National Consultant Development Home Visiting Programme and Implementing of Portage Training Families

Contract Duration - 14 Months

Working arrangement - Muscat, Oman, Remote work with travel

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To further strengthen services for children with disabilities and their families, the Ministry of Social Development (MoSD) has requested technical support from UNICEF Oman to adapt and institutionalize the Portage Home Visiting Programme within the national social service system. Portage is an internationally recognized early intervention and home-visiting approach that equips parents and caregivers with practical skills to support the development of children with developmental delays and disabilities within their home.

The programme focuses on empowering caregivers through coaching, individualized developmental planning, regular home visits, monitoring of child progress and the implementation of developmentally appropriate activities across key domains, including communication, cognition, socialization, self-help, and motor development. The programme emphasizes family participation, individualized goal setting, and continuous assessment to promote children's developmental progress and inclusion.

Under the supervision of UNICEF Oman and in close collaboration with the MoSD, the consultant will provide technical assistance for the design and development of a Portage-based home visiting programme for parents and caregivers of children with disabilities and conduct ToT.

The assignment will contribute to strengthening Oman’s disability-inclusive social service system by empowering families and caregivers, enhancing the capacities of the social workforce and ensuring that children with disabilities receive timely, family-centered developmental support within their communities.

If you would like to know more about this consultancy, please review the complete Terms of Reference here: TMC
0005312 External ToR.pdf

• Disability Inclusion
• Child Development and Early Intervention
• Special Education
• Social Work and Case Management
• Programme Design and Capacity Development

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or higher) in Disability Studies, Child Development and Early Intervention, Special Education, Social Work and Case Management or a related field.
• Minimum 10 years of progressively responsible professional experience in the design, implementation of programmes for children with disabilities, early intervention, family support or community-based services.
• Extensive, demonstrable experience in developing training curricula, training materials, and delivering ToT programmes for frontline service providers

• Knowledge of disability rights frameworks, including the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) and international best practices in disability inclusive programming.
• Experience with the Portage Home Visiting Programme or similar family-centered early intervention models.

Excellent written and spoken English and Arabic is required.

• Previous work experience with UN agencies, international organizations or development partners is highly desirable.
• Experience in the Middle East and North Africa region, preferably in GCC countries, is considered an asset.

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UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We…