Consultant to assist technically in strengthen disability mainstreaming in national and local level planning and budgeting, Kigali- Rwanda, 10.5 months, Office based (For Rwandan Nationals Only) at United Nations Children’s Fund: (Deadline 7 December 2022)

Moreover, the GoR continues to make significant progress in developing and strengthening disability-inclusive policies, programmes and wider participation of persons with disabilities. Since early 2012, the National Council of Persons with Disabilities (NCPD) has established the Disability Coordination Forum (comprising of Government Institutions, Civil Society Organizations, Faith Based Organizations, Media, Private Sector working in disability area) to support the development, approval and implementation of policies and programs that aim to promote the inclusion of PwDs in national development across all development sectors. In 2021, the government approved the National Policy of Persons with Disabilities, showing a significant milestone to enhance inclusion of persons with disabilities in all spheres of life.

The UNCRPD Concluding observations on the initial report of Rwanda of 5 April 2019 stated under Statistics and data collection (art 31) 58. The Committee recommends that the State party pay close attention to the links between article 31 of the Convention and target 17.18 of the Sustainable Development Goals, and systematize the collection, analysis and dissemination of high-quality, timely and reliable data disaggregated by income, gender, age, race, ethnicity, migratory status, type of impairment, geographic location, as well as data on the barriers that persons with disabilities face in society and other characteristics relevant in its national context.

Therefore, the National Council of Persons with Disabilities (NCPD) developed a Disability Management Information system (DMIS). The DMIS is a digital support tool for the Identification & Registry of all Persons with Disability in Rwanda including a Case-Management support tool for the most in need. With a well-functioning DMIS, NCPD will be able to express the diversity of needs, challenges, barriers and priorities in lives of persons with disabilities. The system will support government and stakeholders in the disability sector to make coordinated and well planned, targeted and evidence-based support plans and advocate for change towards equal participation of persons with disabilities in their communities and an inclusive Rwandan society. The DMIS has been piloted in GASABO District where 3,914 persons with disabilities were interviewed. In 2023 the DMIS will be implemented country wide in close collaboration with key stakeholders from the Government, Development Partners and Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPD.

The Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning (MINECOFIN) issues Planning and Budgeting Call Circulars (PBCC) every year, and disability is considered as one of the areas to mainstream under the National Strategy for Transformation (NST1). Ministries, Districts and Agencies (MDAs) are therefore, requested to mainstream disability inclusion into their plans through identifying priorities and planning for interventions (per each institution) addressing issues faced by persons with disabilities, with focus on those in extreme poverty.

However, the National Policy for PwDs recognizes that national budget allocated to the disability inclusion programme is low compared to the special needs of persons with disabilities across all sectors and there are capacity gaps in mainstreaming disability across different sectors mainly in priority sectors such as health, education, social protection, agriculture, infrastructure, employment, justice, child protection, sports, and leisure.  Although, the PBCC requires MDAs to submit their plans with an annex on disability mainstreaming, there is a limited capacity to analyze and perform quality assurance of submitted plans by sector ministries as well as follow up around implementations.

It is against the above background that MINALOC through the National Council of Persons with Disabilities (NCPD) and with the financial support from UNICEF intends to hire a technical expert who will offer consulting services for strengthening disability mainstreaming functions with particular focus of national planning and budgeting both at central and decentralized levels.  The consultancy will further contribute to increase the capacity of government officials from line Ministries, Agencies, and Districts to effectively plan and budget for disability.

2. Justification

This assignment aims to provide technical expertise to the MINALOC and NCPD to ensure disability inclusion is effectively mainstreamed across sector ministries, agencies and district plans and that budgets are allocated accordingly. The consultant will also strengthen the capacity of those entities to manage finances dedicated to disability mainstreaming across sectors and to ensure children with disabilities are at the forefront in gaining services related to social sectors including (health, education, social protection, child protection, WASH, nutrition, etc).

3. Summary of key functions/accountabilities

Develop tools for disability inclusion and mainstreaming into the planning and budgeting of institutions, regular monitoring of disability inclusion in sectoral and Districts plans and budgets

• Develop and disseminate checklist of disability inclusion KPIs for relevant sectors
• Advise on innovative ways to promote the integration of PwDs into institutional policies, programmes and projects design
• Support the review of Disability mainstreaming guidelines
• Advise on effective monitoring and evaluation of disability KPIs across sectors and Districts

Develop training materials on mainstreaming disability in planning and budgeting

Improve national and local level guidelines and templates for disability mainstreaming in Planning and Budgeting Cycle (PBCC)

• Review and assess current practices for disability mainstreaming in national planning and budgeting guidelines covering central government (Ministries and Agencies) and districts, leading to identification of best practices, gaps and propose necessary amendments.
• Improve (sector specific) disability mainstreaming planning and budgeting templates customizable at national and decentralized levels with a particular focus on children with disabilities.
• Liaise with MINALOC and Sectors to strengthen mainstreaming of disability in national planning, budgeting, and monitoring.
• Ensure analysis of the disaggregated data from the DMIS informs the mainstreaming of PwDs into planning and budgeting.

