General
Description of assignment title: Disability Inclusion and Programme Officer
Assignment country: Namibia
Expected start date: 04/07/2025
Sustainable Development Goal: 3. Good health and well-being
Volunteer category: National UN Volunteer Specialist
DoA reserved for persons with disabilities: Yes
Accessibility measures in place
Main entrance : The main entrance (or an alternative entrance) of the building is wheelchair accessible (e.g. ramps, handrails, elevators, etc. are available)
Office spaces : At least one office/work station, one conference room and one bathroom are wheelchair accessible (please confirm that doors, routes and corridors that lead to these spaces are wide enough for wheelchair use)
Office equipment : Tables, printers and other office equipment are accessible by a person using a wheelchair.
Facilities signposted : All accessible facilities are marked with symbols or signs
Transportation adapted : Accessible transportation to commute to/from the office is available (e.g. public transportation, and/or official vehicle that is accessible for wheelchair users, etc.)
Assistive technology : Assistive technology can be provided upon request (e.g. braille note-taker, printers, screen-reader software, etc.)
IT accessibility : IT systems and tools are accessible (e.g. website, intranet, etc.)
Hearing cues : The emergency warning system has hearing cues
Sign language : Sign language interpretation can be provided upon request (e.g. English, American, and/or other languages)
Host entity: UNAIDS
Type: Onsite
Duration: 9 months
Number of assignments: 1
Duty stations: Windhoek
Reasonable accommodation
Yes
Additional accessibility info
Details
Mission and objectives
The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) leads and inspires the world to achieve its shared vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths.
Context
In 2019, the UN Secretary-General launched the UN Disability Inclusion Strategy (UNDIS) to strengthen the system-wide inclusion of persons with disabilities. The UNDIS plays a crucial role in supporting Member States to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, its central promise to leave no one behind, and implement the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). The United Nations is driving disability inclusion through a Strategic Global Partnership to include persons with disability in the workforce.
The Partnership’s mission is to create a Public-Private Collaboration to train, hire, and advance persons with disabilities in the workforce across 131 countries where the UN has operations. The goals of the Partnership will be achieved by leveraging the capacity and infrastructure of the UN and creating supportive networks and platforms to generate systemic change both within the UN and more broadly with private and public sector partners. The Business Operations Strategy, a common framework that brings together all UN agencies to collaborate across operations will enable and facilitate the scaling and impact of this Partnership.
Key Objectives
- Create a collaborative partnership to include persons with disabilities in the workforce within the UN in Namibia and broadly to realise their rights in line with the goals in the 2030 Agenda and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) in 131 countries where the UN has operations.
- Leverage the UN’s operations, institutional frameworks, infrastructure, and network to include persons with disabilities in the workforce in Namibia. The United Nations Country Team in Namibia, under the leadership of the Resident Coordinator, has been selected to participate in this initiative. Within this context, this UNV assignment will further strengthen the coordination efforts of the Resident Coordinator’s Office in developing, implementing and providing oversight over the UN’s Covid-19 response programme.
The appointed UNV will work with other staff members within the UNAIDS Country Office under the operational guidance of the Adviser: Equality and Rights for All and overall leadership of the UNAIDS Country Director/ Head of Office to deliver on the UN Country Team’s efforts towards disability inclusion.
Task description
- Assist the UNAIDS Country Office (UCO) team in coordinating and documenting proceedings of the Joint UN Team on AIDS.
- Support the UCO in supporting the coordination of civil society organizations in Namibia
- Assist efforts of the UCO team to foster collaboration and inclusive partnerships with key stakeholders such as Ministry of Health, Social Services, Government Ministries, sub-national government institutions, communities, development partners and the private sector.
- Support the UCD and UCO team in the development of a good knowledge base on gender, legal and human rights issues as part of the implementation of the Legal Environment Assessment, HIV Stigma Index and Gender Assessment of the HIV and TB responses.
- Support UCO communications through drafting and writing stories and submit for publication on the UN Namibia website and facilitate the placement of press releases and op-eds in local media.
- Contribute to capacity building of the UN staff on disability mainstreaming and involving persons with disability in programming
- Facilitate awareness and training on how persons with disabilities could access ICT, procurement, employment opportunities within the UN system
- Support preparation of JUTA reporting, including monthly progress reports to UNCT. eqGgzaf BIpnb
- Support analysis of existing data to generate strategic information to identify programmatic gaps.
- Work with the relevant Results Groups to support the mainstreaming of UN programming principles into the Joint Work Plans., e.g. communication and disability working groups.
Eligibility criteria
Age: 18 – 80
Required experience
3 years
Nationality
Candidate must be a national or legal resident of the country of assignment.
Assignment requirements
Relevant experience
3 years
Languages
English, Level: Fluent, Required
Required education level
Bachelor degree or equivalent in Social Sciences, Public Health Management, Communications, or other relevant field of study.
Competencies and values
Professionalism, integrity, teamwork and respect for diversity, commitment to continuous learning, planning and organizing, communication, flexibility, genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance, and commitment towards UNAIDS’ mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.
Skills and experience
- Programme Planning, Support, Monitoring and Evaluation.
- Experience in disability inclusion will be advantageous.
- Experience in multi-stakeholder co-ordination and facilitation is highly desirable.
- Effective communication, networking and organizational skills and ability to work well in a team and independently.
- Excellent oral, written and interpersonal skills.
- Excellent English drafting, editing, formulation and reporting skills.
- Ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels.
- Familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development.
- Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet.
- Familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment
- Basic understanding of issues related to the HIV epidemic in Namibia.
Area(s) of expertise
Health, Communication, Administration
Driving license
Other information
Living conditions and remarks
Namibia is characterized by diverse geographical landscapes including deserts, savannahs, and rivers, offering a unique living and working environment. The duty station in Windhoek provides good living conditions, with access to health services, international schools, and recreational facilities. The country is generally safe, peaceful and politically stable, with a level of infrastructure and services conducive to international standards. The UN Volunteer will be based in Windhoek, the capital city of the Republic of Namibia. The city has a population of approximately 400,000 people and is cosmopolitan. It is relatively safe, peaceful and politically stable. There is a good and easily accessible transport and communication network systems. There is ample access to various social amenities. The climate is pleasant with a mild winter from May to August and a hot summer (high temperature but very low humidity) from September to April.
Inclusivity statement
United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements
Selected candidates for certain occupational groups may be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) in line with the applicable host entity policy
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More Information
- Job City Namibia
