**Background**
The World Health Organization estimates that than one billion people approximately 15% of the global population are persons with disabilities. In Article 31 of the CRPD, States commit to collecting appropriate information to enable them to formulate and implement policies in a form that is disaggregated as appropriate to identify and address barriers faced by persons with disabilities in exercising their rights.

The more recent Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN, 2006), adopted in 2006, further strengthened the rights of children with disabilities with a dedicated article on children (art. 7). This outlined the obligation on States to ensure the realisation of all rights for children with disabilities on an equal basis with other children, to promote their best interests, and to ensure their right to be heard and taken seriously. It incorporates, within its general principles (art. 3), respect for the evolving capacities of children with disabilities and their right to preserve their identities and introduces a general obligation (art. 4) to consult with children, through their representative organisations, when developing relevant legislation and policies.

These Conventions focus on the disparities faced by children with disabilities and call for improvements in their access to services, and in their participation in all aspects of life. In order to achieve these goals, there is a need for improved data collection internationally. The current lack of accurate data impedes the development, implementation and evaluation of policies and programmes that would improve the lives of children with disabilities. The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities encourages States to collect appropriate information, including statistical and research data, to enable them to formulate and implement policies to give effect to the Convention (art. 31).

It is with this backdrop that the Able Child Africa Network through its network member the Uganda Society for Disabled Children (USDC) would like to commission a consultant to conduct a rapid assessment to identify and understand menstrual health management gaps among youth with disabilities. The survey will target 300 youth with disabilities across the network, however, the work with Uganda Society for Disabled Children (USDC) will target 100
youth with disabilities in Uganda and Rwanda

**Purpose**
The Able Child Africa network is looking for a consultant to serve as mixed methods specialist for a rapid assessment of menstrual hygiene management gaps among youth with disabilities within Africa. Working in collaboration with Uganda Society for Disabled Children (USDC), the consultant will develop and integrate a quantitative and qualitative research strategy which will include design and development of data collection tools on the areas of focus. The work
will help the network better understand the gaps youth with disabilities face in MHM and a report of findings will inform future interventions for in and out of school youth with disabilities.

The consultant will be part of the core evaluation team and will participate in all aspects of the research design, implementation, data analysis and dissemination of results. On the major technical and implementation work, the consultant is expected to work independently and to engage with the lead organisation and partners.

**Objectives**
• Design and develop the guiding research questions and develop data collection tools and procedures which will be reviewed by Uganda Society for Disabled Children (USDC) before data collection.
• Assemble all data (audio recordings, transcripts, typed notes, etc.) into an organised package for transmission.
• Prepare baseline and final reports detailing the guiding research questions, research process, and preliminary findings of the research and integrate in overall findings report.

**Expertise Required**
• The research consultant is expected to have extensive mixed methods field research experience and professional credentials as well as a strong track record of conducting comparable field research.
• Specifically, the consultant should have relevant experience in research, surveys, monitoring and evaluation and substantial formal training in research methods.
• Preference will be given to consultants with lived experience and based in Africa.

**Experience**
• At least three years of relevant field experience doing qualitative research, involving the collection of original data. Experience running qualitative studies, including in data collection design, implementation, and analysis, in developing countries, is required.
• Language: Superior written and oral communications skills in English is essential.
• Interpersonal skills: Demonstrated ability to work effectively and sensitively in teams.
• Qualitative and Quantitative research: Experience in qualitative and qualitative research.

**Terms**
**Time**
The final report of the survey must be complete by Thursday, 29th May 2026.
**Location**
The work is expected to be completed in Uganda and remotely in Rwanda
**Budget**
The maximum budget for this work is Ugx 6,500,000. This budget is inclusive of all costs
associated with completing this work.