International Consultant for Assistive Technology Provision

Contract

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UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all qualified candidates, irrespective of nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, gender identity and sexual orientation, as well as persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. UNICEF’s office is accessible to a certain extent, and employees are entitled to reasonable accommodations that are needed for ensuring equitable working conditions.

Considerable progress has been achieved in the implementation of inclusive education (IE) in Serbia since the introduction of legal reforms in 2009. Under the leadership of the Ministry for Education, Science and Technological Development (MoESTD), with continuous UNICEF support over the past years, reform measures have been taken with focus on developing a comprehensive institutional and policy framework for inclusive education (IE). The MoESTD has created and supported different support mechanisms for schools, teachers and children, as to enable learning support to children, particularly children with disabilities and children from vulnerable groups.

In order to provide relevant additional support to number of children with disabilities to access education, it is needed to secure accessibility of relevant assistive technologies. Assistive technology (AT) is an umbrella term that includes assistive, adaptive, and rehabilitative devices for persons with disabilities and also includes the process used in selecting, matching with the child’s needs, locating, and using them. AT promotes greater independence by enabling children to perform tasks that they were formerly unable to accomplish, or had great difficulty accomplishing, by providing enhancements to or changed methods of interacting with the technology needed to accomplish such tasks.

In order to enable accessibility of and dissemination of knowledge on AT, UNICEF and MoESTD in 2016 supported the development of the Catalogue of Assistive Technologies, as to provide access to information to all stakeholders (parents, education institutions, inter-sectoral committees etc.) on existing AT, their main characteristics, best use, as well as where and how they can be provided.

Work Assignment Overview:

The consultant will provide inputs for updating the existing AT catalogue, inputs for the development of AT equipment specifications, as well as inputs for the development of the criteria for tender documentation. In this assignment, the international consultant will be supported and will closely collaborate with a national consultant engaged by UNICEF for this purpose.

Duration of the assignment: March – July 2022 (up to 46 workdays)

Detailed task description:

Task 1: Provide advisory services for updating of the existing AT catalogue:

• Perform a review of the international literature and best practices and resources on the latest achievements in AT and its use as a support for the inclusive education of children with disabilities.
• Perform a review of the existing AT catalogue against the identified latest achievements in terms of AT support to inclusive education of children with disabilities.
• Provide inputs and feedback for the updating of the AT catalogue, developed by the national consultant.

Task 2: Provide advisory services for AT specifications development for the procurement of the AT equipment, and the development of the selection criteria for tender documentation:

• Provide general inputs for the development of the AT equipment specifications.
• Provide inputs and feedback for the development of the selection criteria for tender documentation.

Task 3: Conduct capacity building activities related to AT for the national stakeholders:

• Minimum 2 presentations/workshops organised for national stakeholders and potential resource centers (3 days preparation and 2 days delivery).

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:

• University degree in human sciences, preferably education, pedagogy, psychology, sociology, or other humanities, ICT and assistive technology. Advanced degree will be an asset.
• Previous experience in application of ICT/AT in education setting.
• Expertise and experience in the area of ICT and AT innovation, preferably AT and related services at the international level.
• Experience in projects related to inclusion of children and youth with disabilities in education, and other aspects of life.
• Very good communication skills.
• Fluency in English.
• Knowledge of the UN/UNICEF mandate and UN rules/procedures is an asset.

How to apply:

The application must include a financial proposal in USD as a separate document, providing the following information:

1. Daily rate (all costs included, e.g. health insurance, pension, usage of mobile phone).

Important notes:

Incomplete applications will not be taken into consideration.

Only shortlisted candidates will be notified and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

For every child, you must demonstrate UNICEF's core values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.