2.2 billion people around the world have a visual impairment, and almost half of those cases are preventable or treatable. Sightsavers’ Eye Health and Refractive Error Programmes support the development of inclusive and sustainable eye health services in partnership with national and sub-national stakeholders including Ministries of Health and Education. We also support development of school health integrated programmes and training of various eye health professionals in low and middle resource settings. The Global Technical Lead: Unaddressed Refractive Error will work at programmatic level in-country to ensure that Sightsavers’ eye health and refractive error projects are conceptualized, designed, and implemented in alignment with thematic and programme strategies.

 Key duties will include:

• To provide technical leadership and optometry related expertise in primary eye health and refractive error programmes to guide the development and delivery of specific initiatives
• Facilitating the capacity strengthening of country, partners and global teams
• Strategic and technical inputs in proposal development
• To pioneer new strategic initiatives and innovative approaches in eye health and refractive error, particularly in areas such as climate action, gender responsiveness and fragile environments
• To contribute to the research, innovation, policy, advocacy and communications agendas
• To undertake senior level representation of Sightsavers as an expert in eye health and refractive error at national, regional and international professional and sector-specific meetings

This is an ideal opportunity for an Optometrist with working experience in Bangladesh, Pakistan or West Africa to provide support for programmes focusing on primary eye care and refractive error.

Key skills for the role of Global Technical Lead: Unaddressed Refractive Error

Essential

• A professional qualification in a relevant field, e.g. optometry, public health, low vision/rehabilitation, international development
• Significant experience in leading and developing programmes focusing on primary eye health and refractive error
• Experience of working with national government and international institutions such as WHO and other International Development Organisations (INGDOs)
• Knowledge of current issues and best practice in eye health and refractive error
• Excellent English language communication skills (verbal and written)
• Available and able to travel for up to 12-16 weeks a year (regional and international)

Desirable

• French or Portuguese language skills
• Local dialect knowledge in any of the programmatic countries
• Experience in developing capacity-building resources for programme partners
• Experience of developing technology -based, innovative solutions for providing primary eye care