Consultancy: Conducting an Assessment on Domestic Workers Providing Care and Support to Persons with Disabilities 13 views1 applications

Introduction

There is an increasing attention to the inclusion of persons with disabilities in the care economy discussions both beyond and within the International Labour Organization (ILO).

This is reflected, among others, in the recent United Nations Secretary General (UN SG) policy brief on care, in the adoption of the International Day of Care and Support, in the conclusions of the International Labour Conference (ILC) general discussion on the care economy.

Furthermore, the UN Partnership on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities has approved a new multi country programme on unpaid care, gender equality and disability inclusion of which ILO is one of the implementing partners. The role of the ILO role in this programme focuses on improving data related to unpaid (and paid) care and support provided by and for persons with disabilities, as well as addressing working conditions of care providers, including care providers with disabilities. The main target country of the ILO activities in this programme is Kenya.

To complement the work to be done in the context of the multi country programme, some internal ILO funds have been approved to focus in Kenya on the intersection between domestic work and care and support provided by and for persons with disabilities. While the work will be done in Kenya, it is envisaged that the findings will be disseminated globally both by ILO and International Domestic Workers Federation (IDWF). In this regard a survey will be undertaken in collaboration with KUDHEIHA (Kenya Union of Domestic, Hotels, Educational Institutions, Hospitals and Allied Workers), to assess how much care and support to persons with disabilities is being provided by domestic workers, both on a full and part time basis, with a particular focus on their working conditions, occupational safety and health, access to social security, social health protection, relevant skills, gender, migration status, etc. The survey will also seek to assess if there are domestic workers with disabilities, or if they have children or other dependents with disabilities.

The survey will be designed by a consultant in collaboration with KUDHEIHA, Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) such as UDPK (United Disabled Persons of Kenya), IDWF and the ILO. The assessment will also be used to explore what type of social dialogue mechanism could be established on care and support provided to persons with disabilities, including but not limited to the provision by domestic workers.

Modalities of the implementation and size of the survey sample will be agreed between the partners. The consultant will be expected to work with KUDHEIHA to mobilize their members to participate in the survey and to create linkages with UDPK and other OPDs to reach networks of persons with disabilities and also bring on board domestic workers with disabilities.

The draft findings will be validated through a hybrid seminar organized by all the partners and, once the report is finalized, additional dissemination activities will be undertaken by the partners both in Kenya and globally. Results will also be used to inform ongoing processes of social dialogue to ensure decent work for domestic workers, including through the ratification of C189 and C190.

It is in this regard that the ILO is seeking to contract an Individual Consultant to conduct the survey on how much care and support to persons with disabilities is being provided by domestic workers to include those with disabilities and to assess their working conditions including their social, economic and demographic characteristics.

Objectives

To conduct a survey on how much care and support to persons with disabilities is being provided by domestic workers to include those with disabilities and to assess their working conditions including their social, economic and demographic characteristics.

Scope

The Individual Consultant will support the process of conducting a survey to assess how much care and support to persons with disabilities is being provided by domestic workers, both on a full and part time basis, with a particular focus on their working conditions, occupational safety and health, access to social security, social health protection, relevant skills, gender, migration status, etc. The survey will also seek to assess if there are domestic workers with disabilities, or if they have children or other dependents with disabilities.

The assessment will be used to;

1. To inform policy and legislative frameworks addressing deficits in working conditions, skills, OSH, gender dynamics, migration status of domestic workers with disabilities and those proving care and support to persons with disabilities
2. To enhance social protection for domestic workers who provide care and support to persons with disabilities
3. To explore what type of social dialogue mechanism could be established on care and support provided to persons with disabilities, including but not limited to the provision by domestic worker
4. To inform ongoing processes of social dialogue to ensure decent work for domestic workers, including through the ratification of C189 and C190.

Methodology

A Technical Working Group is established including ILO, KUDHEIHA, IDWF and UDPK which will support and supervise the work of the consultant.

The assessment will utilize a mixed methodological and participatory approach using both quantitative and qualitative primary data.

Desk review/literature review on policies, legislations, regional/global standards and studies relating to care and support for persons with disabilities and domestic workers in Kenya. Review best practices and comparatives across countries on care and support for persons with disabilities highlighting different social, economic, demographic characteristics and working conditions for domestic workers to include those with disabilities.

Support the development of the study design in liaison with the ILO and the Technical Working Group.

Develop data collection tools and interview guides in liaison with the ILO and the technical working group and ensure the tools are piloted with support from KUDHEIHA.

Conduct Consultative Forums, Focus group discussions and Key Informant Interviews with mobilization support provided by KUDHEIHA, UDPK and other OPDs.

Data analysis and report compilation taking into account inputs provided by the ILO and the Technical Working Group. Presentation of key findings and recommendations for validation.

Present the validated report in a global hybrid seminar to key partners

Strategic Fit

The initiative is well aligned with the (Decent Work Country Programme) DWCP which identifies issues of disability inclusion as a key area to be addressed. It contributes to Outcome 5 and 7 of the ILO Programme and Budget under Country Program Outcomes (CPO) Ken126 and Ken101.

Timeline

This study is planned to be carried out for 30 working days within Q1 of 2025.

Supervision

The Individual Consultant will work under the supervision of the ILO. Oversight and guidance will be provided by the Technical Working Group which will endorse outputs and deliverables.

Expected Outputs

The consultancy will be expected to deliver the following
1. Inception report capturing the literature review, study design/methodology with clear timelines, and data collection tools/interview guides with a list of stakeholders to be engaged.

2. Preliminary report for validation based on an analysis of the data collected, main findings and recommendations

3. Final report and power-point presentation.

Required qualifications, desired competencies, technical background and experience

The Individual Consultant will be required to have the following experience and skills:

• Relevant advanced academic degree (Social sciences, development studies, economics or related fields);
• Demonstrated international/local experience in working on domestic workers or Disability Inclusion
• Demonstrated experience in conducting similar assessments and studies;
  Specific experience in undertaking complex social and economic research and providing authoritative analysis and guidance for policy makers.
• Experience working with governments, Development Partners and the UN
• Ability to facilitate consultative/validation workshop towards consensus building
• Excellent writing and communication skills in English.