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Purpose of consultancy The role supports the advancement of rehabilitation and assistive technology within the Division of Pacific Technical Support, offering technical guidance and oversight for innovative policies, strategies, targeted procurement, stakeholder engagement, advocacy, and service development, particularly in vision, hearing and mobility, while coordinating related activities across Pacific Island countries (PICs). The expertise required is on inclusive health systems and assistive technology policy, planning, and service delivery in the Pacific context.
Background
The World Health Organization (WHO) identifies assistive products as essential health products that must be integrated into universal health coverage. According to the WHO–UNICEF Global Report on Assistive Technology (2022), 2.5 billion people currently need at least one assistive product, a figure projected to rise to 3.5 billion by 2050. Access remains highly inequitable, with less than 3% of people in some low income countries having access compared to 90% in certain high income countries. Assistive technology enables health, inclusion, and participation for people with functional limitations, and expanding access is critical to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and realizing the rights enshrined in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Timely access benefits individuals, families, and communities, while strengthening health systems to meet the needs of one group improves access for all.
In the Pacific, access to assistive technology is a priority under regional frameworks such as the Pacific Framework for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the Pacific Roadmap for Sustainable Development, and the Western Pacific Regional Framework on Rehabilitation. The Pacific Disability Forum estimates that 1.7 million people in Pacific Island Countries live with disabilities, alongside rising rates of noncommunicable diseases and ageing populations, which together drive growing demand for assistive technology. The 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent recognizes assistive technology as a critical precondition for health, inclusion, and participation for persons with disabilities of all ages. Despite its importance, access to assistive technology remains limited, particularly for those in remote areas, and inequities persist due to poverty, limited financing, and systemic barriers. Governments must be supported to ensure equitable access to health services and expand assistive technology provision, while collaboration at national and regional levels is essential to advancing health equity.
Deliverables
The specific outputs under this consultancy include:
Output 1: Country Workplans and Governance Structures
Deliverable 1.1 Country specific workplans detailing anticipated WHO support requirements and activities for rehabilitation, vision, and hearing services, and corresponding progress reports.
Deliverable 1.2 National governance mechanisms for assistive technology and related services, developed in collaboration with country focal points and national AT coordinators.
Deliverable 1.3 Procurement lists for hearing and mobility, aligned with Pacific needs and anticipated demand.
Output 2: Policy and Evidence Products
Deliverable 2.1 Policy briefs and recommendations, harmonized across stakeholders, to advance rehabilitation, vision and hearing services.
Deliverable 2.2 Support for research activities and dissemination of WHO guidance and information products for capacity building and knowledge sharing across countries and partners.
Deliverable 2.3 Monitoring and evaluation reports with actionable recommendations.
Output 3: Partnership and Technical Coordination
Deliverable 3.1 Partner coordination and engagement with implementing agencies, development partners, regional and national organizations, to ensure alignment of country level activities.
Deliverable 3.2 Specialist technical guidance notes for rehabilitation, vision, and hearing.
Deliverable 3.3 Summary reports of technical support provided to PICs, including under the ATscale project, to strengthen service delivery for vision, hearing, and rehabilitation.
Qualifications, experience, skills and languages
Educational Qualifications
Essential:
- University degree in medicine, rehabilitation science, public health or similar discipline.
Desirable:
- Advanced university degree (Masters) in medicine, rehabilitation science, public health or similar discipline.
Experience
Essential:
- At least 5 or more years of relevant professional experience in health system strengthening, specifically in the areas of rehabilitation, vision and/or hearing services, including experience in the development of health policies and strategies, workforce development, service delivery, and health product procurement.
- Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing health programs involving multiple partners and stakeholders is required.
- Relevant experience working with ministries of health, WHO/UN Agencies, regional organizations, and development partners. Experience working in or with Pacific Island Countries or similar contexts.
Desirable:
- Experience engaging with service and product users, including through organizations of persons with disabilities.
Technical skills and knowledge
- Technical knowledge in public health and assistive technology.
- Knowledge and skills in policy and program development, health systems strengthening and health service delivery.
- Excellent analytical and writing skills.
- Effective communication skills and cultural sensitivity.
- Familiarity with WHO programme tools and processes is an asset.
Languages:
Essential: Fluency in the English Language.
Competencies
- Technical Expertise
- Overall attitude at work
- Teamwork
- Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
- Communication
Location
The consultant will be based onsite at the Division of Pacific Technical Support in Suva, Fiji.
Travel
The Consultant is expected to travel within Fiji and other PICs.
Remuneration (travel costs are excluded)
- Remuneration: The remuneration for this international consultancy is estimated to be in the range of USD 350 to USD499 per day (Band B), subject to qualifications and experience.
- Expected duration of contract: 4.5 months from 5 August to 20 December 2026 (subject to completion of recruitment and selection formalities).
Additional Information:
- This vacancy notice may be used to identify candidates for other similar consultancies at the same level.
- Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
- A written test may be used as a form of screening.
- If your candidature is retained for interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.
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