Research Assistant

Result of ServiceThe ultimate result of the service is to provide high-quality research, analysis, and support on the implementation of the UNRCPD in the Arab region. The individual contractor will contribute to mainstreaming disability inclusion into national policies and programs through the preparation of reports, training materials, and background documents. Additionally, the individual contractor will support the organization of events, including the IGED meeting and workshops, ensuring effective coordination and documentation. Work LocationUN-House ESCWA Expected duration6 Months Duties and ResponsibilitiesPersons with disabilities in the Arab region, and globally, face barriers to participate fully and equally in society. Currently, there are major data and research gaps on how to achieve disability inclusion in all facets of life, whether in inclusive education, inclusive employment accessibility of both the built and digital environment and supporting persons with disabilities to live independently in their community. Arab countries have signed and/or ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). Like other international conventions, State Parties have an obligation to align their national legislation and policies with the CRPD, and to report to the CRPD Committee on the progress made periodically. National disability strategies and policies are important tools for aligning national frameworks with the CRPD and are necessary but not sufficient components of CRPD compliance. They provide the enabling policy and legal environment to issue laws, programmes and initiatives to ensure the rights of the persons with disabilities. ESCWA is working on supporting disability inclusion in the Arab region within the framework of the implementation of the CRPD. ESCWA is also coordinating and working with its national counterparts and stakeholders to identify policy gaps, remove barriers and work out solutions that will help governments to support the inclusion of persons with disabilities in the local societies. UNESCWA’s Cluster 2 on Gender Justice, Population and Inclusive Development is seeking to hire the services of a Research Assistant to support the Disability Team in undertaking associated functions as presented below: • Provide substantive research support on subjects related to the work of the disability team: this includes reviewing existing literature; assisting in crystallizing research questions and conducting desk research. • Support the implementation of UNCRPD Articles. • Assist in the disability inclusion in the Arab countries, programmatically and operationally. • Assist in the preparation and review of written outputs published by ESCWA, e.g. background papers, technical papers, section of reports and studies, inputs to publications, related to disability inclusion. • Assist in the preparation of presentation materials using appropriate technology/software. • Draft inputs to presentations and research papers. • Assist in the organization of expert group meetings, conferences or workshops related to the work of the disability team, such as the annual meeting of the Intersectional Group of Experts on Disability (IGED), among others. • Prepare minutes of meetings. • Performs a wide range of office support and administrative functions. • Performs other duties as assigned. Qualifications/special skillsA bachelor degree in social science, economics, public policy, general law or related area is required. All candidates must submit a copy of the required educational degree. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. A minimum of four years of experience in economics, public policy or social science is required. Knowledge of disability inclusion is required. Relevant experience in the Arab region is desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat; and Arabic is a working language of ESCWA. For this position, fluency in English and Arabic is required. Knowledge of French is desirable. Note: “Fluency” equals a rating of ‘fluent’ in all four areas (speak, read, write, and understand) and “Knowledge of” equals a rating of ‘confident’ in two of the four areas. Additional InformationRecruitment for this position is on a local basis. The incumbent is required to have the legal right to live and work in the specified working location. No FeeTHE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.