Quick Summary: The United Nations Resident Coordinator Office in Fiji is seeking a highly qualified Disability Inclusion Consultant for a one-year contract starting March 1, 2026. This is an exceptional opportunity to drive meaningful change in disability inclusion across the Pacific region while working with the UN Country Team.
Overview of the UN Disability Inclusion Consultant Position
The United Nations has announced an exciting career opportunity for passionate professionals dedicated to advancing disability rights and inclusion. The Disability Inclusion Consultant position at the UN Resident Coordinator Office in Suva, Fiji, represents a unique chance to shape disability inclusion strategies across the Pacific region and contribute to the global UN Disability Inclusion Strategy (UNDIS).
This national consultant role offers professionals the opportunity to work at the intersection of human rights, international development, and organizational change management. The position focuses on implementing comprehensive disability inclusion frameworks while collaborating with UN agencies, government partners, and organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs) throughout the Pacific.
Job ID:270456
Location:Suva, Fiji
Duration:March 1, 2026 – February 28, 2027
Application Deadline:February 17, 2026
Category:Consultants (CON)
Department:Resident Coordinator System
Key Responsibilities and Expected Results
The Disability Inclusion Consultant will serve as a strategic advisor and implementation specialist, working directly under the Head of Office at the RCO. This role encompasses both technical expertise and coordination capabilities across multiple UN agencies and external stakeholders.
Strategy Development and Implementation
One of the primary responsibilities involves developing a comprehensive implementation, monitoring, and evaluation plan for the Disability Inclusion Strategy specific to the Fiji Multi-Country Office (MCO). The consultant will prioritize inclusion in UN operations and ensure that disability perspectives are integrated into all aspects of the UN’s work in the Pacific region.
The implementation plan will build upon activities initiated in Phase I, including accessibility audits, Operations Management Team (OMT) engagement, UN Communications Group (UNCG) collaboration, and staff training initiatives. This ensures continuity and progressive advancement of disability inclusion efforts.
Training and Capacity Building
A critical component of this role involves providing targeted training on disability inclusion to the UN Country Team (UNCT) and staff members. The consultant will design and deliver training programs that enhance understanding of disability rights, inclusive practices, and the UN’s commitments under the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).
Monitoring and Accountability
The consultant will monitor and follow up with UNCT agencies regarding actions to address recommendations from UN premises accessibility audits. This includes tracking progress, identifying barriers, and providing technical assistance to ensure that physical and digital accessibility standards are met across all UN facilities.
Regular updates will be provided to the Human Rights Theme Group (HRTG) and UNCT on key disability inclusion initiatives and progress on implementation plans undertaken by UN agencies at the national level.
Coordination and Secretariat Services
Serving as the secretariat for the UNCT Disability Inclusion Working Group (DIWG), the consultant will be responsible for organizing events, planning meetings, recording and disseminating minutes, and providing technical advice and assistance. This coordination role is essential for maintaining momentum and ensuring collaborative action across the UN system.
Mainstreaming and Integration
The position requires mainstreaming disability considerations into all UNCT planning documents, including the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF). The consultant will ensure that disability inclusion is not treated as a separate issue but is integrated into core programming and planning processes.
Reporting and Documentation
Tracking and reporting on the UNDIS and UNSDCF accountability framework, scorecard, and activities represents a crucial accountability function. The consultant will collect good practices and lessons learned for dissemination to other UNCTs in the Pacific region, including Micronesia and Samoa, as well as globally.
Advocacy and Partnership Development
The consultant will initiate disability advocacy and communication efforts in collaboration with the UNCG, particularly to promote the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3. Additionally, the role involves identifying opportunities for enhanced UN partnerships with OPDs by designing Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) and building on existing UNCT partnership agreements.
Qualifications and Requirements
Educational Background
Candidates must hold a Master’s degree in political science, sociology, international relations, law, public administration, or other related social sciences. However, the UN recognizes the importance of lived experience and practical expertise in disability inclusion.
Important Note: In lieu of an advanced degree, candidates with a Bachelor’s degree and relevant work experience may qualify, with two additional years of experience considered equivalent. Notably, persons living with disabilities who meet the minimum Bachelor’s degree requirement in a relevant field with two years of experience will be given preference in the selection process.
Language Requirements
Fluency in spoken and written English is required, as English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Knowledge of additional official UN languages (Arabic, Chinese, Russian, or Spanish) is considered an advantage and may strengthen an application.
Professional Experience and Competencies
While not explicitly detailed in the job posting, successful candidates typically demonstrate strong backgrounds in disability rights advocacy, policy development, project management, and multi-stakeholder coordination. Experience working with international organizations, government agencies, or civil society organizations on disability inclusion initiatives is highly valuable.
