- Disability-related research materials and background documents to support ESCWA’s provision of technical assistance to member states.
- Bi-monthly reports and regular follow-ups on the projects ESCWA and its partners currently implement.
- Documentation and reporting of disability-related missions to member states.
- Reports and minutes of meetings held by ESCWA with member states and partners.
UN-House ESCWA
6 months
Background:
Persons with disabilities in the Arab region are one of the most marginalized and excluded population groups. They remain excluded from participating in public life due to several barriers. Social and physical surroundings are inaccessible, and their educational achievements and employment rates are significantly lower than those without disabilities. This situation is perpetuated and aggravated by environmental and social barriers, discriminatory attitudes, and inaccessible facilities. In humanitarian crises and situations of armed conflict, the number of persons with disabilities increases along with their limited access to assistance, services, and livelihoods. They also often face heightened protection concerns due to the breakdown of community structures and social cohesion. Despite the difficult situation of persons with disabilities in the Arab region, many ESCWA member States have made progressive steps towards higher inclusivity. All ESCWA member states signed or ratified the CRPD and have developed enabling legal and policy frameworks, best practices, and success stories of empowering persons with disabilities.
ESCWA is mandated to provide technical support to member States in adopting a rights-based approach to equitable, inclusive, and participatory social development toward achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. ESCWA has an extensive body of knowledge on disability issues in the Arab region; regularly carries out studies on disability-related issues, policies, and best practices in the region; monitors implementation of certain aspects of the CRPD and SDGs by the Arab States; delivers thematic expert group meetings and workshops for member States on subjects important for the region; and has access to an extensive network of experts on disability-related matters.
Due to the increased demand for ESCWA's assistance to member states on disability-related issues, a disability research assistant is needed to contribute to the work of the disability team. The research assistant will cooperate closely and report to ESCWA’s Regional Adviser on Disability.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Assist in developing a tool consisting of early intervention activities that parents of children with disabilities aged 0 to 5 could use to promote the development of their children.
- Follow up on the field testing of a ‘Family-based Early Intervention Package’ for children with disabilities from 0 to 5 years old currently piloted in three Social Development Centers in Lebanon.
- Support research on disability assessment and determination tools.
- Support the development of mechanisms and relevant materials for implementing the Community-Based Inclusive Development (CBID) approach to disability.
- Assist in establishing regional disability networks on Inclusive Education and Community-Based Inclusive Development.
- Provide support in rolling-out Inclusive Education package in Arab countries.
- Assist in preparing and reporting RPTC missions, including workshop materials, PowerPoints, media coverage, and documentation.
- Assist in researching disability-related topics to enhance disability inclusion in ESCWA member states.
- Conduct other duties as requested.
A bachelor’s degree in social sciences, Public Policy, Political Science or any other related area is required.
All candidates must submit a copy of the required educational degree. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
One year of experience in disability-related projects, policy and program administration, and general office support is required.
Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat; and Arabic is a working language of ESCWA.
For this position, fluency in Arabic and English is required.
Note: “Fluency” equals a rating of ‘fluent’ in all four areas (speak, read, write, and understand) and “Knowledge of” equals a rating of ‘confident’ in two of the four areas.
THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.