Lead, Disability Inclusion job at Brac

BRAC International is Hiring! Join BRAC International to create opportunities for people to realise their potential.

About the Role:

This position is part of BRAC International’s Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Unit and will lead the mainstreaming of disability inclusion, including Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), across the organisation, both in programmes and at the organisational level. The role is responsible for ensuring that disability inclusion considerations are systematically embedded across programme design, implementation, and organisational practices. The position will provide strategic and technical leadership by developing and operationalising disability inclusion-related guidelines, tools, and standards; strengthening inclusive programme design; and ensuring effective implementation through hands-on technical support, supervision, and capacity building. In addition, the role will support strengthening systems for accessibility and reasonable accommodation and promote the use of data and evidence for disability-responsive programming and organisational culture. The position will work closely with cross-sectoral teams to design and implement integrated programmes that address the diverse needs of participants and staff members with disabilities while strengthening partnerships and referral systems to enhance service delivery and impact.

Key Responsibilities:

Development and Adoption of Tools, Processes and Guidelines for Disability Mainstreaming

• Lead the development of systems, tools, and guidelines for designing and implementing DI mainstreaming activities under different programmes of BI in operating countries and in the organization as a whole
• Support and contribute to the development and refinement of the organisation's policies and strategies from a DI lens and rollout.
• Lead in the implementation of processes and strategies that promote disability inclusion in programming.

Technical Support and Quality Assurance

• Technical Assistance & Mainstreaming: Provide hands-on technical support to BI country teams across operational and programme cycles (planning, execution, and evaluation), including developing standard operating procedures, work plans, curricula, and disability-responsive SBCC tools.
• Provide targeted technical guidance to ensure Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) considerations are effectively integrated into early childhood development, education programmes, and staff capacity building.
• Conduct rapid disability inclusion (DI) assessments for new proposals, lead Disability and Barrier Analyses (DBA), and apply Universal Design Principles (UDP) to ensure physical accessibility of BI offices and project infrastructures (e.g., clubhouses, Play Labs).
• Ensure all learning modules, SBCC, and IEC materials are fully inclusive and accessible, verifying their effectiveness through regular field assessments and quality checks.
• Lead assessments for assistive devices and reasonable accommodation needs for staff and participants, and establish a functional system for their procurement, distribution, and record-keeping.
• Ensure programme reports demonstrate DI progress, and lead the identification, documentation, and showcasing of good practices in coordination with the knowledge management and communications team.
• Organise campaigns and events for international days (e.g., IDPD, Disability Week) and represent the organisation in relevant forums to share learning and engage in inclusive development advocacy.

Programme development and support for Resource Mobilization

• Develop tools and guidelines and support countries and teams to conduct DI analysis in the communities to support programme development
• Support the country teams in the development of DI action plans in response to issues identified in the DI analysis.
• Ensure DI in programme activities to effectively integrate DI considerations.
• Engage in concept note/proposal development, including designing interventions and supporting budget preparation for mainstreaming DI activities under different BI programmes

Capacity Building, Onboarding, and Recruitment

• Assess DI capacity-building needs across BI countries and lead the development of training modules, materials, and initiatives (including ToTs, orientations, and onboarding) for staff, partners, and programme participants in collaboration with the central L&D unit.
• Provide ongoing supportive supervision, mentoring, coaching, and regular follow-up for DI-focused staff across different BI countries to ensure quality implementation.

Partnership Building, Networking and Advocacy

• Lead the identification and establishment of strategic partnerships with disability-focused international NGOs, Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs), and service providers at global, regional, and national levels.
• Strengthen referral networks to ensure programme participants with disabilities have reliable access to specialised services.
• Initiate and lead BI’s representation in disability rights advocacy efforts at global, regional, and national levels.

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Documentation

• Integrate DI indicators into the MIS, aligned with project results frameworks.
• Monitor implementation and track progress on disability inclusion across interventions.
• Document case studies and produce quarterly and annual reports on disability inclusion and outcomes.

Safeguarding responsibilities

• Ensure the safety of team members from any harm, abuse, neglect, harassment and exploitation to achieve the programme’s goals on safeguarding implementation. Act as a key source of support, guidance, and expertise on safeguarding for establishing a safe working environment.
• Practice, promote, and endorse the issues of safeguarding policy among team members and ensure the implementation of safeguarding standards in every course of action.
• Follow the safeguarding reporting procedure in case any reportable incident takes place, and encourage others to do so.

Academic Qualifications:

Master’s degree in Social Science, Sociology, Development Studies, Special Education, or another related field.

Professional Certificate / Certification:

Courses/training on Disabilities /Social Inclusion/ Inclusive Development.

Experience:

9-10 years of experience in development and at least 5-6 years of experience in implementing diversity, equality and inclusion (DEI), disability inclusion, Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), social inclusion, and gender justice with a proven track record of success, especially in countries in Africa, including in humanitarian settings.

Knowledge of Disability Inclusion including SEND approaches and methodologies, the latest evidence, research, global guidelines, and good practices across the development setting.

Experience in monitoring and evaluation of disability interventions and ability to interpret data for decision-making and inform disability inclusion strategies and interventions.

Experience in DI capacity development, including developing and facilitating training, mentorship and coaching on DI approaches and methodologies.

Experience in managing complex projects and budgets.

Proven experience in building and managing partnerships at the local and regional levels.

