UNICEF Zimbabwe is inviting applications for an individual consultant to develop Child Friendly Books for Disability Legal and Policy Framework (open to Zimbabwean nationals only)

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UNICEF has been operating in Zimbabwe since 1982. We are a team of passionate professionals committed to the protection and fulfillment of children’s rights.

The current UNICEF-Government of Zimbabwe Country Programme of Cooperation (2016-2021) aims to support Zimbabwe to sustain and build upon the gains achieved for children during the 2012-2015 Country Programme of Cooperation. The programme focuses on improving the quality of social services, increasing access to services, and helping to build national and sub-national capacities to provide low-cost, high-impact interventions for all children, especially the most vulnerable.

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UNICEF Zimbabwe is inviting applications for an individual consultant to develop Child Friendly Books for Disability Legal and Policy Framework.

CONSULTANCY TERMS OF REFERENCE

Title

Child Friendly Books for Disability Legal and Policy Framework

Section

Child Protection

Purpose

Support UNICEF and its stakeholders in disseminating the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) and National Disability Policy to children including but not limited to children with disabilities (CWD) and institutions that provide services to CWD.

Location

Harare Based

Duration

45 days

Start and End Dates

1 July 2021 to 15 September 2021

Reporting to

Child Protection Officer

BACKGROUND

The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) was adopted in 2006. The Convention shifts the narrative and view about persons with disabilities away from “objects” of charity and medical treatment towards viewing persons with disabilities as “subjects” with rights, who are capable of claiming those rights and making decisions for their lives based on their free and informed consent as well as being active members of society. Moreover, it reaffirms that “all persons with all types of disabilities must enjoy all human rights and fundamental freedoms”. The Government of Zimbabwe ratified the UNCRPD and its Optional Protocol in September 2013.

The 2013 Constitution of Zimbabwe recognizes the rights of persons with disabilities and its obligation. It notes that “within the limits of the resources … assist persons with physical or mental disabilities to achieve their full potential and to minimize the disadvantages faced by them”.

Furthermore, the Government of Zimbabwe enacted the Disabled Persons Act in1992 and the Bill is currently under review to align it with the 2013 Constitution of Zimbabwe. In line with the Act a new Department of Disability Affairs has been established under the Ministry of Public Services Labour and Social Welfare and staffing of the Department is underway. The newly appointed Director of Department of Disability Affairs and seconded staff are implementing several key initiatives and the major one to operationalize the Act is the recently approved the National Disability Policy (NDP) in February 2021. The process of repealing the Disabled Persons Act through a draft bill on Persons with Disabilities that will be better aligned to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) and the Constitutional provisions is another key development. The Bill is expected to be adopted during 2021. The two Child Friendly Version (CFV) books that will be produced through this consultancy are the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) and the National Disability Policy (NDP) aimed at facilitating understanding among children that their peers with disabilities can achieve their full potential with support of the work of the new Department of Disability Affairs. The simplified child friendly versions will position children to assert themselves and demand the attention they are entitled to from duty bearers on disability related issues that affect them.

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) 30 years earlier recognized that Children with Disabilities (CwDs) have the same rights as any other child, with dreams and desires to fulfil. This was reiterated under the UNCRPD which recalls the obligations of the State Parties to ensure these children enjoy all human rights and fundamental freedoms on an equal basis with other children.

RATIONALE FOR THE CONSULTANCY

Institutionally, the Department of Disability Affairs within the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare (MoPSLSW) is responsible for coordination of disability issues in the Country and in ensuring the domestication of the international legal frame works such as the UNCRPD and ensuring that the national laws and policies comply with the international instruments. UNICEF has contributed to the Disabled Persons Bill review and alignment to the country’s 2013 Constitution and UNCRPD as well as the development National Disability Policy.

