Background Information - Job-specific
ATscale, the Global Partnership for Assistive Technology is a cross-sectoral partnership with the goal of reaching 500 million additional people with assistive technology by 2030 to support them in participating in education, work, and everyday life. ATscale is hosted by UNOPS.
Today, over 2.5 billion people need at least one form of assistive technology (AT), such as wheelchairs, eyeglasses, or hearing aids, but in some countries as little as 3% have access to the assistive technology they require. The number of people who need assistive technology is expected to grow to more than 3.5 billion people by 2050.
Access to appropriate assistive technology enables persons with a loss of function, impairments, non-communicable diseases, and the aging population to participate in education, work, family, and community life. Lack of access to assistive technology has significant consequences for individuals, their families, and the wider society. Without assistive technology, individuals may experience isolation and exclusion from education, the labour market, and civic life. Lack of access to appropriate assistive technology causes poorer health outcomes including premature death, deteriorating mental health, and increased risk of chronic health conditions and secondary complications, all of which lead to a higher burden on health systems. Increasing accessibility and affordability of assistive technology unlocks unrealised economic potential and provides socioeconomic benefit for individuals, families, and countries by increasing productivity and participation in the workforce.
ATscale 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 assistive technology globally. As a cross-sector partnership for assistive technology, ATscale aims to bring greater resources and strategic focus to this significant global challenge.
ATscale has defined a strategy overview (https://ATscalepartnership.org/strategy) in which it describes two strategic objectives: 1) to develop an enabling ecosystem for increased access to AT by galvanizing political will, mobilizing investment, driving policy reform, and strengthening targeted, cross-product systems, particularly at country level; and 2) to build and shape markets for priority products and their related services by identifying and investing in interventions to overcome specific supply and demand-side market barriers.
ATscale has also published an investment case for the sector (https://atscalepartnership.org/investment-case), as well as thorough market analyses and strategies, called Product Narratives, for improving access to its five priority products: wheelchairs, hearing aids, eyeglasses, prostheses, and digital assistive devices and software
For more information please visit https://atscalepartnership.org/ Purpose and Scope of Assignment
ATscale aims to attract users of Assistive Technology (AT users) as part of the Secretariat team. For the purposes of this job description, “AT user” refers to someone who currently requires the use of assistive technology - assistive products and/or associated services - to be able to operate in a professional working environment. Assistive devices include but are not limited to wheelchairs, prosthesis, hearing aids, augmentative and alternative communication devices, etc.
The Senior Programme Manager will support the Head of Global Programmes & Markets to develop and to implement ATscale’s strategy to strengthen increased access to assistive technology (AT), with a particular focus on country-based interventions. He/she will manage ATscale’s partnership and related grants with a sub-set of countries that ATscale is working with. He/she will also support global level interventions that create a stronger enabling system and market for low and middle income countries.
The Senior Programme Manager will be part of a team of six: five Senior Programme Managers, reporting to the Head of Global Programmes & Markets. As ATscale is still evolving from a start-up phase, the team's make-up and composition will continue to evolve over time.
Strategic priorities to strengthen the enabling ecosystem therefore include building political will, increasing investment in AT, generating and using data and evidence and coordinating technical assistance for national policy & planning. The Senior Programme Manager will support the development of ATscale investments in innovative and cost-effective interventions to support the priorities at global and national level.
Functional Responsibilities
Together with the Head of Global Programmes & Markets, the Senior Programme Manager will work on the below areas:
A. Strategy Development
Ensure all processes above remain aligned with UN host agency requirements.
Provide the Head of Global Programmes & Markets and the team with regular updates on developments in the AT sector and potential opportunities.
Prepare talking points, presentations, and other material to support the Head and, upon request, the CEO.
Support the preparation of relevant Board Papers related to the enabling ecosystem for ATscale Board meetings
**Travel for this position is estimated at 30%.
Education/Experience/Language requirements
A. Education
A bachelors degree in public health, management, rehabilitation (such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, or prosthetics & orthotics, audiology, rehabilitation doctors) or a related field is required combined with 9 years of relevant experience or; Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in public health, management, rehabilitation (such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, or prosthetics & orthotics, audiology, rehabilitation doctors) or a related field is required combined with 7 years of relevant experienceB. Work Experience
A minimum of 9 years ( with a Bachelors Degree) or 7 years’( with a Master Degree) Contract type: Fixed Term Appointment (FTA - UN Staff)
Contract level: ICS-11 / P4
Contract duration: One year initially, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and funding availability
For more details about United Nations staff contracts, please follow this link:
https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/UN-Staff-Contracts.aspx
Additional Information
Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
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.
Geneva, Switzerland is a family duty station.
People self-identifying as living with a disability or AT users are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.
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, please make us aware by sending an email to info@atscalepartnership.org Only for AT users (if clicked yes) - Please upload a cover letter to briefly explain how being AT user will contribute in achieving the objectives of the position “AT user” refers to someone who currently requires the use of assistive technology - assistive products and/or associated services - to be able to operate in a professional working environment. Assistive devices include but are not limited to wheelchairs, prosthesis, hearing aids, augmentative and alternative communication devices, etcTerms 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.
This vacancy is archived.