Deadline: 21-Apr-2026

UNICEF is inviting Expressions of Interest (EOIs) to strengthen a national disability-inclusive education resource centre under the GPE-TESS programme in South Sudan. The initiative focuses on inclusive education systems, the Inclusive Education Resource Centre at the University of Juba, teacher training, assistive learning materials, community awareness, and the empowerment of girls and youth with disabilities.

What is the UNICEF EOI for Disability-Inclusive Education in South Sudan?

The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) is seeking Expressions of Interest (EOIs) for an initiative under the GPE-TESS programme in South Sudan.

The opportunity is aimed at strengthening a national disability-inclusive education resource centre and improving the broader inclusive education system so that children with disabilities, especially girls, can access quality learning opportunities.

This initiative addresses long-standing barriers in South Sudan such as:

• Stigma and discrimination
• Limited teacher training in inclusive education
• Lack of assistive learning materials and devices
• Inadequate infrastructure
• Weak institutional systems for disability-inclusive education

What is the Purpose of the Initiative?

The main goal is to strengthen institutional and community systems that support equitable and inclusive education for children with disabilities in South Sudan.

Core Objectives

The initiative aims to:

• Strengthen inclusive education systems
• Reinforce a national resource centre for disability-inclusive education
• Improve access to accessible and assistive learning materials
• Build teacher and partner capacity
• Empower girl champions and youth with disabilities
• Promote community awareness and advocacy on inclusive education

Key Focus Areas

1. Strengthening Inclusive Education Systems

The programme seeks to address systemic gaps in inclusive education by improving structures, coordination, and institutional support for children with disabilities.

This includes helping education actors deliver more inclusive, equitable, and resilient services.

2. Supporting the Inclusive Education Resource Centre at the University of Juba

A major component of the initiative is strengthening the Inclusive Education Resource Centre at the University of Juba.

Why This Centre Matters

The centre serves as a national hub for:

• Promoting inclusive teaching methods
• Supporting teacher training institutions
• Developing accessible learning materials
• Advancing disability-inclusive education practices nationally

Expected Support for the Centre

The programme aims to ensure the centre is:

• Fully operational
• Adequately staffed
• Accessible
• Regularly available to:
  • Children
  • Youth
  • Teachers
  • Educators and institutions

3. Improving Access to Accessible Learning Materials

The initiative supports the development and availability of disability-inclusive learning resources.

Examples include:

• Sign language materials
• Audio learning resources
• Other accessible education materials
• Potentially assistive learning tools and devices

This is important because many children with disabilities are excluded from learning simply because materials are not designed for their needs.

4. Teacher and Partner Capacity Building

The programme includes training sessions for implementing partners and education stakeholders.

Training Focus

These trainings will strengthen:

• Inclusive education approaches
• Gender-responsive education practices
• Practical skills for supporting children with disabilities
• Better delivery of inclusive education in targeted regions

This component is essential because lack of trained teachers remains a major barrier to inclusive education in South Sudan.

5. Empowering Girl Champions and Youth with Disabilities

The initiative also aims to identify and support:

• Girl champions
• Youth with disabilities

These individuals will act as community advocates for inclusive education.

Planned Support Includes

• Orientation
• Mentorship
• Participation in national-level engagement events
• Opportunities to promote positive attitudes toward disability inclusion

This approach helps ensure that people with lived experience are directly involved in advocacy and system change.

6. Community Awareness and School-Based Advocacy

The programme also supports community-level outreach and school-based activities.

Community Engagement Goals

These efforts will help:

• Raise awareness about the value of education for girls
• Promote education access for children with disabilities
• Reduce stigma and harmful attitudes
• Encourage more supportive school and community environments

Who is This Opportunity For?

This is an Expression of Interest (EOI) opportunity likely intended for organizations or implementing partners capable of supporting inclusive education programming in South Sudan.

Likely Suitable Applicants

Based on the initiative scope, suitable applicants may include:

• Non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
• Civil society organizations (CSOs)
• Education-focused organizations
• Disability rights organizations
• Organizations working on inclusive education
• Institutions with experience in teacher training, accessible learning materials, or community mobilization

Strong Applicants Will Likely Demonstrate

• Experience in inclusive education
• Work with children with disabilities
• Capacity to support training and institutional strengthening
• Ability to engage with communities and schools
• Knowledge of gender-responsive programming
• Presence or operational capacity in South Sudan

Why This Matters

This initiative is important because children with disabilities in South Sudan continue to face major barriers to education.

