National Indiv Consultant on Accessibility to support the development of the new Program on social inclusion of persons with disabilities

Contract

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UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, access

The Ministry of Labour and Social Protection (further referred as Ministry) has embarked on a range of reform processes aiming to address the challenges that exist in the field of social protection and social inclusion of vulnerable groups, including persons with disabilities. In 2022, the evaluation of the implementation of the Program on Social Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities for the period 2018 – 2022 was conducted. For 2023, as part of the activity plan, the Ministry envisaged to develop the next National Programme of Social Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities for the period 2023 - 2027.

How can you make a difference?

The main objective of this consultancy is to support the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection in the inclusive and participatory development of the National Programme for the Social Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities for the period 2023 – 2027.

The consultant hired under this contract will work together as part of a team of 5 experts under the leadership of a Team leader.

The support provided by the Accessibility expert/consultant, in cooperation with the team of consultants selected by partner UN Agencies, will consist of:

• Development, jointly with the team of consultants, of the problem tree analysis, theory of change and concept note of the National Programme for the Social Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities. The problem analysis and ToC will be developed based on a desk review of the available data and reports on the implementation of the Program on Social Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities for the period 2018 – 2022, the situational analysis conducted and validation of the identified problems through focus groups discussions.
• Development of the National Programme, its action plan and M & E framework in line with the provisions of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities;
• Facilitation of inclusive public consultation sessions, including regional consultations with meaningful participation of persons with disabilities and their representative organisations, on the documents developed by the team of consultants.

Expected Deliverables:

ITEM NO.

DELIVERABLES

Estimate Workdays

Tentative timeframe

Tasks

I.

Development of the problem tree analysis, theory of change and concept of the National Programme for the Social Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities.

• Develop, as part of the team of consultants under the leadership of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection, the problem tree analysis, ToC & the concept of the new policy document.
• Actively participate within/ facilitate up to 3 focus group discussions aimed at validating the problem tree analysis, ToC and concept of the draft policy document. Diversity in participation will be ensured, so that persons with different types of disabilities, sex, age, geographic area are involved.

Deliverables

• The problem tree, ToC and concept of the new policy document are developed and consulted.
• Up to 3 focus groups for validation of the problem tree, ToC and the concept of the new policy document with the participation of persons with disabilities moderated.

Up to 15 working days

By 30 July, 2023

II.

Contribution to the Development of the draft National Program on Social Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities specific to the topic of accessibility;

• Provide support to the Working Group set up by the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection to develop and publicly consult the draft of the National Program, including its action plan and M&E framework;
• Contribute to the development of the divergence table and adjusting the draft program in alignment with the feedback received during the consultation and validation process.
• Facilitate inclusive consultations of the Programme.
• Development of the table of divergences based on the consultation process.

Deliverables:

• Inputs provided to the development of the Programme on Social Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities;
• Facilitation/actively participation within all consultations and validation sessions and round tables to be held at the national level related to the development of the draft Programme.
• The National Program on Social Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities finalised based on consultation process.

Up to 30 working days

By 30 September, 2023

Organizational Setting:The Consultant will work under the under the guidance and supervision of the Social Policy Specialist in the UNICEF Moldova Country Office. The entire process of the new policy document development will be led by the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, which is the main beneficiary of this consultancy.

Work location and official travel involved:

The assignment does not envisage any travel. Should the need arise, in-country travel could be authorized by the responsible UNICEF staff. In such cases, expenses will be covered by UNICEF in line with the approved DSA and travel rates.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have

Academic Qualifications:

• University Degree in Social Sciences, Social Protection, Sociology, Education, Law, Public administration or equivalent qualifications in a relevant field, is required.

Years and sphere of experience:

• At least 2 years of professional experience in the area of rights of persons with disabilities is required, with a specific focus on accessibility aspects, covering physical accessibility, and digital accessibility ;
• Experience in developing policy documents is required. Experience in developing policy document in the field of the rights of persons with disabilities is an asset;
• Experience of work with Central and/or Local Public Authorities is an asset;
• Experience in facilitating discussions with civil society, especially persons with disabilities, women, minority and vulnerable groups, is an asset.

Competencies:

• Good organization and drafting skills, ability to work under tight deadlines;
• Solid understanding of and ability to apply communications tools and techniques, including the ability to analyse and use research data, are required;
• Demonstrated knowledge of the situation of persons with disabilities in the Republic of Moldova, is required,

Language proficiency

• Fluency in oral and written Romanian. Working knowledge of English would be an asset;
• Knowledge of one or more other languages relevant for Moldova, including Bulgarian, Gagauzian, Romani, Russian, Ukrainian or sign language, is an asset.

Soft skills:

• Resourcefulness, flexibility and punctuality;
• Ability to work in team.

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.

For more details on deliverables and minimum requirements, please refer to attached Terms of reference (ToR)

2023_ToR _Accessibility Indiv Consultant_Programme on social inclusion_VA.docx

HOW TO APPLY: Your online application should contain the Technical Offer and Financial Offer (templates below). Please secure the Financial Proposal *.pdf document with a password on document view; the password will be requested only from technically qualified candidates.

Technical Offer.docx

Financial Offer.xlsx

Applications for this assignment must be received no later than: 2 July 2023

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 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.