Disability Inclusion Consultant, Kyiv, Ukraine On-site, 13 months (International Consultancy)

Organizational Context

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential. We are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling. UNICEF is a place where careers are built.

Job Purpose

The Disability Inclusion Consultant will play a crucial role in supporting the integration of disability inclusion principles and practices within the Government of Ukraine's social protection reforms. This consultancy is specifically focused on working with the Ministry of Social Policy, Family, to ensure that reforms are inclusive and responsive to the needs of persons with disabilities. The consultant will contribute to strengthening national capacities and systems to promote the rights and well-being of children and adults with disabilities. This position requires a deep understanding of disability inclusion, social protection systems, and policy reform processes, with a strong emphasis on practical application and system-level change within the Ukrainian context. The consultant will facilitate knowledge sharing and support the adaptation of international best practices to the national context, ensuring that the reforms effectively address the challenges faced by persons with disabilities.

Responsibilities

The Disability Inclusion Consultant will be responsible for supporting the integration of disability inclusion across the Government of Ukraine’s social protection reforms, particularly those led by the Ministry of Social Policy, Family. This includes providing expert advice and technical assistance to government counterparts on policy development, program design, and implementation strategies that are inclusive of persons with disabilities. The consultant will facilitate partnership building with government ministries, Disabled Persons' Organizations (OPDs), development partners, and civil society organizations to ensure a coordinated and effective approach. A key responsibility will be to support evidence generation, the development of relevant indicators, and inclusive monitoring and evaluation (M&E) frameworks to track progress and impact. The consultant will also be expected to contribute to system reform at the national level, leveraging their expertise to drive meaningful change. Furthermore, the role involves adapting international best practices to the Ukrainian context and facilitating knowledge transfer between global/regional and country counterparts. Strong interpersonal skills will be essential for effective engagement with OPDs and persons with disabilities, ensuring their voices and perspectives are central to the reform process. The consultant will also be expected to demonstrate in-depth knowledge of Ukraine’s disability inclusion landscape, including legal/policy frameworks, institutions, and active networks.

Work Experience

Minimum 8 years of progressively responsible experience in policy advisory and/or programme design related to disability inclusion and/or social protection, with a strong track record of system reform at the national level.

Skills

Partnership building with government, OPDs, development partners, and civil society, Evidence generation, Inclusive M&E, System reform at national level, Policy advisory, Programme design, Disability inclusion, Social protection, Adaptation of international best practices, Knowledge transfer, Interpersonal skills, Engagement with OPDs and persons with disabilities

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