The World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) seeks expressions of interest from individuals desiring to serve as WFD Experts together with other specialists in different fields of expertise. The overall objective of the WFD Expert Groups is to assist the WFD Secretariat in their daily work by providing specific expertise, guidance and advice related to their field of knowledge.  Applicants can see examples of previous Expert Groups work on Position Papers and Statements on our website.

A coordinator will be appointed to each of the Expert Groups to lead the Group’s work, guided by Terms of Reference based on the WFD Strategy 2020-2030, the WFD Action Plan 2020-2023, and the priorities as outlined by the WFD Board.

The WFD is seeking a coordinator and a number of expert members for each of the five Expert Groups:

1. WFD Expert Group on Human Rights with an intersectional focus on issues concerning Women, Children and Youth, CODAs, Senior Citizens, LGBT, Deafblind persons, deaf with disabilities, among others.

2. WFD Expert Group on Education covering Early Intervention and Lifelong Learning and the realisation of Article 24 CRPD and achievement of SDG 4

3. WFD Expert Group on Sign Language and Deaf Studies

4. WFD Expert Group on Accessibility including Information Accessibility, Technology and Sign Language Interpretation.

5. WFD Expert Group on Health including access to health care, including mental health.

Experts may be asked to, among other things, develop and revise WFD statements/documents, providing advice on different cases, and making recommendations to the WFD Board as outlined in the Terms of Reference. 

The Expert Group Coordinators will be consulted in the drafting process of the final Terms of Reference and the implementation time table will be decided in cooperation with the WFD Secretariat and the Expert Groups.

The coordinators and members of the Expert Groups will serve in a voluntary capacity and thus are not be paid or reimbursed for any expenses during their term. They are expected to actively take part in the work of their Group: participate in email discussions and report to the WFD Board twice a year as a group.

The normal period of service is a four-year term for Expert Group members and co-ordinators, starting in April 2020 and running until December 2023.   Experts or Coordinators serve at the discretion of the WFD Board.

In addition to the open call for applications, the WFD reserves the right to invite individuals to serve as WFD Expert Group members without applying for the role.

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Please submit an application no later than Tuesday, 31 March 2020. Note that you can only apply for one expert category (Human Rights; Deaf Education; Sign Language and Deaf Studies; Accessibility, Health)

The WFD will notify you by email whether your application has been successful.

(Applications received after the closing date are welcome but will only be considered if vacancies still exist or become available)

Applications can be made on our online Call for Experts and Application Form.

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If you cannot send this form online, you can post your application:

EMAIL: phillipa.sandholm@wfdeaf.org

POST:   WFD Expert Working Group

World Federation of the Deaf

PO Box 65

FIN-00401 Helsinki

FINLAND

Your application must be received no later than 31 March 2020