National UN Disability Inclusion consultant, 240 w/ds, Dushanbe, Tajikistan (for Tajik nationals only)

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, opportunity,

In June 2019, the United Nations Secretary-General launched the United Nations Disability Inclusion Strategy (UNDIS) to make the United Nations (UN) an inclusive organization for all. The Strategy establishes the foundation for systemic and
sustainable change on disability inclusion across all three pillars of the UN (peace, development and human rights). The Strategy plays a key role in enabling the UN system to support Member States in their achievement of the 2030 Agenda,
the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) as well as a range of other development and humanitarian commitments.
UN in Tajikistan is committed to implement the UN Disability Inclusion Strategy and keeps good track of results in making the UN programme and operations disability inclusive. Some of the results achieved include:
1) Disability inclusion mainstreamed into UNSDCF JWPs, implementation and reporting, 2) improved accessibility of four UN Common premises ( as per access improvement plans developed in 2022);
3) Strengthened collaboration with OPDs in UNSDCF, VNR, Draft Law on the Rights of Persons with disabilities of Tajikistan, CRPD advocacy;
4) Ensured disability inclusion BOS
5) Enhanced coordination among UN Agencies on disability inclusion and establishment of Disability Inclusion focal points network, support to staff capacities on disability inclusions across UN Agencies;
6) Disability inclusion into UN Joint Communication and Advocacy Strategy. Disability-Inclusive Communication brochure was recommended as the best practice to ECA.Accessible UN materials, sign language interpretation (roster of translators) and many other results.
To continue effective coordination and expert support to disability inclusion priorities and to facilitate the implementation of the UN Disability Inclusion Strategy and UNCT Action plan for 2024-2026, UN Resident Coordinator Office in Tajikistan through UNICEF plans to contribute to the cost of the UN Disability Inclusion Adviser in 2025, who will guide and support the RC/UNCT to ensure the following tasks:
Mainstream disability inclusion in the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF);
Coordinate implementation and reporting on UN Tajikistan Disability Inclusion Ac on Plan for 2024-2026;
 Coordinate data collection, verification, and analysis of inputs for the UNCT Accountability Scorecard on Disability Inclusion to ensure comprehensive report on behalf of UNCT and its timely upload in UNINFO during the IMS annual reporting exercise;
 Conduct thorough analysis and review of CCA, UN Joint Programme, UNSDCF JWPs and UN Annual Results Report and other relevant documents (concept notes, proposals and etc.) from the perspectives of disability inclusion and come up with recommendations for further updates/adjustments;
 Organize annual consultation meeting at both national and regional levels with OPDs/OPCDs to gather comprehensive insights about persons with disabilities, informing the annual update of the Common Country Analysis (CCA) and the UNSDCF Annual Performance Review from disability inclusion aspects;
 Support to coordinate UN’s support towards ratification and implementation of the CRPD by Tajikistan;
 Guide the Operations Management Team (OMT) and Programme Management Team (PMT) in integrating disability inclusion checklists into procurement, human resources, and joint programming processes to ensure comprehensive adherence to disability inclusion standards across all operations and programs;
 Provide strategic inputs and guidance for the Programme Management Team (PMT), Data/M&E specialists, and Disability Inclusion Focal Points (DIFPs) on the collection, integration, measuring and use of disability disaggregated data throughout the implementation programme interventions and reporting on UN results;
 Guide OMT/UN Agencies common premises managers to implement the Accessibility Ac on Plans of UN house, UNDP building, co-located offices in the business centers “Sozidaniye” and “Bokhtar” and allocation of budgets. Facilitate inclusion of digital accessibility into the plans;
 Monitor the implementation of 4 common premises accessibility improvement plans and prepare reports along with recommendations;
 Support to coordinate the UN Disability Inclusion Network by actively engaging and inviting external international and national partners to promote disability inclusion in Tajikistan, fostering collaboration and driving impactful initiatives in this area;
 Coordinate and oversee the implementation of joint initiatives within the Disability Inclusion Focal Points Network to enhance collaboration and ensure effective strategies for advancing disability inclusion across all
relevant areas;
 Conduct capacity building workshops for UN agencies staff members on Disability Inclusion to enhance understanding, promote best practices, and strengthen the implementation of inclusive policies and programs;
Collaborate with UN Communications Group and specialists on design and implementation of Disability Inclusive Communications interventions and campaigns as necessary;
Contribute to UNCT reporting to relevant human rights instruments;
Ensure engagement of OPDs for conducting the awareness-raising sessions on the inclusion of persons with disabilities in humanitarian action for REACT Sector Groups;
Advise and promote engagement of persons and youths with disability into the internship, volunteering programmes of UN Agencies;
Arrange and facilitate capacity building and awareness raising initiatives/events for youth with disabilities by sharing relevant information and invitation to workshops, dedicated meetings, events and Telegram group “Inclusion”;
Support to the implementation of two UN joint programmes on aligning local financing for SDGs and improved food systems for nutrition;
Support the UNCT in formulation of joint programmes/initiatives to support vulnerable groups;
Contribute to UNCT annual results reporting and UNINFO updates.

How can you make a difference? 

