Specialist - National Capacity Development support and inclusion

Update

UNDP has been working with the Royal Government and people of Bhutan since 1973 to accelerate the country’s development results through innovation, digitalization, development financing, partnerships, cutting-edge global knowledge and technical expertise.

UNDP’s mission is to alleviate poverty, reduce inequality and exclusion, and drive climate action and sustainable growth so people are empowered, and communities become more resilient. Tapping into our broad global network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help the Royal Government and people of Bhutan to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet.

Persons with disabilities in Bhutan face challenges to fully participate in society and development areas, which is further heightened by discriminatory social attitudes. The extent of inequalities experienced by persons with disabilities is often the result of a lack of accessibility to physical and virtual environments, institutional and attitudinal barriers, exclusion, and unequal opportunities. The achievement of the SDGs relies on the involvement and inclusion of persons with disabilities in all development efforts. With these principles, UNDP Bhutan CO believes that SDGs will never be fully achieved if persons with disabilities are still left behind and not included in development sectors.

UNDP Bhutan has already employed one staff with Physical disability. With him on board, several orientation sessions have been organized for the CO team to sensitize them to ensure a smooth transition for the colleague when joining the CO. In addition, the CO has experience of providing reasonable accommodation and accessibility to ensure that persons with disabilities carry out their job smoothly and participate in office’s activities inclusively.

UNDP’s effort to mainstream disability inclusion in UNDP’s programmes and projects and extend disability inclusion in the engagement with national and local partners entails continued efforts to increase the capacity of UNDP staff on disability inclusion.

The National UN Volunteer Specialist on National Capacity Development support and inclusion in Bhutan will be responsible for following tasks:

- Provide technical support to the policy advocacy work, programmes and projects planning and implementation as well as communication work of UNDP Bhutan, to ensure that awareness on disabilities inclusion in UNDP’s work is raised and UNDP interventions are aligned with UNDP country programme document which will contribute toward the achievement of the 2030 agenda, in particular with the leave no one behind lens;
- Encourage and actively support programme and project staff to mainstream disability inclusion, persons with disabilities and their diverse needs in their work through discussions, providing guidance and facilitating consultations with organizations of persons with disabilities;
- Coordinate and strengthen UNDP’ COs partnerships with the government and national and local organizations of /for persons with disabilities;
- Coordinate and work with disability focal points of other UN agencies under the working group on disability inclusion to improve UNCT Bhutan performance on UNCT accountability scorecard of the UNDIS and encourage each agency to bring their specific expertise on disability inclusion to UN joint programmes/projects and;
- Expand, manage and keep up-to-date the information and knowledge related to persons with disabilities in UNDP country programming including, but not limited to, statistical data on persons with disabilities, news, laws / government regulations related to persons with disabilities, and also best practices on disability inclusion.

Results/expected outputs:

As an active UNDP Bhutan team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to UNDP BHutan and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including:

- Opportunities for Bhutanese talents created to support the UN system and the RGoB 13th FYP development plan in Bhutan.
- National capacities built/ enhanced talent acquisition (NUNVs).
- Knowledge exchange & international experience sharing piloted through deployment of international UN Volunteers.
- Workforce diversification through engagement of persons with disability (PWD) for a more inclusive UN system.