Background Information – ATscale, the Global Partnership for Assistive Technology
ATscale 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. This new role provides an opportunity to be a core part of the team that is building and moving forward this partnership to address one of the most significant and underinvested issues of our global development agenda – the need for assistive technology (AT), such as wheelchairs, hearing aids or eyeglasses.
Today, over 2.5 billion people need at least one form of AT, such as wheelchairs, eyeglasses, or hearing aids, but in low-income countries 90% do not have access to the AT they require. The number of people who need AT is expected to grow to more than 3.4 billion people by 2050. Access to appropriate AT enables people with loss of function, disabilities, non-communicable diseases, and the ageing population to more fully participate in education, work, family, and community life. Lack of access to AT significantly affects individuals, their families, and the wider society. Without AT, individuals may experience isolation and exclusion from education, the labour 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 of which lead to a higher burden on health systems. Increasing accessibility and affordability of AT unlocks unrealized economic potential and provides socio-economic benefits for individuals, families, and countries by increasing productivity and participation in the workforce.
ATscale is committed to ensuring that its investments have the maximum potential impact on the populations in need and are, at the same time, high-quality, appropriate, cost-effective, and relevant. Monitoring,evaluation and learning is critical for ATscale to collect information on the challenges that exist, in addition to progress being made, to inform ATscale’s plans to invest in the most catalytic and impactful activities. Having high-quality data will also support ATscale’s monitoring of progress towards the ambitious goal of reaching 500 million more people with life-changing assistive technology by 2030.
The ATscale Secretariat is hosted by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) and is based in Geneva, Switzerland. For more information, please visit https://atscalepartnership.org/
The Programme Management Support Associate contributes to the efficient and effective delivery of services, ensuring alignment with UNOPS policies and procedures and ATscale’s strategic objectives.
Travel Support Services
Liaise with key internal stakeholders to plan and prepare quarterly travel plans
Prepare and monitor travel budget and ensuring planning and actuals
Prepare regular analytics and statistics in order to find trends and areas of improvements
Regularly update and enhance travel administration SOPs
Provide guidance on travel-related matters, including visa requirements, security clearances, cost-savings options and travel insurance.
Develop and regularly maintain and update a comprehensive travel tracking system, analyzing travel patterns and costs to identify opportunities for efficiency improvements.
Coordinate with travel agencies to provide the best available options in terms of favorable rates, connections and time of travel
Process travel authorizations for external travelers and manage flight arrangements, and travel-related payments in accordance with UNOPS policies and the internal SOP.
Event and Meeting Management
Provide support to colleagues in planning and executing external and internal events, including international conferences, workshops, and meetings, ensuring seamless logistical arrangements.
Support the Programme Support Specialist in preparing and overseeing event budgets and financial aspects of event planning and execution.
Identify and negotiate with vendors, including venues, caterers, and audio-visual providers, to secure cost-effective and high-quality services.
Provide logistical details, and participant lists, ensuring effective communication and coordination among all stakeholders.
Coordinate event-related solicitation processes and contracts, ensuring compliance with UNOPS procurement guidelines
Provide administrative support on workshops, training, meetings and missions, ensuring timely logistical, financial and travel arrangements.
Procurement Support
Act as the focal point to all procurement processes for goods and services, ensuring compliance with UNOPS procurement rules and regulations, in coordination with the Geneva Procurement team.
Support the procurement planning with colleagues to optimize value for money and ensure timely delivery of goods and services.
Support the UNOPS Geneva (GVA) procurement team and colleagues in market research to identify potential suppliers and assess their capabilities.
In coordination with the GVA procurement unit, support the preparation of Requests for Quotations (RFQs) Invitations to Bid (ITBs), and Requests for Proposals (RFPs), when applicable.
In coordination with the GVA Procurement unit, support the evaluation of bids and proposals, ensuring technical compliance and value for money.
Ensure supplier registration, communication with suppliers as needed, support the team in monitoring performance and resolving issues as they arise.
Create Purchase Orders, Receipts & Requests for Payments in UNOPS ERP
CRM System Administration.
Maintain and improve filing systems, ensuring information is up to date and easily accessible.
Administration of the ATscale contact management system (CRM), ensuring data integrity and user adoption.
Support the organization, facilitation and delivery of training and learning initiatives for new personnel on internal travel, administrative, and CRM procedures.
Conduct data analysis using the CRM to identify trends and insights to inform decision-making.
Support onboarding and induction processes for project personnel and consultants.
Knowledge Management and Team Capacity Building
Support the Programme Support Specialist in the development and implementation of knowledge management strategies and plans to capture, store, and share information effectively across the ATscale Secretariat
Foster a collaborative and high-performing team environment.
Provide coordination support in the delivery of learning activities and capacity building initiatives for ATScale in coordination with relevant GVA /UNOPS teams
Contribute to the development of standard operating procedures (SOPs) and best practices for administrative and operational functions.