Why This Opportunity Matters
This position offers more than just a career opportunity; it represents a chance to contribute to systemic change that affects the lives of millions of persons with disabilities across the Pacific region and beyond. The consultant will work at the forefront of implementing the UN’s commitments to disability inclusion, helping to ensure that the organization’s pledge to “leave no one behind” becomes a lived reality.
The Pacific region faces unique challenges related to disability inclusion, including geographic dispersion, limited resources, and varying levels of accessibility infrastructure. Working in this context provides invaluable experience in addressing complex, multi-dimensional inclusion challenges while developing innovative solutions that can be adapted globally.
Impact on Regional Development
The work of the Disability Inclusion Consultant directly supports the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, ensuring that persons with disabilities are included in and benefit from development initiatives. By strengthening partnerships between the UN and organizations of persons with disabilities, the consultant helps amplify the voices of those most affected by exclusion.
Application Process and Timeline
Interested candidates must submit their applications before the deadline of February 17, 2026. The position is posted on the UN careers portal under Job Opening ID 270456. Applications should include a comprehensive CV detailing relevant experience, educational qualifications, and language proficiency.
Application Tips:
- Clearly demonstrate how your experience aligns with the specific responsibilities outlined in the job description
- Highlight any experience working with persons with disabilities or disability organizations
- Provide concrete examples of implementation and coordination achievements
- Emphasize cross-cultural competencies and experience working in diverse contexts
- If you are a person with a disability, consider including this information as you will be given preference
Contract Details and Working Conditions
This is a National Consultant position with a one-year contract duration from March 1, 2026, to February 28, 2027. The consultant will be based at the RCO Fiji Suva Office, providing opportunities to work within the vibrant Pacific context while contributing to regional and global disability inclusion efforts.
As a national consultant position, the role is designed for candidates who are nationals of or have legal residency in Fiji or the Pacific region. This ensures deep understanding of local contexts, cultures, and challenges while building regional capacity for disability inclusion work.
Professional Development Opportunities
Working as a Disability Inclusion Consultant with the UN offers exceptional professional development opportunities. The role provides exposure to international best practices in disability inclusion, opportunities to build networks across the UN system and with organizations of persons with disabilities, and the chance to contribute to global knowledge and practice in this critical field.
The consultant will work closely with multiple UN agencies, gaining insights into diverse programmatic areas and approaches to disability inclusion. This cross-sectoral experience is invaluable for professionals seeking to advance their careers in international development, human rights, or organizational change management.
Important Information for Applicants
⚠️ Fraud Alert – No Fee Required
THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (application, interview, meeting, processing, or training). The United Nations does not concern itself with information on applicants’ bank accounts.
If anyone requests payment or bank account information claiming to represent the UN recruitment process, this is fraudulent. Report such incidents immediately to the UN and do not provide any personal financial information.
Building an Inclusive Future
The Disability Inclusion Consultant position represents the UN’s serious commitment to implementing the UN Disability Inclusion Strategy and ensuring that disability rights are respected across all areas of the organization’s work. By supporting the development of partnerships with organizations of persons with disabilities, the consultant helps ensure that inclusion efforts are grounded in the principle of “nothing about us without us.”
The role contributes to broader efforts to transform the UN into a model organization for disability inclusion, demonstrating leadership that can inspire governments, private sector actors, and civil society organizations throughout the Pacific and globally.
Conclusion
This Disability Inclusion Consultant opportunity at the UN Resident Coordinator Office in Fiji offers a unique combination of strategic influence, practical implementation responsibility, and meaningful impact. For professionals passionate about disability rights and inclusion, this position provides the platform to drive systemic change while working within the world’s preeminent international organization.
With the application deadline of February 17, 2026, rapidly approaching, interested candidates should prepare their applications promptly. This role is ideal for individuals who combine technical expertise in disability inclusion with strong coordination and communication skills, and who are committed to advancing the rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities in the Pacific region and beyond.
The one-year contract duration provides sufficient time to make substantial progress on implementation plans while also offering the possibility of extension or transition to other opportunities within the UN system for high-performing consultants. For persons with disabilities who meet the qualifications, this position represents a particularly important opportunity given the preference stated in the selection criteria.
Ready to Apply?
Visit the official UN careers portal and search for Job Opening ID 270456 to submit your application before February 17, 2026. Ensure all required documentation is complete and clearly demonstrates your qualifications for this important role.
Useful Resources and Backlinks:
- Official UN Careers Portal – Browse all current job openings
- UN Disability Inclusion Strategy – Learn about UNDIS framework
- Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD)
- UN Pacific Regional Office – Information about UN work in the Pacific
- UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework
- ILO Disability and Work Resources
- WHO Disability and Health Fact Sheets