Disability Programmes Coordinator
Disability Programmes Coordinator
Apply by
8 Mar 2026
Title
Disability Programmes Coordinator
Reports to
Senior Programmes Manager
Salary
Dependent on location
The main purpose of this work is to implement MRGs global disability programme and advise staff on implementing projects on disability inclusion strategies and actions. The postholder will also develop policy frameworks to ensure they include and address the intersectional discrimination experienced by minority and indigenous community members with disabilities.
Status: The person will either be an employee or a consultant, dependent on their location.
Hours: This role is advertised at 3 days a week, but there is a possibility of more days, if we get further funding. Therefore, we encourage applications for part-time or full-time work.
Location and travel:
There are two options for the location of this role:
- Our preference is for this person to be located in and eligible for work in one of the countries where MRG has a registered office: Belgium (Brussels), Hungary (Budapest), Lebanon (Beirut) – soon to be established, Uganda (Kampala), United Kingdom (London).
That way, they can better coordinate with programmes and work with colleagues. It also gives the person the option to work in the offices some of the time. - Or, we will accept applications from other locations from people with the appropriate experience, but we are likely to favour someone with the right experience who is in one of the countries listed above or who could travel regularly to office locations and / or programme teams.
About MRG
Minority Rights Group is the leading human rights organization working with ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities, and indigenous peoples worldwide.
Millions of people miss out on basic rights because they are different. We support minorities and indigenous peoples in the defence and promotion of their rights – to the lands they live on, to the languages they speak, to the beliefs they practise, to the cultures they enjoy, to equal opportunities in education and employment, and to full participation in public life.
We work with ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities, and indigenous peoples to secure their rights and promote understanding between communities. We are guided by the needs expressed by our worldwide network of over 300 partner organizations in more than 60 countries. Together, we challenge power structures that exclude and silence those who are different.
Within this framework MRG is committed to addressing intersectional discrmination and we put a strong emphasis on the rights of people with disabilities belonging to ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities, including the Deaf sign language using community, and indigenous peoples.
Minority Rights Group is an international non-governmental organization with an international governing Council that meets twice a year. We have consultative status with the United Nations and observer status with the African Commission for Human and Peoples’ Rights.
MRG is an equal opportunities employer and particularly welcomes applicants who have lived experience of being an ethnic, religious or linguistic minority. As a Disability Confident employer, we also welcome applications from people with disabilities.
Main duties and responsibilities
Main duties and responsibilities
The role includes:
Project Coordination:
Coordinating MRG’s global disability rights programme, coordinating annual programs of activities with approx 5-8 minority or indigenous-led organisations of people with disabilities (OPDs).
These partner organisations are located in different regions and countries, including Brazil, Thailand, Nepal, Kenya, Rwanda and others also in Europe and potentially the MENA region.
The coordinator is responsible for, among other things, project design, budget oversight, contracting, reporting to donors and development of common international advocacy actions at regular international fora a such as the UN Forum on Minority Issues (UNFMI) and the Conference of States Parties to the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (COSP).
Strategic Development of Disability/Intersectionality within MRG:
The work will involve carrying out or advising on scoping and network building visits, drafting or commenting on shadow reports to UN and regional bodies, supporting the capacity building of MRG staff and partners and building MRG’s links with organisations working with and representing people with disabilities who also experience discrimination on the grounds of ethnicity, race, language or religion.
This will also include development in cooperation with human resources and regional office managers, of MRGs internal policies and practices regarding the effective mainstreaming disability inclusion and accesibility practices, throughout the organisation.
Project Support, Training and Capacity Building for Regional Programmes:
The post holder will also advise staff and project coordinators on how to best incorporate intersectional/disability rights-focused activities within their ongoing programmes and through contributing to the design of new projects and programmes.
This can include, developing and delivering specific training within projects, advising staff on making events and publications disability accessible, overseeing and supporting research actions by colleagues and project partners and working with the fundraising team and project staff to ensure project activities and budgets are developed to be anti-ableist and inclusive of the needs and rights of people with disabilities.
For the full list of tasks, please download the job description here.
What we are looking for
The selected person will have:
- An excellent knowledge of disability advocacy, disability rights and disability justice frameworks.
- In-depth understanding of how ableism intersects with other systems of oppression to impact people with disabilities across different contexts.
- Four years relevant work experience in a professional role related to disability rights or disability justice.
- A strong understanding of intersectionality encompassing challenges, opportunities, practical implementation steps and policy debates.
- At least two years’ experience of either disability rights advocacy, capacity building with or supporting OPDs and disability HRDs.
- One years’ experience of managing a project budget of over Euro 50,000 including activities in different countries.
- At least one years’ experience of project management, including intervention design, managing schedules, monitoring and evaluation of projects.
- At least one years’ experience of working with small charitable organizations/partners in the Global South.
- At least one years experience in providing policy analyses or the development of standards related to the rights of persons with disabilities
- Good communication skills both verbally and in writing
- Good written and spoken English
- Computer literate and knowledge of Word for Windows, spreadsheets, databases, the Internet and email packages.
- Numerate and able to understand and present figures.
- Excellent organization and management skills
- Ability to prioritise work, meet deadlines.
- Ability to stay calm under pressure and to assess and absorb information quickly.
- Ability to gain the confidence of members of minority communities and OPDs
- Ability and willingness to travel as required.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality, follow guidance on digital security and data protection.
- In depth understanding of intersectional discrimination specific to people with disabilities in society.
- Commitment to the aims and objectives of MRG.
- Commitment to gender equity.
- Enthusiastic about working in a multicultural environment and committed to equal opportunities.
They may also have:
- Experience of working on minority or related issues.
- Experience of working with members of minority communities.
- Experience of working on the development of institutional policy and practice around accessibility for and inclusion of disabled persons
- Experience working with OPDs in different countries and regions
- UN languages and/or relevant regional or national languages – Portugese/Swahili/Thai
If you would rather read this from a document, you can download the job description here.
Photo: Attendees discuss ideas for positive social change in research regarding disability and marginalized communities. Credit: Miriam Lawson/MRG.