The United Nations Disability Inclusion Strategy provides the foundation for sustainable and transformative progress on disability inclusion through all pillars of the work of the United Nations. The Strategy includes a system-wide policy, an accountability framework, and other implementation modalities. The policy establishes the highest levels of commitment and a vision for the United Nations system on disability inclusion for the next decade and is aimed at creating an institutional framework for the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, among other international human rights instruments, as well as for development and humanitarian commitments. The policy embodies the United Nations vision for disability inclusion and is a reaffirmation of a common commitment at the highest levels of the Organization. It sets out the areas and functions on which the United Nations will focus to achieve disability inclusion. Through the Strategy, the organizations of the United Nations system reaffirm that the full and complete realization of the human rights of all persons with disabilities is an inalienable, integral, and indivisible part of all human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Rationale

Each country is expected to implement the UNDIS through a combination of mainstreaming and targeted measures as the key approach for achieving the inclusion and empowerment of persons with disabilities and their human rights. The UNCT Accountability Scorecard on Disability Inclusion indicator four on Set-up and Coordination calls for the establishment of an inter-agency disability inclusion coordination mechanism which UNCT Nigeria established in 2021 with UNESCO leading the group. The coordination mechanism served as the key mechanism for joint UN action, advocacy, and coordination on disability inclusion. One of the key objectives of the coordination mechanism is to facilitate the sharing of information and learnings and coordinate awareness-raising events and training on disability inclusion. However, findings from a quick survey conducted among UN staff showed that 45% have no knowledge of the UNDIS strategy and how to mainstream it into both programmes, operations and through all pillars of UN work. Also, 100% are desirous to learn more about the strategy and how to implement it. The Disability TWG seek and received seed funding from the DCO TWG to implement activities which include capacity development for UN staff to improve UN Nigeria rating on the indicator on capacity building on UNCT Accountability Scorecard on Disability Inclusion.

Objectives

The consultant will work closely with the UNCT Disability Inclusion Technical Working Group (TWG); to conduct a training for members of the inter-agency disability inclusion coordination mechanism, as well as other UN colleagues on the provisions of the United Nations Disability Inclusion Strategy and how to mainstream Disability inclusion in all programme and operational activities of UN.

Other objectives include:

1. To equip members with practical skills to support their promotion of inclusion of persons with disabilities both at UN, government levels and other fora.
2. To improve the knowledge of members on disability inclusion, mainstreaming, accessibility, and reasonable accommodations.
3. To provide a forum for systematic sharing of information, experiences, and tools on implementing disability inclusion.

In order to aid the Consultant’s work, it is advised that they consult the following documents attached herewith:

• UN Disability Inclusion Strategy (UNDIS)
• Technical notes on UNDIS Accountability Framework
• UNDIS-UNCT Accountability Scorecard 
• UNDIS- Summary
• UNDIS Scorecard Guidelines
• Policy responsiveness for inclusion of persons with disabilities in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic

Expected Outputs:

• Detailed Work plan
• Report on recommendations for facilitating a Disability Inclusion Training
• Capacity Building- Training Modules on Disability Inclusion
• Capacity Building-Training on UNDIS for UN Staff
• Presentation of Report on training

Core competencies:

• Communication and Interpersonal Skills
• Organization and Planning
• Facilitation and Engagement
• Collaboration and Teamwork
• Inclusiveness, Respect for Diversity and Persons with Disabilities
• Integrity and Professionalism

Education:

Minimum of Masters Degree or equivalent in Social Sciences, Development, Communications, or any other relevant disciplines.

Professional Experience:

• A minimum of five progressive years of experience working on disability inclusion in a communications or development setting. (Submission of samples of previous work is mandatory)
• Good Knowledge of the UN Disability Inclusion Strategy, the UN Convention of Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Nigeria’s Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act as well as other national and international frameworks/documents on disability inclusion, including in humanitarian settings.
• Experience in developing tools and resources for the inclusion of persons with disabilities.
• Experience in developing disability-inclusive reporting and analysis of Scorecards.
• Experience working with UN inter-agency processes and engaging with Organizations of Persons with Disabilities.
• Experience in organizing and facilitating workshops/trainings and coordinating the work of multiple contributors and stakeholders.
• Solid written and oral communication skills in English; knowledge of another UN official language is desirable.

Evaluation Criteria

Relevant academic qualifications (relevant degree, refer to list in TOR): 15 marks

Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of disability inclusion programming and mainstreaming, including developing tools and resources for the inclusion of persons with disabilities: 20 marks

Relevant experience with working with persons with disability and providing support to persons with disability including working with UN inter-agency processes and engaging with Organizations of Persons with Disabilities:  20 marks

Experience in organizing and facilitating workshops/trainings and coordinating the work of multiple contributors and stakeholders: 20 marks

Demonstrated written and oral communication skills with demonstratable outputs in English; knowledge of another UN official language is desirable: 15 marks

Other considerations: Gender, Disability (persons with disability) have added advantage): 10 mark

Selection would be in two stages: technical evaluation (70%) and financial evaluation (30%).

After reviewing the received applications, the top three shortlisted candidates will be invited for interview. Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Candidates obtaining a minimum of 70% of the maximum obtainable points for the technical criteria (70 points) shall be considered for the financial evaluation.

Application process:

Qualified and interested candidates are hereby requested to apply. The application should contain the following: 

• A technical proposal with a clear description of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment, and a detailed clear methodology, on how they will approach and complete the assignment.
• Attached to the technical proposal will be the candidate’s CV indicating education background/professional qualifications, all previous and current experiences, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the candidate and at least two (2) professional references.