Background Information - Job-specific
ATscale, the Global Partnership for Assistive Technology, was developed in response to the need for a new, catalytic approach to overcoming the significant gap in access to appropriate, high-quality, and affordable AT globally. It is a cross-sector partnership for AT that aims to bring greater resources and strategic focus to this significant global challenge to reach 500 million more people with life-changing assistive technology (AT) by 2030, to enable a lifetime of potential.
The ATscale Secretariat is hosted by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) and based in Geneva, Switzerland. For more information, please visit https://atscalepartnership.org/
The need for AT
Worldwide, more than 2.5 billion people require one or more assistive technologies, such as wheelchairs, hearing aids, prosthetics, eyeglasses, or apps that support communication and cognition. By 2050, the number of people in need of assistive technology is projected to rise to 3.5 billion due to an aging population and the increasing prevalence of non-communicable diseases.
This vast unmet need for assistive technology disproportionately affects the poor and vulnerable. In low-income countries, only 10% of individuals have access to the AT they need, compared to 90% of those in high-income countries. In some countries, as few as 3% of people have access to the AT they require. This stark disparity highlights the urgent need to address accessibility gaps and ensure equitable access to assistive technologies worldwide.
Access to appropriate AT enables people with loss of function, disabilities, non-communicable diseases, and the aging population to participate in education, work, and family and community life. Lack of access to AT has significant consequences for individuals, their families, and the wider society. Without AT, individuals may experience isolation and exclusion from education, the labor market, and civic life. Lack of access to appropriate AT causes poorer health outcomes, including premature death, deteriorating mental health, and increased risk of chronic health conditions and secondary complications, all leading to a higher burden on health systems. Increasing accessibility and affordability of AT can unlock unrealized economic potential and provide socio-economic benefits for individuals, families, and countries by increasing productivity and participation in the workforce.
Digital Assistive Technology (DAT) can particularly address this gap by providing affordable, accessible, and adaptable solutions. Digita; AT can support a wide range of disabilities, including vision, hearing, mobility, communication, and sensory impairments, and has the potential to greatly improve the quality of life for individuals by enhancing their access to education, employment, and social participation. Digital AT hold significant potential for promoting disability inclusion worldwide, especially in the LMICs, where access to inclusive education and employment remains limited for people with disabilities.
Purpose and Scope of Assignment
ATscale, has established an Advisory Technical Group managed directly by the ATscale Secretariat. This group consists of technical experts from diverse disciplines relevant to assistive technology, ensuring geographical representation (with a focus on low- and middle-income countries), gender balance, and inclusion of individuals with lived experience using assistive technology.
The Advisory Technical Group provides independent advice on various aspects of ATscaleโs work, including priority setting, annual workplans, country engagements, proposals, and global interventions. The group evaluates these areas for strategic value, potential impact, technical soundness, feasibility, and cost-effectiveness, among other considerations.
Through this vacancy announcement, ATscale seeks to expand its roster of experts in the area of Digital Assistive Technology.
ATscale values diversity and particularly encourages candidates with a lived experience of disability and/or using assistive technology to apply.
The incumbent will be offered retainer contracts, i.e. a contract issued for a period of time with an upper limit but no expectation of a minimum number of working days. The workload will depend on the needs of ATscale.
Functional Responsibilities
To deliver high-quality, on-demand expertise in digital assistive technology across the following areas as needed.
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Provide independent advice/feedback/comments on ATscaleโs strategic priorities, annual workplans, country engagements, and global goods interventions.
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Assist in defining and scoping potential interventions, including preparing terms of reference (TORs), calls for proposals, and other forms of documents for inviting potential grantees or service providers to submit proposals both at the global and country levels (e.g., country concept notes, global public goods interventions).
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Support the design, development, and improvement of technical documents, projects, and programs related to digital AT initiatives, including preparing, reviewing, and refining proposals, implementation plans, and monitoring frameworks.
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Participate in the detailed and high-quality technical and financial evaluation of proposals for their strategic value, potential impact, technical soundness, viability, and value for money based on criteria such as, but not limited to:
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Alignment with ATscale priorities
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Coordination with existing and planned activities
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Inclusion of relevant stakeholders (meaningful participation)
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Programmatic merit
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Technical quality
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Provide expert insights on trends, opportunities, and risks in the digital assistive technology sector.
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Identify and recommend potential collaborators, including developers, innovators, and implementers, to foster digital AT initiatives.
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Lead or contribute to capacity-building activities such as webinars, workshops, and training sessions for stakeholders.
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Engage in ATscaleโs Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning framework and its implementation as required.
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Participate in virtual meetings with wider stakeholders/partners to discuss specific initiatives, strategic discussions or others as relevant and provide recommendations.
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Offer individual consultations and expert advice through individual meetings as and when required on digital AT topics.
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Undertake other related duties as required.
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Travel may be required to attend in-person meetings or in-country reviews.
Monitoring and Progress Control:
- The incumbents will be paid a daily wage based on the days worked upon submission of Certificates of Payment (COP). Education/Experience/Language requirements
Education
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Advanced degree in a relevant field such as computer science, engineering, software engineering, biomedical engineering, public health, or international development or other relevant disciplines is required.
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A Bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as computer science, engineering, software engineering, biomedical engineering, public health, or international development or other relevant disciplines. in combination with an additional 2 years of relevant work experience, may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree
Experience and ExpertiseA minimum of 7 years work experince in the combined area of assistive technology and digital AT.
Following will be considered as requirements:
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Experince on digital assistive technologies, including hardware, software, and emerging trends.
Proven experience in the design, implementation, and scaling of digital AT solutions
Familiarity with global AT markets and stakeholders, particularly in low- and middle-income countries
Experience working in low-and middle-income countries or with low-resource settings communities, addressing unique challenges in these contexts
Proficiency in technical writing and documentation
A strong publication record, with 3โ5 articles in peer-reviewed academic journals or equivalent research outputs on digital AT.
Understanding of how cultural, linguistic, and economic factors influence AT adoption and use
Following will be considered desirables:
Working with diverse stakeholders, including governments, NGOs, DPOs, CSOs and private tech companies, and healthcare providers, to implement digital AT solutions would be an advantage.
Familiarity with disability rights and inclusion of disability in projects and programmes, as well as a foundational understanding of the Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities and other international instruments, and relevant frameworks and tools on Assistive Technology
Familiarity with emerging technologies like AI, Internet of things (IoT), and wearable devices in the context of assistive solutions would be an advantage.
Work experience in organizing policy dialogue processes with decision makers and key stakeholders will be desirable.
Language
Fluency, both written and spoken, in English;
Working knowledge of other UN languages is an advantage.
CompetenciesDevelops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization. Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.
Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles. Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role). Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries. Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements. Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving. Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground. Contract type, level and duration
Contract type: Individual Contractor Agreement (ICA) - Retainer
Contract level: ICS-11 (IICA 3 / LICA 11)
Contract duration: One year initially, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and funding availability
For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:
https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx
As per UNOPS policy, in duty stations where the NPO (National Professional Officer) category has been established by the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), a home-based contract may be issued as a Local ICA Specialist position.
Additional Information
Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.
UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce.
Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.
We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.
UNOPS makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If an accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please make us aware, we want to ensure you perform at your best.
People self-identifying as living with a long-term disability are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.
UNOPS defines long term disability as a long term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments which in interaction with various barriers may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. (Article 1, paragraph 2 UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities)
Terms and Conditions
For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post.
All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.