Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) Specialist – Digital Health

• Contractor position

A bit about us

Here at Beyond Essential Systems (BES) we make awesome technology and put it to good use in the world. Our aim is to improve decision-making in low resource settings by providing meaningful data that results in well informed decisions, and better outcomes for individuals. Our services and products have an impact across health, education, supply chain and disaster management, and we are proud to be able to provide innovative and collaborative solutions, while working closely with local partners in the Asia / Pacific region.

About the role

BES has recently been awarded a Strategic Partnership with DFAT under the Partnerships for a Healthy Region (PHR) initiative, Australia’s flagship investment in health in the Indo-Pacific region. Committed to inclusivity and accessibility, we’re seeking an experienced GEDSI (Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion) Specialist to ensure that our project design and digital health products cater effectively to diverse populations. This includes a suite of digital health products widely used in the Indo-Pacific region, developed by BES and our Consortium Partner, the mSupply Foundation (TMF).

You will play a pivotal role in ensuring that our project design and digital health products are accessible, inclusive, and equitable for all users. You will collaborate with our teams to integrate GEDSI principles into the design, development, and implementation phases of our products. Your expertise will drive our mission to provide healthcare solutions that address the needs of diverse populations, including those traditionally marginalised or underserved.

Activities and Deliverables

All activities can be conducted remotely, but if you’re based in Melbourne we’d love to work with you in person.

Please note that we are recruiting for Phase 1 at this stage, with the possibility of extension for Phases 2 and 3.

Phase 1: June – July 2024 (max 40 billable days):

• Conduct a GEDSI Analysis (Part A) on the BES-TMF Partnerships for a Healthy Region Project Design to identify potential GEDSI gaps and opportunities for improvement in programming. Deliverable: Report and presentation of findings. Billable days (maximum): 15.
• Conduct a GEDSI Analysis (Part B) on BES and TMF digital health products (Tamanu, Tupaia, Open mSupply, Health Supply Hub) to identify potential GEDSI gaps and opportunities for improvement in software features. Deliverable: Report and presentation of findings. Billable days (maximum): 15.
• Lead training sessions/workshops to upskill project delivery teams at BES and TMF on GEDSI principles related to digital health, and foster a culture of diversity and inclusion. This should include guidance on how to integrate GEDSI principles into the design, development, implementation, and monitoring/evaluation of digital health tools, ensuring accessibility and inclusivity from inception.
• Deliverable: Delivery of training sessions, and report summarising training content and outcomes for each. Billable days (maximum): 10.

Phase 2: August 2024 (max 5 billable days):

• Review the BES and TMF Strategy/Plan for integrating agreed GEDSI Analysis recommendations into programming and software development.
• Deliverable: Written comments and feedback on up to 2 drafts of the document. Billable days (maximum): 5.

Phase 3: September 2024 – June 2027 (max 20 billable days):

• Participate in 6-monthly Advisory Committee meetings, which will guide the prioritisation of software features in BES and TMF digital health tools used in the Indo-Pacific region. Your role will be to advocate for and ensure that digital health tools meet the needs of diverse user groups across the region, including but not limited to gender, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and disability. Deliverable: Attendance and contribution to Advisory Committee meetings. Billable days (maximum): 7.
• Lead annual refresher training sessions/workshops to upskill project delivery teams at BES and TMF on GEDSI principles related to digital health, and foster a culture of diversity and inclusion. Deliverable: Delivery of annual training sessions, and report summarising training content and outcomes for each. Billable days (maximum): 6.
• Work occasionally with UX/UI and Product teams to ensure GEDSI principles are incorporated into software design and delivery. Deliverable: N/A (consultations as required). Billable days (maximum): 4.
• Participate in meetings, representing BES, as reasonably requested for GEDSI inputs. Deliverable: N/A (consultations as required). Billable days (maximum): 3.

About you

You’ll have a real connection with our purpose and will be looking for a role where your work has a meaningful influence and impact on the lives of others. You’ll be a natural collaborator with initiative and drive.

Qualifications and experience:

• Master’s degree in a relevant field such as gender studies, public health, global health, social sciences, or international development. Applicants with a Bachelor’s degree and significant practical experience will also be considered.
• Proven experience in conducting GEDSI Analyses and/or GEDSI specialist advice in the global health space, with a minimum of 3 years of relevant work experience in a low-resource setting.
• High comfort with and ability to learn new technology.
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to assess complex problems and develop practical solutions through a GEDSI lens.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with experience working in a dynamic team environment.
• Passion for promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in healthcare, with a commitment to improving health outcomes for all individuals.

Desirable but not required:

• Experience working in low-resource settings in the Indo-Pacific region.
• Experience in the health sector.
• Deep understanding of accessibility standards and their application in digital product design.

Why Join Us?

• Opportunity to make a meaningful impact by ensuring that digital health solutions widely used across the Indo-Pacific region are accessible, inclusive for diverse populations, and help to close health equity gaps.
• Collaborative and innovative projects where your ideas and expertise are highly valued.
• Work with a mission-driven team that is committed to transforming healthcare in low-resource settings through technology.

How to apply

If you’re passionate about leveraging technology to advance health equity and inclusion, we’d love to hear from you! Please submit the following as part of your application:

• CV
• Cover letter including:
  • How you meet the selection criteria in the ‘About you’ section
  • Your hourly and daily rates in AUD

We would especially encourage you to apply if you are from a community that’s underrepresented in the technology or aid industry.

Start date: June 2024 (ASAP)