Disability Inclusion Specialist

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.

Nepal is among the world’s poorest countries, ranking 148th out of 189, with a Human Development Index (HDI) score of 0.574 in 2019. Challenging geography, civil unrest and a lack of infrastructure complicate efforts to improve livelihoods, establish functioning markets and transport food.

Assisting more than 90 million people in 83 countries each year, the World Food Programme (WFP) is the leading humanitarian organization saving lives and changing lives, delivering food assistance in emergencies and working with communities to improve nutrition and build resilience.

WFP has been working in the country since 1963, supporting the Government to develop greater food security among vulnerable communities and build resilience to disasters. WFP’s work in Nepal primarily targets the most food insecure, those in the hard-to-reach districts of the Mid- and Far-Western Hills and Mountains. For more info: www.wfp.org/Nepal; www.twitter.com/WFP_Nepal

In support of the Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion), Protection and Accountability to Affected Population (AAP) Unit, the national UNV Disability Inclusion (DI) (only Persons with Disabilities) will support rolling out WFP Nepal DI initiative as well as help WFP Country Office (CO) team in further operationalization of the plan, policy framework and strategy related to Disability Inclusion of the CO. This position and service will be aimed at supporting rolling out Nepal CO Disability Inclusion Initiative ultimately contributing to WFP’s DI roadmap 2020 – 2022 and beyond through WFP programme and operation in Nepal.

Under the direct supervision of the Programme Policy Officer (Gender, Inclusion, Protection and AAP), GEDSI Unit, the national UNV DI specialist will be provided with close mentoring, guidance, and technical supervision and shall provide support in the following tasks; • Familiarize with WFP corporate policies, strategies and guidelines on Gender, Protection and Accountability to Affected Populations and particularly on Disability Inclusion Roadmap 2020 – 2022 and Nepal Country Office Disability Inclusion Initiative workplan. • Work closely with WFP selected Organization of Persons with Disabilities (OPD) to produce comprehensive report presenting barriers and opportunities for disability inclusion in WFP activities in Nepal, guidance notes for Country Strategic Plan (CSP) activities to mainstream disability inclusion, guidance note on disability inclusive CSP (2nd generation), practical checklist for disability inclusive data collection, analysis, and programming, including protection risk analysis, mitigation measures and field visit reports, guidance for disability inclusive Community Feedback Mechanisms appropriate for WFP working areas etc.. • Support CO team in operationalizing DI plan, and policy framework/strategy • Working closely with GEDSI unit, support CO in operationalization of various guidance documents produced by the OPD as part of WFP Nepal Disability Inclusion Initiatives • Support necessary consultation and coordination action on DI within CO team through organizing various consultative meetings, interactions, etc. • Support to enhance knowledge and skills among CO team on Disability Inclusion through organizing various sensitization sessions, trainings, workshops, etc. • Monitor, coordinate and provide support organizing special events such as international day for persons with disabilities, to raise awareness and sensitize WFP CO team and cooperating partners. • Participate in relevant platforms and events held by UN, Government, and other development organizations in Kathmandu. • Support managing proper documentation of DI relevant corporate guidance documents, tools and knowledge materials and timely disseminate with the relevant programme and functional units. • Support coordination and liaison with relevant Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) for any possible technical consultations and exchange of knowledge and expertise. • Support documenting Disability Inclusion good practices applying intersectionality lens (age, gender and diversity) in consultation and coordination with relevant programme and functional units' team. • Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.

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.; • Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers; • 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. • Develop technical guidelines providing advice on mainstreaming of disability inclusion in CSP programme activities, operations and support functions including Community Feedback Mechanisms (CFM) /together with WFP selected Organization of Persons with Disabilities (OPD). • Develop guidance note on disability inclusive CSP (2nd generation) formulation, together with the OPD. • Contribute to the process of formulation of 2G CSP in incorporation of disability inclusion related contents in the CSP document. • Prepare practical checklist for disability inclusive data collection, analysis, and programming including protection risk analysis, mitigation measures and field visit reports. • Develop concept note for disability inclusive Community Feedback Mechanisms appropriate for WFP working areas and suggested actions to be incorporated in the CFM SOP to make it disability inclusive. • Provide technical support to the activity managing teams and support units in implementation of the technical guidelines and checklist into CSP programme activities, operations, and support functions including CFM.
• Provide necessary technical guidance and hands-on support to include the specific actions/plans of disability inclusion in Annual Performance Plans of CSP programme activities, operations and support functions. • Provide technical orientation to WFP and partners staff to develop their understanding and capacity for integrating disability inclusion into their work through various sensitization sessions, trainings, interactive meetings/consultation, etc. • Establish relationship, expand network, and strengthen strategic partnerships with UN, Government, OPDs and other development partners in disability inclusion agendas.
• Prepare the success/case stories, reports and evidence on achievement and good practices of disability inclusion as knowledge products for internal documentation, corporate reporting through Annual Corporate Report (ACR) and knowledge dissemination with the stakeholders. • Organize special events such as international day for persons with disabilities, to raise awareness and sensitize WFP CO team and cooperating partners working with GEDSI unit.

• Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to WFP Nepal; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to WFP Nepal procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented.

• Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and WFP Nepal in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority.

• Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues.

• Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment.

• Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities.

• Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups.

• Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary.

• Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards WFP Nepal mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

Gender, Social and Disability Inclusion desired; • Motivated to contribute towards peace and development and to serve others; • Good interpersonal, coordination, networking and communication skills; • Willingness to contribute and work as part of a team; • Flexible and open to learning and new experiences; • Respect for diversity and adaptability to other cultures, environments and living conditions; • Previous experience as a volunteer and/or experience of another culture, (i.e. studies, volunteer work, internship) would be highly regarded; • Basic Computer skills (i.e. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and others).

Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, lies under the Phase III of the UN Security classification, but is subject to change depending on the development of the security situation. Living conditions in Kathmandu are good. Comfortable inexpensive flats (furnished and unfurnished) are available in Kathmandu. Both imported and local foods and clothing are abundantly available. There is a short supply of water while it is also not safe to drink without treatment. Public transport is easily available and generally reliable though traffic congestion is extremely high. Kathmandu has a temperate climate with coldest temperature reaching just above zero at the night during the winter and mild but humid during the monsoon period, mid-June to end September.

Nepal is a unique country and WFP Nepal is a unique (humanitarian) operation. 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.

As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials. National UN Volunteers are part of the malicious insurance plan.

REASONABLE ACCOMODATION

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]