Disability Inclusion Specialist

The United Nations Resident Coordinator is the highest-ranking UN representative in country and leads the UN Country Team (UNCT) in Ghana, coordinating the UN System support to the Government of Ghana (GoG) and peoples of Ghana in achieving their development priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals. Towards achieving this, the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office (RCO) supports and maximizes, in a coordinated fashion, the work of the UNCT to enable the UN Development System (UNDS) provide a collective, joined-up, coherent, timely and country-driven integrated response to support Ghana meet its national priorities, within the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and other international commitments.

The RC system convenes stakeholders and connects knowledge across sectors and pillars to facilitate solutions that advance the 2030 agenda and facilitate the achievement the SDGs, providing visibility and synergies from the collective assets and capacities of the UN development system. These coordination investments enable the UNDS to offer an integrated approach and a joined-up response to the development needs through policy support and strategic interventions that are catalytic and aligned to Ghana’s vision, increasing efficiencies and leveraging economies of scale wherever possible.

UN Ghana is strengthening disability inclusion across programming, internal systems, and operations-aiming to create a more accessible and inclusive UN, and increase the participation of persons with disabilities in its workforce. Through the Joint UNPRPD Programme, the UN has supported legislative and policy reform, equitable access to services, economic empowerment, and capacity-building for OPDs, government, and civil society. It has also enhanced disability data systems to support inclusive planning, budgeting, and SDG monitoring. The UNCT continues to implement the UN Disability Inclusion Strategy and its accountability framework, focusing on leadership, inclusiveness, programming, and organizational culture. In 2024, the Interagency Group on Disability Inclusion drove system-wide change through:
• Technical and financial support to OPDs and government for the Persons with Disabilities Bill, 2024 and the establishment of a National Working Committee on Disability following Ghana’s CRPD review.
• Facilitation of a Parliamentary Caucus on Disability to strengthen legislative engagement.
• Launch of an internal disability inclusion campaign and staff training across operations, leading to improved alignment with UNDIS and the UNSDCF.
• Integration of disability in strategic planning and rollout of a four-year accessibility improvement plan for UN premises.
• Co-development of inclusive emergency preparedness tools with OPDs, including a multisectoral rapid assessment tool.
• Support to Government Statistical Service to assess and develop a national framework for inclusion of disability in data

Assignment Place Remarks:

This assignment is part of UNV’s disability inclusion strategy. UNV seeks to 1) provide opportunities for persons with disabilities to serve as UN Volunteers 2) enable UN partners to expand diversity and inclusion of persons with disabilities in their workforce worldwide 3) build a talent pipeline of qualified professionals with disabilities who can contribute to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at national and global levels, with focus on national capacity.

The Host Office is in charge to fund and put necessary reasonable accommodation measures that may be required.
Reasonable Accommodation
The UN system is committed to creating an inclusive workplace and commits to taking appropriate measures to enable persons with disabilities to access employment opportunities and benefit equally from employment related opportunities by providing reasonable accommodation. Reasonable accommodation may differ depending on the disability and individual requirements. Reasonable accommodation means “necessary and appropriate modification and adjustments not imposing a disproportionate or undue burden, where needed in a particular case, to ensure to persons with disabilities the enjoyment or exercise on an equal basis with others of all human rights and fundamental freedoms “(Article 2, UN CRPD).
Accessibility
The main entrance of the building is wheel-chair accessible. Office space and bathroom are wheel-chair accessible, office equipment can be accessed by a person using a wheelchair. Security and emergency protocol consider persons with disabilities. All accessible facilities are marked with symbols or signs. Accessible transportation to commute from/to the office is available. Alternative printing and assistive technology can be provided upon request. Captioning services can be provided upon request.

A dedicated UNV Disability Inclusion Specialist will be supporting UN Country Team (UNCT) in operationalizing the UN Disability Inclusion Strategy, strengthening inter-agency coordination, facilitating capacity-building, and ensuring disability perspectives are systematically integrated into planning, programming, monitoring, evaluation and reporting processes. Under the direct supervision of the Head of the Resident Coordinator’s Office, the Disability Inclusion Specialist will undertake the following tasks:

1. Disability Inclusion in Programming:

• Support the integration and mainstreaming of disability inclusion across all UNCT programmatic interventions, strategies, and frameworks, in line with the UN Disability Inclusion (UNDIS).
• Contribute technical inputs, develop inclusive programming guidelines, and facilitate capacity-building to strengthen staff competencies in disability-inclusive programming.

2. Implementation of UNDIS:

• Coordinate the effective implementation of UNDIS in line with the Business Operations Strategy (BOS), through partnership with cooperation framework Results Group and Thematic Groups to promote operational efficiency, accessibility, and inclusivity.
• Monitor implementation progress, prepare updates for senior management, and identify opportunities for continuous improvement in line with disability inclusion benchmarks.

3. Collaboration with Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs):
• Facilitate regular, structured engagement with OPDs, ensuring their meaningful participation in UNCT programming and policy dialogue.
• Support the implementation of theUN Partnership on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNPRPD) project by coordinating with the project implementation team in relevant agencies to facilitate stakeholder consultations, strengthening capacities, and enhancing collaboration between OPDs, government actors, and civil society.

4. Guidance and Technical Advice on Inclusion

• Act as a key technical resource on disability inclusion for the Human Rights and Inclusion Group and across the UNCT.
• Closely engage with the other UNCT groups - such as the Operations Management Team, Results Groups, and the Inter-Agency Working Groups.
• Develop and deliver training sessions, guidance materials, and communication products (e.g., toolkits, manuals) to build awareness and foster inclusive practices across UN entities.
• Provide secretariat support to the Disability Inclusion sub working group.

5. Monitoring UNDIS and the Disability Scorecard

• Lead the rollout and application of the disability inclusion scorecard within the UNCT, ensuring regular monitoring, gap analysis, and data-driven recommendations.
• Prepare analytical reports and present key findings to inform strategic planning and enhance accountability across UNCT operations.

6. Policy and Document Review

• Review and advise on key policy documents, strategic frameworks, and operational tools to ensure alignment with disability rights standards and UNDIS principles.
• Participate in relevant internal and external fora (e.g., working groups, committees) to advocate for disability inclusion and promote evidence-informed decision-making.

7. Other Assigned Related Tasks
Perform other assigned tasks related to the fostering disability inclusion within the UNCT and Ghana