Technical Advisor - Financing for Assistive Technology (Retainer/Multiple hires, Multiple positions)
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. The UNOPS office in Geneva is acting as the hosting agency of the Secretariat of ATscale. ATscale, the Global Partnership for Assistive Technology, is a cross-sectoral partnership with a mission to improve peoples lives through assistive technology. Assistive technology is an umbrella term that includes assistive products/devices and associated services. ATscale catalyzes action to ensure that, by 2030, an additional 500 million people in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) get the life-changing assistive technology they need.
For more information, please check the ATscale website: https://atscalepartnership.org.
The need for AT
Worldwide, more than 2.5 billion people need one or more assistive products, such as wheelchairs, hearing aids, prosthetics, eyeglasses or apps that support communication and cognition. This number is set to rise to 3.5 billion by 2050 due to an ageing population and the rising prevalence of noncommunicable diseases worldwide. The large and unmet need for assistive technology worldwide disproportionately affects those who are poor and vulnerable. In low-income countries, only 10% of people have the AT they need, in stark contrast to 90% of people in need in high-income countries who do. Access to appropriate assistive technology enables persons with a loss of function, impairments, noncommunicable diseases, and the ageing population to participate in education, work, family, and community 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 benefits for individuals, families, and countries.
The challenges of domestic financing of AT in LMICs
A key challenge in access to assistive technology in LMICs is the lack of adequate, predictable and stable public funds dedicated to national assistive technology programmes. Public financial resources are always scarce and with the multiple ongoing crises, the fiscal space is expected to shrink further, particularly funds for public health. In most countries assistive technology programmes are relatively new or neglected areas and often excluded from Universal Health Coverage programmes. Assistive technology programmes are inherently costly and policymakers in LMICs may not have knowledge or experience in AT financing. The key cost drivers are the high degree of technical requirements, relatively high degree of supplier concentration especially in the global north, and the high need for product customization. For AT users, unaffordability of AT is one of the key hurdles that limit their access. The purchasing power of persons in need is usually lower than the rest of the population, while the lifetime cost of procuring assistive technology and related services is significant. In LMICs, the public sector support may be limited and often very complex to access. Out-of-pocket health spending can become a financial barrier to accessing products and services and can push users and their families into a cycle of financial hardship and poverty. There is limited and fragmented evidence available on domestic financing strategies particularly for AT.
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For more information, please check the ATscale website: https://atscalepartnership.org.
The need for AT
Worldwide, more than 2.5 billion people need one or more assistive products, such as wheelchairs, hearing aids, prosthetics, eyeglasses or apps that support communication and cognition. This number is set to rise to 3.5 billion by 2050 due to an ageing population and the rising prevalence of noncommunicable diseases worldwide. The large and unmet need for assistive technology worldwide disproportionately affects those who are poor and vulnerable. In low-income countries, only 10% of people have the AT they need, in stark contrast to 90% of people in need in high-income countries who do. Access to appropriate assistive technology enables persons with a loss of function, impairments, noncommunicable diseases, and the ageing population to participate in education, work, family, and community 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 benefits for individuals, families, and countries.
The challenges of domestic financing of AT in LMICs
A key challenge in access to assistive technology in LMICs is the lack of adequate, predictable and stable public funds dedicated to national assistive technology programmes. Public financial resources are always scarce and with the multiple ongoing crises, the fiscal space is expected to shrink further, particularly funds for public health. In most countries assistive technology programmes are relatively new or neglected areas and often excluded from Universal Health Coverage programmes. Assistive technology programmes are inherently costly and policymakers in LMICs may not have knowledge or experience in AT financing. The key cost drivers are the high degree of technical requirements, relatively high degree of supplier concentration especially in the global north, and the high need for product customization. For AT users, unaffordability of AT is one of the key hurdles that limit their access. The purchasing power of persons in need is usually lower than the rest of the population, while the lifetime cost of procuring assistive technology and related services is significant. In LMICs, the public sector support may be limited and often very complex to access. Out-of-pocket health spending can become a financial barrier to accessing products and services and can push users and their families into a cycle of financial hardship and poverty. There is limited and fragmented evidence available on domestic financing strategies particularly for AT.
Apply Now