HI has been supporting the Afghan people since 1987, starting its operations in Pakistan. Since 1996, HI has been operating across Afghanistan in order to launch victim assistance interventions, working at different levels of the society and adopting a cross-sectoral approach. While present on the ground to directly support victims of the conflict through the provision of a range of services – from physical rehabilitation, to mine risk education and inclusive livelihoods – HI has been continuously advocating to increase the rights of victims and other people with disabilities in the country. In particular, and in line with its global strategy and priorities, HI has been advocating to reduce the use of landmines and conventional weapons. Acknowledging the need to respond to the urgent emergency crises combined with longer term, chronic gaps in the provision of services, HI has steadily expanded its range of activities and services in order to support the most vulnerable people, enhancing their resilience while strengthening participation and inclusion of all individuals.

Job Purpose:

Inclusion Officer contributes to the implementation of HI's mandate and ten-year strategy in his/her country of origin. In the framework of CDCS funded project focusing on, HI will be providing tailored inclusive support to the local actors, partners and the beneficiaries with the overall aim to address specific contextual challenges and supporting implementation of tailored action plans aimed at mainstreaming disability. Inclusion Officer will provide technical coaching and regular support to the Project staff and beneficiaries on overcoming specific challenges to disability inclusion in their field activities. The position is based in Nangarhar with regular travel to Kunar (Nurgal and Chawkay) districts and Kabul.

The Duties and responsibilities may include but not limited to: 

Key Responsibilities:

Mission 1: In close collaboration with HI’s Technical Team, provide tailored technical support and coaching to partner’s project staff on disability mainstreaming across the action

• Facilitate the initial assessment of challenges and barriers faced by people with disabilities in accessing planned activities and/or employment opportunities.
• Identifying gaps and providing tailored technical support to Project staff to improve inclusive practices through regular field visits across the targeted locations to monitor the implementation of disability related adaptations and the meaningful inclusion of people with disabilities.
• Act as a focal point among project participants, staff, and HI’s Technical Unit to facilitate knowledge exchange and capacity building on inclusion.
• Assess project participants with disabilities to identify the type of support they may require to effectively engage in project activities and to empower them to integrate meaningfully into society. Provide recommendations on necessary adaptations at workstations and homes, as well as project tools, to ensure their full participation in skills development and other project activities.
• Facilitate the conduction of physical accessibility audits of the partner’s and public structures to ensure increased access.
• Identify project beneficiaries for the economic recovery/inclusion component for the project
• Support project staff during baseline/ end line or other assessments to ensure that people with disabilities are included in discussions and that their voices are heard and respected.

Mission 2: Capacity Building and Awareness

• Together with TU, facilitate targeted awareness-raising sessions on disability and inclusion for partner staff and the community.
• Facilitate the conduction of joint capacity building workshops for local humanitarian actors,  potential partners’ partners and community members on disability inclusion, accessibility standards, and inclusive communication, ensuring all staff have a shared understanding and skillset. (Targeted workshops and trainings will be conducted by HI’s Technical Unit based in Kabul)
• Organise experience-sharing sessions and document lessons learned among field staff of partner organisations.
• Facilitate peer-to-peer support and information-sharing initiatives to promote inclusion.

Mission 3: Engagement with OPDs and Community

• Support TU and project staff in engaging with local Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) to promote the inclusion and participation of persons with disabilities throughout the project.
• Support project staff in understanding project tools and provide guidance on how to engage with communities and collaborate effectively with OPDs to ensure inclusive identification and collection of disaggregated data.

Mission 4: Empowerment and Safeguarding

• Support project staff in establishing empowering and respectful relationships with all beneficiaries including persons with disabilities, adapting an empowerment-based approach across all project activities to achieve better outcomes such as increased autonomy and community engagement for this group of people.
• Support staff on inclusive risk and safeguarding mechanisms ensuring that consortium partners identify and mitigate risks specific to persons with disabilities in all project activities.

Mission 5: Referral and Service Mapping

• Conduct a mapping of disability-specific resources and services in the targeted areas to establish a strong referral mechanism, ensuring close follow-up on referrals made by partners

Mission 6: Reporting, Ethics, and Professional Conduct

• Provide regular and timely reports to the PM and Inclusion Technical Specialist, Economic inclusion Technical Officer on the activities implemented.
• Take photos and draft occasional success stories as identified in the field.
• Report ideas and information from project staff or field visits that may assist in future project proposals. Such information will be included in reports.
• Demonstrate willingness to improve his/her own knowledge and skills by participating actively in any training sessions and capacity-building activities.
• Show professional ethics, respect, and promote Handicap International’s mandate.
• Respect Handicap International’s Protection of Children Policy and Protection of Beneficiaries from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Policy, and report to your line manager any non-respect of HI’s policies amongst the teams or partners.
• The Inclusion Promoter is expected to maintain confidentiality of all beneficiary and internal information at all times.

Note that this job description must remain flexible, to respond to additional tasks or changes as identified by the line manager.

Qualifications and Skills:

• Education: Minimum Bachelor’s Degree in Social Science, Physical rehabilitation, or a related field
• Minimum 2 years of experience in the related role with I/NGOs.
• Ability to establish contacts and working relationships with partners and organizations
• Good communication skills
• Strong comprehension of the needs of persons with disabilities and 
• Strong skills in community mobilization
• Familiarity with MS Office (Word, Excel) and the internet.

Application Process:

Applicants can login to the online application system by copying and pasting the role link into their web browser https://airtable.com/appSfwJXyF36fLtbk/shrOKZHxXPqtFxhEb to submit their details and upload their required documents prior to the deadline.

Important notes:

• Please note that only the applications received through the online platform will be considered for this position.
• It is important to note that applications received after the deadline will not be considered. Therefore, timely submission is crucial.
• After the review process, please be aware that only candidates who have been shortlisted will be contacted for the next stages of the recruitment process. If you do not hear from us within one week from the closing date, please consider that your application has not been shortlisted for further process 

- HI has got strong stand on protection of beneficiaries.

"The Health Promoter will have to create and maintain an environment which prevents sexual exploitation and abuse and promotes the implementation of the code of conduct"

HI promotes and upholds the principles of equal opportunities and its policies (PSEAH, Child Protection etc). HI has a zero tolerance approach to any harm to, or exploitation of, a vulnerable adult or a child by any of our staff, representatives or partners. Recruitment to all jobs in HI includes, in particular, criminal
record checks and the collection of relevant references. Safeguarding our beneficiaries is our top priority in everything we do.

Individuals with disabilities and female candidates are especially encouraged to apply. We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment and strongly value the unique perspectives and contributions that you can bring to our team.