Accessibility Associate

Mission and objectives

UNDP supports strategic capacity development initiatives to promote inclusive growth and sustainable human development. Together with national, regional and local authorities, civil society and the private sector, UNDP strives to support Ukraine in its efforts to eliminate poverty, build people’s capacities, achieve more equitable development results, protect the environment and advance democratic governance. UNDP’s work in Ukraine is aligned with the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), supporting the country’s strategic development and recovery priorities.

Context

Since the full-scale military aggression by the Russian Federation in February 2022 (hereafter, the “War”), Ukraine has been facing unprecedented destruction and displacement, and continued threats to human security. Thousands of women, men and children have lost their lives, critical life-line infrastructure has been destroyed, and millions of people have been forced to leave their homes. The scale of destruction and damage has profoundly affected every aspect of Ukrainian society and economy, while casting a long shadow over global peace and security.

Without immediate and synergised efforts around the three pillars of Human Security — protection, empowerment and solidarity — to strengthen the resilience of the Ukrainian state and people, the country risks succumbing to the cumulative and escalating impacts of the ongoing war, potentially leading to irrecoverable loss. Against this backdrop, the project aims to stimulate urgent recovery and strengthen resilience to the widespread death, destruction, displacement and suffering caused by the war in Ukraine, thereby promoting Human Security in Ukraine.

The project will promote rapid recovery from the devastation of war through multi-sectoral and integrated interventions, including:

• Restoration of basic infrastructure (electricity, water, public facilities, etc.);
• Enhancement of a safe living environment through mine action, clearance of explosive remnants of war (ERW), and debris management and recycling;
• Promotion of economic recovery, with support to agricultural industries and small and medium-sized enterprises, and social reintegration of war victims and veterans;
• Strengthening of capacities and functions related to the implementation of anti-corruption policies;
• Expansion of legal services to war-affected and socially vulnerable groups;
• Strengthening of governance and institutional capacities for the formulation and implementation of reconstruction plans at national and local levels.

To maximise transformational recovery, the project focuses on six priority thematic areas (outputs):

1. Critical infrastructure for basic services;
2. Debris management and recycling;
3. Mine action and war victim assistance;
4. Economic recovery;
5. Government recovery coordination;
6. Access to justice and human rights.

To strengthen the capacity of partners and ensure that UNDP-supported initiatives comply with international accessibility standards, the project seeks a National UN Youth Volunteer Accessibility Associate. The assignment is based in Kyiv, Ukraine, is onsite and full-time, with an initial duration of 3 months (with possibility of extension, subject to funding, operational needs and satisfactory performance). The Accessibility Associate will provide technical guidance, support accessibility assessments, and deliver trainings on universal design to implementing partners and stakeholders.

Key responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Project Coordinator, the Accessibility Associate will:

• Design, prepare and deliver trainings on accessibility standards and universal design for implementing partners, local authorities and other stakeholders.
• Develop knowledge products and training materials, including presentations, case studies, guidance notes and supporting documentation on accessibility and universal design.
• Support partners in reviewing and improving their accessibility measures in line with the UN Disability Inclusion Strategy (UNDIS), the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), and relevant national and international norms and regulations.
• Conduct on-site and remote assessments of buildings, public spaces, service points and workplaces to evaluate compliance with accessibility and universal design requirements.
• Provide architectural and technical advice on accessible design, including ramps, entrances, circulation routes, signage, lighting, sanitation facilities and emergency procedures.
• Review architectural plans and drawings to ensure proper integration of accessibility features and universal design principles.
• Review communication, training and project materials (including digital tools, guides, videos and printed products) to ensure they meet accessibility standards and contain all relevant information.
• Provide recommendations on inclusiveness, universal design and usability for all developed products and interventions.
• Assist in developing accessibility checklists, templates and guidance notes for use by partners and project teams.
• Document good practices, lessons learned and case studies in the area of accessibility and universal design to support continuous improvement and knowledge sharing.
• Contribute to knowledge-sharing events, workshops and consultations with partners and stakeholders.
• Participate in missions and field visits within Ukraine, as required.
• Perform any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor, in line with the project objectives and UNDP standards.

Requirements

• Secondary education - additional training or coursework in architecture, civil engineering, urban planning, accessibility/universal design, disability inclusion or related fields is an asset.
• Fluency in Ukrainian and working knowledge of English
• A minimum of 1 month of relevant experience (including through volunteering, internships or academic projects) in one or more of the following areas:

Accessibility assessment and universal design;

Architecture and settlements, development programmes, engineering and construction;

Disability inclusion, inclusive infrastructure or related fields.

• Experience conducting accessibility audits of buildings, public spaces, service delivery points or workplaces, including drafting assessment reports and providing technical recommendations, is a strong asset.
• Experience in developing and delivering trainings or capacity-building activities (including preparing training materials, presentations and guidance notes) is desirable.
• Experience working with communities, local authorities, NGOs or international organisations on disability inclusion or related thematic areas is a strong asset.

Technical competencies

• Experience in accessibility assessment, universal design or related technical fields.
• Solid understanding of accessibility standards and relevant frameworks, including:

National building norms and standards;

ISO standards and universal design principles;

CRPD and the UN Disability Inclusion Strategy (UNDIS).

• Ability to provide architectural and technical advice on accessible design (ramps, entrances, circulation, signage, lighting, WASH facilities, emergency procedures).
• Experience in preparing clear and practical technical recommendations and reports related to accessibility.
• Experience in preparing and using accessibility checklists, templates and guidance materials is an asset.
• Good command of standard office software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint); familiarity with design or CAD tools is an asset.

Allowances

• Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA): A monthly allowance of USD 1,270 (equivalent in UAH) is provided to cover housing, utilities and normal cost-of-living expenses.
• Entry lump sum: A one-time USD 400 entry lump sum is provided at the beginning of the assignment.

Medical and life insurance

• Medical insurance: The UN Volunteer and eligible PFU dependants will receive UNV-provided medical insurance coverage.
• Life insurance: UN Volunteers are covered by life insurance for the duration of the assignment.

Leave entitlements

• Annual leave: UN Volunteers accrue 2.5 days of Annual Leave per completed month of the assignment.
• Learning leave: Subject to supervisor approval and exigencies of service, UN Volunteers may request up to 10 working days of Learning Leave per consecutive 12 months of the assignment.
• Certified sick leave: UN Volunteers are entitled to up to 30 days of certified sick leave per 12-month cycle.
• Uncertified sick leave: UN Volunteers are entitled to 7 working days of uncertified sick leave per calendar year.