Consultant - Technical Guidance on Health Equity for Persons with Disabilities at World Health Organization (WHO)

Purpose of Consultancy

• To provide technical guidance to WHO and Member States in advancing health equity for persons with disabilities, including providing guidance on advocacy activities. 

Background  

• In December 2022, the WHO Global Report on Health Equity for Persons with Disabilities was published.
• This report came at the direct request of Member States through WHA resolution 74.8 on the highest attainable standard of health for persons with disabilities. This resolution requested WHO to produce a report on the highest attainable standard of health for persons with disabilities, which included updated WHO Global estimates on disability prevalence, as well as recommendations for strengthening health systems to better include persons with disabilities.  
• The Global Report outlines a range of actions that Member States can take to address health inequities, building on the existing health system strengthening approach of primary health care. To contribute to the recommendations of the Global Report, WHO is currently developing a range of technical guidance and advocacy materials.

Deliverables

• Activity 1: Develop and build capacity on communication related impairments for WHO programmes guidance and to contribute to country capacity building:
  • Deliverable 1.1: Develop background research paper on speech and communication related impairments and associated disability.
  • Deliverable 1.2: Research existing tools and develop training toolkit for internal and external audiences on interventions needed to address speech and communication related impairments.
  • Deliverable 1.3: Develop and deliver training for WHO and partners on interventions to address speech and language related impairments and associated disabilities. 
    Expected by April 2025
• Activity 2: Technical guidance to WHO and Member States, particularly Francophone countries, in advancing health equity for persons with disabilities. Specifically:
  • Deliverable 2.1: Produce a background research paper and technical guidance on disability inclusion for communicable and noncommunicable disease technical programmatic areas of work for WHO.
  • Deliverable 2.2: Produce a background research paper and technical guidance on disability inclusion for health systems technical programme areas of work for WHO.
  • Deliverable 2.3: Produce a background research paper and technical guidance on disability inclusion for health emergencies programme areas of work for WHO.
  • Deliverable 2.4: Produce a background research paper and technical guidance on disability inclusion Francophone countries.
    Expected by April 2025
• Activity 3: Develop and disseminate advocacy materials for WHO and partners to advance health equity for persons with disabilities. Specifically:
  • Deliverable 3.1: Contribute to the development of information and updating of the WHO disability internal SharePoint platform.
  • Deliverable 3.2: Develop and contribute to the preparation and dissemination of advocacy materials on health equity for persons with disabilities.
  • Deliverable 3.3: Prepare materials and advise other WHO technical programmes in the development of advocacy activities so that they are disability inclusive.
    Expected by April 2025

Educational Qualifications
Essential:

• First University Degree in Speech and Language Sciences, Linguistics or Disability Studies.

Desirable:

• Advanced University Degree in speech and language sciences, linguistics or disability studies.

Experience:  

Essential:

• At least 2 years of relevant experience working with persons with speech and language impairments.
• At least 2 years of experience with carrying out research in the field of disability. 
• Demonstrated experience developing technical guidance on disability inclusion and advocacy materials. 
• Proven record of publications in scientific journals on health equity for persons with disabilities and the provision of health services for persons with disabilities during health emergencies.

Desirable:

• Experience in health system assessments and working with the UN system.
• Experience working with WHO.
• Skills: 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Technical expertise in gender equality, intersectional approaches, and humanitarian response.

Languages required:
Essential:  

• Expert knowledge of English.
• Expert knowledge of French.

Remuneration
Band level A - USD 3,955 - USD 6,980 per month.