UNV Jobs - 51831- UNV Occupational Therapist (For Indian Nationals O

UNV Occupational Therapist (For Indian Nationals Only)

Advertised on behalf of

UNV

Location :

Churachandpur, Manipur, INDIA

Type of Contract :

UNV

Starting Date :

02-Jan-2015

Application Deadline :

08-Dec-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

UNV

Duration of Initial Contract :

One Year (with possibility of extension)

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

The 12th Five Year Plan focusses on “inclusive” growth, as the percentage of population below the poverty line still remains large in India. This inclusive agenda is in line with the UNDP country focus of working with disadvantaged sections of the population like SC/ST communities, marginalized women, dalits, Muslim and persons with disabilities (PWD).

Given this background, UNDP supports a comprehensive community based rehabilitation (CBR) models through Malsawm Initiative at Churachandpur District, Manipur. This pilot draws on technical UNVs to support the CBR process and mentor teachers, parents and guardians.

The pilot project of CCI is The Malsawm Initiative (A School for Children with Special Needs), in short TMI. TMI is started not because of availability of professional or funding but compelling to provide appropriate education to their very own child by parents with disabled children. No institution or school for special needs children in the District, so the only option parents had is to start an institution by themselves.

As such, TMI has enrolled 24 children with all categories of disabilities which includes Visually Impaired, Hearing Impaired, Cerebral Palsy, Mentally Retarded, Autistic, and some are with associated Disabilities. As there are shortages of trained teacher in the region, UNDP has provided 4 National UN Volunteers i.e. Special Educator, Physiotherapist, Speech Therapist and School Administrator to support the capacity of TMI. UNDP would like to further enhance the capacity of the school by providing trained NUNV Occupational Therapist to be based at Churachandpur in Manipur.

Centre for Community Initiative (CCI) is a not-for-profit organization registered as Society in 2002, started by like-minded individuals dealing with various issues to provide a better society through community initiative and participation towards their welfare.

Centre for community Initiative (CCI) was restructured in 2007 when the Secretary, a father of a blind child, with other parents of persons with disabilities felt the urgent need to address the cause of persons with special needs; to encourage one another in challenging times and to work towards creating an accepting society.

Living Conditions:

The North East is a true frontier region. It has over 2000 km of border with Bhutan, China, Myanmar and Bangladesh and is connected to the rest of India by a narrow 20 km wide corridor of land. One of the most ethically and linguistically diverse regions in Asia, each state has its distinct cultures and traditions. Manipur means the 'land of gems'. This north-eastern state was described as the land of gold or ‘Suvarnabhu’. Agriculture is the main stay of the people. About 88% of the total working population in the hills and about 60% of the working population in the valley depend entirely on the agriculture and allied pursuits like animal husbandry, fisheries and forestry. Precautionary security measure is required in the duty station.

Churachandpur District, in the southwestern corner of Manipur, has an area of 4,570 sq. km. It is a hilly district with a very small percentage of the plain area. It is bounded by Burma in the South, Mizoram in the West & South West, Bishenpur district in the North, Tamenglong district in the West and Thoubal district in the East. The total population of the district as per 2011 census is 271,274. This district with its headquarters at Churachandpur has been divided into five blocks, i.e. Churachandpur, Thanlon, Henglep, Singhat and Parbung.

Conditions of Service

A 12-month contract; monthly volunteer living allowance (VLA) intended to cover housing, basic needs and utilities, equivalent to Rs. 25,160 per month; settling-in-grant (if applicable); life, health, and permanent disability insurance; return airfares (if applicable); resettlement allowance for satisfactory service.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of Director of CCI the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

Assessing, Diagnosing and Providing Occupational therapy needs of students at The Malsawm Initiative
Guide, counsel and train the parents and others on therapies and use of aids and appliance that are prescribed to the children
Maintains and Fosters good children/students – therapist relationship
Evaluate the physical abilities of children/students through evaluative procedures and ability tests for example functional ability tests
Maintain clinical and numerical records and seek advice from other health care professionals
Develop and put into practice health promotion programs for children/students
Strengthen capacities and transfer skills by training the CCI staff members (at-least a buddy)
Converse with referring physician and other healthcare professionals about problems, needs and development of children/students
Coordinate with other organizations working with disabilities for information sharing and networking

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to:

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 IVD);
Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country;
Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities;
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.

Results/Expected Output:

Capacity of local caregivers/family members developed to provide continuing care and support.

Competencies

Good analytical skills, good communications and inter-personal skills and the ability to work under pressure, both independently and as part of a team.
Fluency in English (required) and other languages of the north-eastern region (desirable).

Required Skills and Experience

University level degree (Bachelors/Masters) in Occupational Therapy or related disciplines with sound experience of working with persons with disabilities.
Experience and motivation for volunteerism and experience of working with the children with special needs will be considered as asset.
Experience of working in north-eastern part of India will be considered as a distinct advantage.

This position is open to applicants of either sex. Preference will be given to equally qualified women candidates. Only short listed candidates would be contacted.

The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme is the UN organization that promotes volunteerism to support peace and development worldwide. In all assignments, UN Volunteers promote volunteerism through their action and conduct. Engaging in volunteer activity can effectively and positively enrich their understanding of local and social realities, as well as create a bridge between themselves and the people in their host community.