Consultant for Development of a Home Visiting Programme and Implementing of Portage Training for Families with Children with Disabilities
Organizational Context
UNICEF operates in over 190 countries and territories, dedicated to saving children's lives, defending their rights, and helping them fulfill their potential. We are committed, passionate, and proud of our work, viewing the promotion of every child's rights not just as a job, but as a calling. UNICEF offers diverse opportunities for professional and personal development.
Job Purpose
The purpose of this consultancy is to provide technical assistance to the Ministry of Social Development (MoSD) in Oman, in collaboration with UNICEF Oman, to adapt and institutionalize the Portage Home Visiting Programme. This programme is an internationally recognized early intervention and home-visiting approach designed to equip parents and caregivers with practical skills to support the development of children with developmental delays and disabilities within their homes. The consultant will be responsible for the design and development of this Portage-based home visiting programme and for conducting Training of Trainers (ToT). The assignment aims to strengthen Oman’s disability-inclusive social service system by empowering families and caregivers, enhancing the capacities of the social workforce, and ensuring children with disabilities receive timely, family-centered developmental support within their communities.
Responsibilities
The consultant will be responsible for the overall design and development of a Portage-based home visiting programme tailored for parents and caregivers of children with disabilities in Oman. This includes adapting the Portage curriculum and methodologies to the local context and national social service system. A key responsibility will be to develop comprehensive training materials and curricula for the Training of Trainers (ToT) component. The consultant will deliver the ToT sessions to equip local professionals and caregivers with the necessary skills to implement the Portage programme effectively. This will involve coaching, individualized developmental planning, regular home visits, monitoring child progress, and implementing developmentally appropriate activities across various developmental domains. The consultant will also ensure the programme emphasizes family participation, individualized goal setting, and continuous assessment to promote children's developmental progress and inclusion. Collaboration with UNICEF Oman and the MoSD will be crucial throughout the assignment to ensure alignment with national strategies and UNICEF's objectives. The consultant will also be expected to provide guidance on the institutionalization of the programme within the national social service system.
Work Experience
Minimum of 10 years of professional experience in designing and implementing programmes for children with disabilities, early intervention, family support, or community-based services. Extensive experience in developing training curricula, materials, and delivering ToT programmes is required.
Skills
Disability rights frameworks knowledge (UNCRPD), Portage Home Visiting Programme expertise, Family-centered early intervention models, Training curriculum development, Training of Trainers (ToT) delivery, Programme design and adaptation, Child development and early intervention, Disability inclusion programming, Social work and case management, Capacity building, Interpersonal and communication skills, Report writing