Rwanda: Disability Assessment Adviser

About VSO

VSO is the world's leading development organisation that works through volunteers to fight poverty. We are unique in the way we bring people together to share their skills and experience, generate insights and ideas and, most of all, take action against poverty and exclusion. It's a highly effective approach that works, and today is helping millions of people in some of the world's poorest communities lift themselves out of poverty.

Role overview

Summary of role VSO Rwanda is looking for a consultant Disability Assessment Advisor with experience of identifying disability amongst children of primary school age to prepare the VSO team for a large scale assessment of the learning needs of primary school children with disabilities as part of a current national education project. The assessment has three phases: 1) Apply the Washington Group approach (tailored to children) to identify children with disabilities in a sample of schools in five Districts; 2) Establish the learning needs and possible interventions for children with the types of disabilities identified in phase 1; 3) Design project-level interventions to support children with disabilities in primary schools. The entire process is to be completed by the end of 2018. The Advisor will support the team to prepare for the assessment. Specifically the Advisor will ensure the VSO team and stakeholders have a full understanding of the Washington Group approach to establishing disability prevalence as means of identifying children for more detailed assessment of learning needs in the next phase of the assessment. The Advisor will provide theoretical and practical training to the VSO and key stakeholders in the project prior to the arrival of a further consultant who will design and lead the process of using the Washington Group approach in phase 1. The Advisor will support VSO and key stakeholders team to develop a basic approach to phase 1, phase 2 and phase 3 of the assessment that is suitable to the Rwanda context by advising on possible approaches and anticipated challenges in each phase.

Specific Terms of Reference 1) Theoretical training for VSO staff, VSO volunteers and key stakeholders: Design and deliver sufficient theoretical training on the Washington Group approach for up to 20 participants to equip a core group within the project team and amongst stakeholders with the knowledge to apply the approach in the project. The consultant is expected to integrate the online support provided by Leonard Cheshire International which provides remote training and advice on the Washington Group approach. 2) Practical training for VSO staff, VSO volunteers and key stakeholders: Design and deliver sufficient practical training to up to 20 participants 3) Develop basic roadmaps for phase 1, phase 2 and phase 3 of the assessment: Advise VSO and stakeholders on possible approaches to each phase of the assessment that are suitable to the Rwandan context including the resources needed and anticipated challenges and other factors that need to be considered.

DELIVERABLES: i) Work plan submitted by day 2 (in consultation with the VSO Social Inclusion and Governance Advisor and Health Programme Manager). ii) Training workshop on the Washington Group approach delivered to up to 20 participants. iii) Practical field-based training on the Washington Group approach delivered to up to 20 participants. iv) Basic road maps for each phase of the assessment produced. v) Basic road maps shared and discussed with VSO and key stakeholders.

Skills, qualifications and experience

Education i) At least a Master's degree in relevant field from reputable university. Knowledge and skills i) Expert knowledge on the use of the Washington Group questions for establishing disability prevalence amongst children. ii) Strong ability to train others in applying the Washington Group questions to children and to communicate complex concepts and approaches to an audience with varied backgrounds. iii) Strong ability to train and supervise field teams to use the Washington Group questions to establish disability prevalence amongst children. iv) Expertise in analysing and reporting on findings and their implications to future programming work. v) Expert knowledge of disability, especially amongst children, preferably in Rwanda. vi) Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain strong working relationships. vii) Able to work to tight timescales. Experience i) At least 10 years' experience in this area of work. ii) Experience of working in Rwanda or similar context in this area of work.

How to apply

VSO reserves the right to close this job early if we receive a sufficient number of applications.

To submit your application, click on 'Make an application' and complete all relevant fields on the online application form.

Please follow this link to apply: http://www.aplitrak.com/?adid=a2xhcm1hbi4zOTEzMS4zODMwQHZzby5hcGxpdHJhay5jb20