Development of programmatic guidance for integrating assistive technology in humanitarian action - Req # 575458

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Vacancy Announcement: Consultant

 Consultancy Title: Development of programmatic guidance for integrating assistive technology in humanitarian action

Section/Division/Duty Station: Programme Strategy and Coordination Hub Programme Division, NYHQ

Duration: 1 October 2024 to 15 January  2025

Home/ Office Based: NYHQ / Remote

 About UNICEF – DO NOT EDIT

If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children, the world's leading children's rights organization would like to hear from you. For 70 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children's survival, protection and development. The world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments. UNICEF has over 12,000 staff in more than 145 countries.

BACKGROUND

Purpose of Activity/ Assignment:

 The primary objective of this consultancy is to develop a comprehensive guidance document to integrate Assistive Technology (AT) provision across various sectors within UNICEF programming for humanitarian settings. This guidance will provide essential information on the technical benefits of AT, a list of appropriate AT for each sector, programmatic actions, and service delivery models. This will ensure that each Programme Sector has practical guidance on using AT provision to enable access for children with disabilities or functional limitations to humanitarian programmes . The assignment will contribute to addressing the above challenges through the following: · Limited Scope of Assistive Technology Provision: Broaden the scope and diversify the range of AT products and services across various sectors, ensuring that provision is not limited to those directly affected by the crisis and predominantly in the health sector. · Resource Constraints: Include cost-effective AT options and strategies for resource allocation to maximize impact within limited budgets. · Lack of Awareness and Training: Raise awareness and guide staff and stakeholders on the importance and use of AT within their programme sector. · Integration Across Sectors: outline specific actions for integrating AT into various sectors, ensuring a cohesive approach across all programme areas. · Service Delivery Models: propose adaptable service delivery models that can be tailored to different humanitarian contexts, ensuring flexibility and effectiveness. · Monitoring and Evaluation: include frameworks for monitoring and evaluating the implementation of AT, ensuring continuous improvement and accountability

Scope of Work:

Develop, in collaboration with the Disability Focal Point from each PG Section, cross-sectoral guidance on the ways in which AT products and services enable access for persons with disabilities and functional limitations to the services provided by each of the following sections: Nutrition, Early Childhood Development (ECD), Education, Child Protection, Social Protection, Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH), and Health: 1. Technical Benefits and Sector-Specific AT:

 · Identify and document the technical benefits of AT in the sectors

· Compile a comprehensive list of AT relevant to each sector.

 2. Programmatic Actions:

· Outline specific programmatic actions for AT integration within each sector.

· Develop strategies for effective implementation and monitoring of these actions.

 3. Service Delivery Models:

 · Propose various service delivery models including direct provision, partnerships, referrals, and cash transfers.

 · Ensure that these models are adaptable to emergency contexts.

 4. Coordination: Develop strategies for enhancing coordination on AT delivery within cluster coordination, with a focus on UNICEF-led clusters and AoR, to improve AT provision in emergencies.

 5. Alignment with Existing Guidance: Ensure the new guidance aligns with UNICEF's internal guidelines