Consultant for the Development of the UNESCO Disability Inclusion Strategy (Phased Approach)

OVERVIEW

Parent Sector : Sector For Administration and Management (ADM)

Duty Station: Paris

Job Family: Social and Human Sciences

Type of contract : Non Staff / Consultant

Duration of contract : From 7 to 11 months

Recruitment open to : External candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 25-OCT-2024

UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

1. Background
 

Over the years, UNESCO has implemented activities that foster disability rights across its programme sectors. The unique expertise of UNESCO’s sectors in ensuring impactful interventions for persons with disabilities at global, national, and local levels, while facilitating the upscaling of promising initiatives, contributes to enhancing UNESCO’s niche within the UN system and the broader international community.

Disability inclusion is gaining prominence in the various work streams of UNESCO’s programme sectors. By identifying the cross-cutting forms of discrimination, the Roadmap against Racism and Discrimination contributes to the promotion of disability inclusion. UNESCO is actively contributing as a policy board member of the UN Partnership for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNPRPD) which fosters joint programming to assist countries in planning and conducting the actions they should take to imple¬ment the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

In line with the United Nations Disability Inclusion Strategy (UNDIS), UNESCO is dedicated to mainstreaming disability inclusion across its programmes and operations. Developing a robust Disability Inclusion Strategy is pivotal for UNESCO to not only guide its efforts in fully considering persons with disabilities in all activities but also to fulfill its commitment to significantly advancing disability inclusion by 2030. This strategic endeavor holds the potential to create a transformative impact, fostering an inclusive environment within the Organization, guiding targeted programme and project development and implementation and serving as a model for promoting inclusion globally within the fields of education, science, culture, communication, and information.

UNESCO seeks a consultant to facilitate the development of a phased Disability Inclusion Strategy (UNESCO DIS) consisting of two key deliverables:

• Phase 1: A high-level strategy, referred to as the "UNESCO Disability Inclusion Strategic Framework," to be completed by end January 2025.
• Phase 2: A detailed implementation strategy, referred to as the "UNESCO Disability Inclusion Implementation Strategy," to be finalized by end June 2025.

Long Description

2. Purpose of the Consultancy
 

The consultant will be responsible for developing both the high-level Strategic Framework and the detailed Implementation Strategy and all related materials.

3. Duties and Responsibilities
 

Under the overall supervision of the Chair of the UNESCO Intersectoral Task Team on Disability Rights and Inclusion, and in direct coordination with the Disability Inclusion and Accessibility Officer, the consultant will perform the following duties:

Long Description

Phase 1: Development of the UNESCO Disability Inclusion Strategic Framework

• Conduct a thorough review of relevant documents, including the UNCRPD, UNDIS, Disability Inclusion Strategies from other UN system entities, UNESCO's key frameworks, conventions, publications, and any other existing or relevant planned Disability Inclusion initiatives.
• Organize and conduct targeted surveys, key interviews, and focused group discussions to gather inputs by engaging with the UNESCO Intersectoral Task Team, sector focal points, Member States, and key stakeholders.
• Develop and draft the high-level UNESCO Disability Inclusion Strategic Framework, outlining the vision, mission, key strategic priorities, and high-level objectives.
• Incorporate feedback from the UNESCO Intersectoral Task Team, sector focal points, Member States and other key stakeholders and finalize the Strategic Framework for internal presentation and approval.
• Prepare written materials, including the draft of the Executive Board Document and presentations slides to submit the Strategic Framework for approval at the Spring 2025 session of UNESCO's Executive Board.

Long Description

Phase 2: Development of the UNESCO Disability Inclusion Implementation Strategy

• Conduct expanded consultations involving additional and more diverse groups of stakeholders, including civil society organizations, representative groups of persons with disabilities, UN System entities, foundations, private sector entities, and other relevant stakeholders in disability inclusion. This expanded consultation should aim to gather more detailed and context-specific input to inform the Implementation Strategy.
• Develop tailored programmatic approaches for each of UNESCO's sectors (Education, Culture, Natural Sciences, Social and Human Sciences, and Communication and Information), alongside cross-sectoral and organizational strategies. These organizational strategies should focus on mainstreaming disability inclusion within UNESCO’s policies, workforce practices, accessibility standards, and intersectoral coordination. This work should be conducted in close consultation with the UNESCO Intersectoral Task Team (ITT), the UNESCO Field Network, and Sector Executive Officers.
• Draft the Implementation Strategy, incorporating feedback from Member States, the UNESCO Intersectoral Task Team, sector focal points, and other internal and external key stakeholders and outlining detailed implementation measures, monitoring, and accountability frameworks.
• Finalize internal approval of the Implementation Strategy and prepare materials, including the draft Executive Board document and presentation slides, for submission at the 222nd Session of the Executive Board in Autumn 2025..
• Develop a detailed monitoring and evaluation framework for the Implementation Strategy, including baselines, targets and indicators for measuring progress.
• Develop a communication and dissemination plan for the Implementation Strategy to ensure its effective implementation and uptake.

