Assistive technology technical officer - afghanistan

Humanity & Inclusion is an independent and impartial aid organization working in situations of poverty and exclusion, conflict and disaster. The organization works alongside people with disabilities and vulnerable populations, taking action and bearing witness in order to respond to their essential needs, improve their living conditions and promote respect for their dignity and fundamental rights.

Since its creation in 1982, HI has run development & humanitarian projects in more than 55 countries and responded to numerous emergencies. Today, we have a budget of approximately 200 million euros, with 4,000 employees worldwide.

At Handicap International-Humanity & Inclusion, we truly believe in the importance of inclusion and diversity within our organization. This is why we are engaged to a disability policy to encourage the inclusion and integration of people with disabilities.

Please indicate if you require any special accommodation, even at the first interview. For more information about the organisation.

JOB CONTEXT:

The HI Afghanistan operating framework is outlined in the operational strategy (“Stratop”) 2026-2029. The pillars are Rehabilitation & Health / Resilience & Inclusion / Armed Violence Reduction / Atlas logistic.

HI is currently involved in different sectors of activities:

• Physical and functional rehabilitation (both on service provision and training – tech assistance), in development and emergency crisis settings
• Mental Health and Psycho-Social Support (MHPSS)
• Disability & Inclusion - Inclusive Humanitarian Assistance – Inclusive Governance – protection integration
• Inclusive livelihood
• Explosive Ordnance Risk Education
• Atlas shared storage and transportation

The central office is in the capital city (Kabul) and hosts the management team (including operations, finance, logistics, human resources, technical unit, humanitarian access and security).

HI has three offices located in the different provinces of intervention: Herat, Kunduz, and Kandahar, are fully operational with dedicated support services and project management teams.

HI Afghanistan employs around 450 national and 9 international staff and has a budget of around 7 million euros. Most fundraising efforts and donor relationships are held at the Kabul level.

HI is also part of different fora/coordination bodies (ACBAR, ICCT, HCT, etc.) and a member of several clusters, including health, and protection.

YOUR MISSION:

Under the line management of the Rehabilitation Specialist and in close coordination with relevant Project Managers and the rehabilitation technical team, the Assistive Technology (AT) Technical Officer contributes to the implementation of Humanity & Inclusion's (HI) mandate and strategy in Afghanistan by providing specialized technical support to strengthen the availability, accessibility, quality, and sustainability of assistive technology services and supplies.

The position focuses primarily on wheelchairs and positioning devices (i.e. CP chair), although other devices may be analyzed as well, with particular attention to strengthening HI's AT supply and service systems. The AT Technical Officer will conduct a comprehensive assessment of the existing AT market and supply chain, including mapping and assessing potential suppliers, reviewing product availability and technical specifications, analyzing pricing and market conditions, and identifying opportunities to improve procurement, sourcing, forecasting, stock management, distribution, and after-sales support.

Working closely with rehabilitation teams, logistics/procurement colleagues, relevant project teams, suppliers, and other stakeholders, the position will support quality assurance of assistive products, including reviewing product specifications, assessing quality and suitability for the Afghan context, and contributing to the development or strengthening of appropriate technical standards and quality-control mechanisms. The position will also identify gaps and opportunities to improve the availability of appropriate, affordable, and user-centered assistive products, including wheelchairs and other mobility and functional assistive devices.

The AT Technical Officer will provide technical guidance and capacity strengthening to relevant HI staff and partners on AT-related topics, including product selection, basic technical specifications, fitting and provision considerations, maintenance and repair, and appropriate referral and follow-up mechanisms. The position will promote coordination between rehabilitation, logistics/procurement, and other relevant teams to strengthen an efficient and sustainable AT system.

The assignment places particular emphasis on improving equitable access to appropriate and quality-assured assistive technology for persons with disabilities, including people living in underserved and hard-to-reach areas and groups facing barriers to accessing rehabilitation and assistive products.

In this framework, your main responsibilities are:

Responsibility 1: Assistive Technology market and suppliers analysis:

• Assess the technical capacity of pre-selected local workshops to produce wheelchairs and positioning devices/CP chairs.
• Provide intensive on-the-job coaching and technical support to workshop staff on production processes, product quality, design, assembly, fitting, and finishing.
• Support workshops to improve their ability to consistently produce safe, functional, and appropriate wheelchairs and positioning devices/CP chairs.
• Identify technical gaps in equipment and machinery and provide recommendations on necessary improvements or additions, where appropriate.
• Provide technical support to selected workshops based on identified needs and feasibility, with Kabul expected to be a key location while allowing flexibility to support other relevant locations.

Responsibility 2: Assistive Technology product quality and technical review

• Review and support the development and improvement of wheelchair and positioning device/CP chair designs suitable for the local context and user needs.
• Establish or strengthen practical technical specifications, quality criteria, and production processes for the two priority products.
• Support workshops in applying quality control measures throughout the production process.

Responsibility 3: Supply chain and procurement technical support

• Provide technical guidance to workshops on production planning, costing, pricing, marketing and business models related to wheelchair and positioning device/CP chair production.
• Identify practical measures to improve the efficiency, sustainability, and continuity of local production.
• Support workshops to strengthen their capacity to maintain product quality while developing sustainable production models.

Responsibility 4: Technical support and capacity building

• Provide targeted training, coaching, and on-the-job mentoring for workshop staff and relevant rehabilitation stakeholders.
• Facilitate practical technical workshops and other capacity-building activities according to identified needs and the assignment workplan.
• Develop or adapt practical technical resources and tools to support continued application of the knowledge and skills gained during the assignment.

Responsibility 5: documentation and recommendations

• Document key findings, progress, lessons learnt, and remaining technical gaps.
• Provide practical recommendations for continued strengthening of local wheelchair and positioning device/CP chair production.
• Prepare a concise handover package to support HI and relevant stakeholders in continuing the work after completion of the assignment.

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE POSITION:

The position is based in Kabul, with occasional travel to other provinces as required by project needs. The position reports to the Rehabilitation Specialist and will work closely with relevant HI technical, programme, logistics, procurement, and field teams throughout the four-month assignment.

YOUR PROFILE:

You hold a Bachelor's degree or professional qualification in Physical and Functional Rehabilitation, Prosthetics and Orthotics, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Assistive Technology, or related fields,

You have minimum 5 years of relevant professional experience, including demonstrated experience in Assistive Technology, particularly wheelchairs and other mobility and functional assistive devices,

You have a Strong experience in AT product assessment, selection, quality assurance, technical specifications, and fitting,

You have a Practical experience in AT market analysis, supplier assessment, sourcing, and supply-chain management, preferably in complex or resource-constrained settings,

An experience in training, coaching, or mentoring rehabilitation professionals and relevant stakeholders is desirable.

Excellent written and spoken English is required; working knowledge of Dari and Pashto is desirable.

CONDITIONS:

At HI, the conditions offered are up to your commitment and adapted to the context of your mission: Join the team

4 months International contract starting from 1st January 2027;

The international contract provides social cover adapted to your situation:

• Unemployment insurance benefits for EU nationals;
• Pension scheme;
• Medical coverage with 50% of employee contribution;
• Repatriation insurance paid by HI;
• Salary from 2346 € gross/month upon experience;
• Perdiem: 599 € net/month - paid in the field;
• Hardship: 500 € net/month paid with your salary;
• Paid leaves: 25 days per year;
• R&R: according to the level of the mission 5 days every 8 weeks => + possible transport/package support;
• Position unaccompanied;
• Housing: Collective taken in charge by HI;
• If you are resident in the country: local package.