National Consultant/Disability Inclusion Officer

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women is an organization grounded in the vision of equality as enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations. It works towards the elimination of discrimination against women and girls, the empowerment of women, and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action, and peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security. UN Women leads and coordinates the efforts of the United Nations system to ensure that commitments on gender equality and gender mainstreaming translate into action globally. The organization provides strong leadership in support of Member States’ priorities and efforts, building effective partnerships with civil society and other relevant actors. In Bangladesh, UN Women supports the government in implementing commitments to international standards on gender equality and women's human rights, focusing on strengthening national structures for gender mainstreaming, preventing violence against women, and promoting women's access to decent work. UN Women operates in various countries and has a significant presence in Bangladesh, where it launched its strategic engagement for 2022-2027 in 2021, focusing on various gender-related issues.

Job Overview:
The National Consultant/Disability Inclusion Officer will play a crucial role in supporting the Bangladesh Country Office (BCO) of UN Women in planning, implementing, and engaging with relevant stakeholders on issues related to disability inclusion and gender equality. The consultant will be responsible for integrating an intersectional lens into programming and implementation, particularly focusing on marginalized groups such as women with disabilities. The overall objective of this assignment is to assist the program teams in achieving the objectives outlined in the project document and work plan. The consultant will work under the direct supervision of the Partnership and Coordination Analyst and will collaborate closely with various thematic units, including Ending Violence Against Women, Inclusive Governance, and Disaster Risk Reduction. The role requires a strong commitment to the principles of gender equality and the empowerment of women, as well as a deep understanding of the challenges faced by marginalized groups in Bangladesh.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will have a variety of responsibilities, including serving as the Secretariat for the Prevention Forum, creating communication templates for stakeholders, coordinating meetings, and disseminating information among forum members. They will conduct training sessions for the Prevention Forum and monitor results for the Fellowship program, collecting data through surveys and developing comprehensive learning reports. The consultant will also provide inputs for UN Women’s bi-annual and annual reporting on Prevention Forum activities, ensuring that disability inclusion issues are reflected in reports. Additionally, the consultant will support capacity development on LNOB (Leave No One Behind) issues, particularly focusing on disability inclusion, and will ensure that these issues are integrated into programmatic interventions. The consultant will be expected to attend meetings and collaborate with various stakeholders throughout the contract period.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree in Gender Studies, International Development, social science, or a related field. They should have at least 10 years of relevant experience in programming and implementation related to gender equality and disability inclusion. A minimum of 7 years of experience managing platforms or networks focused on user-centric design, scalability, and accessibility is required. Additionally, candidates should have at least 5 years of experience in developing digital training content and materials, particularly in GBV prevention and disability inclusion. Experience working with diverse stakeholders, including NGOs, international organizations, and government entities, is essential. Proficiency in using office software and communication platforms is required, and previous experience with the United Nations is considered an asset.

Educational Background:
The educational requirement for this position is a Master’s degree in Gender Studies, International Development, social science, or an equivalent field. This advanced degree is essential for understanding the complexities of gender issues and the nuances of disability inclusion within the context of development work.

Experience:
The position requires a significant level of experience, specifically at least 10 years in a relevant role focused on programming and implementation in the fields of gender equality and disability inclusion. Candidates should have a proven track record of managing platforms or networks that emphasize user-centric design and accessibility, with at least 7 years of experience in this area. Furthermore, candidates should have at least 5 years of experience in developing digital training content and materials, particularly with a focus on GBV prevention and disability inclusion, as well as experience working with a variety of stakeholders from different sectors.

Languages:
Fluency in both English and Bangla is mandatory for this position. This requirement ensures effective communication with diverse stakeholders and the ability to engage in advocacy and training sessions. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset, but English and Bangla are the primary languages needed for this role.

Additional Notes:
The assignment is primarily home-based, but the consultant may be required to attend the office in Dhaka on an as-needed basis. There will be no Daily Subsistence Allowance (DSA) paid at the duty station. If travel outside the duty station is necessary, UN Women will cover travel expenses, and the consultant will receive a per-diem not exceeding the United Nations daily subsistence allowance rate for those locations. The consultant will report to the Partnership and Coordination Analyst and will work closely with thematic unit focal points throughout the contract period. The payment structure is based on the number of days worked, with payments processed at the end of each month upon submission of satisfactory deliverables and progress reports.