UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built. We offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, a bright future

How can you make a difference? 

Purpose of Activity/Assignment: Linked to the Strategic Plan 2026-2029, the Global Disability Team of UNICEF is working to develop flagship initiatives and provide technical support to implement strategic interventions at country level that accelerate disability inclusion at scale. This includes the development and activation of two flagship global initiatives: (1) a Global Programme on Children with Disabilities aimed at supporting flagship countries to forge a pathway of change for 20 million children with disabilities in 20–25 countries, directly reaching 8% of the global total and positively impacting 60–80 million family members, particularly women and girls providing unpaid care; and (2) a continental initiative on Inclusive Vision and Hearing in Africa, spearheaded by the African Union and UNICEF, together with a range of technical partners and stakeholders.

It also includes mainstreaming disability inclusion into selected major programmes and initiatives, such as the Building Resilience in the Sahel programme, an initiative targeting over 14 million people across 250 municipalities in 5 countries. This investment to drive UNICEF focus on disability inclusion mobilizes intense technical capacity to support Country Offices (COs) engagement with these initiatives, develop the required technical partnerships and facilitate capacity building and knowledge management among participating COs.

The Global Disability Team therefore requires technical support to accompany the development, launch and strategic integration of these initiatives within UNICEF country work, ensuring their technical relevance and alignment with the Strategic Plan 2026-2029, the Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy (DIPAS), UNICEF commitments at the Global Disability Summit and CO priorities. Particular attention is needed to develop resources and deliver technical assistance to French-speaking COs and partners.

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the Terms of Reference here: ToR Technical Support, Disability Inclusion Consultantt TMS.pdf

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have:

Minimum requirements:

Education: Master’s Degree in a sector relevant to the consultancy, e.g. international development, social policy, disability studies. Work Experience:
At least 12 years of professional experience working on issues related to persons or children with disabilities in the context of low- and middle-income countries, particularly West and Central Africa.
Proven track record in disability inclusive programming, including designing and formalizing large-scale programmes, drafting Theories of Change, results frameworks, and proposals/ investment cases.
Demonstrated experience of capacity building and technical support on disability rights and policies, including advising public policy development or review, systems strengthening including cross-sectoral collaboration and/or financing for disability inclusion.
Substantial experience of engagement with OPDs from local to international levels.
Prior experience of engagement with UNICEF, including CPD processes.
Language Requirements:
Proficient in English and French (excellent oral and written skills).
Knowledge/Expertise/Skills:
Technical knowledge in coordinating multi-sectoral work on disability inclusion, using a rights-based approach, promoting scale and integration.
Deep understanding of the CRPD and the commitments of the Global Disability Summit (specifically the Amman-Berlin Declaration).
Strong skills in producing quality evidence on disability inclusion, including research, disability reviews
Strong and effective coordination skills across multiple and diverse partners at different levels (e.g. high-level officials, technical experts, grassroots organizations).
Ability to design and lead technical webinars and workshops for diverse audiences, from government officials to field-level staff, using inclusive facilitation and participatory approaches.
Ability to work independently and manage multiple deadlines.
Ability to work remotely across multiple time zones, strong interpersonal communication and diplomatic skills.
Desirables:
Familiarity with UNICEF’s DIPAS (Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy) is a significant advantage
An existing professional network within relevant African stakeholders (African Union, African OPDs), major global disability stakeholders (governmental, civil society, academia)
Experience supporting disability inclusion in emergency context is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate Care

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

Qualified candidates are invited to submit the following documents via the online recruitment portal (Talent Management System):

An up-to-date TMS profile and curriculum vitae (CV)
Cover letter
A separate financial proposal Financial Proposal Technical Support, Disability Inclusion Consultant.docx

Remarks: If the TOR or financial proposal documents are not visible on certain recruitment platforms, please visit our official page Vacancies | UNICEF Careers

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.

Technical Support, Disability Inclusion Consultant, Disability Team, GPD, NYHQ, 36 months (Remote/Work from home)