Disability Inclusion Technical Specialist at JSI

World Education, a division of JSI Research & Training Institute, Inc. (JSI/WE) is seeking a Disability Inclusion Technical Specialist to lead and promote the mainstreaming of disability inclusion and promoting inclusive service delivery that meets the rights of persons with disability under the Ana Patsogolo “Children First” Activity (APA), a five-year (2020-2025), USAID/PEPFAR- funded project. APA aims to prevent new HIV infections and reduce vulnerability among orphans and vulnerable children, adolescent girls and young women (AGYW), children and youth with disabilities, and their caregivers in Malawi. APA is anticipating additional funding from USAID to promote disability mainstreaming in Malawi and improve access to health services for children, youth and persons with disabilities (PWD). The position is contingent on the additional funding being awarded. 

Reporting to the Chief of Party, The Disability Inclusion Technical Specialist will lead the technical implementation of high impact, proven interventions that promote and ensure the rights of persons with disability. They will be responsible for facilitating the co-design of the activity’s implementation plan with stakeholders that include the Government of Malawi (MGCDSW, MoH and other GOM Ministries), MACODA, FEDOMA and other OPDs. They will provide technical support in the implementation of program activities to mainstream and enhance disability inclusion, access to health services for PWD, quality and use of data sources for understanding the situation of PWD in Malawi, and institutionalization of social accountability to prioritize needs of PWD.

The ideal candidate will have demonstrated knowledge and experience in disability inclusion and promotion of social accountability practices in the health and social services sectors, good understanding national disability policies and practices, and experience with USAID reporting.

Key Responsibilities: 

• Provide ongoing technical support to the Government of Malawi, the Malawi Council for Disability Affairs, the Federation of Disability Organizations in Malawi, and civil society on matters pertaining to disability mainstreaming and inclusion; design and lead training sessions on awareness, accessibility and inclusive practices, supporting inclusive health policy and health analysis for disability inclusion.
• Lead all interventions under the project’s disability inclusion component, including but not limited to being the primary relationship manager and focal person for disability focused stakeholders, promoting access and use of data to improve data quality and policies, monitoring and raising awareness on the situation in Malawi for PWD using the most up to date and available data;
• Lead and facilitate the collaborative development of preparation of programmatic work plans, technical reporting, budgets, and
• Monitor progress toward completion of program objectives;
• Work with national and local stakeholders to provide overall management, policy development, advocacy and to enhance community engagement in disability inclusion;
• Promote access to health information for PWD, CYWD, and their households
• Design and lead training sessions on disability awareness, accessibility and inclusive practices.
• Support GoM, MACODA, and FEDOMA at national and subnational levels and community partners to design and implement awareness raising and social accountability activities for all stakeholders on disability inclusion.

• Advanced degree (MA preferred) in health, social work, or international development;
• Proven experience (7+ years preferred) designing, implementing and/or managing health, social services, or disability inclusion activities of similar size and scope to the proposed activity in resource constrained environments;
• Experience in the Malawian or Southern African context required;
• Demonstrated expertise in disability inclusion, community engagement, social mobilization, and capacity development;
• Demonstrated management, leadership and technical skills;
• Expertise in project management, including developing implementation plans with key stakeholders, recruiting key personnel, overseeing start up and effectively managing subsequent activities;
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with government representatives, private sector, publishers, printers, community-based organizations/CSOs and donors
• Must possess excellent oral and written communication skills in English; language skills in Chichewa preferred.