Director, HIV Programmes and Advocacy

About the IAS:

Founded in 1988, the International AIDS Society (IAS) is the world's largest association of HIV professionals, with members from more than 180 countries. IAS members work on all fronts of the global response to AIDS, and include researchers, clinicians, policy and programme planners and public health and community practitioners on the frontlines of the epidemic.

The IAS organizes the world’s two most prestigious HIV conferences, each convened biennially in alternating years. The International AIDS Conference is the largest conference on any global health or development issue, and provides a unique forum for the intersection of science and advocacy. The IAS Conference on HIV Science brings together a broad cross section of HIV professionals and features the latest HIV science, with a focus on implementation – moving scientific advances into practice.

In addition, the IAS programmes advocate for urgent action to reduce the global impact of HIV, including increased investment in HIV cure research; optimizing treatment and care for infants, children and adolescents with HIV in resource-limited settings; preventing and treating HIV-related co-infections; and expanding access to prevention, treatment and care for key populations at higher risk for HIV – such as men who have sex with men, people who inject drugs, sex workers and transgender individuals – including protecting their human rights by combatting punitive laws and discriminatory policies.

More information on IAS can be found at www.iasociety.org.

Details of Employment:

The Director, HIV Programmes and Advocacy position will be based in Geneva, Switzerland and report to the IAS Executive Director. The position is open-ended and full-time to start in Q1 2019.

Purpose of the Position:

The IAS HIV Programmes and Advocacy department works to promote the implementation of evidence-informed and human rights-based strategies for improving the lives of people living with and most vulnerable to acquiring HIV. Through its various programmes, the department harnesses research, shapes the evidence base and amplifies the voices of affected communities to influence policy across the HIV prevention to care continuum. To do this, the department undertakes advocacy, supports capacity building, and engages in collaborative partnerships across the IAS and with organizations, civil society and, communities around the world.

The IAS HIV Programmes and Advocacy department seeks to inspire and facilitate collective action across three strategic domains:

1. Policy: Influence global and national HIV policy and bridge gaps between the HIV response and the broader integrated health landscape
2. Research: Inspire HIV research targeting scientific gaps that link research to strategic programme priorities
3. Structural barriers: Instigate action to remove structural barriers and address human rights violations that inhibit access to and uptake of comprehensive HIV services for selected populations and communities.

Across its work, the IAS HIV Programmes and Advocacy department maintains a focus on three cross-cutting issues: human rights, gender and youth. Each of the department’s programmes seeks to deliberately incorporate these issues into its activities and engage relevant communities and partners to inform its work.

The Director, HIV Programmes and Advocacy, is a key senior position based in the International AIDS Society (IAS) Secretariat in Geneva, Switzerland. The incumbent will be responsible for all of the Secretariat’s HIV programmatic and advocacy work, ensuring it reflects the needs and priorities of IAS members. The position holder will be responsible for overseeing a large team of HIV professionals, developing operational plans that reflect the IAS’ organizational strategy, and representing the IAS with partners.

Main Responsibilities:

• Lead the development and execution of strategic priorities for the IAS that support and operationalize the Secretariat’s organizational strategy as well as the department operational strategy
• Identify, as needed, any additional programme areas to which the IAS should strategically lend its voice
• Identify urgent advocacy priorities related to the HIV workforce and implement efforts to connect IAS members with the organization’s key programmatic priorities
• Serve as a senior spokesperson and thought leader for the IAS on the importance of HIV science and its implementation globally
• Act as a senior technical resource for developing and implementing IAS meetings and conferences
• Work with the Executive Director and Governing Council to identify priority areas for IAS involvement, develop plans to address those areas, and implement high-quality, scientifically sound programmes
• Manage a multi-disciplinary and diverse team across geographic locations, ensuring excellence in delivery and effective relationships with internal and external partners
• Develop and manage relationships with existing and potential new partners for IAS’ programmatic and advocacy work
• Work with the Director of Communications to ensure that the IAS advocacy messages reflect the current debates and trends while remaining grounded in robust science
• Work with the Director of Resource Mobilization & Development to identify new business opportunities and secure funding for IAS’ HIV programmes and advocacy.

Perform any additional tasks requested by the Executive Director.

Academic Qualifications:

• An advanced degree in public health or life sciences is a minimum; a terminal degree in public health, life sciences, or medicine is preferred.

Work Experience:

• At least 8 to 10 years of proven experience in programmatic development for HIV pertaining to public health implementation, academic research, and /or advocacy
• Proven experience in programme design, implementation and monitoring
• Proven experience in team and budget management.
• A track record of working across a range of HIV thematic areas and disciplines

Skills/Competencies:

• Excellent knowledge of HIV research and science as well as an understanding of the regulatory and normative processes that guide HIV policy implementation worldwide
• Strategic and analytical thinking combined with the ability to translate member priorities into concrete, relevant programmes and advocacy
• A track record of achievement and leadership in the field and an active network among the partners of IAS
• Ability to inspire and engage with a wide range of relevant audiences; personal presence; excellent influencing skills
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, maturity, good judgment
• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative team environment with a dynamic range of people and to manage for results across teams and hierarchies
• Strong people management skills; demonstrated ability to successfully supervise and mentor staff
• Ability to manage competing priorities and work effectively to external and internal deadlines.

Languages:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with full professional fluency in English. Additional languages are an asset.

How to Apply:

Interested and qualified candidates should send their CV and a cover letter, in English. Click to APPLY below and send email by Friday 31 August 2018. Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. The interviews will be conducted mid-September 2018.

Only candidates from Switzerland, from an EU/EFTA country or candidates already having a valid Swiss working permit will be considered.

IAS employees are evidence-based, human rights-focused, inclusive and accountable partners in the HIV response. Candidates should display genuine commitment to IAS values (learn more here).

The IAS is committed to recruiting and sustaining a skilled, effective, diverse and gender-balanced secretariat, and to the greater involvement of people living with HIV (GIPA) in all aspects of its work. People living with or affected by HIV are strongly encouraged to apply.