About the IAS
IAS - the International AIDS Society convenes, educates and advocates for a world in which HIV no longer presents a threat to public health and individual well-being. After the emergence of HIV and AIDS, concerned scientists created the IAS to bring together experts from across the world and disciplines to promote a concerted HIV response. Today, the IAS and its members unite scientists, policy makers and activists to galvanize the scientific response, build global solidarity and enhance human dignity for all those living with and affected by 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.
More information on IAS can be found at www.iasociety.org.
About the Global HIV Vaccine Enterprise
Established in 2003, the Global HIV Vaccine Enterprise (the Enterprise) became a programme of the IAS in 2018. The Enterprise engages scientists, community and funders to accelerate HIV vaccine development and prepare the field for the future discovery of a safe, effective and globally accessible HIV vaccine. As part of it is strategy, the Enterprise is committed to expanding political and financial support for HIV vaccine research and development.
Purpose of the consultancy
The IAS invites proposals from individual policy and advocacy experts, or organizations with relevant expertise, to develop a strategy for its advocacy activity in Europe - including the European Union level and selected EU Member States - to enhance investment in HIV vaccine research and innovation.
Scope of work
1) Develop an advocacy strategy that addresses the following questions:
- Who are the key decision makers on R&D policy and investment at European Union level?
- Who are the key stakeholders influencing R&D policy and investment decisions?
- Which advocacy mechanisms could best be leveraged to engage with key stakeholders?
2) Outline an implementation plan for a two-year period that includes key advocacy moments and suggested activities. The plan must address the following questions:
- What are the available resources that can be leveraged?
- What are the key advocacy moments to act?
- What are the key advocacy tools that could be developed?
- What are the key activities that could be done?
Deliverables
Goal 1- Develop an advocacy strategy
- Deliverable 1A: A comprehensive situation analysis which involves an appraisal of the existing funding landscape for HIV vaccine research at the EU and member state levels, an analysis of the policy environment and a stakeholder analysis. Specific stakeholder groups able to influence HIV vaccine R&D funding in Europe should be clearly identified.
- Deliverable 1B: A set of well-defined, specific, and measurable goals that are achievable within the next two years.
- Deliverable 1C: Prior to finalizing the strategy document, organize a meeting with the Vaccine Enterprise team to present preliminary findings in a slide deck.
Goal 2: Develop a comprehensive two-year advocacy plan
- Deliverables 2A: A framework outlining the primary objectives, tactics and core activities that will be used to advance the advocacy goals, specifying key advocacy moments to be utilized.
- Deliverable 2B: A detailed implementation timeline, including key milestones, deadlines, and events.
- Deliverable 2C: A **stakeholder engagement and communication plan,**which identifies specific strategies for engaging with diverse stakeholders. The plan should include outreach tactics for each stakeholder group, and highlight opportunities for collaboration and partnerships.
- Deliverable 2D: A comprehensive monitoring, evaluation, learning, and reporting framework that tracks the Vaccine Enterprise's progress against advocacy objectives, measures the effectiveness of tactics and activities, and identifies opportunities for improvement.
- Deliverable 2E: Prior to finalizing the advocacy plan document, organize a second meeting with the Vaccine Enterprise team to present preliminary findings, gather feedback and refine the plan based on their inputs. The meeting should include a slide deck summarizing the key components of the plan.
Proposal requirements
The proposal should include the following:
- Description of the proposed approach to the assignment
- Updated CV(s) and a summary of relevant experience with this type of work
- Full budget
- Two references from previous clients
- For individual consultants: recent evidence that they are registered freelancers in their country of residence.
Estimated level of effort
The estimated time for the consulting services is 15-20 working days within 3 months from the start date of the signed contract.
A specific work plan will be agreed upon selection of the candidate.
How to apply
Proposals should be sent by email to enterprise@iasociety.org by 25 June 2023. For further information, please contact enterprise@iasociety.org.