Accessibility Technical Officer (ATO) at Federation Handicap International (HI) | Kigali: Deadline: 31-05-2023

JOB OFFER

Accessibility Technical Officer (ATO)

POST BACKGROUND

The Accessibility Technical Officer (ATO) will be responsible for providing the necessary and required expertise for the development and management of accessibility in the built environment, in accordance with the standards set at international (ISO) and national level (by the Rwanda Housing Authority). This will include accessibility capacity building, technical and advisory support and supervision to ensure that all funded construction activities and office facilities comply with accessibility norms and standards and are carried out in accordance with the goals and objectives of the project. He/she is responsible for the day-to-day management and supervision, ensuring overall efficiency. He/she is also responsible for providing technical assistance to the country programme, including contributing to the development of accessibility policies and guidelines and proposing strategies to properly maintain accessibility standards in HI offices and HI funded construction facilities.

Under the direct supervision of the Operations Manager, the ATO will be fully responsible of proving the required expertise and commitment to support programme staff, development partners and all service providers who contracted with HI in matters regarding accessibility development and management.

INFORMATION REGARDING THE POST

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF THE HI RWANDA PROGRAMME

Federation Handicap International, operating under the name of “Humanity & Inclusion” (HI) is an independent and impartial international solidarity organization, which intervenes in situations of poverty and exclusion, conflicts and disasters. Working alongside people with disabilities and vulnerable populations, it acts and commits itself to meet their basic needs, to improve their living conditions and to promote respect for their dignity and fundamental rights

HI started operating in Rwanda after the aftermath of the genocide perpetrated against Tutsi in July 1994. From 1994 to 1996, HI worked alongside many other NGOs to provide emergency assistance to a population plunged in extreme distress, misery and poverty. From 1996 to 2000, the country experienced a period of relative social, political and administrative stability, during which HI engaged in long-term activities and aimed at improving the living conditions of vulnerable people, particularly those with mental health problems, HIV / AIDS, by providing them with appropriate support. Since 2001, HI has been contributing to the development of the country, expanding its activities and developing projects to prevent violence through a community-based approach, promoting education for all, community-based rehabilitation, training of occupational therapists, fighting against gender-based violence, protecting children from abuse and violence – especially children with disabilities, promoting inclusive nutrition, ECD and nurturing care.

WORKING ENVIROMENT

Work mates

The ATO will be placed under the hierarchical responsibility of the Operations Manager. She/he will act in collaboration with the Logistics Manager, the Finance Manager, the HR Manager, the Project Managers, the project teams and HI partners.

Technical support

The ATO will be technically supported by the HI Global Accessibility Specialist, based at the Headquarter.

Transport facilities

The ATO will often have to move in upcountry areas to visit construction activities in the field.


KEY AND MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE ATO

The main responsibilities of the ATO will include but not limited to:

Responsibility 1: Accessibility audit

• Technically guide and operationalize the HI internal accessibility audit committee and coordinate its activities on a regular basis
• Conduct field visits for an initial accessibility needs assessment before any action is engaged by HI in order to allow the latter respond to Persons with Disabilities’ specific needs as appropriate (eg. Schools, refugee camps, hospitals, health posts, WASH services, offices, etc.)
• Ensure all technical inputs and cost estimates related to the construction components are accurate, timely provided and included in the project proposals and budgets.

Responsibility 2: On-site technical support and supervision

• Provide overall technical assistance to HI construction projects, from their planning to their implementation and monitoring.
• Ensure HI contractors and consultancy firms recruited to develop accessibility on the HI funded projects work in compliance with technical specifications, ISO and RHA standards.

Responsibility 3: Technical support and guidance

• Advise the HI Log department on how to develop and evaluate bills of quantities before advertising accessibility-related construction activities.
• Ensure that implementation, monitoring and supervision tools are effectively implemented by HI staff, development partners and service providers who are in contract with HI (in coordination with the contracting authority).
• Manage accessibility work handover events and provide ad hoc relevant reports
• Monitor the use of the HI office accessibility facilities and set mechanisms as well as strategies for maintaining and renewing them on a regular basis.

Responsibility4: Quality control

• To ensure effective accessibility quality control mechanisms are put in place, communicated and disseminated (in compliance with Rwanda Building Code) in coordination with the contracting authority.
• Take responsibility for overall progress and use of resources allocated to the work she/he is assigned to (in coordination with the contracting authority).
• Identify and manage risks and initiate corrective action where necessary, to ensure that maximum standards and norms are respected and met.
• Innovate possible solutions to support HI’s work and initiatives that are meant to maintain accessible working environment, both in Kigali and outside where HI intervenes.
  
  
  

Responsibility 5: Team capacity building in matters of accessibility

• Identify the HI staff’s needs that need enforcement and capacity building in matters regarding accessibility development and management
• Train project teams, HI contractors and partners’ staff involved in the HI activities, based on the contractual obligations ad hoc.
• Organize lesson learning and sharing events to allow further replication of best practices noted in performing accessibility norms and standards.

EXPECTED PROFILE

ABOUT OUR ORGANISATION

Humanity & Inclusion (HI) is a solidarity organization international committed to the rights of persons with disabilities, of people in a situation of vulnerability, and in general for human rights. Respect and the dignity of people concerned and beneficiaries of the actions and communities are at the heart of the staff and collaborators of HI, in all contexts of intervention.

Our code of conduct is a key element to the implementation of the institutional policies that set out the fundamental principles in the protection of our beneficiaries – especially the most vulnerable – against any form of abuse be of power, harassment, sexual exploitation and abuse, by our own staff. These policies include, but are not limited to:

• Protection of Beneficiaries against Exploitation and Abuse Sexual
• Child Protection
• Fight against Fraud and Corruption.

All our representatives are expected to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with our code of conduct. Any violations of those policy will be treated seriously.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SUBMISSION

The application file must include a letter of motivation addressed to the Country Manager of HI in Rwanda, accompanied by the coordinates of 3 professional references related to the position, certificates of services rendered, a detailed Curriculum Vitae and a copy of each diploma (3 pages max). Complete applications must be submitted by e mail no later than 31^st May 2023, 5:00 pm; to the following email address:

recrutement@rwanda.hi.org with subject: ATO-HI-202305.

Only pre-selected candidates will be contacted to take the tests.

N.B: HI strongly encourages women candidates and persons with disabilities to apply.

(In accordance with the law into force, persons with disabilities will be given priority in the event of equal professional competence or the same mark at the end of the written tests and interviews)

Done at Kigali, 16^th May 2023. 

Mélanie GEISER

Country manager