Brief background
In alignment with the United Nations' commitment to diversity and the inclusion of persons with disabilities, UN Indonesia launched the Disability Inclusion Inclusive HR Services Project to assess and enhance disability inclusion readiness within national UN agencies.
Results
Survey findings shed light on recruitment practices and disability inclusion efforts within UN agencies in Indonesia. Key observations included:
- Many agencies offered support during the recruitment phase for individuals with disabilities, although support was less common during other employment stages.
- Some agencies demonstrated a clear understanding of disability categories as defined by Indonesian law.
- Agencies exhibited variations in job vacancy announcements and recruitment processes, often collaborating with disability-focused organizations and platforms.
- The survey delved into reasonable accommodations, retention strategies, use of inclusive language, accessibility audits, and emergency procedures.
- Survey responses were scored not for competition but to establish benchmarks, allowing us to gauge disability inclusiveness.
Interviews with HR representatives from various UN agencies provided valuable qualitative insights, and perspectives on progress made and areas requiring improvement.
One of the main project outcomes is Inclusive Recruitment Guidance, which is tailored for UN agencies in Indonesia and aims to foster diversity and equal opportunities in line with the CRPD. The guidance provides practical notes to ensure an inclusive recruitment process, encouraging agencies to rethink traditional recruitment methods in line with highlighted recruitment challenges. The guidance supports UN agencies in tapping into a wider talent pool, promoting inclusivity, equality, and diversity.
It also offers high-level advice, practical tips, and resources to achieve this throughout the recruitment process, from designing job descriptions to onboarding support.
How we went about it
The project's primary objectives were:
- Assessing
- Identifying the strengths and challenges of disability inclusion practices.
- Developing actionable improvement strategies to foster a culture that promotes knowledge sharing and collaboration in disability inclusion.
To achieve these objectives, we employed a multi-faceted approach:
We administered a comprehensive HR baseline survey to 18 out of the 20 UN agencies in Indonesia. This survey delved into various aspects of disability inclusion, including recruitment practices, reasonable accommodation provisions, retention strategies, use of inclusive language, and accessibility.
Following the survey, we conducted in-depth interviews with 14 HR officers and 2 employees with disabilities. These interviews offered qualitative insights into the disability inclusion practices of UN agencies.
Lessons Learned
Through this comprehensive assessment, we learned that while many UN agencies in Indonesia demonstrated commitment to disability inclusion, there was room for improvement, particularly in providing support beyond the recruitment phase. It became evident that targeted strategies were needed to create a more inclusive work environment for employees with disabilities.