Conference Project Manager - International AIDS Society

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 Employment:

The Conference Project Manager will be based in Geneva, Switzerland and report to the Director, Conference. The position is open-ended and full-time to start on Monday 22 August 2016.

Purpose of the Position:

The Project Manager is responsible for coordinating the work of the relevant conference programme committees and ensuring that the conference programme for the IAS and AIDS conferences is developed in a timely manner in line with the objectives defined by the conference organizers.

Main Responsibilities:

General

• Develop project plans and associated budgets for assigned projects;
• Support the programme committees in developing high quality sessions and implementing all steps needed to prepare sessions for presentation at the conferences, including content management of the programme database;
• Organize programme committee meetings, teleconferences and communications including preparing supporting documents, taking minutes and following up on action points;
• Provide committee members with logistical support with regards to air travel, visas, accommodation, etc.;
• Liaise with committees, external suppliers and departments within the secretariat to ensure adherence to project objectives and timelines;
• Document and evaluate the project process including development of post-conference reports;
• Participate in the conference evaluation.

Specific

• Coordinate the selection process, development and on onsite management of plenary sessions;
• Manage the Continuing Medical Education accreditation for medical doctors and nurses (nursing continuing education will be sought for AIDS conference only);
• Support hiring processes in the conference department including development of job descriptions, application screening and interviewing.

Perform any additional tasks requested by the Director, Conference.

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 3 to 5 years’ experience in a similar position;
• Experience in working with conferences, seminars, workshops, meetings, committees or events;
• Experience working in an international context;
• Experience working in the field of HIV and AIDS.

Skills/Competencies:

• Advanced project management experience;
• Strong science background and an understanding of HIV specifically is desirable;
• Possess strong written communication and cross-cultural skills;
• Have an ability to work independently and an aptitude for multi-tasking;
• Highly organized and systematic, with attention to detail;
• Excellent time management and organizational skills;
• Sense of diplomacy and cross-cultural interpersonal skills;
• Ability to work efficiently under pressure in an international context, and occasionally work overtime;
• Excellent computer skills in the Windows environment (MS Office, Outlook);
• Ability to handle large volumes of applications and manage multiple databases;
• Customer service attitude.

Languages:

• Fluent in English (oral and written). Working knowledge of other UN languages is beneficial.

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 22 July 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.