Consultancy: Assistive Technology / Alterative Augmentative Communication Expert (40 working days between December 2021 and May 2022) – Europe and Central Asia Regional Office, Geneva, Switzerland

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For every child, Protection 

Background

The assignment will include support to UNICEF Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia (ECARO) and UNICEF country offices in Europe and Central Asia (ECA) Region in initiating data collection and policy development towards building national ecosystems for assistive technologies (AT) and alternative augmentative communication (AAC) to meet the needs of children with disabilities for functioning, participation in learning and in the community from early years through adulthood.

Article 7 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) obliges States Parties to take all necessary measures to ensure the full enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by children with disabilities on an equal basis with other children. Several articles recognize that assistive technology is the first step for a child with a disability to play with other children; go to school and be educated; and to become a successful citizen and contributing member of society. AT is instrumental in overcoming barriers that constrain them from seeking justice and redress when their rights are violated or denied. For many children, AT represents the difference between enjoying their rights or being deprived of them. AT includes products and related services that improve the functioning of children with disabilities. It can be instrumental for children’s development and health, as well as for participation in various facets of life: communication, mobility, self-care, household tasks, family relationships, education, and engagement in play and recreation. Furthermore, it is essential for children with complex communication needs to be identified early and supported with adequate intervention which include AAC solutions.

Globally, it is estimated that over 1 billion people need at least one form of AT, but over 90% do not have access to the AT they require. There is limited data for children with disabilities in ECA region and the extent to which AT/AAC is used. Furthermore, it is estimated there is around 1,3 million children with speech, language and communication needs and around 340,000 of them need AAC.

Challenges that people with disabilities are facing in countries in ECA region in accessing quality and affordable AT seems to be similar to those reported worldwide: inadequate funding and lack of inclusion of AT in insurance schemes; fragmented procurement; weak national policy frameworks; complex distribution and logistics; limited service delivery capacity; insufficient product and service standards for various contexts; inadequate number of trained providers and appropriate products; and stigma and discrimination. All of this is coupled with the lack of awareness of available AT among users, potential users, service providers, and country governments. A coordinated approach to overcoming identified market barriers is needed to continue to build and shape the market for AT.

UNICEF contributes to the commitments of the global AT Scale Partnership launched at the 2018 Disability Summit – for instance, UNICEF collaborated with WHO on the development of the WHO Assistive Product Specifications for persons with disabilities, as well as development of procurement manual. At regional and country level, UNICEF coordinates and collaborates with WHO in data collection, policy dialogue and system and institution strengthening. For instance, WHO is currently undertaking data collection on AT (rATA and ATA-C) to map the supply and demand side gaps as the foundation for policy dialogue and development in Azerbaijan, Ukraine, Tajikistan and Georgia, and UNICEF is involved in the consultations to ensure the child perspective and a cross sectoral approach that also involves education, WASH, and social protection, in addition to the health perspective.

At the same time, UNICEF at country level is supporting various initiatives to address the complex demand and supply barriers mentioned: 1) pilots related to use of AT/AAC as part of early intervention, inclusive education and community support services; 2) strengthening institutional set-up- for provision of AT- for instance, establishment of national resource centres for AT; 3) capacity building programmes for service providers (specialists) 4) strengthening national mechanisms for procurement of AT.

Purpose of the assignment & Main tasks

This consultancy is required to guide UNICEF regional and country level work from the child perspective and link it with broader AT related initiatives, primarily undertaken by WHO, and at the same time provide technical assistance to selected countries to advance in the implementation of various AT related initiatives as good practices that could be replicated in ECA region and beyond.

Under the supervision of the ECARO Disability Focal Point, two consultants will be hired who will work together on the following:

1. Develop a framework with considerations for provision and use of AT and AAC for children with developmental delays and children with disabilities that can be used by UNICEF and national stakeholders at country level to undertake rapid assessments or complement and inform broader surveys.
2. In Bosnia and Hercegovina: to undertake a rapid needs assessment based on the framework with considerations to help UNICEF and national stakeholders in identifying key barriers (policy, funding, institutional set-up, capacity of providers) and identify entry points for policy reforms, including potential models for provision of assistive technologies.
3. In Ukraine: to complement the WHO surveys (r-ATA and ATA-C) and provide an additional assessment of challenges and needs of children with disabilities for AT and AAC for learning and participation as well as and system gaps specific to children with disabilities.
4. In Armenia: to undertake a rapid assessment based in the framework for considerations, advise on the institutional set-up and reforms, update the national list of AT for education (emphasizing AAC) and build/advise on capacity building, advise on policy gaps on using ATs, emphasizing low-cost solutions.

Work Assignment Overview

Tasks / Milestone	Deliverables / Outputs	Timeline
1.  Develop a framework with considerations for AT/AAC provision and use for children with developmental delays and children with disabilities across life cycle, as well as considerations for building national ecosystem systems across all areas (policy, provision, people, personnel, procurement)	i. Develop a framework with considerations	5 working days;  by end of December 2021
2. In Ukraine: undertake rapid needs assessment and identify entry points for reform	i. Review of national documents, reports (including WHO surveys on AT) to identify gaps specific to provision and use of AT/AAC for children with disabilities	2 working days;  by end of February 2022
	ii. Data collection with children with disabilities, parents, OPDs, and national stakeholders	10 working days;  by end of April 2022
	iii. Develop a draft report with findings and recommendations	5 working days;  by mid-May 2022
	iv. Present the draft to a key group of national stakeholders	1 working day;  by end of May 2022
	v. Organize two webinars on specific areas identified as urgent priority and entry point for national AT/AAC reform	4 working days;  May 2022
	vi. Final report from the needs assessment	2 working days;  by end of May 2022
3. In Armenia: Support for establishment of a National Resource Centre on AT	i. Data collection with children with disabilities, parents, OPDs, and national stakeholders	10 working days;  by end of March 2022
	ii. Present the draft to a key group of national stakeholders	1 working day;  by mid-April 2022

Estimated Duration of the Contract

40 working days (between December 2021 and May 2022)

Consultant’s Work Place and Official Travel

The Consultant will be home-based.

Estimated Cost of the Consultancy & Payment Schedule

Payment will be made on submission of an invoice and satisfactory completion of the above-mentioned deliverables.

To qualify as an advocate for every child, you will have…

• Bachelor’s degree in a field related to assistive technology.
• Minimum 5 years of progressively responsible professional work experience related to implementation of assistive technology and AAC, preferably in education, social protection sectors, and for children with disabilities, both at the national and international levels.
• Knowledge and experience in AT/AAC international agenda, recent initiatives and reforms, key concepts, and strategies.
• Knowledge and experience in AT/AAC national provision (policy, legislation, funding, capacity development).
• Experience of working with Govt., Organizations of Persons with Disabilities, I/NGOs, Professional associations, and developmental partners is essential.
• Work experience in organizing policy dialogue process with decision makers and key stakeholders will be desirable.
• Good knowledge of how AT/AAC fits in Speech Therapy, special education support, therapies.
• Knowledge of the ECA region and country context will be an asset.
• Ability to synthesize knowledge and effectively express ideas in writing; and ability to coordinate with external partners.
• Ability to work in multicultural and multidisciplinary settings and excellent interpersonal skills.
• Fluency in English (oral and written). Knowledge of another UN language is an asset.
• Experience of working within the UN system.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF core values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

Remarks:

Please include a full CV and Financial Proposal in your application. Additionally, indicate your availability and daily rate (in US$) to undertake the terms of reference above. Applications submitted without a daily rate will not be considered. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.