International/National Consultancy - To Estimate the Cost Incurred by People with Various Disabilities in Namibia

Consultant Programme & Policy Monitoring & Evaluation

Contract

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Introduction

Globally, people with disabilities are disproportionately impacted by poverty, mainly due to exclusion from work and other livelihood activities (indirect costs) and disability related direct costs that are required for participation and functioning – such as for rehabilitation, personal assistance, and assistive devices. The combined effects of direct and indirect costs of disability mean that people with disabilities have higher expenditure needs than those without. Trite to say, without accounting for these costs, the impact of disability on socioeconomic outcomes will be significantly underestimated. In particular, these costs vary with the type and extent of disability and if social protection programs are not informed by such evidence, they will not be structured in a way that promotes equal participation and protection from poverty.

It is against this background that UNICEF, seeks to engage the services of a highly experienced local expert to undertake a detailed analysis and produce a report on the costs incurred by people with various disabilities in Namibia. The Report will be used for advocacy by stakeholders, including government, UNICEF and partners, to influence resources flows towards a more disability inclusive society.

Background

The Government of Namibia is committed to implementing the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), which it signed and ratified on 4 December 2007. The Convention promotes and protects the rights of persons with disabilities and indulges State Parties to put in place measures that ensure that all persons with disabilities enjoy all human rights on an equal basis with others. Equally, Namibia ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), which promotes the rights of children with disabilities, including mental and physical disabilities. The Government is committed to create an environment where persons with disabilities, especially children and women, are able to enjoy equal access to early childhood development and education programmes and equality of access to other basic and essential services as a right.

In addition, Namibia’s Constitution explicitly recognizes the inalienable human rights and freedoms of all its citizens. Article 8 focuses on respect for human dignity and states that ‘the dignity of all persons shall be inviolable’. Furthermore, Namibia has developed national policies and legislation related to disability, including the National Policy on Disability of 2007, the National Disability Council Act, Act (Act no. 26 of 2004), the Sector Policy on Inclusive Education of 2013, and the Mental Health Act. In particular, the National Disability Council Act makes provision for an advisory body to be established, mandated to provide strategic oversight on the implementation of the National Disability Policy, the Continental Plan of Action for the African Decade of Persons with Disabilities and the UNCRPD. It also has responsibility for commenting on any future legislation that has any direct and indirect impact on disability issues. The Act mandates the Council to consult with organisations of persons with disabilities regarding policies and practices impacting the rights of persons with disabilities and to monitor progress on the implementation of programmes. The Child Care and Protection Act 2025, (Act No. 3 of 2025) and the Basic Education Act 2020, (Act No. 3 of 2020) highlight the importance of addressing the needs of children with disabilities to benefit from disability grants, education, safety and protection.

The Government of the Republic of Namibia is committed to creating an environment where people with disabilities can enjoy equal access to basic and essential services as a right. As such there are various programmes for people with disabilities, including in health, education and social protection. Government expenditure towards disability inclusion has been increasing, albeit remaining below 0.4% of GDP[1], whilst support towards people with disabilities has been mainly consumptive, and insufficient to cover additional costs of disability and to pull people with disabilities out of poverty. Equally, whilst the main social protection scheme, the disability grant has been significantly increased in recent years. an equal monthly amount of N$1,400 per person, is paid out, irrespective of the type and scale of disability.

Whilst it is acknowledged that people and children with disabilities need more resources than those without disabilities, to cover the additional spending and other forms of support and accommodations to overcome the barriers to access and participation, there has not been any attempt to assess and quantify such additional costs and support needs, which is the scope of this assignment. These additional costs may include specialized equipment, assistive devices, home and school modifications, personal assistance services, and healthcare, leaving less available for other essential needs like housing, food, and clothing. The Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture allocates additional financial resources to directly benefit schools where learners with disabilities are enrolled. However, it is not clear how these funds are utilized to benefit the individual learner needs and whether they are contributing to positive learning outcomes.

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How can you make a difference?

Scope of Work:

The Namibia 2011 Population and Housing Census estimated that there were between 85,000 and 100,000 persons with disabilities, representing 5% of the total population. However, according to WHO global estimates, the number could be as high as 15%. The actual number of persons and children with disabilities is expected to be higher, following the adoption and use of the Washington Group of Questions in the last round of the 2023 National Population and Housing Census.

These people experience significant obstacles to access and participation, on account of addition expenditure needs, yet they tend to earn less income due to barriers in employment and opportunity costs incurred by family members providing support. Together, those additional expenses and forgone income constitute the disability related costs which prevent them from seizing economic opportunities and achieving a similar standard of living and participation.

In view of the foregoing, the Consultant is expected to:

• Meet with possible key stakeholders in IIKharas, Erongo; Khomas, Kunene, Oshana and Zambezi spending two days in a region
• Identify the diversity of disability-related costs (direct and indirect), by each disability.
• Review the different methodologies[1] for assessing the related cost (direct and indirect) and apply the best suited approach to estimate the disability related costs, by type & scale of disability and age.
• estimate what is needed for full participation by people and children with disabilities, noting that people with disabilities may be spending less than what is needed because (i) they face income constraints, (ii) they are unaware of goods and services that could help them, (iii) those goods and services are not available where they live, (iv) high medical expenses, assistive devices, and transportation, or (v) because of discrimination within the household and community.
• Identify and cost the different goods and services people with disabilities are purchasing and how that differs by the type and degree of disability.
• estimate the current economic impact of disability on households.
• Produce a comprehensive report on the disability related costs, with clear recommendations to promote the wellbeing, full access and participation of people and children with disabilities, including how the social protection system can be reformed to fully incorporate the different disability-related costs, for enhanced impact and effectiveness.

Objectives and expected results:

The main objective of the Assignment is to:

• Analyse and quantify the disability-related costs (direct and indirect) for different disabilities impacting on the well-being of persons with disabilities with particular focus on children.

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To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:

Work Experience

• A minimum of 5 years’ experience in Public Finance Management and undertaking costing exercises.
• A solid knowledge of PFM instruments, and proven experience in undertaking similar costing analyses.
• Strong analytical and writing skills, including advanced Excel; and the ability to present the results in a simple language, making use of interesting visual aid (maps, graphs and other visual tools);
• Knowledge and understanding of disability inclusion will be a strong asset.
• Consolidated knowledge and foundation on crosscutting themes such as equity and leave no one behind.
• Strong communication in English (oral and written) skills.
• Previous work experience of working with the government and the UN is a strong asset.
• Ability to complete the task in a tight schedule and with limited supervision.
• Qualified Candidates with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Competency Profile

1. Core Values Required

• Care
• Respect
• Integrity
• Trust
• Accountability

2. Required Competencies

• Manages ambiguity and complexity
• Thinks and acts strategically
• Works collaboratively with others
• Drive to achieve results for impact

• Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS).

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment.

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 be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Remarks:

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

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.

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Added 1 day ago - Updated 3 hours ago - Source: unicef.org