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For every child, Hope

How can you make a difference? 

Under the supervision of the Regional Advisor Education, the Programme Specialist (Disability) will provide technical support to UNICEF’s work on promoting the rights of children with disabilities in the Middle Eastern and North Africa region, upholding the Convention on the Rights of the Child and also utilizing the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities as a key mandate.   The Specialist will support the regional customization and implementation of the UNICEF Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy (DIPAS) in the MENA region. The Specialist will provide technical guidance and assistance on disability inclusive programming across the region, strengthening the inclusion of children with disabilities in country program planning and programming, with a gender responsive approach. The Specialist will also provide guidance on mainstreaming disability in UNICEF operations and human resource aspects within the framework of the DIPAS Regional Action Plan 2024-2025. The Specialist will also provide technical support for the implementation of the mainstreaming of disability inclusion in humanitarian action under the umbrella of the UNICEF-Norway Partnership Framework. The position will also collaborate closely with UNICEF HQ to contribute to UNICEF’s global discourse on mainstreaming disability into policies, practices and programming.  Regional Advisors on Gender Equality and (OTHERS)…. are partners in promoting an equitable, intersectional analysis for programme results along organizational frameworks such as the Gender Action Plan and Gender Policy.  In addition, the specialist will be responsible for developing and monitoring key partnerships with the aim to drive the advocacy agenda around children with disabilities through strengthening relationships, synergies and coordination with external partner organizations. This will also include resource mobilization efforts.

Responsibilities and Tasks

DIPAS MENA Regional Action Plan Implementation

Manage and coordinate the implementation of the DIPAS MENA Regional Action Plan to be applied at regional and country level.  The implementation of the DIPAS will require leadership, ownership and accountability for action at multiple levels, including organizational benchmarks for resourcing and strategic planning, and adherence to principles and priorities in the Regional Office Management Plan (ROMP) and country program documents. The DIPAS has clear gender quality dimensions and aligns with the regional accelerators.  Provide technical support in mainstreaming disability inclusion into strategic planning, policy and programming, advocacy, corporate communications, and budget allocation. Support the process of tracking, reviewing and reporting on the progress of the DIPAS implementation at regional and country level.

Mainstreaming disability inclusion in humanitarian action

Manage disability inclusion in humanitarian action under the DIPAS MENA Regional Action Plan 2024-2025 and within the UNICEF-Norway Partnership at regional and country office levels.  This will include guidance and technical support in delivering results on disability in humanitarian action in the region and supporting country office plans to reflect disability inclusion in their emergency preparedness and response plans, HAC appeals, sitreps, etc. in consideration of multi-sectoral efforts that are already underway in MENA COs, its implementation, monitoring and evaluation, in a coherent fashion across cross-cutting areas.  The specialist also takes responsibility for the preparation of country and regional office contributions to donor reports in the area of Children with Disabilities, in collaboration with the NYHQ Disability Section.  

Technical guidance on inclusive programming.

Provide expert guidance to MENARO to enhance disability-inclusive programming across the region, ensuring the rights of children with disabilities are integrated into policy advocacy and all UNICEF Strategic Plan outcome areas, including in emergencies. The Specialist will assess technical assistance needs, develop a road map, and coordinate with sectoral focal points to offer required support, such as accessible ICT solutions and integrating social behavior change strategies aimed at reducing stigma against children with disabilities. Additionally, the Specialist will assist  mapping of regional suppliers for scaling up assistive technologies and identifying relevant products.

In collaboration with the NYHQ Disability Section and MENARO units, the Specialist will help develop and test operational and technical guidance to improve quality programming for children with disabilities and their caregivers. Ensure robust monitoring and evaluation systems are in place, particularly regarding DIPAS implementation, and support the review of CPDs to ensure they adequately reflect inclusive programming, addressing gender, youth, and Accountability to Affected People (AAP) dimensions, while promoting a rights-based approach to disability inclusion across MENA.

