Background
This assignment is part of a project implemented by the UN Resident Coordinator's Office (UNRCO). The rapid pace of urbanization is a global trend, and presents opportunities as well as challenges. An estimated 377 million people were residing in the urban habitats of India in 2011, comprising about 31 per cent of the total population. India’s urban population is expected to rise to around 606 million by 2030. This poses stress on the already overburdened infrastructure of the cities, such as housing, services related to transportation, provision of clean water and sewage treatment. While the government prioritizes an equitable distribution of benefits that a city life promises, special efforts are needed for Persons for Disabilities (PWDs) to enable them to fully realise their rights. As per the National Census 2011, India has around 30 million PWDs which amounts to 2.21% of the total population. With an estimate of about 25% of India’s population needing universal accessibility to live independently and with dignity, there is a clear need for an emphasis on ‘accessible and inclusive component’ as the right path for achieving sustainable development. 
 
The Government of India has made positive efforts in the realm of advocacy, rights, and social inclusion. However, scarce information is available regarding access to essential services for persons with disabilities or their general disability-specific everyday needs within an urban environment. With support from the UN Partnership on the Rights of Persons (UNPRPD), the UN in India in partnership with the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA), seeks to strengthen the Government commitment to disability inclusion through (a) setting up of network of disability rights experts to advise on national plans and policies especially in urban areas, (b) promote data driven decision-making on disability inclusion (c) facilitate meaningful participation of PWDs in policy discussions related to assistive devices, follow-up on India’s Voluntary National Review (VNR) and COVID-19 recovery and (d) undertake capacity building of to state-level functionaries to ensure effective implementation of UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) and the domestic Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 (RPDA).
 
Duties and Responsibilities
 
 
• Review national strategies, laws, policies, and schemes on disability inclusion in India, with a focus on gender gaps, and analyse progress and challenges through the lens of the UNCRPD.
• Analyze gaps in accessing assistive products and accessible ICT in India, and develop a roadmap for the government.
• Provide technical guidance and advice on gender sensitive disability inclusion in the Smart Cities Mission and other urban development projects, including in strategies and budgets.
• Collate good practices on mainstreaming of disability from India and other countries based on secondary sources.
• Draft briefs, advisories, checklists, policy recommendations and training material on disability inclusion in urban spaces.
• Organise trainings for various stakeholders on disability inclusion.
• Coordinate the inclusion of civil society representatives/organisations of persons with disabilities in discussions on planning, implementation, and assessment of activities by UN agencies and NIUA.
• Ensure all donor partner and other reporting requirements are prepared and submitted on time and are of high quality.
• Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.
 
Competencies
Functional Competencies
 
 
Job Knowledge and Technical Expertise
• Keeps abreast of new developments in the area of professional discipline and job knowledge and seeks to develop personally
 
Results- Based Orientation
• Plans and produces quality results under tight timelines to meet established goals;
• Demonstrates ability to generate innovative, practical solutions to challenging situations.
 
Client Orientation
• Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback
 
Knowledge Management and Learning
• Actively seeks and promotes innovative methodogies and leads the development of supporting policies/tools to encourage learning and knowledge sharing 
 
Leadership and Self- Management
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
• Good teamwork skills
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities
 
Required Skills and Experience
Education: 
Minimum Master’s Degree or equivalent in urban planning and design, architecture, public policy, law, economics, or a related field is required.
 
An advanced qualification in human rights law or disability law/policy will be highly regarded.
 
Experience: 
At least 5 years’ experience of working on the rights of persons with disabilities, of which at least 3 years involved experience in disability inclusion in infrastructure, accessibility and implementing universal design.
 
Language Requirement:
Fluency in English and Hindi
 
Remuneration package is INR 122,440/- per month (taxable).  UNDP also offers additional benefits which include medical insurance coverage and limited pension reimbursement for contract holder and encourages work life balance.
 
Disclaimer
Important applicant information

All posts in the SC categories are subject to local recruitment.