New Consultancy: Disability and Assistive Technology Consultant, Child Survival Centre, UNICEF Supply Division Copenhagen, Remote or on site, 300 days over 24 months Individual Consultant International Position Long-term contract Mid-level Part time

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built. We offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture., coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, the right to education

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favouritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfil their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations Organizational context.

To support the Assistive Technology and Disability team in the Child Survival Centre (CSC), under the guidance of UNICEF Supply Division and in coordination with WHO, in advancing strategic procurement and market-shaping efforts that improve the affordability, availability and appropriate use of prioritized quality-assured assistive products in lowand middle-income countries, including through catalogue expansion, stakeholder dissemination and procurement guidance, and development of an assessment tool to evaluate national production capacity and inform sustainable procurement planning.

The purpose of this consultancy is to help ensure all deliverables are met within UNICEF Supply Division’s Assistive technology and disability portfolio. The consultant will be part of the Assistive technology and Disability unit supervised by the Innovation Manager on Assistive Technology in the Child Survival Centre (CSC), where the consultant will contribute to the portfolio to ensure children with disabilities have access to appropriate assistive technology focussing on the below mentioned deliverables.

How can you make a difference?

Under the supervision of the consultancy manager, the consultant will be responsible of the following deliverables:

1. Cross-cutting Portfolio and Technical Support (Disability and Assistive Technology).
   Deliverables:
   • Support ongoing workstreams across the disability and assistive technology portfolio, based on program needs.
   • Contribute to time-sensitive requests and emerging priorities to ensure continuity of implementation.
   Dedication estimation: 10%
2. Catalogue Review & Prioritisation (UNICEF + WHO supply catalogues)
   Deliverables:
   • Jointly review summary of current assistive products in catalogues and uptake to date
   • Prioritize and agree focus product categories for 2026–2027 in line with the WHO Priority Assistive Products List (APL)
   Dedication: 15%
3. Tender & Selection Process (New products inclusion)
   Deliverables:
   • Oversee at least one tender and selection process for quality assistive products based on the prioritized focus areas.
   • Support expansion of catalogue offerings by enabling inclusion of additional products and related equipment (where appropriate) for screening, assessment, fitting and provision.
   Dedication: 15%
4. Communications & Dissemination Support
   Deliverables:
   • Support development of co-branded procurement and training video series targeting nonprocurement personnel (aligned with UN/UNICEF/WHO procurement guidance).
   • Collaborate on developing co-branded flyers and PowerPoint materials describing catalogue product range and how to procure through the supply catalogues.
   • Support joint dissemination through regional/global webinars and other promotional events to increase awareness and uptake of catalogue products.
   • Prepare final dissemination-ready versions for publishing and stakeholder use.
   Dedication: 15%
5. Scoping Phase: Tool for National Production Capacity Evaluation
   Deliverables:
   • Collaborate to develop an evidence-based tool to facilitate country level evaluation of national production capacity mapped against the diverse manufacturing requirements of assistive product types.
   • Conduct scoping consultations and desk review to define scope, objectives and development pathway of the tool.
   • Explore opportunities to leverage and/or consolidate the tool with relevant existing WHO tools
   • Support development of a detailed concept note outlining the development, publication and/or field-testing process in line with WHO publication requirements and the UNICEF– WHO co-publishing agreement.
   Dedication: 15%
6. Assistive Technology Technical Support & Dissemination (Digital + ICARE)
   Deliverables:
   • Support completion of the Digital Assistive Technology LTA process establishment, including technical support to procurement.
   • Support completion of the ICARE tender process, including finalisation of the evaluation phase and establishment of the LTA through the full procurement process.
   • Provide technical support for effective procurement and implementation of assistive technologies under both LTAs, including responding to procurement-related technical queries and supporting appropriate product selection decisions.
   • Support dissemination and uptake activities for both LTAs, including development of guidance materials and delivery of webinars and other promotional events for key stakeholders.
   • Support country-level engagement and assistance, including responding to requests from countries and partners to enable effective use of the LTAs and access to quality assured assistive technologies
   Dedication: 10%
7. Management and building the AT advocates’ network:
   Deliverables:
   •  Facilitate webinars to promote knowledge sharing and collaboration. (Approx. 4 per year)
   • Create a centralized repository of resources e.g., research papers, case example, and best practices related to assistive technology and disabilities.
   • Share real-world case studies and success stories that showcase the positive impact of assistive technologies on individuals with disabilities.
   • Regularly update and maintain the membership list for the network of assistive technology and disability experts and professionals.
   Dedication: 5%
8. Support UNDIS Indicator 8 Implementation and DIPAS Supply Division
   Deliverables:
   • Collaborate with teams to ensure the effective implementation of UNDIS Indicator 8 and DIPAS in SD
   • Monitor progress and assess the alignment of initiatives with the goals of UNDIS Indicator 8 and the DIPAS for SD, adjusting as necessary.
   Dedication: 5%
9. Data gathering and analysis on potential new projects
   Deliverables:
   • Establish data monitoring systems to track AT procurement to report to the SP indicators and project outcomes.
   • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure data accuracy, consistency across projects.
   • Monitor the effectiveness of demand generation efforts, adjusting strategies as needed to optimize outcomes.
   Dedication: 10%

Timeline: This is a 300 days consultancy spanning over 24 months.

This position will work either on-site or remotely.
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Requirements:

Education: University degree in fields such as Special Education, Rehabilitation Science, Psychology, or a related discipline. Advanced degree (Masters) preferred.

Work Experience:
– Minimum 5 years of relevant, progressively responsible, professional experience is required.
– Experience working with children and persons with disability is required.
– Experience working with assistive technology is required.
– Understanding of or experience from LMIC context is a valued asset
– Professional experience with the United Nations (UN) is asset.

Technical Knowledge:
– Experience and understanding of children with disabilities and special needs.
– Experience and understanding of assistive technology.
– Knowledge of how to assess and evaluate the accessibility of websites, applications, documents, and other digital content.
– Aptitude in accessibility standards such as WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines).
– Knowledge of the context in which UNICEF operate.

Skills:
– Excellent communicator of verbal and written concepts to an international audience.
– Ability to quickly understand instructions, to proactively seek clarification when needed.
– Able to work well in a team environment.
– Able to work independently and problem solving oriented.
– Able to work in a multi-cultural environment and establish harmonious and effective working relationships.
– Demonstrated communication and relationship building skills.
– Proven capacity to work with and lead collaborative teams across different locations and with different technical skills.

Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

How to apply:
Qualified candidates are requested to submit:

1. Cover letter/application.
2. Daily rate and all-inclusive lumpsum for this consultancy.
3. At least 3 Reference contacts.
4. A copy of your highest diploma.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships

(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness

(3) Drive to achieve results for impact

(4) Innovates and embraces change

(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity

(6) Thinks and acts strategically

(7) Works collaboratively with others

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks: 

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

UNICEF is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. For this position, eligible and suitable [Insert candidates from targeted underrepresented groups] are encouraged to apply.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

In this role, you will collaborate with colleagues across multiple locations. For effective collaboration, we encourage flexible working hours that accommodate different time zones while prioritizing staff wellbeing.

Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF’s Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.