Remote International Consultant UNICEF Supporting Children with Disabilities

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in the Sultanate of Oman has opened applications for a Consultant to Develop a Home Visiting Programme and Deliver Portage Training for Families of Children with Disabilities, under a 14-month consultancy contract with remote work and travel to Muscat, Oman, as required. The consultant will work under the supervision of UNICEF Oman and in close collaboration with the Omani Ministry of Social Development to develop and adapt the Portage Home Visiting Programme so that it can be integrated into the national social services system.

The programme aims to support families of children with disabilities and developmental delays by training parents and caregivers in practical skills that help develop children’s abilities in areas such as communication, cognition, social interaction, self-care, and motor development.

• A 14-month consultancy contract with UNICEF.
• The possibility to work remotely, with travel to Muscat when required.
• Direct collaboration with UNICEF and the Ministry of Social Development in Oman.
• The opportunity to contribute to the development of a national programme supporting children with disabilities and their families.
• International experience in designing early intervention programmes and capacity‑building initiatives.
• Collaboration with government entities and specialists in social protection and disability.
• Compensation will be determined based on the financial proposal submitted by the candidate and UNICEF’s selection process; the vacancy announcement does not specify a fixed salary.

The consultant’s responsibilities will include:

• Providing technical support to UNICEF and the Ministry of Social Development in Oman to develop a home visiting programme based on the Portage approach.
• Adapting the Portage programme to suit the national context of the Sultanate of Oman and the needs of children with disabilities and their families.
• Designing an integrated home visiting framework focused on early intervention and family support.
• Developing the programme’s curricula, guidelines, and training materials.
• Preparing practical activities and tools that help parents and caregivers support children’s development in areas including:
  • Communication
  • Cognitive abilities
  • Social interaction
  • Self-care
  • Motor development
• Developing mechanisms to identify individual developmental goals for each child and monitor progress.
• Designing assessment and continuous follow‑up tools for the needs of children and families.
• Delivering a Training of Trainers (ToT) programme for staff and service providers.
• Building the capacity of social workers and frontline professionals to provide supportive services for children with disabilities and their families.
• Providing technical guidance on training methods, family counselling, and home visiting approaches.
• Maintaining ongoing collaboration and coordination with UNICEF, the Ministry of Social Development, and relevant stakeholders.
• Contributing to the sustainable integration of the programme into Oman’s national social services system.
• Ensuring that the programme is aligned with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) and international best practices in disability inclusion.

• Hold a Master’s degree or higher qualification in one of the following fields or a related discipline:
  Disability inclusion, Child development and early intervention, Special education, Social work and case management, Programme design and capacity building.
• Have at least 10 years of advanced professional experience in designing and implementing programmes for children with disabilities, early intervention, family support, or community-based services.
• Demonstrate strong experience in developing curricula and training materials.
• Have experience designing and delivering Training of Trainers (ToT) programmes for staff and service providers.
• Have strong knowledge of disability rights frameworks, including the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).
• Have experience with the Portage Home Visiting Programme or similar family-centered early intervention programmes.
• Be proficient in Arabic and English, both written and spoken.
• Be able to work independently and collaborate effectively with government entities and partners.

• Previous experience working with United Nations agencies, international organizations, or development partners.
• Professional experience in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
• Previous experience in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries is considered an additional advantage.