National Consultant for Assistive Technology

Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

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 develop AT equipment specifications based on the needs of children with disabilities identified by respective education institutions and MoESTD, and will develop a concept of the AT catalogue web platform, as well as create guidelines for the web developer for the establishment of the platform. The consultant will take part in the tender procedure, through the development of AT specification, selection criteria and tender documentation, and participate in the procurement selection process. In this work, the consultant will be supported and will closely collaborate with an international consultant engaged by UNICEF for this purpose.

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

Detailed task description:

Task 1: Update the existing AT catalogue:

• Perform a review of the national materials and resources regarding assistive technologies and their use as a support to the inclusive education of children with disabilities in Serbia.
• Perform a review of the existing national AT catalogue and update it based on the new and up to date assistive technologies in collaboration with the international consultant and his/her inputs and feedback.
• Present the updated AT catalogue to MoESTD and UNICEF and finalize the catalogue according to the suggestions.

Task 2: Develop the AT specifications for the procurement of AT equipment as per identified needs:

• Develop the AT equipment specifications, based on the needs analysis provided by the MoESTD and general inputs provided by the international consultant.
• Present the AT specifications to the MoESTD and UNICEF and, based on the feedback, provide final specifications.

Task 3: Support the tender procedure for AT procurement:

• Develop the selection criteria and tender documentation, taking into account the inputs provided by the international consultant.
• Participate in the selection process.

Task 4: Develop the concept of the AT web platform and coordination of the process of AT web platform development with the web developer:

• Develop the concept (structure, content, etc.) of the AT web platform in cooperation with the web developer. Work closely with the web developer and provide the guidelines, inputs and feedback during the process of development of online platform for AT.
• Deliver presentations of draft and final AT web platform to UNICEF, MoESTD and other relevant stakeholders.

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.
• Expertise and experience in the area of ICT and AT innovation, preferably AT and related services at the national level.
• Proven experience in application of ICT/AT in the education setting.
• Proven experience in the development of guidelines, reviews, AT catalogues, or assessments of AT.
• Good knowledge of web platform functionalities, including accessibility/universal design functions.
• Experience in projects related to inclusion of children and youth with disabilities in education, and other aspects of life will be considered as an asset.
• Very good communication skills.
• Good knowledge of oral and written English and Serbian.
• Knowledge of the UN/UNICEF mandate and UN rules/procedures is an asset.

How to apply:

The application must include a financial proposal in RSD 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.