Whilst the process of passing the Disabled Persons’ Bill into law is still pending the NDP has been approved and is pending signature of the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe and all is set for implementation soon after the launch which is due in June 2021. The recently approved National Disability Policy further frames the Government of Zimbabwe’s approach to ensuring the needs and rights of persons with disability are met through a more holistic and rights-based approach. Ultimately the Policy and the Bill (once enacted) will lay the foundation for the respect, protection and promotion of the rights of persons with disabilities.

MoPSLSW is the same institution responsible for the protection of Children in Zimbabwe and responsible for administration of the Children’s Act. UNICEF would like to produce a simplified and contextualized UNCRPD and simplified NDP books to support MoPSLSW to disseminate these documents that are ready to children. The CFV books are expected to accompany the main NDP document launch projected around end of June 2021. Availability of CFV of the UNCRPD and NDP at the time of the launch will put children at the same level of understanding as their adult counterparts without having to wait for too long as well as understanding the connectedness of the NDP with the international laws as well as the Children’s Act and the pending Disabled Persons Bill.

All children and specifically children with disabilities and their caregivers, institutions that support them, CSOs for children with disabilities and DPOs can better demand compliance with UNCRPD in the Disabled Persons Bill and application of the provisions of the NDP when they are knowledgeable. The CFV books are tools that will empower all children to demand participation of children and young people including those with disabilities in policy and legislative processes in the country. The rights-based approach to disability inclusive social protection programming and service provision will then be better understood by children as future citizens who can influence change in society. Children in Zimbabwe will be better equipped with knowledge to champion intersectional disability inclusion and more equitable access to opportunities for full human development in solidarity with population of persons with disabilities in Zimbabwe. Children and young people can be supporters of their peers with disabilities in spaces where they access services such as, but not limited to education, health, justice and protection and vocational skills and livelihoods.

The consultant will work independently and liaise with the project focal point for presentation of deliverables.

UNICEF will ensure that child safeguarding measures have been put in place for consultations with children through collaboration with Ministry of Public service Labour and Social Welfare.

ASSIGNMENTS:

• Design a comprehensive child friendly version books of the UNCRPD and NDP that will make it much easier for child comprehension of the provisions of the legal and policy frames.
• Consult with key stakeholders including children and be mindful to create safe and conducive environment for children to facilitate meaningful feedback on the uer friendliness of the simplified UNCRPD and NDP. (Consent for participating children to be obtained and supervision to be organized).
• Conduct a pretest in two locations representing the urban and the rural audience and incorporate suggestions for improvement. (Consent for participating children to be obtained and supervision to be organized).

• Present final draft to UNICEF and MoPSLSW.

  DESCRIPTION OF EXPECTED DELIVERABLES

  Tasks/Milestone:

Deliverables/Outputs:

Timeline

Presentation of inception workplan detailing the tasks to be completed and time frames

Inception Report

3 days

Consultations with stakeholders and compilation of 1st Draft Child Friendly Version of the contextualized UNCRPD and the Zimbabwe’ s National Disability Policy for comments

1st draft of the CFV of the UNCRPD and NDP for discussion with together with comments from consultations

12 days

Compilation of the books pretesting Presentation of the 2nd draft CFV of the UNCRPD and NDP and proposed incorporation of the comments from pretesting

2nd Draft of the CFV of the UNCRPD together with pretesting report

10 days

Presentation of final report

Final drafts in full colour ready for print design.

20 days

Required qualifications, expertise, technical background, and experience of the International Consultant

• A Diploma in Technical Graphics or equivalent.
• Knowledge of Designer Illustrator of child friendly infographics.
• At least 10 years experienced in developing child friendly materials for UNICEF CO and beyond.
• Proof of any relevant work produced.

For more information refer to attached terms of reference (TOR) ToR Template CFV Books of Disability legal and policy framewok.pdf

Other Consultancy Costs and Payment Modalities

Competitive market rates will apply.

If interested and available to undertake the consultancy, please submit your application online and attach the required documents including the technical and an all-inclusive financial proposal (detailing professional fees, DSA, airfare etc where necessary).

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

Click here to learn more about UNICEF’s values and competencies.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

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.