Communications Specialist

Background Information – ATscale, the Global Partnership for Assistive Technology

 ATscale 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. 

Today, over 2.5 billion people need at least one form of AT, such as wheelchairs, eyeglasses, or hearing aids, but in low-income countries,  90% do not have access to the AT they require. The number of people who need AT is expected to grow to more than 3.4 billion people by 2050.

Access to appropriate AT enables people with loss of function, disabilities, non-communicable diseases, and the ageing population to participate in education, work, 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 labour 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 of which lead to a higher burden on health systems. Increasing accessibility and affordability of AT unlocks unrealised economic potential and provides socioeconomic benefit for individuals, families, and countries by increasing productivity and participation in the workforce.

The ATscale Secretariat is hosted by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) and is based in Geneva, Switzerland. For more information, please visit https://atscalepartnership.org/ 

Assistive technology has far-reaching impacts that can sometimes feel abstract. Grounding success stories with lived experiences helps target audiences grasp and understand the real-world ways that assistive technologies transform lives and national economies. Capturing stories from both ATscale partners and ATscale’s own programmes, and communicating them regularly across ATscale communication channels is key. As well as enabling ATscale to communicate impact effectively, this will build interest and momentum amongst key stakeholders and serve the learning agenda. ATscale seeks creative ways to share stories of impact, using video, graphics, and photography, where possible, to grab attention and capture the audience's imagination.  Much of ATscale’s audience is high level with a focus on decision-makers and potential donors.

ATscale has developed a deeper understanding of key AT products and markets through five Product Narratives for wheelchairs, prostheses, hearing aids, eyeglasses, and assistive digital devices and software. ATscale launched the first ever Investment Case for Assistive Technology, demonstrating a 9:1 Return on Investment (ROI). Atscale supported the publication of the first WHO and UNICEF Global Report on Assistive Technology in 2022. There is work to be done to package these, and other reports and disseminate the content for different audiences. 

A major focus for ATscale visibility in 2024 will be the delivery of a global campaign that seeks to reach new audiences and thematic areas and raise the profile of the assistive technology agenda. The communications Specialist will support the  Advocacy and Communications Advisor to successfully deliver the campaign.

ATscale commits to circulating all published documents in accessible PDF, HTML, DAISY, and EPUB to guarantee accessibility.

Role of the Communications Specialist

The Communications Specialist will be responsible for providing communications support across the entire ATscale partnership to increase visibility, improve communications and boost the impact of overall efforts.

The incumbent will report to the Advocacy and Communications Advisor who provides direction and general supervision. 

He/she works in close collaboration with ATscale implementing partners, the Advocacy and Communications Task Team and other key stakeholders for successful service delivery.

• Write communications materials for ATscale, including but not limited to quarterly electronic newsletters, social media content, infographics, banners for events, web content, talking points and presentations;

• Work with ATscale secretariat team and partners to translate the results of ATscale and partner programmes into powerful and compelling stories that demonstrate the transformative nature of AT, and the impact of ATscale investments in countries and global public goods;

• Develop creative ways to share report findings and stories of impact, using video, graphics, and photography, where possible, to grab attention and capture the audience's imagination;

• Collaborate with external vendors and consultants for quality, editing, translation, design and printing of materials;

• Ensure that files are print-ready, proofed and are in line with ATscale style guide and accessibility guidelines;

• Develop and maintain close working relationships with the Secretariat Team and stakeholders to ensure relevance and constant updates of content.

• An Advanced University Degree (Masters degree or equivalent) preferably in media and communication, journalism, development studies, public health, international development, international relations, or similar subjects 
• A Bachelor's degree in the above with a combination of two additional years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the Master's degree.

• A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in communications in the fields of assistive technology, public health, disability, international development or in a closely related development field, including at the international level is required;
• Experience in conceptualizing and managing the production of printed materials, including brochures, flyers, banners, and reports  is required;
• Experience managing social media tools and platforms is required;
• Experience with managing website content is required;
• Excellent skills in storytelling, writing, and editing is desirable;
• Demonstrated experience in developing content that clearly communicates development ideas and experiences for media, web and audio-visual productions  is desirable;
• Competence with software packages, including Hootsuite, Canva, PowerPoint, and basic design software such as adobe PhotoShop, InDesign, and Illustrator is an asset
• Familiarity with accessible communications and experience in producing accessible content such as ePub, DAISY and Alt text is an advantage
• Ability to work with computer, web based management systems  and office software packages (Google Suite, MS Office) is desirable.
• Ability to think strategically and identify ways to improve communication efforts is desirable;
• Experience in UN system organizations, preferably in a developing country is desirable.

• Full working knowledge of English is essential.
• Knowledge of another official UN language, particularly French , is an asset.

• 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.

• Persons self-identifying as persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply for this position

• 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 UN Family  Duty station

• All candidates are REQUIRED to  include a cover letter in their  application

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. 

• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. For more information on a retainer contract here.

• 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.