The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world.
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/
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.
Together with the Head of Global Programmes & Markets, the Senior Programme Manager will work on the below areas:
A. Strategy Development
-support development of enabling policies, standards and other tools to support implementation of AT systems and access to AT services.
– support to national planning processes for AT sector development and inclusion in health and social systems;
– build capacity of AT users and workforce to increase ownership and participation
-identifying effective finance mechanisms;
-establishing standards and regulatory mechanisms that ensure production, procurement and provision of quality assistive products; and,
-strengthening data collection and information management systems.
B. Programme Management
C. Partners and Stakeholder Management
D. Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning
E. Miscellaneous
**Travel for this position is estimated at 30%.
A. Education
B. Work Experience
C. Language
Develops 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: 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
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