Cross sectoral partnerships in support of children with disabilities and resource mobilization

Liaise with disability related Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), donors, UN agencies, Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) and other strategic partner organizations to enhance coordination on inclusive programming at the country, sub-regional and regional level. Map existing and potential stakeholders and partners with a focus on the inclusion and the mainstreaming of children with disabilities’ issues into the development agenda. Conduct donor mapping for future work around disability inclusion.

The Specialist will take on a coordinating role for the UNICEF MENARO cross-sectoral working groups representing the issues related to children with disabilities and fostering dialogue between various sections to ensure that the rights of children with disabilities are met across the social sectors.  A gender responsive approach will be implemented to support an equity and human rights focus.   In this capacity, the Specialist will support efforts to strengthen effective communication and networking.  The Specialist will also be responsible for contributing to resource mobilization efforts related to children with disabilities programming.

Disability data and research on the situation of children with disabilities in UNICEF supported programming

The Specialist will work closely with MENARO data specialists in the Program Planning and Monitoring Section, HQ Data and Analytics Section, and the HQ Disability Section to strengthen the understanding, generation and utilization of data and analysis around children with disabilities. The Specialist will identify major gaps with regards to data collection and analysis and disability assessment and research on the situation of children with disabilities.  He/she will compile data mapping based on national data sets for disability across the region along with gap analysis.  The Specialist will work with data experts to identify the most appropriate ways to fill these information gaps and facilitate necessary technical action for addressing these capacity gaps. The Specialist will also provide technical support to MENARO and COs to respond to annual reporting (CSIs, RAM, end year reporting, etc.) related to disability inclusion, including the organization of orientation webinars. The Specialist will also be responsible for the review and quality control associated with this work.

Capacity building

Support capacity development of UNICEF staff and partners specified under the DIPAS MENA Regional Action Plan and identify and/or develop other training opportunities to support increased knowledge and understanding on equity and inclusive programming and operations with an emphasis on children with disabilities at the regional and country level.  Identify potential target audiences, disseminate / promote training opportunities among target audiences, maintain a database of qualified professionals in this area of work to ensure efficient and effective technical support to Country Offices.

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

Minimum requirements:

[Include the vacancy requirements aligned to the category and level of the position. You can see examples in the branded VA example.]

• Education: Advanced university degree in social sciences with a specific focus on children and disability.

• A first University degree in a relevant field combined with (2) additional years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

• Work Experience: A minimum of eight years of professional experience of working on issues of childhood disability, at least five years of which should be in the context of low- and middle-income countries.
• Strong technical experience in national, regional and global level work on disability issues, program planning and implementation, and in guiding monitoring and evaluation efforts in a development agency context is required.
• Clearly demonstrated ability to conceptualize development issues and write high quality technical reports, analytical materials and project proposals is essential. 
• Well-developed knowledge leadership and advocacy skills. 
• Direct field and community level experience in program execution, involving government and international development agencies is highly desirable.
• Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships

(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness

(3) Drive to achieve results for impact

(4) Innovates and embraces change

(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity

(6) Thinks and acts strategically

(7) Works collaboratively with others 

[add the 8^th competency (Nurtures, leads and manages people) for a supervisory role]. 

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

[Remove the following paragraph if not a child safeguarding elevated risk role] This position has been assessed as an elevated risk role for Child Safeguarding purposes as it is either a role with direct contact with children, a role that works directly with identifiable children’s data, a safeguarding response role, or an assessed risk role. Additional vetting and assessment for elevated risk roles in child safeguarding (potentially including additional criminal background checks) apply.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

We offer a wide range of measures to include a more diverse workforce, such as paid parental leave, time off for breastfeeding purposes, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

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. UNICEF is committed to promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will 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.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks:

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

UNICEF’s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable [Insert candidates from targeted underrepresented groups] are encouraged to apply.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason. 

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.