Development of programmatic guidance for integrating assistive technology in humanitarian action - Req # 575458

Develop, in collaboration with the Disability Focal Point from each PG Section, cross-sectoral guidance on the ways in which AT products and services enable access for persons with disabilities and functional limitations to the services provided by each of the following sections: Nutrition, Early Childhood Development (ECD), Education, Child Protection, Social Protection, Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH), and Health

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Vacancy Announcement: Consultant

 Consultancy Title: Development of programmatic guidance for integrating assistive technology in humanitarian action

Section/Division/Duty Station: Programme Strategy and Coordination Hub Programme Division, NYHQ

Duration: 1 October 2024 to 15 January  2025

Home/ Office Based: NYHQ / Remote

 About UNICEF – DO NOT EDIT

If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children, the world's leading children's rights organization would like to hear from you. For 70 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children's survival, protection and development. The world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments. UNICEF has over 12,000 staff in more than 145 countries.

BACKGROUND

Purpose of Activity/ Assignment:

 The primary objective of this consultancy is to develop a comprehensive guidance document to integrate Assistive Technology (AT) provision across various sectors within UNICEF programming for humanitarian settings. This guidance will provide essential information on the technical benefits of AT, a list of appropriate AT for each sector, programmatic actions, and service delivery models. This will ensure that each Programme Sector has practical guidance on using AT provision to enable access for children with disabilities or functional limitations to humanitarian programmes . The assignment will contribute to addressing the above challenges through the following: · Limited Scope of Assistive Technology Provision: Broaden the scope and diversify the range of AT products and services across various sectors, ensuring that provision is not limited to those directly affected by the crisis and predominantly in the health sector. · Resource Constraints: Include cost-effective AT options and strategies for resource allocation to maximize impact within limited budgets. · Lack of Awareness and Training: Raise awareness and guide staff and stakeholders on the importance and use of AT within their programme sector. · Integration Across Sectors: outline specific actions for integrating AT into various sectors, ensuring a cohesive approach across all programme areas. · Service Delivery Models: propose adaptable service delivery models that can be tailored to different humanitarian contexts, ensuring flexibility and effectiveness. · Monitoring and Evaluation: include frameworks for monitoring and evaluating the implementation of AT, ensuring continuous improvement and accountability

Scope of Work:

Develop, in collaboration with the Disability Focal Point from each PG Section, cross-sectoral guidance on the ways in which AT products and services enable access for persons with disabilities and functional limitations to the services provided by each of the following sections: Nutrition, Early Childhood Development (ECD), Education, Child Protection, Social Protection, Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH), and Health: 1. Technical Benefits and Sector-Specific AT:

 · Identify and document the technical benefits of AT in the sectors

· Compile a comprehensive list of AT relevant to each sector.

 2. Programmatic Actions:

· Outline specific programmatic actions for AT integration within each sector.

· Develop strategies for effective implementation and monitoring of these actions.

 3. Service Delivery Models:

 · Propose various service delivery models including direct provision, partnerships, referrals, and cash transfers.

 · Ensure that these models are adaptable to emergency contexts.

 4. Coordination: Develop strategies for enhancing coordination on AT delivery within cluster coordination, with a focus on UNICEF-led clusters and AoR, to improve AT provision in emergencies.

 5. Alignment with Existing Guidance: Ensure the new guidance aligns with UNICEF's internal guidelines on AT provision in emergencies

Approach:

 · Literature Review: Conduct a comprehensive review of existing literature, guidelines, and best practices related to AT in humanitarian settings.

· Stakeholder Consultations: o Engage with sector and cluster-specific technical leads to gather insights and validate proposed guidance. o Conduct consultations with Regional and Country Offices (RO/COs) to ensure contextual relevance and feasibility.

 · Case Study Analysis: Analyze successful AT integration cases from various humanitarian contexts to inform best practices.

 · Expert Interviews: Conduct interviews with AT experts and practitioners in humanitarian settings

Draft Development and Revision: o Develop initial drafts of the guidance document. o Incorporate feedback from stakeholders and revise accordingly.

 · Validation Workshop: Organize a virtual validation workshop with key stakeholders to finalize the guidance document

Terms of Reference / Key Deliverables:

 Detailed work plan, methodology, and timeline for the assignment

Inception Report

 Develop in collaboration with Disability Focal Points, AT experts, and relevant stakeholders, guidance containing

· Document the technical benefits of AT in each relevant sector

 · Develop a list of priority AT for each section;

 · Create a list of potential partners and stakeholders which can support AT deployment in the field;

 · Outline specific programmatic actions for AT integration within each sector.

 · Descriptions of adaptable service delivery models with examples which have already been implemented in the field in humanitarian contexts; and

 · Guidance on where relevant humanitarian clusters can find AT standards.

• Draft Guideline Document for each PG Section
• Final Guidance Document A set of presentation Materials: PowerPoint presentation and other materials for disseminating the guidance. – By 11 October 2024

Organize and lead a virtual workshop for stakeholders to present guidelines document and gather feedback. Edit the first version of the guidelines based on collected feedback

• Virtual Workshop to Collect Feedback on Guidance Document – By 1 November 2024

Final version of guideline document taking workshop feedback into account – By 15 January 2025

Qualifications

Education: Masters

Advanced degree in law, social science, human rights, or other related fields

Work experience:

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required *:

· A minimum of five (5) years of progressively professional experience related to assistive technology.

 · Very good current knowledge of humanitarian action systems and processes.

 · Understanding of and commitment to the rights of persons with disabilities is a requirement.

 · Strong organization and writing skills are essential.

 · Fluency in English (written and spoken) is required.

Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) is an asset.

Requirements:

Completed profile in UNICEF's e-Recruitment system and

- Upload copy of academic credentials

- Financial proposal that will include/ reflect :

• • the costs per each deliverable and the total lump-sum for the whole assignment (in US$) to undertake the terms of reference.
  • travel costs and daily subsistence allowance, if internationally recruited or travel is required as per TOR.
  • Any other estimated costs: visa, health insurance, and living costs as applicable.
  • Indicate your availability

- Any emergent / unforeseen duty travel and related expenses will be covered by UNICEF.

- At the time the contract is awarded, the selected candidate must have in place current health insurance coverage.

- Payment of professional fees will be based on submission of agreed satisfactory deliverables. UNICEF reserves the right to withhold payment in case the deliverables submitted are not up to the required standard or in case of delays in submitting the deliverables on the part of the consultant.

U.S. Visa information:

With the exception of the US Citizens, G4 Visa and Green Card holders, should the selected candidate and his/her household members reside in the United States under a different visa, the consultant and his/her household members are required to change their visa status to G4, and the consultant’s household members (spouse) will require an Employment Authorization Card (EAD) to be able to work, even if he/she was authorized to work under the visa held prior to switching to G4.  

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results. View our competency framework at: Here

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment. 

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 also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. 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. 

Remarks:  

Individuals engaged under a consultancy 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. Consultants 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.