4. Deliverables
 

High-Level Strategic Framework (January 2025):

• Inception report: A detailed Inception Report outlining the methodology, work plan, timeline, and key milestones for both Phase 1 (Strategic Framework) and Phase 2 (Implementation Strategy) of the Disability Inclusion Strategy development. This report should include specific activities planned for each phase, risk analysis, mitigation measures, and a stakeholder engagement plan to ensure effective consultations throughout both phases.
• Consultation report: A focused Consultation Report summarizing key findings from stakeholder engagement activities conducted during Phase 1. The report should capture the main inputs, concerns, and recommendations.
• Progress status report: A concise Weekly Status Report providing updates on the progress of activities, key accomplishments, challenges faced, and next steps. Each report should highlight any deviations from the work plan and propose corrective actions if necessary.
• Draft Strategic Framework: The Draft Strategic Framework, including the vision, mission, strategic priorities, high-level objectives, and preliminary implementation considerations for disability inclusion within UNESCO. This draft should incorporate initial feedback from consultations and reflect UNESCO’s overarching mandate.
• Final Strategic Framework: The Final Strategic Framework that has been revised based on comprehensive feedback from UNESCO's governing bodies, key stakeholders, and sector focal points. This document should be formatted and ready for presentation to UNESCO's Executive Board.
• Presentation materials: Presentation Materials, including slides and any supporting visuals or handouts, designed to effectively communicate the Strategic Framework to internal stakeholders and Governing Bodies. The materials should be clear, accessible, and tailored to the audience to facilitate understanding and buy-in.

Implementation Strategy (June 2025):

• Phase Start Report: A report prepared after the completion of Phase 1 to reassess and update the inception plan, incorporating feedback and lessons learned from the development of the Strategic Framework. This report should refine the work plan, timeline, stakeholder engagement methods, risk management strategies, and expected outputs for Phase 2 to ensure coherence and alignment with the findings and outcomes of Phase 1.

• Bi-Weekly status report: A concise status report submitted every two weeks during Phase 2, providing updates on activity progress, key accomplishments, challenges encountered, and planned next steps. Each report should clearly identify any deviations from the work plan and suggest corrective actions, if needed. The frequency of reporting may be adjusted temporarily in response to changing circumstances or project needs.

• Expanded consultation report: A comprehensive Consultation Report summarizing the findings from expanded stakeholder engagement activities conducted during Phase 2. The report should capture detailed inputs, concerns, recommendations, and actionable insights gathered through a combination of methods such as focus groups, in-depth interviews, workshops, and surveys. Stakeholders should include UNESCO sector representatives, civil society organizations, representatives of persons with disabilities, private sector entities, government officials, and other relevant partners to ensure an inclusive and thorough consultation process.

• Draft Implementation Strategy: The Draft Implementation Strategy document for Disability Inclusion, which details the implementation plan for the Strategic Framework developed in Phase 1. This draft should include programmatic approaches for each UNESCO sector, specific implementation measures, timelines, roles and responsibilities, monitoring and accountability frameworks, and proposed indicators for measuring progress.

• Final Implementation Strategy: The Final Implementation Strategy, incorporating feedback from the Intersectoral Task Team, sector representatives, and all relevant stakeholders. This document should be fully formatted and ready for dissemination, serving as a comprehensive blueprint for implementation. It should include sector-specific plans, an integrated monitoring and evaluation framework, accountability mechanisms, and a detailed timeline for actions.

• Presentation materials: Presentation materials, including slides, visuals, and supporting documents, tailored to effectively communicate the details of the Implementation Strategy to UNESCO’s Executive Board and other relevant stakeholders. The materials should be accessible, visually engaging, and provide a clear summary of the strategy's objectives, key actions, and implementation plan.

