Contract Duration- 4 Months

Working arrangement: Home-based

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.

TERMS OF REFERENCE

The purpose of this consultancy is to develop a comprehensive 2026–2030 Action Plan for the UNICEF China Country Office to implement the global Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy (DIPAS). The plan must align with the global vision of creating a barrier-free and inclusive world by 2030, the UNICEF China Country Programme Document (CPD) 2026–2030, and the EAP Regional Initial Action Plan.

The consultant will build upon the achievements and lessons learned from the previous UNICEF China CO’s DIP Strategic Plan 2023–2025, focusing on a twin-track approach (mainstreaming and targeted actions) to advance the rights of children with disabilities in China.

Scope of Work

The purpose of this consultancy is to produce a comprehensive 2026–2030 Disability Inclusion Action Plan for the UNICEF China Country Office that compiles and analyzes findings from internal and external stakeholder consultations, project evaluations, and situation analyses conducted at the national and sub-national levels. The plan will provide insights into the varying degrees of maturity and coverage of the disability inclusion process within UNICEF China’s sectoral and organizational functions, identifying key themes, trends, systemic challenges, and strategic opportunities in both mainstreamed and targeted programming. Finally, it will offer concrete actions with suggested accountabilities and timelines for the new five-year cycle to ensure UNICEF’s future work aligns with the global DIPAS vision of creating a barrier-free and inclusive world where every child with a disability can realize their full potential by 2030.

The consultant will be responsible for the following tasks:

• Desk Review: Review global DIPAS requirements, the EAP Regional Action Plan, the UNICEF China CO 2023–2025 Action Plan, and the new 2026–2030 CPD to ensure strategic alignment.

• Stakeholder Consultations & Interviews: Conduct an indispensable series of interviews with all UNICEF programme and non-programme sections (Social Policy, Child Protection, Public Partnership, CHD, Education, People and Culture, Partnership and Innovation, Operation, Communication, Front Office, PME, etc.) and key external stakeholders, including government partners (e.g., China Disabled Persons Federation) and Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs).

• Desk-based Review & Virtual Consultations: Conduct desk reviews of project implementation materials and organize virtual interviews with sub-national partners to ensure the plan reflects local realities and 'reaches the most marginalized'.

• Action Plan Development: Draft a results-oriented action plan encompassing Programmatic Strategies (cross-sectoral coordination, data, systems strengthening) and Organizational Strategies (accessibility, inclusive HR, and procurement).

• Validation: Facilitate feedback loops with the CCO Task Force on Disability Inclusion to refine and finalize the document.

If you would like to know more about this consultancy, please review the complete Terms of Reference here: Terms of Reference TMC0004339.pdf

Minimum requirements:

Education:

Advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in Social Sciences, Disability Studies, International Development, or a related field

Work Experience:

Minimum of 10 years of professional experience in strategic planning, disability-inclusive programming, or human rights

Language Requirements:

Excellent written and oral communication skills in English (required for the report) and Mandarin Chinese (highly preferred for stakeholder interviews)

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills:

• Deep understanding of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and global UNICEF disability frameworks.

• Proven experience in conducting qualitative interviews and stakeholder consultations.

• Strong familiarity with the Chinese disability policy landscape, including an understanding of the roles of the China Disabled Persons' Federation (CDPF) and the national social protection, health system, education system, and national AT supply system.

Desirables:

Expert knowledge of the global DIPAS 2022–2030 framework and the United Nations Disability Inclusion Strategy (UNDIS) to ensure the new Action Plan meets all global accountability standards.
Proven track record in applying the "Twin-Track Approach," demonstrating the ability to simultaneously mainstream disability inclusion across sectors while designing targeted actions for children with disabilities.
Extensive experience in meaningful stakeholder engagement, specifically in conducting qualitative interviews and rights-based consultations with Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs).
Technical competency in inclusive data frameworks, particularly familiarity with the Washington Group/UNICEF Module on Child Functioning (CFM) for identifying and assessing children with disabilities.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

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, TMS (Talent Management System):

An up-to-date TMS profile and curriculum vitae (CV)
Cover letter
A separate financial proposal (only acceptable in the format of the linked template) Financial proposal TMC0004339.xlsx
A detailed technical proposal

1. Methodology and Work Plan (Max 3 pages): A brief written narrative outlining your proposed approach to stakeholder mapping, qualitative interviews with program sections, and the execution of fieldwork. This should demonstrate how you intend to capture diverse insights efficiently within the short duration of the project.

2. Relevant Experience and Track Record (CV / Profile): Evidence demonstrating your depth of experience in designing and developing disability-inclusive strategic plans or policy frameworks, highlighting any previous assignments with UNICEF, UN entities, or global development agencies.

3. Sample of Written Work: One (1) recent sample of an analytical report, strategic framework, or evaluation document written entirely in English. The sample should demonstrate your ability to synthesize complex qualitative findings into a clear, final document.

Remarks:

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.

Disability Inclusion Action Plan Development Consultant, Beijing, China, Remotely, 4 Month (Open for both National and International) Req#594521