Review the quality of submitted plans from sector ministries, agencies, and districts, assess the capacity gap at sectoral levels for inclusive planning and budgeting and propose capacity building

• Contribute to the review and quality assurance of submitted plans and budget proposals from sectors ministries, agencies and districts and provide technical inputs focusing on sectors benefiting children with disabilities (health, education, nutrition, wash, protection, etc).
• Advise on necessary adjustments of submitted plans and budgets and project monitoring
• Support planning and budget consultations and ensure mainstreamed interventions are given due prioritization in budget planning and allocation.
• Support monitoring of mainstreamed interventions to key social sector ministries and districts to assess the status of implementation and provide technical advice for improvement where necessary.
• Make use of DMIS dashboards for evidence base planning and budgeting

Organize capacity building sessions in collaboration with MINALOC, MINECOFIN and NCPD for key government staff from ministries, agencies, and districts to improve disability inclusion in their planning and budgeting.

• Conduct capacity gap analysis on disability mainstreaming in institutional planning and budgeting
• Develop a capacity building plan to respond to identified gaps in sectors ministries, agencies and districts in planning and budgeting to address disability inclusion gaps, especially on children with disabilities.
• Conduct capacity building sessions on planning and budgeting for disability meant for key government officials from social sector ministries, agencies, and districts.
• Coordinate and mentor government officials from ministries, agencies, and districts on implementation of capacity building plan to address the needs for children with disabilities.
• Document learnings and best practices around the disability mainstreaming in planning and budgeting in Rwanda and disseminate the best practices.

Provide technical support to the National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD) in coordination and networking sessions to increase prioritization of disability in national and local level plans.

• Work closely with key staff of MINECOFIN (the Department of National Development Planning and Research and Department of National Budget) and other key stakeholders on prioritization of disability related targets.
• Participate in sectors (Economic, Social and Governance) coordination forums as may be delegated by NCPD management.

Maintain a good flow of communication and information among key agencies MINECOFIN, MINALOC, LODA and UNICEF.

Work Assignment Overview

Tasks/Milestone:

1. Develop tools for disability inclusion and mainstreaming into the planning and budgeting of institutions, regular monitoring of disability inclusion in sectoral and Districts plans and budgets
2. Review the quality of submitted plans from sector ministries, agencies, and districts. Assess the capacity gap at sector level for inclusive planning and budgeting and proposed capacity building
3. Organize capacity building sessions in collaboration with MINALOC, MINECOFIN and NCPD for key government officials from social sector ministries, agencies, and districts to improve disability inclusion in their planning, budgeting and implementation of their plans.
4. Provide technical support to the National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD) in coordination and networking sessions to increase prioritization of disability in national and local level plans in the preparation of the 2024/25 planning cycle.
5. Perform other tasks assigned by NCPD deemed to advance mainstreaming, inclusion, and participation of PWDs in national development

Deliverables/Outputs:

Payment 1: 19%

• Checklist of disability inclusion KPIs across relevant sectors developed and disseminated . To be completed by 28^th February 2023
• Monitoring and evaluation of disability KPIs across sectors and Districts improved. To be completed by 28^th February 2023.

Payment 2: 19%

• Quality assurance report submitted, and planning and budgeting consultations facilitated. To be completed by 30^th April 2023
• Capacity gap report produced. To be completed by 30^th April 2023.

Payment 3: 24%

• Capacity building plan and training concept note submitted. To be completed by 20^th June 2023.
• Training/ mentorship report prepared and submitted. To be completed by 20^th June 2023.
• Learning and best practices brief developed. To be completed by 20^th June 2023.

Payment 4: 19%

• Hands-on support provided to NCPD technical team for continuous monitoring of sectoral and district plans and budget for disability mainstreaming. To be completed by 29^th September 2023.
• Meeting notes/briefs and minutes regularly produced and shared. To be completed by 29^th September 2023.

Payment 5: 19%

• Support provided to NCPD team regarding the promotion of disability mainstreaming and inclusion. To be completed by 31^st October 2023.
• Disaggregated data from the DMIS are analyzed and recommended for use in planning and budgeting. To be completed by 31^st October 2023.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in Economics, Finance, Development Finance, Public Finance, or other related areas.
• At least 6 years of proven experience in National development planning or budgeting, public sector engagement, financial analysis, development financing with increasing responsibilities.
• Proven experience in mainstreaming functions with particular focus on disability or gender or other areas is required,
• Experience to research and synthesize complex information from a diverse range of stakeholders and produce briefs for wide audience is an asset.
• Experience in working with or for the public institutions and dealing senior government officials as well as ability to handle sensitive information.
• Experience in designing customizable templates using digital tools such as excel, Microsoft forms or other relevant.
• Demonstrated experience to initiate, coordinate or facilitate trainings of government officials.
• Ability to work in high demanding environment with limited timeline.
• Having experience and know of Rwanda’s planning and budgeting cycle is added advantage.
• Working experience with UN and or other international organizations will be an asset.
• Fluency and excellent writing skills in English and Kinyarwanda required, French is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS).

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Remarks: 

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.

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