Vacancy: Ministry of Social Welfare, Gender and Children’s Affairs – Consultant

CONSULTANT TO PREPARE SIERRA LEONE STATE PARTY REPORT FOR CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

In Sierra Leone, like many other countries around the world, persons with disabilities face physical, social, economic and attitudinal barriers that exclude them from participating fully and effectively as equal members of society. They are disproportionately represented among the world’s poorest, and lack equal access to basic resources, such as education, employment, healthcare and social and legal support systems. In addition, they tend to experience a higher rate of mortality. In spite of this situation, disability has remained largely invisible in the mainstream development agenda, in policy formulation and in programme responses.

In 2006, the International Disability Movement achieved an extraordinary advancement with the adoption of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD). Sierra Leone ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2009 and enacted it in domestic law in 2011 as the Persons with Disability Act. Article 35(1) of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities requires each submit a comprehensive report on measures taken to give effect to its obligations.

The key deliverable will be a comprehensive report outlining the current situation of persons with disability in Sierra Leone and the measures taken by the Government of Sierra Leone and partners to implement the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disability and meet the obligations under the treaty. The report shall strictly comply with the treaty requirements and practice for submitting such a report.

METHODOLOGY

The Consultant will prepare this report through the following methodology:

1. Undertake a desk review of previous work on international disability reports with a focus on promoting and protecting the rights of disabled persons in Sierra Leone.
2. Consider the best practice from other States Parties in preparing and submitting such reports and apply such best practice to the present exercise.
3. Undertake primary data and information collection through interviews and focus group discussions with the relevant stakeholders.
4. Analyze the data in consideration of the rights of disabled persons as enshrined in the UNCRPD.
5. Prepare a draft report for comments from MSWGCA, National Commission for Persons with Disability (NCPD) and relevant partners and facilitate a consultative dialogue on the initial findings.
6. After receiving and incorporating comments, prepare a final State Party Report in conformity with the UNCRPD requirements outlining the current situation of persons with disability in Sierra Leone and the measures taken by the Government of Sierra Leone and partners to implement the Convention and meet the obligations under the treaty.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

The Consultant should possess the following skills and qualifications:

• Minimum of a Master’s degree in Law with specialisations in Law of Treaties, Human Rights Law or related areas.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience working on issues related to persons with disability, particularly preparing State Party reports to meet disability or human rights treaty obligations.
• Excellent communication and writing skills in English.
• Past working experience in sub-Sahara Africa, especially in Sierra Leone, would be an added advantage.

HOW TO APPLY

The deadline for receipt of applications is 4 July, 2014

Interested applicants should send the Personal History Form (P11) in MS Word format, which can be downloaded from our website at: http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/index_consultancy_assignments.html by email to srlrecruitment@unicef.org with the name of the consultancy you are applying for on the subject line.

Please note that only candidates who are under serious consideration will be contacted.

In the selection of its staff, UNICEF is committed to gender balance and diversity without distinction as to race, sex or religion, and without discrimination of persons with disabilities: well qualified candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

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