Vulnerable Populations Associate

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 line with the UNFPA global programme for vulnerable populations and people with disabilities, UNFPA Asia and the Pacific (APRO) has a regional strategy on disability, with focus areas in sexual reproductive health and rights, gender based violence and population dynamics. UNFPA has developed guidelines on SRHR/GBV and disability, which is being implemented at national level across the region. UNFPA Asia and the Pacific is the co-chair of the regional UN working group on disability, which supports interagency collaboration and outreach to UNCTs on UNDIS implementation. UNFPA Asia and the Pacific has recently completed regional consultations with organisations of persons with disabilities (OPDs) to document good practices and experiences of persons with disabilities in accessing sexual reproductive health and rights (SRHR) during the initial phases of COVID-19. This report will be launched shortly.

In addition to above, UNFPA APRO and CBM, in partnership with the International Disability Alliance, are implementing a new disability data advocacy project. The purpose of this project is to build resources, awareness and capacity around disability data with key stakeholders, including Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs), national statistics offices, donors, related UN entities and others, drawing from experiences and resources in Asia and the Pacific.

This UNV assignment is part of the UNFPA global and regional initiatives on vulnerable populations including PWDs. This UNV assignment is supposed to provide technical support to the UNFPA Country Office in Iran to explore opportunities for initiation of a new programme, building on the efforts of the Government of Iran to empower and protect the most vulnerable populations including PWDs.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of Programme Analyst, Population and Development/Ageing or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UNV for UNFPA programme for Vulnerable Population will support UNFPA CO to conduct a comprehensive mapping and situation analysis on vulnerable populations with focus on PWDs, including:

● Mapping of vulnerable population data/research/resources/information (data gap analysis) ● Review and mapping of the existing national documents, policies, programme and laws for vulnerable populations including PWDs
● Support to mapping and stakeholder analysis (institutional capacities) on vulnerable populations and mainly PWDs ● Mapping of the services available for vulnerable populations with focus on PWDs (community-based services and service to ensure their Health/SRH, social protection programmes, GBV, psychosocial counselling etc.) ● Identify areas for South-South and Triangular Cooperation and consolidate good practices ● Organize and facilitate a webinar on disability and vulnerable populations for UNFPA team to share the finding of the above mappings.

The assignment is desk-based at the UNFPA Country Office in Iran (remote work due to the COVID-19 situation with a possibility of a few days’ work at the office based on remote work policy). The UNV will work with the PD team, as well as with other programme teams, as required. The UNV will provide support for identification and exploration of new areas of work for vulnerable populations with special focus on PWDs. Due to COVID-19, there is no travel envisioned for this UNV posting. The UNFPA Iran Country Office (CO) is currently in the penultimate year of its 6th Country Programme. CO is now embarking on the development of the 7th Country Programme 2023-2028 (CP) which is expected to be aligned with the new National Development Plan of Iran as well as the new United Nations Sustainable Development Framework (UNSDCF). Vulnerable populations in general and PWDs in particular are among the target beneficiaries of the UNFPA’s programme, ensuring their access to basic health, SRH and social services as well as other empowerment and social protection intervention, aiming to build their resilience and protect them against to socioeconomic and health impacts of COVID-19.

Professionalism, Integrity, Teamwork and respect for diversity, Communication, Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement.

in vulnerable populations, PWDs, social protection or other relevant programmes, at the national and/or international level; - Experience working with OPDs and public sector partners is required; - Experience working in the areas of disability data, and working with NSOs is required; - Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills; - Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing; - Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel; - Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment; - Have affinity with or interest in organizations working in sexual reproductive health and rights, data for development and gender-based violence an asset. volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.

As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials.