Democracy Fellowship – Disability/Human Rights
Special Programs to Address the Needs of Survivors
Washington, DC
Introduction
World Learning’s Democracy Fellows Program (DFP) is funded by the United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Office of Democracy and Governance in the Bureau for Democracy, Conflict and Humanitarian Assistance (DCHA/DG).
Purpose
USAID’s Center of Excellence in Democracy, Human Rights and Governance (DRG Center) seeks applications from qualified persons interested in a renewable one-year appointment as a Democracy Fellow in the Special Programs to Address the Needs of Survivors (SPANS) team. The Democracy Fellow will contribute to the management and oversight of programs supported by the disability fund and assist in promoting inclusive development not only in USAID’s DRG programs, but also contribute to larger efforts spearheaded by USAID’s Disability and Inclusive Development Coordinator. The Democracy Fellow will be an active participant in efforts to create communities of practice of USAID DRG experts in Washington and field missions and efforts to establish the DRG Center as a learning organization.
Background
Within SPANS there are five programs/funds that address vulnerable populations – all of these programs have their basis in human rights.
There have been extensive changes and initiatives within the US Government that reflect the current positive trend in furthering the rights and opportunities for persons with disabilities. These include:
- The United States signed the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) in July 2010. This Convention emphasizes that disability is a human rights issue and should be regarded as such. Steps toward encouraging US ratification are underway.
- In October 2010, Judy Heumann was appointed as Senior Advisor for International Rights of Persons with Disabilities at the US State Department.
- In December 2010, Charlotte McClain-Nhlapo was appointed as Coordinator, Office of Disability and Inclusive Development within the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
In addition to the broader political environment, there is an on-going commitment within USAID to further the inclusion of people with disabilities in programs and activities worldwide. Some examples:
- Washington Operating Units (EGAT/ED and OFDA) have elaborated new multi-year strategies and disability is being distinguished within these strategies.
- USAID Missions through CDCS planning and some individual Mission initiatives (Ethiopia) are recognizing disability as a cross-cutting issue and new emphasis is placed on this area.
- Upgrading USAID’s e-learning course on “Inclusive Development”. An external organization is undertaking a review of the current course and will make detailed recommendations for revision by the end of September 2011.
- Senator Harkin has been a champion for persons with disability since his engagement in passing the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1961. Since 2005, SPANS has managed a roughly $4-5 million/year fund that has been designed to further the inclusion of persons with disabilities and strengthen disabled people’s organizations in developing countries as part and parcel of this process. Since 2005, there have been 74 awards to 53 organizations in 49 countries totaling over $21 million USD. There are 33 awards are on-going in 30 countries for over $9M USD.
Duties and Responsibilities
The Democracy Fellowship will include the opportunity to participate in some or all of the following:
- Program Management Support / Administration
- Serve as point person, reporting to AOTR, for continued oversight of the on-going projects funded through the disability fund.
- Provide recommendations for the ongoing maintenance and updates of project files (grant agreements, progress reports, evaluations, and communications) both electronically and in hard-copy.
- Provide feedback on progress reports to Missions/partners as indicated.
- Provide disability-related technical assistance as needed.
- Answer questions raised by USAID Missions/ WoUs and stakeholders regarding the availability of funds or criteria to access the funds.
- Serve on Technical Evaluation Committees that will evaluate new funding applications (compile feedback and send response to USAID Missions).
- Update summary information projects funded, applicants, Mission contact information, and progress reports every quarter.
- Help develop the annual work plan for SPANS actions related to disability.
- Assist with drafting content for RFA/RFPs as requested.
- Participate in project site visits as indicated.
- Provide input on Congressional Reporting on use of disability funds semi-annually.
- Contribute to all other mandated reports and reviews as requested by SPANS.
- Strategic Analysis / Policy Development
- Conduct targeted analysis of disability fund recipients to further learning (topics TBD).
- Contribute to SPANS, USAID Disability Coordinator, State Dept Disability Advisor initiatives to further the inclusion of persons with disabilities in foreign assistance work (reviewing documents for inclusion, participating in meetings, drafting content for thought pieces).
- Work with evaluation and monitoring team to help streamline programmatic impact of investments.
- Outreach / Liaison
- Participate in meetings related to disability (internal to USAID or with development partners).
- Present information on the disability fund (background, main activities, levels of funding).
- Other
- Contribute to discussions related to general disability in any of the other SPANS programs.
- Write quarterly report focused on the disability fund and submit to SPANS.
- Prepare any report documents related to the Fellowship and submit in a timely manner.
- Participate in SPANS meetings and provide administrative support to SPANS as indicated.
- Work with other focal points of the SPANS funds in a collaborative manner to contribute expertise and offer general support as needed.
Qualifications and Skills
- US citizenship is required.
- An advanced degree in disability, human rights or a related field, with demonstrated competence in inclusive development practices;
- Substantive knowledge in at least one disability related area;
- Excellent English writing skills are required;
- Knowledge of donor assisted efforts to promote improvements in human rights and/or inclusive development;
- Supplementary language skills are desirable.
Supervision and Guidance**
**
The incumbent will serve as a member of the SPANS Team of the DRG Center. The incumbent will also participate in relevant working groups in other parts of the Agency as relevant. S/he will be supervised/mentored by the USDH SPANS manager. The incumbent is expected to exercise the highest degree of individual initiative, resourcefulness, responsibility, and authority consonant with the overall policy and procedural framework of USAID.
Location
The incumbent will be based within the SPANS team at the Ronald Reagan Building in Washington DC. Some international travel will be required.
Duration of the position
Initial appointment is for one year, with possibility of renewal for up to four years. Priority will be given to candidates who can commit to a minimum of two one-year appointments, subject to annual satisfactory performance evaluation.
Democracy Fellowship – Disability/Human Rights
World Learning
Democracy Fellows Program
1015 15th Street, NW
7th Floor
Washington, DC 20005
