Social Policy Specialist on Children with Disabilities

Contract

This is a UNV National Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as National UN Volunteer. It is normally only for nationals. More about UNV National Specialist contracts.

In Viet Nam, there are 6.2 million individuals with disabilities, or 7 per cent of the total population1. Of them, 58 per cent are women2, and 11% are children between the ages of 2 and 17.3 The government classifies children with disabilities as one of 14 groups of children living in extremely difficult circumstances that need State support.4
In 2015, Viet Nam ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), which reflected a strong commitment to the basic human rights of citizens with different forms of disabilities. In 2020, Viet Nam approved the National Action Programme for Children for the 2021-2030 period with a view to creating a safer, healthier, and more friendly environment for children.
Despite significant efforts made by the Government of Vietnam, organisations of and for persons with disabilities, and other relevant parties, children with disabilities in Vietnam still encounter many difficulties in accessing community-based services, particularly inclusive health care and rehabilitation, social and child protection, and education services. In 2022, UNICEF adopted the Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy (DIPAS) through intensive internal and external consultations with UN Agencies, governments, Organizations of Persons with Disabilities, and youth with disabilities, and it is guided by the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and the United Nations Disability Inclusion Strategy (UNDIS). The vision of the DIPAS is a more inclusive world by 2030 where all children, including those with disabilities, live in barrier-free and inclusive communities. Children with disabilities are considered as a cross-cutting theme in the Country Programme Document (CPD), including in all the programmes and across sections. Main focus areas include community-based services, inclusive education, and digital accessibility. The Viet Nam country office (CO) currently contributes to three cross sectoral strategic priorities (CSSPs) of the UNICEF Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy (DIPAS), namely: CSSP 2: Improvement of disability-inclusive infrastructure, services, programmes; CSSP 3: Access to comprehensive community care and support services; and CSSP 4: Access to assistive technology and relevant services. The UN Volunteer will work in the Social Protection and Governance Programme team of UNICEF Viet Nam managed by the Chief of Section to support the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of interventions related to children with disabilities.

Under the direct supervision of the Social Policy and Governance Chief, the UN Volunteer Social Policy Specialist will provide support to implement and coordinate interventions on children with disabilities by SPG and other programme sections. More specifically the incumbent will support the following tasks:

• Ensure data and evidence related to children with disabilities are well updated, and issues and priorities related to children with disabilities are designed and reflected in UNICEF’s programming and policy advocacy. • Support the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of SPG’s work related to children with disabilities. • Support the coordination of UNICEF Viet Nam’s Working Group on Children with disabilities including: i) Preparation and organization of regular meetings for the Working Group and ii) Working with other section focal points for children with disabilities to maintain and update an office-wide plan on interventions on children with disabilities. • Work with other UN agencies to ensure synergies in UN’s advocacy and joint programming for persons and children with disabilities. • Document lessons, best practices and success stories related to UNICEF’s interventions on children with disabilities. • Prepare donor proposals and reports on children with disabilities. • Providing administrative and logistical support to programme activities and personnel when required including arranging and attending meetings, donor visits, and field trips when required. • Provide programme support and other tasks as deemed necessary to achieve the programme/project objectives according to the request of the SPG Chief.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:

• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day); • Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country; • Provide annual and end of assignment self- reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities.
• Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.; • Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly arrived UN Volunteers; • Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

• Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNICEF; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNICEF procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented; • Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNICEF in daily activities and behaviors while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behavior; does not abuse power or authority; • Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues; • Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment. • Planning and organizing effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities. • Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups; • Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary. • Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance, and commitment towards UNICEF mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

• Educational background in public policy, journalism, communications, development studies, child participation or related fields • At least three (3) years of relevant work experience in social policy analysis, inclusive development and participation, and or advocacy and communications focused on children is required. • Proven experience in working with government agencies, NGOs or international organizations in the field of social policy. • Strong understanding of social issues, policies, and programs at the national and local levels. Having knowledge and experience in persons and children with disabilities is an advantaged. • Experience in conducting research, data analysis and producing documentation and communication materials. • Demonstrated experience in supporting the development and implementation of programme/ initiatives for persons and children with disabilities. • Be an independent thinker and be self-motivated. • Good interpersonal, networking and communication skills, particularly working with adolescents and youth. • Willingness to contribute and work as part of a team. • Flexible and open to learning and new experiences. • Fluency in spoken and written English. • Excellent reporting skills, presentation skills and oral communication skills. • Proficient in Mcrosoft Office and social media platforms.

Viet Nam is a middle-income country which has witnessed rapid economic growth with impressive results in poverty reduction over the past twenty-five years. Viet Nam was recently ranked as one of the more secure and stable places to live and do business by outside research groups. The incumbent will live and work in Ha Noi. Security is good in Ha Noi. The city offers convenient living facilities and infrastructure.