****Job Advertisement****
Durban has been selected to host the 21stInternational AIDS Conference (AIDS 2016). 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 Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention 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.
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.
More information on AIDS 2016 can be found at www.aids2016.org.
****Details of Employment:****
The Associate Workshops Officer will be based in Geneva and report to the Senior Manager, Conference based in the International Secretariat in Geneva and will work in close collaboration with the Head of Local Office. The position is full-time and will last 11 months from 1st September 2015 to 5th August 2016.
****Purpose of the Position:****
The incumbent will oversee the implementation of approximately fifty high-quality, targeted workshops that will promote and enhance opportunities for knowledge transfer, skills development and collaborative learning. Roughly twenty of the workshops will be designed by the workshop working group in collaboration with Conference Coordinating and Programme Committees. The remaining ~thirty workshops will be selected from proposals submitted through the AIDS 2016 website. The proposals will be reviewed by an independent reviewing committee with each proposal assessed by at least two reviewers. The final selection will be conducted by the AIDS 2016 professional development workshop working group, composed of members selected from the conference programme committees. Workshops can be 90 or 180 minutes in length and in languages other than English.
The successful candidate must have proven abilities planning and developing workshops, seminars or other training events, ideally in the public health sector.
****Main Responsibilities:****
- Project planning and implementation of conference workshops (science, leadership and community) including the preparation of work plans and key milestones;
- Facilitate discussions of the workshop working group via email, face to face meetings and teleconferences to establish learning priorities for AIDS 2016 and to make programme decisions;
- Coordinate the development of cutting-edge interactive professional development learning experiences for high impact, particularly among developing country and early career health workers and researchers;
- Develop and support effective working relations with stakeholders and partner organizations, including groups from diverse and affected communities, in the development and delivery of workshop activities;
- Be the key contact for all workshop activities, respond to inquiries, and follow-up with applicants;
- Coordinate a submission and review process for workshop proposals, including the development of review criteria;
- Support working group members to select activities at the workshop planning meeting;
- Coordinate and schedule workshops within the programme schedule;
- Work collaboratively with local and international planning committees and conference secretariat departments;
- Advise on budgets, prepare progress reports, minutes from working group meetings and printed material content.
Academic Qualifications:
- A degree in social science, international relations or other relevant discipline or comparable years of experience in the field.
****Work Experience:****
- At least 2-3 years’ experience in a non-profit, preferably community-based organization;
- Experience in HIV research or education, programme planning, development and delivery;
- Experience in organizing, coordinating and planning workshops, preferably at an international level;
- Experience working with and supporting volunteers and committees; group and process facilitation skills;
- Experience working collaboratively with multi-sector stakeholders and diverse communities.
****Skills/Competencies:****
- Excellent organizational, problem solving, interpersonal, cross cultural and team skills;
- Excellent communication skills, including speaking, writing and presenting in English;
- Understanding of HIV and related international development issues;
- Ability to handle multiple tasks and meet deadlines under pressure in an intense, complex, multi-stakeholder environment;
- Excellent computer skills in various software applications (MS Office);
- Be able to work a flexible work schedule including some evenings and weekends, increasing near and during the conference.
****Languages:****
- Strong and demonstrated English language communication skills both written and oral are essential for this position.
HOW TO APPLY:
Interested and qualified candidates should send their CV and a cover letter, in English and by email only, to recruitment@iasociety.org by Friday 3rd July 2015.
Only candidates from Geneva, from an EU/EFTA country, or those who already have a valid Swiss working permit will be considered.
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 HIV are strongly encouraged to apply.
