coordination mechanisms for better information sharing. o Support in adopting standardized information management tools and datasets to enhance coordination and informed decision-making. • Age and Disability Mainstreaming: o Support in mainstreaming the inclusion of persons with disabilities and older persons across various sectors of the refugee response. o Support the Disability and Age Task Force in their advocacy efforts for the accessibility of national services for refugees with disabilities and older refugees,. • Advocacy and Visibility: o Contribute to the creation and distribution of factsheets and briefing notes to amplify the visibility of the work of the members of the Disability & Age Task Force. o Assist in developing and disseminating key advocacy messages concerning the inclusion of older persons and persons with disabilities in the refugee response. o Engage, jointly with the members of the Disability and Age Taskforce in advocacy events aimed at promoting the rights of older refugees and refugees with disabilities. Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities. • Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day); • Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country; • Provide annual and end of assignment self- reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities.
• Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.; • Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

Accountability Communication Integrity Planning and Organizing Professionalism Respect for Diversity Working in Teams

the relevant field. • Prior experience working on Disability Inclusion is required, including experience establishing and strengthening a strategy for mainstreaming disability inclusion. • Work in capacity development, support, and training of staff, partners, and state actors desirable.
• Prior experience working in complex emergencies supporting coordination structures will be considered an asset. • Good interpersonal communication skills. • Good writing skills. • Excellent written and spoken English. Knowledge of Russian would be an asset. • Previous experience as a volunteer and/or experience of another culture, (i.e. studies, volunteer work, internship) would be highly regarded. Persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply, Accessibility measures are in place.

Chisinau, the capital of Moldova, is a well-developed city with a high degree of security. It offers a diverse range of accommodation, restaurants, has public transport, and has a large number of parks. Super markets have a good selection of products, Internet is available, running water and heating function well, state run as well as private clinics are available. Moldova is a unique country and OHCHR is a unique organisation. It provides for an interesting and enriching environment, but also requires a mature level of cultural awareness, as well as more stamina and commitment than elsewhere to make life comfortable and affordable. Therefore, flexibility and the ability and willingness to live and work in harsh and potentially hazardous conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort, are essential.

UN Volunteer entitlements and allowances:

The purpose of the allowances and entitlements paid to UN Volunteers is to enable UN Volunteers to sustain a secure standard of living at the duty stations in line with United Nations standards without incurring personal costs. The allowances are in no way to be understood as compensation, reward, or salary in exchange for the UN Volunteer’s service. Contingent on specific eligibility criteria, location of the volunteer assignment, and contractual type and category, the payment of allowances will begin from the date of Commencement of Service. For more information on entitlements please read the Condition of Service (https://explore.unv.org/cos). For information specific to this assignment please see below:

Please note that the amounts can vary according to fluctuations in the monthly post adjustment.

Monthly Living Allowance (Per month): USD 2784.32 Entry lump sum (one-time payment): USD 4000 Exit allowance (for each month served, paid on completion of contract): $225

Medical and life insurance: • Medical insurance: The UN Volunteer and eligible PFU dependents will receive UNV-provided medical insurance coverage. Coverage for UN Volunteers begins from the commencement of service and normally ceases one month after the last day of the UN Volunteer contract date. • Life Insurance: UN Volunteers are covered by life insurance for the duration of the UN Volunteer assignment.

Leave entitlements: • Annual Leave:  UN Volunteers accrue an entitlement to 2.5 days of Annual Leave per completed month of the UN Volunteer assignment. Unused accrued Annual Leave up to a maximum of 30 days is carried over in case of a contract extension within the same UN Volunteer assignment. • Learning Leave: Subject to supervisor approval and exigencies of service, UN Volunteers may request up to ten working days of Learning Leave per consecutive 12 months of the UN Volunteer assignment, starting with the Commencement of Service date, provided the Learning Leave is used within the contract period. • Certified Sick Leave: UN Volunteers are entitled to up to 30 days of certified sick leave based on a 12-month cycle. This amount is reset every 12-month cycle. • Uncertified Sick Leave: UN Volunteers receive 7 days of uncertified sick leave working days in a calendar year.

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

The complete UN Volunteer Conditions of Service is available at https://explore.unv.org/cos

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.

Travel to duty station and an entry lump sum will be provided as well as final repatriation and exit allowance for satisfactory service. The applicable Volunteer Living Allowance is provided monthly to cover housing, utilities, and normal cost of living expenses.