Researcher

Contract Duration: One Month.

Position Summary:
The incumbent will work for the Assistive Technology (AT) investment case that is a joint study of WHO, UN Inter Agency Task Force (UNIATF), Hellen Keller International (HKI) and Centre for the Rehabilitation of the Paralysed (CRP). The investment case aims to investigate the potential benefits, costs, and impact of assistive technologies on the lives of people with disabilities in Bangladesh considering their participation in education, the labour market, civic life as well as prevention of secondary complications. It provides a comprehensive analysis of the existing institutional context, proposed intervention (road map) including its feasibility, expected outcomes, and return on investment. Given the high number of different assistive products across multiple functional areas, the current UNITIAF and WHO methodology focuses on four groups of assistive products: glasses, hearing aids, wheelchairs, prosthetics and orthotics. The country's population includes a substantial number of people with disabilities who could benefit from such technologies. The objective of the study is developing data-driven evidence of need, economic and social return, and a clear rationale for why investing resources into the intervention is beneficial in terms of improving health outcomes, reducing health burden, and achieving broader societal goals.

Key Responsibilities:

1. To conduct an institutional context analysis using WHO ATA-C tool.
2. Desk review and stakeholder mapping,
3. Interviews and/or focus groups with key stakeholders,
4. Consensus workshop to socialize and confirm draft findings.
5. Comprehensive analysis of the current market for assistive device technology in Bangladesh.
6. To identify the specific needs and challenges faced by people with disabilities in accessing assistive devices.
7. To evaluate the potential for investment in research and development of new assistive device technologies.
8. To provide recommendations for potential investors and stakeholders interested in the assistive device technology market in Bangladesh.
9. The researcher will be responsible for:
   • Reviewing existing literature, market reports, and relevant data on assistive device technology in Bangladesh.
   • Review the reports (ATA-C, rATA) developed within the scope of the study.
   • Identify stakeholders, conducting interviews with key stakeholders, including government agencies, NGOs, healthcare providers, and potential end-users.
   • Analyzing the current availability and affordability of assistive devices in the local market.
   • Identifying technological gaps and opportunities for innovation in the assistive device sector.
   • Assessing the regulatory and policy environment related to assistive technology in Bangladesh.
10. The researcher will be expected to deliver the following:
    • A comprehensive report based on the institutional context analysis. Detailing the findings and recommendations.
    • A presentation summarizing the findings, key insights, recommendations and conclusions.
    • Any additional supporting materials, such as info graphics, any advocacy toolkit, data spreadsheets or interview transcripts, as needed

Educational Qualification:
The ideal researcher for this case should possess the following qualifications:

• Minimum a Master's degree. MSS, MSc, M. Phil. in Public Health, Rehabilitation Science, Statistics or any relevant discipline.

Additional Requirement:

1. Minimum of five (05) years of relevant work experience in the health and rehabilitation area.
2. Proven experience in conducting research, investment cases and cost analyses, particularly in the health sector, disability studies, or similar fields preferably the AT sector.
3. Familiarity with costing of commonly used assistive products in Bangladesh, such as wheelchairs, hearing aids, prosthesis, eyeglasses for low vision etc.
4. Proven knowledge of data collection methods using WHO ATA data toolkit.
5. Proficiency in data analysis tools and statistical applications.
6. The capacity to work both independently and cooperatively in a group setting.
7. Familiarity with the Bangladeshi economic landscape and market dynamics.
8. The track record shows access to the local context and the network of relevant stakeholders in Bangladesh.
9. Strong analytical skills and the ability to gather and interpret complex data.
10. Preferably has exposure to UN rules and regulations.
11. Ability to clearly articulate in the technical proposal.

Instruction for Application:

Qualified and interested candidates are requested to send their detailed CVs with a cover letter mentioning contact Telephone/Mobile number, address, email ID, one copy of recent passport size photograph, two references to Human Resource Department, CRP, Chapain, Savar, Dhaka-1343 within September 04, 2024 in hard copy or email at ascon2023@crp-bangladesh.org . Any kind of persuasion will be treated as disqualification of candidature. Please make sure to write the name of the position applied for on the top of the envelope. Any 3rd Division(s)/class(s)/equivalent CGPA in academic career shall not be acceptable. Only short-listed candidates will be called for interview. Women and people with disability are especially encouraged to apply.