Individual contractor – Project Coordinator for Disability Inclusion

Provide project management and administrative support for disability inclusion initiatives.

This opening expired 27 days ago. Do not try to apply for this job.

UNESCAP - Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific

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Application deadline 27 days ago: Friday 15 May 2026 at 03:59 UTC

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Overview

Provide project management and administrative support for disability inclusion initiatives.

You have:

  • Master’s degree in social studies, international development, or related field.
  • Academic background specifically related to disability rights a strong asset.
  • Minimum one year of work experience in disability research and/or projects.
  • Experience working within the UN system on disability inclusion matters is considered a strong asset.
  • Experience of providing training on disability inclusion strongly preferred.
  • Basic project management skills and strong event organization skills.
  • Strong analytical, written and communication skills.
  • Excellent command of Microsoft Office.
  • Excellent command of English both oral and written is required.
  • Knowledge of any national language in the Asia-Pacific region is considered a strong asset.

Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

Result of Service

Under the overall supervision of the Chief of Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Section (GESIS) or her designate, the individual contractor is required to (a) provide administrative, project management and outreach assistance to ensure effective implementation of the technical cooperation projects in target countries, (b) support research, consultation and drafting related to knowledge product development; (c) provide administrative and substantive support for the organization of other internal and external meetings; d) provide necessary support to the implementation of the social media campaign on the Jakarta Declaration, in coordination with staff members and teams responsible for communications; and (e) support ESCAP’s implementation and reporting of the UN Disability Inclusion Strategy (UNDIS).

Work Location

Bangkok and/or Remote

Expected duration

01/01/26-30/09/26

Duties and Responsibilities

In October 2022, ESCAP members and associate members adopted the Jakarta Declaration on the Asian and Pacific Decade of Persons with Disabilities, 2023-2032, at the high-level inter-governmental meeting held in Jakarta, Indonesia. The Jakarta Declaration emphasizes the continued importance of accelerating actions to implement the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and regional frameworks such as the Incheon Strategy to “Make the Right Real” for Persons with Disabilities in Asia and the Pacific, and the Beijing Declaration and Plan of Action to Accelerate Implementation of the Incheon Strategy. To support member States in effectively implementing commitments made through the Jakarta Declaration, the Social Development Division (SDD) of ESCAP is implementing various technical cooperation projects in relation to the priority areas identified under the Jakarta Declaration. One of the priority areas is to galvanize the power of the private sector for disability inclusion. It emphasizes leveraging the vast resources the private sector has, including but not limited to job opportunities, capital, technology innovation and the supply chain to support the empowerment of persons with disabilities. It points to the fact that businesses could tap into the largely untapped talents with disabilities to make their products, services and work environments more inclusive, which will give them access to much larger markets represented by persons with disabilities, older persons and their families, friends and consumers who increasingly prefer buying from disability-inclusive businesses. There is a strong business case for disability-inclusive business value chains given that persons with disabilities currently represent 16 per cent of the global population, amounting to about 750 million in the Asia-Pacific region. As many countries in the Asia-Pacific region experience rapid population ageing, the need for accessible and inclusive products and services comes from an even bigger number of the region’s population. However, without workers, product designers, technicians and suppliers with disabilities, businesses will not be able to design and produce goods and services that meet the needs of people who want and need these products and services. Therefore, it is increasingly important for the business sector to undertake transformation towards disability inclusion Against this background, ESCAP has launched the regional initiative Catalysing Disability-inclusive Employment and Business towards Effective Implementation of the Asian and Pacific Decade of Persons with Disabilities, 2023-2032. The initial phase will be implemented from April 2024 to June 2027, with the aim to support governments, organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs) and business associations in target countries (i.e., Thailand, Viet Nam and China) to develop/or strengthen policies, programmes and multi-stakeholder mechanisms to advance disability-inclusive employment and business. In the meantime, SDD is providing other technical support to Asia-Pacific countries on various priority areas identified by the Jakarta Declaration, as well as a regional social media campaign, regular knowledge product development, and events in support of the Jakarta Declaration implementation. To support the implementation of these work programmes above, SDD is seeking an individual contractor to provide support on project management, research and event organization.

Qualifications/special skills

Master’s degree in social studies, international development, or related field. Academic background specifically related to disability rights a strong asset. Minimum one year of work experience in disability research and/or projects Experience working within the UN system on disability inclusion matters is considered a strong asset. Experience of providing training on disability inclusion strongly preferred. Basic project management skills and strong event organization skills. Strong analytical, written and communication skills. Excellent command of Microsoft Office

Languages

Excellent command of English both oral and written is required. Knowledge of any national language in the Asia-Pacific region is considered a strong asset. Qualified candidates who live with a disability are strongly encouraged to apply.

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.

Potential interview questions

Can you describe your experience working on disability inclusion projects? This question assesses your relevant experience in the field of disability inclusion. Outline specific projects you've worked on, your role, and the impact of your contributions.
What strategies would you use to promote disability-inclusive employment? The interviewer is looking for your approach to advocacy and implementation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Can you provide an example of how you managed an event successfully? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
How do you approach research related to social inclusion? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
What tools do you use for project management? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Describe a time when you had to communicate complex information to a diverse audience. Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
What is your understanding of the Jakarta Declaration and its implications for disability rights? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
In what ways have you engaged with private sector stakeholders for disability inclusion? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Added 1 month ago - Updated 27 days ago - Source: careers.un.org