• List of Necessary Implementation Guidelines:  A detailed list of specific implementation guidelines and toolkits to be developed after the completion of Phases 1 and 2, outlining priority areas, responsible entities, and the timeline for developing these guidelines. This list should clearly specify the nature of the guidelines and how they will support the effective rollout of the Disability Inclusion Strategy. The development of these guidelines and toolkits is outside the scope of this consultancy.

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)

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REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in human and social sciences, international development, public policy, disability studies, or a related field.

Work Experience

• Minimum of 7 years of relevant professional experience in disability inclusion, policy development, or related fields.
• Proven experience in developing policies and strategies related to Disability Inclusion within the UN system or similar international organizations. With at least one example of an experience similar to the one expected in this assignment.
• Demonstrated experience in managing complex projects involving multiple stakeholders, particularly in the field of disability Inclusion.

Skills & Competencies

• Comprehensive understanding of the United Nations system, with a particular focus on UNESCO's mandate, its sectors (Education, Culture, Natural Sciences, Social and Human Sciences, and Communication and Information), and the role it plays within the broader UN framework.
• In-depth knowledge of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) and the United Nations Disability Inclusion Strategy (UNDIS), including their core principles, objectives, and applications within international organizations. The candidate should demonstrate practical experience in applying these frameworks in strategic planning or programmatic contexts.
• Excellent analytical, research, and writing skills, with the demonstrated ability to produce precise, concise, and actionable strategic documents. Examples should include reports, strategy documents, or policy briefs.
• Proven ability to engage and consult effectively with diverse stakeholders, including persons with disabilities, civil society organizations, government representatives, UN entities, and other relevant groups, in a multicultural context. This includes demonstrated experience in employing inclusive and participatory consultation methods, such as focus groups, interviews, workshops, and surveys, to ensure meaningful input from all stakeholders.
• Strong project management skills with a track record of timely delivering high-quality outputs.
• Knowledge of and experience in applying Results Based Management (RBM) principles.

Languages

• Excellent communication skills in English (written and oral).

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Skills & Competencies

• Demonstrate in-depth understanding of the 2030 Agenda principle of Leaving-no one behind (LNOB)
• Understanding of UN mandates in Human Rights and intersectionality themes intersecting with Disability Inclusion. Experience applying these intersectional approaches is considered an asset.
• Advanced IT and data visualization skills, with the ability to produce visual content for the strategy, including graphics, tables, charts, and infographics.

Languages

• Working knowledge of French is desirable (demonstrated through at least one relevant work example).

WORK LOCATION & TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS

The consultancy could be conducted remotely; however, the consultant will be required to undertake a minimum of four one-week missions to UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, France.

These missions will include:

• one at the start of Phase 1,
• one at the end of Phase 1,
• one at the start of Phase 2, and
• one at the end of Phase 2.

Additional missions to UNESCO Headquarters or other offices within the UNESCO Field Network may be required depending on project needs. All travel costs associated with these missions will be covered by UNESCO in accordance with its internal rules and regulations. Therefore, travel costs should not be included in the financial proposal.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Interested candidates should submit their applications through the UNESCO Careers portal by 25/10/2024.

Applications should include - under the ''Employment History Form''section in one combined file:

• A cover letter detailing your qualifications and experience, explicitly addressing how they align with each key requirement of this consultancy. The letter should explain your motivation for applying, provide your understanding of the key goals and challenges of the assignment, and present a high-level overview of your proposed approach. The cover letter should focus on highlighting your experience in broad terms and explaining how you meet the requirements without including in-depth examples, which will be submitted separately.

• A detailed curriculum vitae (CV) outlining your professional experience, education, skills, and relevant certifications. The CV should include dates of employment, specific roles and responsibilities, and highlight relevant experience in disability inclusion, strategy development, and policy implementation.

• Provide specific examples of relevant work or publications that demonstrate your experience and expertise in disability inclusion, such as reports, articles, research papers, project evaluations, strategic frameworks, or other materials. Where possible, please provide digital versions or hyperlinks to each example. These examples should clearly illustrate your role in the project, the context of the work, and the outcomes achieved, with a particular emphasis on experience related to disability rights, inclusion strategies, or policy development within international organizations. Additionally, please provide the name, email, and telephone number of the clients or employers responsible for the three most relevant projects or assignments to this context.

• A detailed financial proposal for the entire assignment, including a breakdown of costs by phase, estimated working days, and daily rates.

SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS

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