Why It Matters

By strengthening both the University of Juba resource centre and community-level support systems, the programme can help:

• Improve access to quality education for children with disabilities
• Build long-term national capacity for inclusive education
• Strengthen teacher preparation and support
• Increase availability of accessible learning materials
• Reduce stigma in schools and communities
• Promote education for girls and youth with disabilities

In short, this is a systems-level effort to make education in South Sudan more inclusive, accessible, and equitable.

How to Apply / What to Do

Since this is an EOI (Expression of Interest) call, applicants should prepare a strong organizational response aligned with UNICEF’s priorities.

Suggested Application Approach

1. Review the Scope Carefully

Make sure your organization can contribute to one or more of the following:

• Inclusive education systems strengthening
• Resource centre support
• Teacher and partner training
• Accessible learning materials
• Youth and girl champion engagement
• Community advocacy

2. Demonstrate Relevant Experience

Clearly show experience in:

• Disability-inclusive education
• Teacher capacity building
• Gender-responsive programming
• Community mobilization
• Education systems strengthening
• Development of accessible materials

3. Present an Implementation Strategy

Your EOI should explain:

• What activities you can deliver
• Which geographic areas or target groups you can support
• How you will strengthen the University of Juba resource centre or related systems
• How your work will improve access for children with disabilities

4. Highlight Inclusion and Accessibility Expertise

Explain your organization’s capacity to support:

• Sign language or accessible content development
• Disability inclusion standards
• Child-centered and gender-responsive approaches
• Engagement with youth with disabilities and girl champions

5. Prepare Required Organizational Documents

Typical EOI submissions may require:

• Organization profile
• Registration documents
• Relevant project experience
• Technical approach or concept note
• Team capacity information
• Financial and compliance documents (if requested)

6. Follow UNICEF’s Official Submission Instructions

Submit the EOI through the official UNICEF procurement, partnership, or call-for-expression-of-interest channel as specified in the full notice.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Submitting a generic education proposal without a clear disability inclusion focus
• Failing to show experience in inclusive education
• Ignoring the role of the University of Juba resource centre
• Overlooking gender-responsive approaches
• Not addressing community engagement and stigma reduction
• Providing weak evidence of operational capacity in South Sudan

Quick Facts

• Organization: UNICEF
• Country: South Sudan
• Programme: GPE-TESS
• Opportunity Type: Expression of Interest (EOI)
• Main Focus: Disability-inclusive education
• Key Institution: Inclusive Education Resource Centre, University of Juba
• Target Groups: Children with disabilities, girls, youth with disabilities, teachers, education partners
• Main Components: Resource centre strengthening, teacher training, accessible materials, advocacy, community awareness

FAQs

1. What is this UNICEF EOI about?

It is a UNICEF call for Expressions of Interest to strengthen a national disability-inclusive education resource centre and improve inclusive education systems in South Sudan under the GPE-TESS programme.

2. What is the main institution involved in this initiative?

A central part of the initiative is the Inclusive Education Resource Centre at the University of Juba, which serves as a national hub for inclusive teaching methods and accessible learning materials.

3. What are the main focus areas of the programme?

The programme focuses on:

• Inclusive education systems strengthening
• Resource centre support
• Teacher capacity building
• Accessible learning materials
• Empowering girl champions and youth with disabilities
• Community awareness and school-based advocacy

4. Who is likely eligible to apply?

This EOI is likely most relevant for NGOs, CSOs, disability-focused organizations, and education partners with experience in inclusive education and operations in South Sudan.

5. Why is this initiative important?

It helps address major barriers such as stigma, limited trained teachers, lack of assistive materials, and weak institutional support, all of which prevent children with disabilities from accessing education.

6. What kind of materials will the resource centre support?

The centre is expected to support accessible learning materials, including:

• Sign language resources
• Audio materials
• Other disability-inclusive educational tools

Conclusion

The UNICEF EOI under GPE-TESS in South Sudan is an important opportunity to strengthen disability-inclusive education through both institutional support and community engagement. By reinforcing the Inclusive Education Resource Centre at the University of Juba, training educators, improving access to accessible materials, and empowering girls and youth with disabilities, the initiative aims to build a more inclusive and resilient education system.

For more information, visit UN Partner Portal.