Consultant - Assistive Technology Resources Specialist (Home Based Retainer)

The Resource Hub specialist shall utilise their technical knowledge and experience to suggest the approach/concept and kick start the content development of the Resource Hub. The consultant’s task will include but not be limited to:

Over the first three weeks of this assignment, the consultant is expected to develop the draft AT Resource Hub work plan. This plan should outline the phases, timelines, key milestones, relevant stakeholders’ roles and responsibilities, consultation plans with stakeholders, and a schedule for timely reporting. Additionally, the consultant should coordinate with ATscale on the development of the AT Resource Hub following the functional responsibilities described above. 

Strengthen the overall plan for the Resource Hub already pre-defined by ATscale, including its content development in close cooperation with the M&E Specialist:

1. Review existing similar initiatives from other actors for alignment and complementary of approaches 

2. Carry out a mapping of all the stakeholders in the area of AT and related and develop a draft list of the key partners/stakeholders including relevant AT experts to be consulted in the Resource Hub development

3. Provide technical recommendations on a set of predefined criteria to be used for ensuring accuracy, relevance, quality, availability, accessibility of the materials collected under the first component to be integrated in the Resource Hub. Each of the proposed criteria should be backed with rational and logic. 

4. Support the identification of the level of information and data, as well as their criteria, to be integrated to the Resources Hub as part of the second component: actors, fundings and programmes related to the AT sector and the countries where they are active

5. Support the development of an initial draft standard operating procedure (SoP) highlighting ATscale’s long term strategy for the Resource Hub 

The consultant will proceed to the second phase of the functional responsibilities, which includes the following tasks, only after ATscale has confirmed the successful completion of all tasks from Phase I:

First component - AT resources repository:

1. Identify, assess and compile existing resources related to AT, such guidelines, training modules, toolkits, templates and other relevant materials for integration in the platform.

2. Support the identification of relevant criteria for categorization which will help users find what is useful to them. These could be domains/functions, material type, place in the cycle of provision of AT (such as assessment, fitting etc)

3. Support the categorisation of the materials collected according to these criteria, e.g. in a spreadsheet 

Second component - AT ecosystem mapping:

1. Based on a preliminary list of partners provided by ATscale, research key actors and  collect, review and quality assure data about them and programmes related to the AT sector along with the countries where they are active, and (where possible) funding and funding sources

2. Organize the data collected on the AT ecosystem e.g. in a spreadsheet

Throughout the development of these two components, the consultant needs to:

1.Support ATscale to identify relevant partners (multilateral agencies and other trusted partners) and support the development of partnerships needed for the Resource Hub development

2. Contribute to the evaluation of the quality, relevance and currency of resources and AT data collected to ensure high standards as per the predefined criteria approved in the first phase

3. Offer technical recommendations for the definition of a logic organisation and structure of the resource and AT information collected to ensure an easy understanding and access for users once developed for the web (phase III), such as envisioning an interactive map or database, other relevant visuals or features, etc.

4. Assist in the finalization of the standard operating procedure (SoP) initial draft started at phase I, highlighting ATscale’s long term strategy for the Resource Hub. The SOPs will ensure the platform is regularly updated in a timely manner and relevant to support ATscale stakeholders. The SoP will be used during the review and update the resources and information available on the hub including relevance of the platform.

5. Undertake other related duties as required.

On approval of the phase II, the consultant will proceed to deliver the third phase of the functional responsibilities 

1. Advise the M&E Specialist on alignment between the SOPs developed under Phase II and the the Resource Hub platform development as undertaken by an IT contractor 

2. AT resources, information and data are structured and organized as defined under phase II

 Monitoring and Progress Control

The ATscale Resource Hub specialist will be paid a daily wage based on days worked upon submissions of Certificates of Payment (COP).

• Advanced degree preferably in health, social science, economics, international relations, international development, public administration, management, or another related field. 

• A Bachelor's degree in combination with additional 2 years of relevant work experience may be  in lieu of an advanced university degree.

• A minimum of 5 years of  relevant experience in assistive technology in any of the following:

  • assistive technology research, development, and innovation;

  • assistive technology policy and program development at the global, regional, or national level

  • assistive technology or health technology assessment, standards and regulation;

  • assistive technology service provision;

  • assistive technology production or procurement;

  • assistive technology user experience.

• Demonstrated knowledge of the assistive technology (AT) sector, AT actors, AT fundings and AT programmes is  required

• Experience working with multiple stakeholders (UN agencies, iNGOs, government, etc) from AT sector and/or rehabilitation sector is an asset

• Demonstrated skills in knowledge management, learning, identification of good practices in health, education and/or social protection programmes is an asset

• Experience in information management: collecting and organising information from different sources is an asset

• Familiarity with disability rights and inclusion of disability in projects and programs, as well as a foundational understanding of the CRPD and other international instruments and relevant frameworks is an asset

• Fluency in both written and spoken English is essential. 

• Knowledge of another official UNOPS language (French and/or Spanish), is an asset