Result of Service

The national consultant is responsible to deliver the following outputs according to the following schedule: – November 30, 2024 – First draft of the adapted Early Intervention Package in Arabic, designed specifically for Community Development Centers (CDCs) and integrating feedback from the pilot phase. – December 10, 2024 – Review and solicit feedback from the MoSA, ESCWA and participating NGOs. – December 30, 2024 – Finalized Early Intervention Package.

Work Location

Beirut / Remotely

Expected duration

2 months

Background: The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) and the Ministry of Social Affairs (MoSA) are working together to address significant service gaps for children with disabilities in Lebanon. Early intervention services—critical for minimizing developmental delays in children aged 0-5—are currently scarce, and where available, they are provided by a few NGOs at fees unaffordable for most families. Additionally, these services cover only certain types of disabilities and are limited to specific geographical areas. To bridge this gap, ESCWA has developed a Family-based Early Intervention Package for Primary Healthcare Centers (PHCCs). Building on this, ESCWA and MoSA are now adapting the package for use in Community Development Centers (CDCs) to broaden access and ensure services are available to a wider range of children with disabilities. These CDCs, with their broad reach across Lebanon, are key to the expansion of early intervention services throughout the country. This consultancy is essential to simplify and adapt the existing English guidelines into Arabic, ensuring that they are suitable for use in CDCs. Additionally, the consultant will incorporate lessons learned from the pilot phase of early intervention services in three CDCs. The final guidelines will need to meet ESCWA’s publication standards, ensuring they are ready for nationwide implementation

Duties and responsibilities

• Reviewing, assessing and adapting the existing Early Intervention Package to ensure its relevance for CDCs.

• Reviewing the Arabic translation for accuracy and cultural relevance, ensuring it is accessible for CDC staff and families

• Incorporating feedback and lessons from the pilot project in three CDCs, drawing from the experience of specialized NGOs and CDC staff.

• Completing any information that is lacking and making sure the package is ready for use

• Ensuring the guidelines align with ESCWA’s Guidelines for Publications.

• Collaborating with ESCWA, MoSA, and relevant NGOs during consultations and feedback sessions.

A Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a relevant field, such as disability studies, social work, community development, public policy, or any other related fields is required. At least 7 years experience in disability-related policy development is required. Expertise in conducting needs assessments, policy analysis, and facilitating participatory processes is required.

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 Arabic is required and knowledge of English 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. .

Additional Information

Not available.

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.