Disability Rights and Inclusion Specialist

Mission and objectives

This UNV assignment with UNDP will support efforts to strengthen disability-related policies. Persons with disabilities are highly encouraged to apply.

As the United Nations lead agency on international development, UNDP works in 170 countries and territories to eradicate poverty and reduce inequality. We help countries to develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities, institutional capabilities, and to build resilience to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Our work is concentrated in three focus areas; sustainable development, democratic governance and peace building, and climate and disaster resilience.

Context

The 2006 UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) promotes equality and inclusion by urging the removal of societal barriers. UNDP supports this through the UN Disability Inclusion Strategy, integrating disability into sectors like gender and climate action while offering targeted initiatives. It also participates in the UN Partnership on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNPRPD) to advance CRPD goals. In the ECA region, the UNDP Istanbul Hub works on inclusive governance and public services, with this UN Volunteer role focused on strengthening disability-related policies through collaboration with national and regional partners.

Task description

Under the direct supervision of the Policy Specialist on Rule of Law, Security and Human Rights, in the Governance and Peacebuilding Team, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

1. Support mainstreaming and integration of disability rights and inclusion principles, practices and design in UNDP policy and programmatic initiatives and engagements in the region, as informed by data and evidence;
2. Contribute to establishing a state-of-the-art knowledge base on disability data and information in the region, including through conduct of needs assessments, consultations, and desktop analysis, to identify issues, challenges, and opportunities according to development contexts in the region;
3. Support formulation of UNDP Istanbul Regional Hub’s Disability Rights and Inclusion Strategy through close consultation with COs, development partners, UN agencies, and other stakeholders, including support to the formulation of concept notes, project documents, and programmatic ideas to advance the Strategy in particular, and disability inclusion in general, in the region;
4. Support the development and rollout of learning and training programs to enhance capacity and awareness of disability rights and inclusion internally within UNDP and externally with partner institutions
5. Develop and strengthen partnerships with relevant organizations, including UN entities, on disability rights and inclusion and empowerment of people living with disabilities, particularly women, youth and people on the move.
6. Perform other tasks as may be needed for the effective fulfillment of these functions. 

To create a profile and apply for this assigment, please visit here.

Requirements

• At least 3 years experiences in disability inclusion mainstreaming and integration; communications and advocacy; policy and programme development; integrated approaches; partnership development. Additional years of relevant experience is desired.
• Technical Skills: Proficiency in the use of computers and office software packages (e.g., MS Word, Excel) and advanced knowledge of web-based management systems. Familiarity with the UN Disability Inclusion Strategy (UNDIS) and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) is highly desirable.
• Analytical and Communication Skills: Strong analytical skills, along with excellent written and oral communication abilities, are essential. 
• Knowledge and Experience with UN Systems and the ECA region: Prior experience working within the UN system or similar international organizations is an asset.
• Language Proficiency: Fluency in written and spoken English is required. 

Living conditions and remarks

The UN Volunteer will be based in Istanbul (center in European Side) and responsible for arranging her/his own housing and other living essentials. The full entitlements at the duty station.

Summary of National UN Volunteer (Expert) Entitlements: (paid in local currency)

• Current Monthly Living Allowance (MLA) is USD 1,904 (paid in local currency)
• Private insurance: Health, dental, life and dismemberment coverage by CIGNA . As per UN’s diplomatic mission status, it is not included in National Security Institution’s (SGK) system but can be only initiated on private basis.
• Entry allowance: USD 400
• Exit allowance: USD 113 per month and upon the satisfactory completion of assignment
• Annual leave: 2.5 days accrued per calendar month
• Free access to different learning platforms and UN & UNV network

Notes: 1) The allowances are in no way to be understood as a compensation, reward or salary in exchange for the volunteer work. 2) It's important to note that UNV assignments are volunteer assignments, not employment. The purpose of the allowances and entitlements paid to UN Volunteers is to enable UN Volunteers to sustain a secure standard of living at the duty stations in line with United Nations standards without incurring personal costs. The allowances are in no way to be understood as compensation, reward, or salary in exchange for the UN Volunteer’s service. Contingent on specific eligibility criteria, location of the volunteer assignment, and contractual type and category, the payment of allowances will begin from the date of Commencement of Service For more information on entitlements please read the Condition of Service.

Inclusivity statement

United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

Persons with disabilities are highly encouraged to apply.