Disability Inclusion Partnerships and Advocacy 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.

With the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Member States pledged to LNOB, including persons with disabilities. In June 2019, the UN SG launched the UN Disability Inclusion Strategy to support the Member States in their achievement of the 2030 Agenda and bring disability inclusion to the forefront across all pillars of the UN work, from the Headquarters to the field, both inside and outside the Organization. Through the Strategy, the UN System and its individual AFPs are committed to systematically embedding the rights of persons with disabilities into its work externally through programming, and internally by building trust and confidence among persons with disabilities to ensure that they are valued, their dignity and rights are respected and that they find an enabling environment in which to fully and effectively participate on an equal basis with others. The Strategy’s ultimate goal is to achieve equality and non-discrimination and foster an inclusive culture within the UN System and its individual AFPs. In August 2021, Lao PDR’s records on promotion and protection of the rights of persons with disabilities are to be reviewed by the CRPD for the first time. Based on the information provided in the Lao PDR’s National Report, Written Reply to the List of Issues, and received from the UN System and other stakeholders, the Committee will issue concerns and recommendations to Lao PDR, which the Government will need to implement, monitor, and report on throughout the four-year cycle. The National Specialist UNV will assist the UNCT and its inter-agency bodies, particularly the LNOB Policy Advisory Group, OMT, and UNCG, in implementing the UN Disability Inclusion Strategy in Lao PDR and effectively engage with the CRPD follow-up and implementation processes through partnerships, communications, and advocacy, information and knowledge sharing.

This assignment is a non-core function of the reformed structure of UN RCOs. Under the direct supervision of the Development Coordination Officer, Head of Communications, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: 1. Enhance partnerships and collaboration between the UNCT and local DPOs/OPDs on all-disability specific issues: • Support the UNCT and individual AFPs in developing guidelines for consultations with persons with disabilities and DPOs/OPDs; • Encourage consultations with and active involvement of local DPOs/OPDs at all stages of (joint) programming of the UNCT and individual AFPs; • Promote DPOs’/OPDs’ participation in the CRPD follow-up and implementation processes.

2. Support external communications and knowledge/information sharing on all-disability specific issues: • Assist the implementation of the joint UN Lao PDR Communication Strategy in support of the current UNDAF (2017-2021) and forthcoming UNSDCF (2022-2026), with a special focus on equality, non-discrimination, and LNOB; • Contribute to the development of communications tools (press releases, blogs, stories, social media messages, etc.) on disability inclusion, rights of persons with disabilities, equality, non-discrimination, and LNOB, including around the World Autism Awareness Day, International Day of Sign Languages, International Day of Persons with Disabilities and Human Rights Day; • Support the familiarization of the UN Lao PDR staff with disability inclusion and the UN Disability Inclusion Strategy in the framework of bi-annual Induction Course for newcomers.

3. Assist the country-level implementation of the UN Disability Inclusion Strategy: • Engage with and contribute to discussions of the UN global Disability Inclusion Network; • Contribute to discussions on disability inclusion mainstreaming in the UNCT joint policy advice, programmatic and operational support in the framework of the UNSDCF Result Groups and LNOB Policy Advisory Group; • Assist the individual AFPs in the deliverance of their respective Disability Inclusion Action Plans and/or Strategies; • Provide advice to OMT and UNCG on strengthening accessibility of the UN premises, recruitment, procurement, and communications services.

disability inclusion, sustainable development, social change, community development, communications for development, partnerships, and ad-vocacy; • Oral and written skills; drafting, formulation, reporting skills; • Ability to research, analyze and summarize content effectively; • Interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and col-laboratively with a range of team members and partners; • Ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national col-leagues; • Competent computer literacy (with accommodation for all forms of assistive computer devices and software); • Previous experience as a volunteer and/or experience of another culture (i.e., studies, volunteer work, internship) would be highly regarded.

Overview: Lao PDR is a landlocked country bordering Myanmar, Cambodia, China, Thailand, and Vietnam. Approximately 7.1 million people live in Lao PDR, with 68% of the population living in rural areas. The country is divided into 18 provinces and consists predominately of mountainous terrain, with the most fertile farming land found along the Mekong plains. The river flows from north to south, forming a large portion of the border with Thailand. The country’s development has been marred by unexploded ordinances (UXO) following the Second Indochina War (1964-1975), where more than 2 million tons of bombs were dropped on Lao PDR, making it one of the most heavily bombed countries in the world. UN House: The UN House is located in the Vientiane city center, close to the Patuxay Monument and That Foun Temple. It is partially powered renewable energy and generally accessible for persons with disabilities. There are currently 10 UN Entities located within the UN House. The UN Clinic is also located inside the UN House. COVID-19 Situation: As of April 2021, Lao PDR has managed to maintain a low COVID-19 caseload, with only 49 cases and 0 deaths reported in the country. To achieve this, Lao PDR has adopted a strong preventative approach and continues to implement tight international border restrictions, with a 14-day mandatory quarantine period for anyone entering the country. The Government has also closed all the traditional/informal land border crossings with five neighboring countries, only accommodating commercial and essential goods to enter and exit the country under increased controls. Commercial air carriers remain grounded, with only a small number of passenger flights available each month. The UN WFP Humanitarian Flights continue to operate on a fortnightly basis between Kuala Lumpur, Vientiane, and Yangon, providing a vital cargo and passenger service to maintain humanitarian and development programming in the country. The Government is now focused on scaling the National COVID-19 Vaccination Programme, ensuring that vaccines are targeted to the most at-risk populations. The Government aims to have vaccinated at least 20% of the population with the support of the COVAX Facility by the end of 2021 and is coordinating with bilateral partners to expand beyond this initial target. Lao PDR has confirmed that the National COVID-19 Vaccination Programme would be available to Diplomatic Missions and International Organizations operating in Lao PDR (including the UN). The UNCT and UN RCO are working closely with the Government to ensure that all duty of care practices are aligned to the national advisories and public notifications. The UNCT has established a comprehensive COVID-19 Duty Station Contingency Plan that outlines the protocols and procedures for all UN AFPs and personnel, identifying workplace preventative measures, working from home arrangements, and UN-wide support mechanisms (including COVID-19 medevac) for UN national and international personnel. 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]