Disability Inclusion Associate

Mission and objectivesUNFPA’s partnership with the Royal Government of Bhutan started in the 1970s, and formally began its operation by supporting the integration of family planning in the healthcare system. Building upon this collaboration, the first Country Programme started in 1988 along with Bhutan’s 6th Five-Year Plan (1987-1992). The current 8 Country Programme (2024-2028) envisions a Bhutan where every woman and young person, especially those from most vulnerable groups (senior citizen, person with disabilities and people with diverse sexual orientation and gender identity/expression & living in remote areas), enjoy gender equality, fully realizes sexual and reproductive health and rights, and fully contributes to sustainable development. The programme responds to the national priority “Bhutan has a healthy and productive society founded on Equitable and High-Quality Health, Education and Social Protection”, articulated in the Royal Government of Bhutan’s 13th Five Year Plan and contributes to Outcomes 2,3, and 4 of the UNSCDF of 2024-2028. The UNFPA Country Office collaborates with governments, NGOs, Youth groups, Disabled People’s Organization, LGBT+ communities, and UN organizations among others to address gender-based violence (GBV) and harmful practices through technical support, capacity-building, and advocacy. This collaboration focuses on identifying and addressing gaps in policies related to gender equality, women's empowerment, and reproductive rights through evidence-based advocacy. Similarly, we also work to strengthen national capacities to end preventable maternal mortality and address unmet family planning needs. This collaboration focuses on integrating sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) into universal health coverage policies, disaster risk reduction plans, and accountability frameworks, particularly to support vulnerable groups. Finally, UNFPA closely works on the country’s emerging issues and development challenges with partners to strengthen national and institutional capacities to address demographic challenges like ageing, declining fertility, and youth out-migration in development plans. It also focuses on developing cost-effective data systems to enhance data generation and analysis, especially for marginalized groups.

ContextThe Disability Inclusion Associate will serve in UNFPA’s Bhutan Country Office with the primary goal of embedding the Disability Inclusion Principle across all aspects of UNFPA’s 8th Country Programme. This role is critical in ensuring that disability inclusion is not only a key element of UNFPA’s work but is also linked with broader UN programming and operations in Bhutan. The Disability Inclusion Associate who is expected to be a person with disability, will be working at a pivotal time. With the signing of the 8th Country Programme, the early stages of its implementation provide an opportunity to make a substantial impact. A strong focus on disability inclusion, led by this Specialist, will ensure that the principles of inclusivity are thoroughly integrated into the program's activities and goals. Key areas of focus for this role include advocating for policies that promote disability-inclusive and youth-friendly sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services, supporting national efforts to review and amend discriminatory laws and policies, and addressing data gaps related to persons with disabilities. This will be essential for creating a policy environment that is inclusive and responsive to the needs of marginalised groups. Additionally, Bhutan is currently undergoing rapid socio-economic changes while upholding its commitment to Gross National Happiness (GNH). Despite progress in poverty reduction, education, and healthcare, inequalities remain, particularly for women, rural communities, and persons with disabilities. The Disability Inclusion Specialist will play a key role in ensuring that these inequalities are addressed by integrating disability considerations into government planning, particularly in the 13th Five Year Plan. Through these efforts, the Disability Inclusion Associate will help promote a more inclusive and equitable development agenda in Bhutan, in alignment with UNFPA’s global mandate to leave no one behind.

