Consultant - Inclusive Education

Organizational Context

Fiji is advancing its inclusive education system with a new policy (2024-2027) to ensure quality education for learners with disabilities, aligning with international conventions like the UNCRPD and SDGs. Despite progress, significant gaps persist in support services, particularly in communication and assistive technology, impacting equitable access for students with disabilities. UNESCO, through the Global Disability Fund project, is supporting the strengthening of these critical services.

Job Purpose

This consultancy aims to provide specialized technical expertise in disability inclusion to support UNESCO and national partners in Fiji. The role involves three key tasks: planning and facilitating a multi-stakeholder consultation ('veivosaki'), designing and validating a 'From Policy to Action Study' framework, and executing the research to develop the study's content. The ultimate goal is to inform the operationalization and implementation of policies related to communication support and assistive technologies, ensuring learners with disabilities can access, participate in, and benefit from quality education on an equal basis with their peers. This work directly supports Fiji's commitment to the CRPD and national disability policies.

Responsibilities

The consultant will review existing policies and information on communication support and assistive technologies to ground the 'Disability Inclusion Veivosaki' consultation. This includes preparing a facilitation plan, agenda, and technical materials, and then leading the consultation to document stakeholder inputs, synthesize key issues, gaps, and recommendations for a Veivosaki report. This report will guide the design of the 'From Policy to Action Study' framework, which the consultant will develop based on the consultation findings. The framework will detail objectives, scope, research questions, methodology, data collection tools, and ethical considerations. The consultant will then present this draft framework for stakeholder validation and incorporate feedback. Finally, the consultant will implement the validated framework by conducting the research, analyzing data, and developing the study's content on communication support and assistive technologies. This includes preparing the draft study, presenting findings and recommendations for final validation, revising the study based on feedback, and supporting the launch of the final study.

Work Experience

A minimum of 10 years of experience in inclusive education, disability rights, or education systems strengthening is necessary. Proven expertise in facilitating multi-stakeholder consultations and participatory research is essential. Strong knowledge of CRPD, SDGs, and inclusive education frameworks is required, along with excellent communication, facilitation, and report-writing skills. Experience in Pacific contexts is highly desirable.

Skills

Key competencies include Communication, Accountability, Innovation, Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement, Planning and Organizing, Results Focus, and Teamwork. Proficiency in these areas is essential for the role.

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