Governance & Member Relations Intern

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 Governance and Member Relations Intern will be based at the IAS Secretariat in Geneva, Switzerland and will report to the Director, Governance & Member Relations. The internship is full-time and will last 6 months from 11 January 2016 to 22 July 2016.

Purpose of the Internship:

The Governance and Membership Intern will support the Governance and Membership Department in the day-to-day activities. These activities include preparations for the annual IAS Governing Council (GC) meeting and the annual IAS Members’ Meeting in July 2016; involvement in membership recruitment and retention campaigns; work on the IAS membership database; and other mechanisms of engagement with the IAS membership and the IAS GC.

Main Responsibilities:

Include, but are not restricted to:

• Support the implementation of the 2016 IAS GC Elections:
• edit/format candidate statements
• plan for the induction programme for newly elected IAS GC members
• Assist in the preparations for the IAS GC meeting on 15 July 2016:
  • monitor flight bookings for GC members attending the 21st International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2016) in Durban, South Africa on 18-22 July 2016
  • manage the rooming list for GC members
  • monitor visa applications
  • administer GC registrations
  • coordinate meeting rooms and catering
  • prepare detailed travel, accommodation and transportation information for GC members
  • prepare meeting folders and PowerPoint presentation
  • provide other support for GC members attending AIDS 2016
• Assist in the preparations for the IAS Members’ Meeting in July 2016:
• draft and send invitations
• coordinate meeting rooms and catering
• Provide support in preparation for the IAS exhibition booth at AIDS 2016
• Compile an engagement database with:
• current GC members
• former GC members
• past IAS Presidents
• non-elected candidates in the 2014 and 2016 IAS GC Elections
• Provide support to membership recruitment, retention and engagement campaigns:
• personalized correspondence/online/printed matters
• background research on membership related topics
• Correspond with IAS members by email/phone and follow-up on requests

Academic Qualifications:

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

Experience: (previous internships)

• Experience in administration, project management, marketing and/or event organization a plus;
• Experience working in a culturally diverse environment a plus.

Skills/Competencies:

• Highly organized and systematic, with meticulous attention to detail;
• Strong time management skills, and the ability to work efficiently under pressure and meet deadlines;
• Ability to work independently, and have an aptitude for multi-tasking;
• Strong diplomatic skills and customer service attitude;
• Advanced computer skills in the Windows environment (particularly Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook);
• Eager to learn and have a hands-on attitude.

Languages:

Excellent written and oral communication skills in English (other languages a plus).

Benefits from this internship:

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

• Event planning
• Member relations
• Business communications

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 7 December 2015. 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.