Task DescriptionUnder the direct supervision of the Head of Office, UNFPA Country Office in Thimphu, the disability inclusion Associate will be tasked to provide expert advice and technical guidance to integrate disability inclusion across all interventions outlined in UNFPA's 8 CPD. The volunteer will undertake following tasks: Strategic Planning, Technical Support and Programme Design ● Support the UNFPA CO in the disability inclusion in our work on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), gender equality, youth empowerment, and gender-based violence (GBV) prevention and response, including population and demography areas. ● Support the UNFPA team in the inclusion of needs of persons with disabilities in SRHR and GBV plans and programmes in related to disaster risk reduction, climate resilience, and emergency and humanitarian response activities within the CPD framework. ● Support the CO as the chair of the Human Rights a, Disability, and Gender Working Group and other working groups to promote disability-inclusive development across the SDGs in Bhutan with UN agencies, development partners, and relevant sectors (health, education, social protection); and other programme administrative support. ● Ensure disability inclusion is considered in cross-cutting areas such as youth engagement, gender equality, and climate action Capacity Building: ● Support capacity building of UNFPA staff, government counterparts, and implementing partners on disability-inclusive program design, implementation, and monitoring. ● Support in developing and delivering training modules or workshops on disability inclusion, focusing on rights-based approaches, universal design, and accessible services. Communications, Advocacy and Partnership Development: ● Advocate for disability inclusion in national policymaking, development planning, and humanitarian action. ● Foster partnerships with disability rights organisations, civil society, government agencies, and international partners to advance disability inclusion in Bhutan’s development agenda. ● Engage with relevant national and international platforms to promote disability-inclusive policies and practices aligned with global commitments, including the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). ● Support CO in developing relevant advocacy and sensitization materials on disability inclusion. ● Contribute to the development of knowledge products and case studies that highlight UNFPA’s work on disability inclusion in Bhutan. ● Lead the development and adaptation of communication materials, tools, and resources that are accessible and inclusive of persons with disabilities. Research and Analysis: ● Support on research on disability issues in Bhutan with a focus on gender, youth, and sexual and reproductive health (SRH), ensuring an intersectional approach. ● Collect, analyze, and report on disability-related data, identifying trends and gaps to inform policy and programming. ● Prepare and draft comprehensive reports and policy briefs that highlight key findings and provide evidence-based recommendations for addressing disability priorities in line with national and international frameworks. ● Support additional research and data analysis tasks as assigned by the Head of Office, ensuring alignment with UNFPA's mandate and strategic priorities. Results/expected outputs: As an active member of UNFPA Bhutan team, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to UNFPA and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including contribute towards UNFPA CO’s 8th Country Programme three output for transformative results: Improved integration of sexual and reproductive health and rights and population data and evidence into relevant laws, policies, plans, and accountability frameworks; Strengthened policies, systems and capacities of institutions and communities for a coordinated multi-sectoral approach to change discriminatory social norms, and to advance gender equality with a special focus on those furthest left behind; and Strengthened skills and opportunities for adolescents and young people in all their diversity, including adolescent girls from the furthest left behind populations to ensure bodily autonomy, leadership and participation in issues that affect their development and well-being.

Competencies and values Accountability  Adaptability and flexibility  Creativity  Judgement and decision-making  Planning and organising  Professionalism  Self-management

Living conditions and remarks Security: Generally safe with low crime rates, offering a secure environment for residents and visitors.  Access and Air Travel: Reliable air connections to major cities like Thimphu and Paro, though rural areas may be less accessible.  Climate: Varies across regions—temperate in the central areas, subtropical in the south, and colder in high-altitude regions.  Cost of Living: Moderate, with affordable local products but higher costs for imported goods.  Accommodation: Options range from basic guesthouses in rural areas to well-furnished apartments in urban centres. Legal status of UN Volunteers: UN Volunteers are not UN staff members. They are subject to neither the UN Staff Regulations and Staff Rules nor to the pay, benefits, or other conditions contained therein. They are nevertheless UN personnel* and are governed by the Unified Conditions of Service for UN Volunteers (COS), which forms the basis of the policies and rules that regulate the UN Volunteer assignment. The provisions of the COS apply to all individuals recruited as UN Volunteers and is amended periodically by UNV. The terms of service of UN Volunteers are defined in the Description of Assignment (DoA) and UN Volunteer Contract issued in each case. * As UN personnel, UN Volunteers must ensure that they undertake their duties in the interests of the United Nations, respect for the principles of the UN Charter, and upholding and promoting the highest standards of efficiency, competency, and integrity, ethical and professional conduct, as well as values inherent in volunteerism, such as commitment, engagement, and solidarity. UN Volunteer Contract: The legally-binding agreement between the UN Volunteer and the United Nations Volunteers (UNV), which defines the rights and responsibilities of both the UN Volunteer and UNV, indicating title, duration and assignment and the commencement of service date (the start date of travel date for the international UN Volunteer). The Conditions of Service for UN Volunteers (COS) and the Description of Assignment (DOA) are integrated with the UN Volunteer Contract. Roles & Responsibilities of UNV, UN Host Entity, and UN Volunteers: UN Volunteers are under the overall exclusive administrative authority of UNV (recruitment, deployment, and issuance and management of contract including payroll), but they serve under the functional authority, management, and supervision of the UN Host Entity and subject to the supervisory framework of the Host Entity for, among other things, working hours, working days, reasonable accommodation, telecommuting options, flexible working arrangements, leave management, performance management, overtime working hours, participation in internal mechanisms for advocacy of UN personnel rights, duty of care protections, and observance of public holidays. Mission travel will be in accordance with Host Entity rules and procedures for Host Entity staff. Entitlements of National UN Volunteer include Entry Lump Sum Allowance (USD400), Monthly Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) for National UN Youth Volunteer in Thimphu, Bhutan at BTN 49,058.83 (*), Comprehensive coverage for health, life and malicious acts; Annual Leave of 2.5 days per month; Access to training platforms; and Exit Lump Sum Allowance (1-month VLA/12 months) upon completion of the assignment successfully. For further information on the full entitlements, please refer to the Unified Conditions of Service for UN Volunteers (COS) at app.unv.org/explore *Equivalent to USD567 paid in BTN as per UN exchange rate as of January 2025. VLA will be specified when the Offer of UN Volunteer assignment is issued.