With more than 50 years of experience developing the capacity of member states, IIEP- UNESCO is the only specialized organization with the mandate to support education policy, planning and management in the UN system. 

For decades, IIEP-UNESCO has been working with UNESCO Member States to develop more inclusive systems, in particular by helping them to become more responsive to gender issues, crises and conflicts, and climate change. Through a Programme funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), IIEP-UNESCO in Africa is strengthening its commitment to supporting countries in making their systems more inclusive for children and young people with disabilities.

Indeed, the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) and the IIEP-UNESCO in Africa have signed an agreement for the joint development of a programme on inclusive education for children and youth with disabilities in West Africa. This programme, entitled "Planning for inclusive education. Regional Programme in West Africa”, has the following development objective: ’Education systems in West Africa are inclusive, ensuring that girls, boys, young women and young men with disabilities have the same opportunities for access and learning as all other children and young people". It is being implemented in eight (8) West African countries (Cabo Verde, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Mauritania, Senegal, Sierra Leone) and consists of four components:• Component 1: Capacity building• Component 2: Community of Practice• Component 3: Evidence generation • Component 4: Technical support for analysis and planning.

Within the component 2 of the Programme, a Community of Practice with a focus on Disability-Inclusive Education Sector Planning will be implemented from 2026. IIEP-UNESCO in Africa aims to hire a consultant to support the development and implementation of the regional programme’s Community of Practice. 

Long Description

RATIONALE FOR THE CONSULTANCY

Within the component 2 of the regional Programme “Planning for Inclusive Education”, the  Community of Practice on Disability-Inclusive