Knowledge, Skills and Competencies:

• Proven ability to effectively collaborate with multicultural teams, fostering an inclusive and diverse work environment.
• Ability to analyze and interpret program data and to track performance against indicators
• Openness to learn and explore new ideas with a deep commitment to quality
• Ability to think strategically and drive innovation in program design and implementation
• Ability to thrive in dynamic and fast-paced environments, demonstrating a high level of adaptability to changing circumstances and priorities
• Proficient in using Microsoft and google online tools, including Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Drive, for seamless productivity and collaboration
• Possesses strong critical and strategic thinking, exceptional problem-solving skills, and a participants-oriented service mentality
• Experience of providing technical guidance and supportive supervision to a large team working in humanitarian settings
• Capable of working both individually and as part of a team
• Excellent communication (written, verbal, negotiation, facilitation and presentation skills).
• Fluent verbal and written communication skills in English
• A high degree of personal resilience, flexibility and ability to adapt to changing circumstances
• Available for field visits for up to 50% of the time.

• Lead the development of systems, tools, and guidelines for designing and implementing DI mainstreaming activities under different programmes of BI in operating countries and in the organization as a whole
• Support and contribute to the development and refinement of the organisation's policies and strategies from a DI lens and rollout.
• Lead in the implementation of processes and strategies that promote disability inclusion in programming.
• Provide hands-on technical support to BI country teams across operational and programme cycles (planning, execution, and evaluation), including developing standard operating procedures, work plans, curricula, and disability-responsive SBCC tools.
• Provide targeted technical guidance to ensure Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) considerations are effectively integrated into early childhood development, education programmes, and staff capacity building.
• Conduct rapid disability inclusion (DI) assessments for new proposals, lead Disability and Barrier Analyses (DBA), and apply Universal Design Principles (UDP) to ensure physical accessibility of BI offices and project infrastructures (e.g., clubhouses, Play Labs).
• Ensure all learning modules, SBCC, and IEC materials are fully inclusive and accessible, verifying their effectiveness through regular field assessments and quality checks.
• Lead assessments for assistive devices and reasonable accommodation needs for staff and participants, and establish a functional system for their procurement, distribution, and record-keeping.
• Ensure programme reports demonstrate DI progress, and lead the identification, documentation, and showcasing of good practices in coordination with the knowledge management and communications team.
• Organise campaigns and events for international days (e.g., IDPD, Disability Week) and represent the organisation in relevant forums to share learning and engage in inclusive development advocacy.
• Develop tools and guidelines and support countries and teams to conduct DI analysis in the communities to support programme development
• Support the country teams in the development of DI action plans in response to issues identified in the DI analysis.
• Ensure DI in programme activities to effectively integrate DI considerations.
• Engage in concept note/proposal development, including designing interventions and supporting budget preparation for mainstreaming DI activities under different BI programmes
• Assess DI capacity-building needs across BI countries and lead the development of training modules, materials, and initiatives (including ToTs, orientations, and onboarding) for staff, partners, and programme participants in collaboration with the central L&D unit.
• Provide ongoing supportive supervision, mentoring, coaching, and regular follow-up for DI-focused staff across different BI countries to ensure quality implementation.
• Lead the identification and establishment of strategic partnerships with disability-focused international NGOs, Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs), and service providers at global, regional, and national levels.
• Strengthen referral networks to ensure programme participants with disabilities have reliable access to specialised services.
• Initiate and lead BI’s representation in disability rights advocacy efforts at global, regional, and national levels.
• Integrate DI indicators into the MIS, aligned with project results frameworks.
• Monitor implementation and track progress on disability inclusion across interventions.
• Document case studies and produce quarterly and annual reports on disability inclusion and outcomes.
• Ensure the safety of team members from any harm, abuse, neglect, harassment and exploitation to achieve the programme’s goals on safeguarding implementation. Act as a key source of support, guidance, and expertise on safeguarding for establishing a safe working environment.
• Practice, promote, and endorse the issues of safeguarding policy among team members and ensure the implementation of safeguarding standards in every course of action.
• Follow the safeguarding reporting procedure in case any reportable incident takes place, and encourage others to do so.

• Proven ability to effectively collaborate with multicultural teams, fostering an inclusive and diverse work environment.
• Ability to analyze and interpret program data and to track performance against indicators
• Openness to learn and explore new ideas with a deep commitment to quality
• Ability to think strategically and drive innovation in program design and implementation
• Ability to thrive in dynamic and fast-paced environments, demonstrating a high level of adaptability to changing circumstances and priorities
• Proficient in using Microsoft and google online tools, including Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Drive, for seamless productivity and collaboration
• Possesses strong critical and strategic thinking, exceptional problem-solving skills, and a participants-oriented service mentality
• Experience of providing technical guidance and supportive supervision to a large team working in humanitarian settings
• Capable of working both individually and as part of a team
• Excellent communication (written, verbal, negotiation, facilitation and presentation skills).
• Fluent verbal and written communication skills in English
• A high degree of personal resilience, flexibility and ability to adapt to changing circumstances

• Master’s degree in Social Science, Sociology, Development Studies, Special Education, or another related field.
• Courses/training on Disabilities /Social Inclusion/ Inclusive Development.
• 9-10 years of experience in development and at least 5-6 years of experience in implementing diversity, equality and inclusion (DEI), disability inclusion, Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), social inclusion, and gender justice with a proven track record of success, especially in countries in Africa, including in humanitarian settings.
• Knowledge of Disability Inclusion including SEND approaches and methodologies, the latest evidence, research, global guidelines, and good practices across the development setting.
• Experience in monitoring and evaluation of disability interventions and ability to interpret data for decision-making and inform disability inclusion strategies and interventions.
• Experience in DI capacity development, including developing and facilitating training, mentorship and coaching on DI approaches and methodologies.
• Experience in managing complex projects and budgets.
• Proven experience in building and managing partnerships at the local and regional levels.