RWANDA UNION OF THE BLIND

UNION RWANDAISE DES AVEUGLES

P.O. Box 1527 Kigali-Rwanda

Tel: (250)788 856 671 / (250) 788 304 490

E-mail: [email protected], [email protected]

Website: www.rub-ura.org

TOR FOR RECRUTEMENT OF THE LOCAL EXPERT (LE)

I.    BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON RUB MISSION AND INTERVENTIONS

Rwanda Union of the Blind (RUB) is a local non-governmental organization legally operating in Rwanda since 1995 to work towards the improvement of the living conditions of persons with visual impairment in Rwanda. Its activities and interventions aimed at improving the living conditions of persons with visual impairment through advocacy, promoting the education of children with visual impairment, capacity development of members, and rehabilitation program/service.

Its activities and interventions aimed at improving the living conditions of persons with visual impairment through advocacy, promoting the education of children with visual impairment, capacity development of members, and rehabilitation program/service.

To achieve its mission of improving the living conditions of persons with visual impairment in Rwanda, RUB assists its members to come out of isolation and improve their economic status by setting up various programs including rehabilitation, capacity development, and advocacy.

RUB promotes the rights of people with vision disabilities through advocacy assistance, education, and outreach work to build the Rwandan society awareness and support for inclusion.

RUB considers advocacy as instrumental in ensuring that the views, wishes, and aspirations of visually impaired people are heard when decisions are made about their lives. It aims to legitimize the needs of persons with visual impairment as rights holders as declared in CRPD and uses the Human Rights-Based Approach (HRBA) as its main national rights advocacy to address the denial of human rights to persons with visual impairment in Rwanda.

II.    JUSTIFICATION AND SCOPE OF THE POSITION

The Rwanda Union of the Blind (RUB) has been actively engaged in advocacy and activism for the last 25 years in Rwanda. Much has been achieved through the work of RUB. However, as the work of RUB grows there is a need for more complex engagement in advocacy, development of advocacy tool, monitoring of programs, engaging and networking with other organizations, and the government. Therefore, RUB finds it necessary to support and train its staff and executive boards to effectively engage in advocacy activities to the highest level.

The local expert will work to ensure effective implementation of all advocacy and communication activities of the organization related to the strengthening of RUB and the Disability Movement in Rwanda at the local and national levels.

III.    MAIN TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Report to the Rights-based Program as required by the agreement(s).
• Serve as a liaison between RUB and the Rights-based Program;
• Participate in the trainings, technical meetings and other meetings organized for the network of the Rights-based Program and partner organizations;
• Contribute to the integration of the rights-based approach in RUB’s policies, programs, and projects;
• Support in the development of M&E tools and reporting forms for RUB;
• Develop communications on disability issues to the public (e.g. press release, website content, and other social media, etc.);
• Ensure that all communication/advocacy materials are in accessible formats to all persons with visual impairment (in large prints and Braille);
• Be responsible for arranging and planning awareness-raising events and meetings;
• Provide technical support to RUB branches in the implementation of their advocacy projects;
• Participate in research and documentation on issues related to the strengthening the Rwanda Union of the Blind;
• Prepare the content to update the RUB database and website;
• Identify potential partners and other collaborators for RUB;
• Create a good corporate image of RUB by designing activities aimed at creating a better understanding of the special needs and rights of persons with Visual impairment;
• Document all processes involved in the implementation of Advocacy component;
• Keep clear and precise records for all advocacy activities undertaken by RUB;
• In consultation with the Advocacy committee chairperson arrange and prepare meetings, agenda and minutes of the meetings in the Advocacy Committee;
• Liaise with the Advocacy Committee and other staff in order to provide distinct and planned advocacy activities both at the local and national level;
• Maintain updated information and be aware of, welfare rights, benefits, relevant legislation (e.g. PWD Act, UN Convention on the rights and protection of PWDs) and other related legal documents in addition to available local services in the target districts,
• Offer training, advice and information and where appropriate representation in order to empower RUB Staff and members, local advocates and other stakeholders to make informed decisions regarding issues of human rights and the relevance of government policies for persons with disabilities;
• Work closely with Executive Director and other staff members to develop advocacy plans and strategies in line with the communication and advocacy strategies for the Strengthening of RUB);

IV.    REQUIRED SKILLS, EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

• A bachelor’s degree in  social sciences  or other relevant fields;
• Good knowledge of and working experience in disability rights advocacy in Rwanda
• Good knowledge of written and spoken English, and Kinyarwanda;
• Able to interact freely and comfortably with a variety of persons including those with disabilities;
• Professional experience in networking and partnerships;
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including demonstrated ability to motivate and inspire confidence in others;
• Demonstrate commitment and dedication towards RUB’s mission, vision, and values,
• Ability to organize and plan effectively.