Result of Service

Submission of research papers and policy briefs on CRPD implementation and Disability & Poverty.
Contributing to the preparation and delivery of the Eighth annual IGED meeting.
Contributing to the preparation and development of awareness-raising materials related to the Campaign for International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
Mainstreaming disability inclusion within ESCWA’s programs and operations.
Contributing to piloting materials to support public service providers and parents on early intervention.
Contributing to resource mobilization.

Work Location

UN House – ESCWA

Expected duration

9 months

Duties and Responsibilities

Persons with disabilities in the Arab region are one of the most marginalized and excluded population groups. They are often not visible and excluded from public life due to several multifaceted barriers. Particularly, social and physical environments remain inaccessible, and their levels of educational attainment and employment are generally much lower than those of persons without disabilities. This situation is perpetuated and aggravated by environmental and social barriers, discriminatory attitudes, and inaccessible facilities. In humanitarian crises and situations of armed conflict, the number of persons with disabilities increases while their access to assistance, services, and livelihoods becomes more limited. They also often face heightened protection concerns due to the breakdown of community structures and social cohesion. Although the situation of persons with disabilities in the region remains difficult, many ESCWA member States have made progressive steps towards higher inclusivity. All countries have signed or ratified the CRPD and possess enabling legal and policy frameworks, best practices, and success stories of empowering persons with disabilities.

ESCWA is mandated to support Member States in adopting a rights-based approach to equitable, inclusive, and participatory social development toward achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. ESCWA has an extensive body of knowledge on disability issues in the Arab region; regularly carries out studies on disability-related issues, policies and best practices in the region; monitors implementation of certain aspects of the CRPD and SDGs by the Arab States; delivers thematic expert group meetings and workshops for member States on subjects important for the region; and has access to an extensive network of experts on disability-related matters.

Objectives and Tasks

In this context, ESCWA is looking for an expert in disability inclusion to carry out the following tasks:

• Carrying out substantive research to assist in producing national policies, strategies, action plans, and resource materials on different disability-related topics.
• Contributing to the development of technical papers, policy briefs, and studies on disability topics, in specific, and social inclusion topics, in general.
• Providing substantial support to ad-hoc events, meetings, conferences, and webinars. This includes the development of relevant background papers, relevant content for presentations, documentation and meeting reports, and an analysis of the main outcomes of the meeting.
• Supporting the provision of capacity-building workshops to policymakers and relevant stakeholders on various disability-related topics, including inclusive education and inclusive labor market policies and economic empowerment of persons with disabilities, physical and digital accessibility, independent living, and community inclusion.
• Documenting lessons learned and best practices of different disability-inclusive projects to disseminate them in the region and maximize the benefits.
• Supporting the implementation of the UN Disability Inclusion Strategy, including leading some of its activities (provision of training to staff, development of internal related policies and procedures to ensure the inclusion of persons with disability…etc.)
• Performing other duties as requested.

Qualifications/special skills

A Master’s degree or equivalent in social science, economics, public policy, or other related areas is required.

All candidates must submit a copy of the required educational degree. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
A minimum of ten years of experience in economics, public policy, or social science is required.
Previous experience in conducting policy-oriented research or studies on disability is required.
Knowledge of disability inclusion is required. Relevant experience in the Arab region is desirable.

Languages

Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat; and Arabic is a working language of ESCWA.

For this position, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of Arabic is desirable.

Note: “Fluency” equals a rating of ‘fluent’ in all four areas (speak, read, write, and understand) and “Knowledge of” equals a rating of ‘confident’ in two of the four areas.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.