1. Mainstream disability inclusion in the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF); Coordinate implementation and reporting on UN Tajikistan Disability Inclusion Action Plan for 2024- 2026.
Del. 1. Progress report on UNCT Action plan prepared and presented. Guided UNSDCF Result groups on disability inclusion issues; 20 w/d, Jan.-Feb.2024

2. Conduct thorough analysis and review of CCA, UN Joint Programme, UNSDCF JWPs and UN Annual Results Report and other relevant documents (concept notes, proposals and etc) from the perspectives of disability inclusion and come up with recommendation for further updates/adjustments.

3. Provide strategic inputs and guidance for the Programme Management Team (PMT), Data/M&E specialists, and Disability Inclusion Focal Points (DIFPs) on the collection, integration, measuring and use of disability disaggregated data throughout the implementation programme interventions and reporting on UN results.
Provided inputs on disability inclusion to UN Annual Results Report 2025 Contributed to CCA preparation and UNSDCF Annual Performance Review and arranged 1 consultation with OPDs, 20 w/d, February-March 2025

4.Guide OMT/UN Agencies common premises managers to implement the Accessibility Action Plans of UN house, UNDP building, co-located offices in the business centres “Sozidaniye” and “Bokhtar” and allocation of budgets;
Supported Building Committees to implement accessibility action plans and results reflected in the monitoring reports, 20 days, Feb.2025, continuedly

5.Guide the OMT and PMT in integrating disability inclusion checklists into procurement, human resources, and joint programming processes to ensure comprehensive adherence to disability inclusion standards across all operations and programs Procurement, HR and Joint Programmes checklists are available and used in practice by UN Agencies and groups. 20 w/ds, Feb.2025, continuedly

6.Coordinate and oversee the implementation of joint initiatives within the Disability Inclusion Focal Points. Network to enhance collaboration and ensure effective strategies for advancing disability inclusion across all relevant areas; Facilitated 4 meetings of DIFPs network and regular exchange/planning; At least 2 joint initiatives on disability inclusion are planned and implemented; 20 w/ds, March-Dec.2025

7.Conduct capacity building workshops for UN agencies staff members on Disability Inclusion to enhance understanding, promote best practices, and strengthen the implementation of inclusive policies and programmes. At least 3 capacity building workshops conducted, 20 w/d. March-December 2025

8.Contribute to UNCT reporting to relevant human rights instruments; Contribute to UNCT annual results reporting and UNINFO updates; In consultation with HRA and UNCT supported timely submission of report on Human Rights Instruments; Updated UNINFO on disability inclusion reporting section,20 w/s; during Oct.-Dec. 2025

9.Ensure engagement of OPDs for conducting the awareness-raising sessions on the inclusion of persons with disability in humanitarian action for REACT Sector Groups; Conducted 2 awareness raising sessions to OPDs; May-Dec.2025

10.Advise and promote engagement of persons and youths with disability into the internship, volunteering programmes of UN Agencies;

To promote inclusion of PWD in UN Agencies workforce (internship, UNV, consultants)through engagement with BOS.,WG,20 w/d

11.Support the UNCT in formulation of joint programmes/initiatives to support vulnerable groups; Concept note on inclusive initiative is prepared, 20 w/ds,
June-December 2025

12.Support to the implementation of two UN joint programmes on aligning local financing for SDGs and improved food systems for nutrition; Guided two programmes agencies for engagement of persons with disabilities, 20 w/ds, Jan-Dec.2025

13.Support UN agencies and OPDs in advocacy actions towards ratification of CRPD and its further implementation; At least two advocacy actions (round tables, articles, media actions) conducted to support the CRPD Supported elaboration of post CRPD action plan, 20 w/ds, Jan.-Dec.2025

14.Plan and conduct jointly with DIFP network information campaign among international organizations and private sector companies on the disability inclusion as well as employment opportunities for persons with disabilities. At least 2 informational campaign conducted. 2 success stories on the employment of persons with disabilities, 20 w/ds, March-Dec. 2025.

Total consultancy days: 240 w/ds

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have… 

Education:

High school diploma complemented with additional advanced courses in disability and inclusion studies from recognized academic institutions

W/experience: 

• A minimum of 5 years of professional experience on promoting a rights-based approach to disability inclusion and providing technical support on mainstreaming disability into policies and services for persons with
  disabilities in all their diversity.
• Proven experience on International and National legislation on disability rights, including UNCRPD, UNDIS and Tajikistan National law on social protection of persons with disabilities.
• Previous experience in capacity building on disability issues.
• Work experience with National and Regional organizations of persons with disabilities in Tajikistan
• Previous experience in disability and inclusion with UNICEF or other UN Agencies is highly desirable. Excellent report writing skills.

Language:

• Fluency in English and Russian are required.

Qualified candidates are requested to submit:

1. CV and cover letter. 

2. Financial proposal specifying in TJS per day of work:  Annex 3.docx

3. Min. three referees (preferably the most recent). 

Applications must be received in the system by 5 Dec. 2024 on UNICEF website.

 

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 committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility jobs-near-me.org UNICEF.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

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 visa (applicable) and 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. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.