Programme Intern (Assistive Technology)

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. 

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 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.

The intern will be part of the ATscale secretariat. S/he will assist the ATscale programme team in the implementation of ATscale’s strategy to strengthen increased access to assistive technology (AT), with a particular focus on country-based interventions and support global level interventions that create a stronger enabling system and market for low and middle income countries.

• Applicants must be enrolled in a university programme such as Bachelor, Master or Ph.D. (or the equivalent) or have graduated from such studies within three (3) years prior to the application date of the internship.

• Candidates  with a degree or enrolled in courses related to  public health,  global health  and rehabilitation courses such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, or prosthetics & orthotics, audiology, optometry are  preferred

• Applicants are not required to have professional work experience but experience (paid or volunteer) in rehabilitation or public health would be an advantage.

• Lived experience as an AT user is desirable.

• Fluency in written and oral English is required
• Working knowledge of other UN languages, especially Chinese, French or Spanish would be 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.

• 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

• 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.
  

Terms and Conditions 

• 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.