With the overall aim to support progress towards Universal Health Coverage in the European region, to provide specialist technical and operational advice and guidance to the Member States of Tajikistan and Uzbekistan in the context of the implementation of the UN Convention of Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) and the World Health Assembly Resolution on Assistive Technology. To provide technical input in the formulation and implementation of evidence-based people-centered policies, products, human resources, and provision of assistive products. Work focus is on improving population access to assistive products especially for people with disabilities, older people and people living with chronic conditions.
Key duties:
Provide specialist expert technical support to Member States in the formulation and strengthening of specific national plans of action on assistive technology and rehabilitation from an operational implementation and systems perspective.
Monitor subsequent progress in order to share and disseminate relevant learning in the region.
Provide technical support and specialist advice in the development/strengthening of the National Priority Assistive Products List, based on population needs and available national resources.
Provide technical advice and methodological support in the establishment of effective financing mechanisms that adequately address unmet needs and protect assistive product users from financial hardship.
Carry out capacity building through development and implementation of training programmes to expand the assistive technology workforce at all levels, especially primary care, to human resources for health such as nurses, pharmacists and community health workers.
Provide specialist technical and methodological support in increasing the range and geographical coverage of assistive product service provision, especially at the primary health care level so that all populations can benefit, and relevant services are available closer to the community in Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
Contribute by technical specialist recommendations to the development of norms and procedures for the establishment of standards and regulatory mechanisms that ensure the production, procurement and provision of quality assistive products while enabling affordable solutions.
Support Member States through expert technical support and advice to strengthen data collection and information management approaches to ensure accurate estimation of population need and demand, while monitoring assistive technology provision.
Provide technical support and advice to increase local manufacturing and assembly capacity of assistive products where appropriate, while contributing to the strengthening global and regional procurement mechanisms on assistive products where suitable.
Lead the operational implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the WHO European regional scaling-up access to assistive technology project in Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
Provide support in the development and strengthening of relevant partnerships and contribute to mobilize resources at country level as well as provide specialist technical input in the preparation of proposals.
Provide technical advice on enhancing digital technology in assistive products such as virtual assistance, artificial intelligence and 3D printing.
Provide technical specialist input and support in designing and delivering advocacy and communication activities in the area assistive technology that generate public visibility.
Collaborate with national and international partners in the development and implementation of research activities in the areas of assistive technology programs. Perform other related responsibilities and duties within the scope of the work as required by the supervisors.
Required Qualifications: Education Essential:
University degree (Bachelor's level) in prosthetics& orthotics, assistive technology, rehabilitation, public health, or relevant social science.
Desirable:
Advanced university degree (Masters) in any of the above-mentioned fields.
Experience; Essential:
At least five years of experience in the area of assistive technology, rehabilitation, health and social care services, or services disability and rehabilitation with at least 2 years of international experience. Proven experience in planning, implementing, and evaluating programmes in disability, assistive technology and/or rehabilitation in a national and international setting. Demonstrated experience in the development and implementation of assistive technology and/or rehabilitation or disability policies, services, systems and/or human resources development.
Desirable:
Relevant work experience with(in) UN, NGOs or organizations/institutions active in the field of assistive technology, rehabilitation and disability. Knowledge of the WHO and UN system. Demonstrated experience working with low-middle income countries and / or in an emergency setting in the area of assistive technology and / or rehabilitation. Demonstrated experience in institutional fund raising and grant management on disability related projects.
Skills:
Demonstrated specialist knowledge of specific (assistive technology or rehabilitation) and / or technical area within public health.
Proven ability to contribute to the development of country programmes, as well as training materials related with assistive technology profession..
bility to work comfortably in a fast-paced environment. .
Ability to identify and manage one's own emotions, as well as helping others to do the same.
