Brief background
In May 2023, UN Indonesia hosted an event combining elements of an information session and a job fair, with a strong focus on inclusive HR practices and on employing people with disabilities. This event was a concrete step towards implementing the UN Disability Inclusion Strategy, showcasing the work of UN agencies and job opportunities that accommodate the needs of persons with disabilities.
Objectives and how we went about it
The event had three primary objectives:
- Familiarizing persons with disabilities with the UN Recruitment System, promoting accessibility and inclusivity.
- Identifying potential workers with disabilities who could thrive within the UN system and connecting them with potential employees
- Familiarizing UN Staff with organizations representing persons with disabilities (OPDs) as well as best working practices.
The event brought together a diverse array of participants:
- 15 UN agencies: UNOPS, UNFPA, UNV, IOM, FAO, UNDP, UNIDO, WHO, OCHA, UNHCR, UNICEF, ILO, UNWOMEN, WFP, and UNESCO.
- Four OPDs and recruitment agencies specializing in the recruitment of persons with disabilities actively participated.
- Two universities were actively involved in the event.
- Potential Workers with Disabilities connected with through outreach efforts involving collaborations with OPDs, universities, and recruitment agencies, as well as through UN agencies' social media platforms.
Agenda and Concept: The event was structured as follows:
- The event ran from 9 AM to 5 PM allowing ample time for interaction and engagement.
- UN agencies, OPDs, recruitment agencies, and universities each had a table to showcase their work.
- A video presentation looped throughout the day to showcase the work of participating agencies.
- Flyers promoting the event were developed and shared via online platforms and social media.
- Six sign language interpreters, 20 UN Volunteers (UNVs) and members of the UNAI (United Nations Association Indonesia) aided with support at registration tables and personalized assistance for individuals with visual or physical impairments.
- A filming team was present to capture participant testimonials and to livestream the event. The event was hosted by a member of the UNIC team, enabling access for a broader audience.
Lessons learned and feedback
Feedback revealed varied perspectives among participants. While some found the event highly beneficial, others suggested improvements, such as enhanced job opportunities for people with disabilities and improved confirmation procedures following registration. A few participants expressed confusion regarding the recruitment information, and some felt that the event fell short of their expectations.
Further suggestions included the need for more comprehensive information, as well as consideration of table size and spacing, and of room size and layout. Some participants expressed a desire for staff that were better-informed on intellectual disabilities. Increased duration and frequency of similar events was also recommended, as was the involvement of more partners, along with greater clarity in recruitment information, better organization and genuine inclusivity.
There is evident room for improvement but the HR Information Session for Persons with Disabilities received an overall favorable response, with the majority of participants reporting high levels of satisfaction and an enhanced understanding of the UN recruitment system. Strong demand for further events emphasize the importance of empowering individuals with disabilities to pursue opportunities with UN Indonesia.