Switzerland: HIV Programmes and Advocacy Intern

About the IAS:

The International AIDS Society (IAS) leads collective action on every front of the global HIV response through its membership base, scientific authority and convening power. Founded in 1988, the IAS is the world’s largest association of HIV professionals, with members in more than 170 countries. Working with its members, the IAS advocates and drives urgent action to reduce the impact of HIV. The IAS is also the steward of the world’s most prestigious HIV conferences: the International AIDS Conference, the IAS Conference on HIV Science, and the HIV Research for Prevention Conference.

The IAS promotes and invests in HIV advocacy and research on key issue areas through our strategic programmes, initiatives, and campaigns that 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 vulnerable to HIV acquisition – such as men who have sex with men, people who inject drugs, sex workers and transgender people – 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 Internship:

The internship is based at the IAS Secretariat in Geneva, Switzerland. The internship is full-time and will last six months from commencement, ideally mid-February 2020 to 31 July 2020.

Purpose of the Internship:

The IAS is seeking an intern to work within the HIV Programmes and Advocacy Department under the direct supervision of a Project Manager. The intern will be involved in a diverse set of activities related to IAS’ portfolio of youth work. They will receive insights into project management, event organization, reporting and strategic planning, as well as knowledge of the HIV epidemic, HIV research and advocacy directions, and an array of stakeholders (including industry, academia, governmental and intergovernmental organizations, NGOs, patient associations, etc.).

Through its youth portfolio, the IAS aims to develop adolescents and young people as agents of change so that they can contribute to a sustainable HIV response. To enable them to do so, the IAS works to 1) create opportunities for meaningful engagement; 2) promote an enabling environment; and 3) support demand from adolescents and young people to assume responsibility and take action in the HIV response.

This internship will support the IAS in the delivery of its youth portfolio and will thus contribute to the IAS’ goal that children adolescents and young people are empowered, equipped and well-resourced to lead the youth response to HIV.

Main Role and Responsibilities:

• Contribute to the organization and programme development of the AIDS 2020 Youth Ambassador Programme
• Support the Youth Champion seed-grant programme in Latin America and the Caribbean
• Provide administrative support to the young people we work with, particularly in relation to travel, visas, and reporting
• Support the development of a platform to coordinate programmatic support for young leaders
• Support the IAS youth advisors to integrate meaningful and effective engagement of young people into the way of working at the IAS
• Provide support both in preparation for and onsite at AIDS 2020
• Draft technical documents (e.g., briefing notes on organizations and persons, concept notes for different activities, slide sets, minutes, surveys, short reports)
• Provide administrative support (e.g. scheduling meetings and conference calls, liaising consultants)
• Assist with communications needs (drafting emails, inbox management, webpage updates).

Perform any additional task requested by the Project Manager.

Academic Qualifications:

• Currently studying or recently graduated in public health, development, international relations or a related field is favourable. Candidates expressing a keen interest in this area of work will also be considered.

Experience:

· One year of general office/work experience would be advantageous

• Previous work experience in administration or event organization or communications/advocacy would be a strong asset
• Experience working in an international context or for an NGO is desired
• Previous experience working with young people or within a community, national or global response to HIV would be advantageous.

Skills/Competencies:

• Strong computer skills in Microsoft Office
• Excellent communication and intercultural skills
• Ability to work under pressure in an international context
• Ability to deal with numerous tasks simultaneously and prioritize
• Good time management and organizational skills
• Meticulous attention to detail
• Customer-service attitude
• Ability to work independently and take initiative
• Willingness to travel to San Francisco and Oakland for AIDS 2020.

Languages:

• Excellent written and oral English language communication skills (knowledge of Spanish, Portuguese and/or French is an asset).

Benefits from the Internship:

The intern can expect to gain skills and experience in the following areas:

• Insights into the work of an international, non-governmental organization
• Insights into project management, event organization, reporting and strategic planning
• Insights into HIV-related policies, research and structural barriers
• Insights into advocacy, research promotion and partnership building activities
• Opportunity to attend AIDS 2020 in San Francisco and Oakland
• Opportunities to grow a professional network and collaborate with leaders from different organizations.

Stipend: 2’000.- CHF/month gross (full time).

How to Apply:

This internship is ideally suited to a qualified, motivated and eager-to-learn graduate willing to prepare their professional life in challenging and dynamic settings, with high international exposure.

Interested and qualified candidates should send their CV and a cover letter, in English and by email only, torecruitment@iasociety.orgby Monday, 3 February 2020. Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

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 HIV are strongly encouraged to apply.