Result of Service

The consultant will develop a policy note to highlight the vulnerabilities and challenges faced by AT users in the context of disasters and climate change and accordingly provide concise and evidence-based policy recommendations for ensuring AT integration into disaster and climate change-related responses and actions.

Work Location

Home-based

Expected duration

30 days

Duties and Responsibilities

Backgroud Created in December 1999, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) is the designated focal point in the United Nations system for the coordination of efforts to reduce disasters and to ensure synergies among the disaster reduction activities of the United Nations and regional organizations and activities in both developed and less developed countries. Led by the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction (SRSG), UNDRR has over 150 staff located in its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, and in regional offices. Specifically, UNDRR guides, monitors, analyses and reports on progress in the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, supports regional and national implementation of the Framework and catalyzes action and increases global awareness to reduce disaster risk working with UN Member States and a broad range of partners and stakeholders, including civil society, the private sector, parliamentarians and the science and technology community. Building on the priorities for action and targets set out in the Sendai Framework, including an emphasis on the systemic nature of risk as an integral and determining factor in development processes, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) recognizes the importance of the active and meaningful engagement of all sectors and stakeholders to accelerate the Sendai Framework’s implementation and ensuring no one is left behind, including the empowerment of women and girls in all their diversity, as well as a multi-hazard approach. As the impacts of climate change continue to intensify worldwide, it is crucial to recognize and address the unique challenges faced by most at risk populations, including assistive technology (AT) users and individuals with disabilities. At the same time, climate-related disasters have almost doubled compared to the previous twenty years and current mitigation trajectories are leading to unmanageable disaster risk. While various organizations and initiatives focus on disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation and mitigation, there is a critical need to integrate assistive technology (AT) into these efforts to ensure inclusivity and resilience for all. There can be no climate justice without access to assistive technology. Assistive technology users, particularly persons with disabilities, face specific disaster. For instance, extreme weather events like hurricanes can result in the loss or damage of vital assistive devices, such as wheelchairs or hearing aids, leaving these individuals vulnerable to dangerous conditions. Additionally, early warning messages often lack adequate accessibility, making it difficult for AT users and persons with disabilities to receive critical information. Furthermore, as extreme climate disasters events become more frequent and severe, there is an increased demand for assistive devices due to injuries and illnesses. However, the destruction or disruption of services and supply chains during such events and during disasters in general can make it challenging for individuals to obtain the necessary assistive technology. ATscale, the Global Partnership for Assistive Technology, has a mission to catalyze action and mobilize stakeholders to increase the availability of and access to assistive technology. The organisation is dedicated to building and shaping systems in countries, focusing on advancing access to assistive technology for those in need. The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) emphasizes the necessity of inclusive disaster risk reduction strategies that specifically address the unique challenges faced by individuals with disabilities during disasters. Recognizing the interconnectedness of disaster risk reduction, climate change, and the need for assistive technology, ATscale, in collaboration with UNDRR, aims to promote the integration of assistive technology into disaster risk reduction and climate change initiatives. This effort seeks to better serve most at risk populations and foster more equitable, inclusive, and sustainable communities. The consultant will support UNDRR to develop a policy note to highlight the vulnerabilities and challenges faced by AT users in the context of disasters and climate change and accordingly provide concise and evidence-based policy recommendations for ensuring AT integration into disaster and climate change-related responses and actions. It will be a process that includes a systematic review of the literature, available resources, and evidence and expert consultations to cover the following: ➢ Outline the challenges faced by assistive technology (AT) users during disasters and climate change. ➢ Assess how disaster risk reduction (DRR) structures and systems, such as early warning systems (EWS), consider the needs of AT users. ➢ Assess existing national policies/plans/frameworks related to disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation to determine whether they adequately incorporate the needs of assistive technology users or identify any gaps in these policies regarding the consideration of assistive technology in disaster preparedness and response strategies. ➢ Gather empirical evidence and case studies demonstrating the effectiveness of different policy approaches in supporting assistive technology users in disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts. ➢ Identify gaps in the evidence base and areas requiring further research or data collection. ➢ Provide viable policy options aimed at addressing the identified challenges and improving the resilience of assistive technology users in the face of disasters and climate change. ➢ Discussion of draft policy note with disability stakeholder groups. The consultant must be open to making necessary adjustments emerging from the review. The United Nations will retain copyright and, as per UN regulations, UNDRR does not give individual author citations. Authors, designers and editors may be given an acknowledgement on the inside front cover at the discretion of the publication coordinator. The consultant will be home based and will work directly under the supervision of the UNDRR’s disability advisor, UNDRR Regional Office for Asia and Pacific and with UNDRR’s External Relations Officer, UNDRR External Relations Section.

Qualifications/special skills

Advanced University degree in international development studies, humanities, social sciences, disability studies or related field is required. A first level university degree with a combination of 2 additional years of relevant academic qualifications and experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree. At least 10 years of relevant experience researching or working on advocacy or research on disability inclusion, in depth knowledge on assistive technology and the rights of persons with disabilities, and inclusive disaster risk reduction is required. Experience with policy, guidelines and reports drafting is desirable

Languages

Fluency in English is required

Additional Information

Due to the high volume of applications received, only successful candidates will be contacted.

No Fee

THE 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.