CONSULTANT TO DEVELOP A NATIONAL DISABILITY PLAN OF ACTION

Background

Swaziland is one of the countries that have made significant progress in addressing issues that pertain to   Persons with Disabilities. The Kingdom of Swaziland ratified the United Nations Convention on the rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2012. The main aim of the convention is to protect, promote and ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all Persons with Disabilities and to promote of their inherent dignity. Subsequent to ratification a National Policy on Disability was developed, aimed at promoting the mainstreaming of disability issues across all development programmes of government. The policy also seeks to implement the provision of the Constitution of Swaziland which recognises and articulates the rights of Persons with Disabilities. The constitution also states that Parliament shall enact laws that protect Persons with Disabilities and also take appropriate measures to ensure that Persons with Disabilities realise their full mental and physical potential. Despite this progress Persons with Disability continue to be marginalized, discriminated against and socially excluded from mainstream activities.  They have limited access to community services and opportunities available to non disabled persons such as education, health employment, public facilities including buildings and transport.  Consequently, Persons with disabilities tend to be overrepresented amongst the unemployed, the poor and the uneducated; this has far reaching consequences to the disabled persons at individual, family and societal levels. It is in this regard that the Deputy Prime Ministers Office – Disability Unit requires a Consultant to develop a National Action Plan for the implementation of the National Policy on Disability. Objective: Facilitate the formulation of a national disability plan of action in line with regional and international protocols, the Constitution and National Disability policy.

Duties and Responsibilities

The  Consultant will be responsible for carrying out the following activities: Develop a five year national plan of action for the implementation of the National Disability Policy through a consultative and inclusive process including Federation of Organization of People with Disabilities, Public and Private sector, and Non-Governmental Organizations; Conduct desk review of relevant reports, national disability framework and national, regional and international reports on best practices aimed at developing a national disability plan of action; Conduct an analysis of the current state of disability services provided in relation to skills commensurate to disability programming. Review critical legislations that would be an enabler for mainstreaming of disability in the public and private sector; Identify and recommend an appropriate model of disability service delivery considering private - public partnerships and non state actors; Propose regulatory mechanisms for disability service providers (funding, quality of service, regulation, reporting obligations etc) based on transparency and accountability principles; Draft the national disability plan of action in line with regional and international protocols such as the disability policy and the convention on the rights of Persons with disability; Identify and recommend effective coordination mechanisms for mainstreaming disability public sector. Deliverables: Inception Report outlining the process to be engaged in developing the National Plan of Action three days after signing of the contract approved by the DPMS Office; Stakeholders’ consultation report; A National Disability Plan of Action.

Competencies

Functional Competencies: Proven analytical, organizational development and interpersonal skills; Research and evaluation skills including ability to synthesize information; Excellent oral and effective presentation and reporting writing skills; Express clearly and concisely ideas and concepts in writing orally Ability to meet deadlines with minimum supervision; Ability to manage, conflicting ideas and views from diverse groups; Excellent social and communication skills; Excellent computer skills required.

Required Skills and Experience

Education: A Master’s Degree in Social Science, Strategic Planning, Public Policy and Development and Public Planning and Administration or any other related qualifications. Experience: A minimum of 10 years’ experience in developing national plans, strategies and public policy; A proven record of  experience in the development of nation plan of action, carrying out research studies; A minimum five years of working in the sector of  Persons with Disability or disability mainstreaming. Languages: Profiency in English language both oral and written.

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

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