Disability Inclusion Consultant

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations is an international organization founded in 1945, dedicated to promoting peace, security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security, and cooperation among countries. It operates in over 190 countries and has a mission to address global challenges, including human rights, development, and humanitarian assistance. The organization employs thousands of staff members worldwide, working collaboratively to achieve its goals and support member states in their efforts to improve the lives of their citizens.

Job Overview:
The Disability Inclusion Consultant will play a crucial role in developing and implementing a comprehensive strategy for disability inclusion within the United Nations operations in Fiji. This position involves creating an implementation, monitoring, and evaluation plan that prioritizes inclusion in UN operations, particularly focusing on the Disability Inclusion Strategy. The consultant will be responsible for initiating follow-up activities from the first phase of the strategy, which includes conducting accessibility audits, providing training to UN staff, and ensuring that recommendations from these audits are addressed. The consultant will also be tasked with monitoring progress and reporting on key initiatives related to disability inclusion, thereby ensuring that the UN's commitment to inclusivity is upheld in all planning documents and operations. Furthermore, the consultant will serve as the secretariat for the UNCT Disability Inclusion Working Group, organizing events, planning meetings, and providing technical advice to enhance the effectiveness of disability inclusion efforts.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will report directly to the Head of Office, RCO, and will be responsible for a variety of duties, including:

• Developing a detailed implementation, monitoring, and evaluation action plan for Disability Inclusion, and regularly reporting progress to the HRTG and DIWG.
• Providing strategic support to the DIWG in establishing a disability inclusion network with external stakeholders, thereby enhancing partnerships between the UN and National and Regional Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs).
• Conducting training sessions on disability inclusion for UNCT and staff to raise awareness and improve practices.
• Monitoring and following up with UNCT agencies regarding actions taken to address recommendations from accessibility audits.
• Collecting and disseminating good practices and lessons learned to support other UNCTs in the Pacific and globally.
• Initiating advocacy and communication efforts to promote the International Day for Persons with Disabilities on December 3rd.
• Identifying opportunities for better partnerships with OPDs by designing Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) and building on existing partnership agreements.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master's degree in political science, sociology, international relations, law, public administration, or other related social sciences. In cases where an advanced degree is not available, a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field along with significant work experience will be acceptable. Specifically, two additional years of relevant experience will be considered equivalent to an advanced degree. Preference will be given to individuals living with disabilities who meet the minimum educational and experience requirements.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Master's degree in a relevant field such as political science, sociology, international relations, law, or public administration. Alternatively, a Bachelor's degree in a related area combined with substantial work experience in a relevant field is acceptable. This educational foundation is essential for understanding the complexities of disability inclusion and the operational frameworks of the United Nations.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of two years of relevant work experience in areas related to disability inclusion, social sciences, or public administration. Candidates with additional experience will be given preference, particularly those who have worked directly with organizations of persons with disabilities or in roles that involve advocacy and policy development related to disability rights.

Languages:
Fluency in spoken and written English is mandatory for this position, as it is one of the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Knowledge of French, which is another official UN language, is considered an advantage and may enhance communication and collaboration within the UN system.

Additional Notes:
This is a National Consultant position based in Suva, Fiji, with an expected duration from March 1, 2026, to February 28, 202

• It is important to note that the United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, including application, interview, or training. The organization is committed to ensuring that the recruitment process is transparent and free from any financial obligations for applicants.