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 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.
In addition, the IAS advocates 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 Internship:
The internship is based at the IAS Secretariat in Geneva, Switzerland and will report to the Manager, CIPHER. The internship is full-time and will last from 14 March 2016 to 15 July 2016.
Purpose of the Internship:
Under the direct supervision of the Project Manager, the intern will support the diverse activities related to the Collaborative Initiative for Paediatric HIV Education and Research (CIPHER). The aim of CIPHER is to answer outstanding clinical and operational research questions needed to optimize clinical management and delivery of HIV services for infants, children and adolescents in resource limited settings. CIPHER has two main goals: to invest in and support priority paediatric HIV research, and strengthening paediatric HIV cohort collaboration.
The intern will be involved in monitoring and evaluation of the CIPHER Research Grant Programme. This will include performing an analysis of similar grant programmes, evaluating the current systems in place for the grant programme, monitoring the impact of the programme, and planning future improvements.
This activity will allow the intern to learn about the strategies involved in developing and maintaining a funding platform. It will also be an opportunity to learn about the different funding opportunities available in the HIV landscape, and how they work.
The intern will also have the opportunity participate in other CIPHER projects, as appropriate.
Main Responsibilities:
  • Participating in the planning of and implementing a scoping exercise on grant programmes in paediatric HIV;
  • Desk research to support the scoping exercise;
  • Analysis of the results of the exercise and write-up;
  • Review of current M&E system in place, analysis and proposal for improvement;
  • Contributing to the evaluation of CIPHER activities and the preparation of reports;
  • Providing administrative support.
Academic Qualifications:
  • Currently studying or recently graduated in social science, international relations, public health or a related field is favourable.
Experience: (previous internships)
  • Experience in project management and/or event organization a plus;
  • Experience working in a culturally diverse environment a plus.
Skills/Competencies:
  • Basic understanding of global health challenges related the HIV/AIDS epidemic;
  • Excellent project management, time management and organizational skills;
  • Ability to work efficiently under pressure;
  • Meticulous attention to detail (e.g., for the production of high-quality documents);
  • Good computer skills in the Windows environment (Word, Outlook, PowerPoint).
Languages:
  • Excellent written and oral English communication skills (other languages a plus).
Benefits from this internship:
The intern can expect to gain skills and experience in the following areas:
  • Insight into the work of an international, non-governmental organization;
  • Gaining skills in project management;
  • Acquiring experience in research promotion and advocacy activities;
  • Attendance to the world’s premier conference on HIV and AIDS, the International AIDS Conference.
Stipend: 2,000.- CHF/month gross (full time).
This internship is ideally suited to a qualified, motivated and eager-to-learn graduate willing to prepare his/her professional life in challenging and dynamic settings, with high international exposure.
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 Monday 29 February 2016. 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.
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.