Technical Advisor - Digital Assistive Technology (Retainer/Multiple hires, Multiple positions), Multiple positions

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.

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 ATscale’s 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.

• The incumbents will be paid a daily wage based on the days worked upon submission of Certificates of Payment (COP).

• 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.

• 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

• 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.

• 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.