UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, a fair chance

UNICEF Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy (DIPAS) 2022-2030 | UNICEF

How can you make a difference?

UNICEF is committed to promoting equity and inclusion for all and to complying with the provisions of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). Article 9 of the CRPD recognizes the importance of accessibility, specifically referring to accessibility of buildings, roads, transportation, and other indoor and outdoor facilities, including schools, housing, medical facilities, and workplaces.

Purpose of Activity: Reasonable accommodation is provided for sign language interpretation to a United Nations Volunteer (UNV). Under guidance from the supervisor, the interpreter will interpret/transliterate spoken language using Kenyan Sign Language plus another manual sign system, and vice versa, to facilitate communication between hearing and a person with hearing disability; or serve as a liaison between and perform related work as required.

Scope of work: The Sign Language Interpreter serves a person with a hearing disability using Kenyan Sign Language plus another manual sign system in meetings both physical and online, during workshops and fieldwork, on consultations while in advocacy meetings, trainings, counseling, in general, office settings and as needed for urgent situations.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Interprets discussions, announcements, conversations, meetings, events, and other spoken word situations using Kenyan Signs language plus any other manual sign system.
2. Accurately interprets signs into fluent English or Kiswahili.
3. Provides information and orientation in emergencies.
4. Works effectively in teams with others.
5. May utilize technologies to transcribe speech to text.
6. Adhere to the interpreters’ ethics and Code of Conduct
7. Any other duty as may be deemed appropriate within the scope of the role

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

• A minimum of certificate /diploma in a relevant field
• Proficiency in Kenya Sign Language
• Patient, focused person, who can anticipate the needs of others and identify barriers in a physical or virtual environment.
• Ideally has had experience working with persons with disabilities.
• Good editing, writing, and computer skills.
• Proficient in both English and Kiswahili.
• Knowledge of disability and accessibility.
• Ideally good understanding of issues relating to children’s rights, especially the rights of children with disabilities.
• Knowledge and understanding of Kisumu County and its environments.
• Ability to work in a team, in a national environment.

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS).

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

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.

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 afterward 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: 

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

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract 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 and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, by local or other applicable laws.

The selected candidate is solely responsible for ensuring 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.