Communications and Advocacy Officer

Job Description

Position Overview

This position provides an exciting opportunity to actively contribute to improving the financial and programmatic sustainability of key population-led HIV services in South-East Asia. It is ideal for someone who has enthusiasm and determination to influence change in a strategic manner through the application of their communications experience.

You will play a key role in developing and managing strategies, products, and materials that both support advocacy at a regional level, whilst also supporting and capacitating local implementing partners to influence policy and decision making in their own countries.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic communications

• Lead the strategy, planning, development and implementation of the programmatic communications and advocacy strategy including effectively disseminating information (technical briefs, webinars, social media posts etc.) to produce impact
• Support implementing partners to develop their strategy and internal capacity to influence decision making at a national governmental level
• Facilitate and leverage the contributions of key stakeholders such as implementing partners and the Regional Steering Committee to implement a high impact communications and advocacy strategy in line with the SKPA-2 program objectives

General communications management

• Draft and coordinate the production and dissemination of a diverse range of products including external facing reports, technical briefs, infographics, program updates, media releases and success stories
• Ensure consistent people-centred, plain-English language of all SKPA-2 communications and related products
• Manage the dissemination and maintenance of SKPA-2 publications and products through channels such as website, social media, and other external facing platforms to ensure emerging research, program updates, success stories and reports of regional and country progress reach their target audiences, and are consistently branded
• Establish metrics for measuring and gauging impact of materials and publications, and provide updates on these metrics throughout the project
• Where necessary develop, manage, and maintain internal communications resources such as branding guidelines, style guide, templates etc.
• Work with SKPA-2 program and technical staff on the design and delivery of a regular program of technical updates for staff and partners
• Working with UNAIDS and with the support of Deputy Director – Programs, provide high quality secretariat support to the Regional Steering Committee and any of its sub-committees, including the development of the agenda, taking of minutes, assisting in the development of briefing papers, reports, maintenance of the dedicated communication platforms.
• Provide secretariat support to the SKPA-2 Community of Practice, including the development of the agenda, taking of minutes, assisting in the development of briefing papers, reports, maintenance of the dedicated communication platforms. (Note: SKPA-2 is still in the process of determining the need for and scope of the Community of Practice.)

Core Attributes and Skills

The successful applicant will display the following:

• Ability to contextualise complex, technical and at times, scientific information into people-centred plain English and adapt and tailor writing style and tone to match the intended audience
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to identify and develop strategies to effectively influence decision making either directly or by working to capacitate local implementing partners
• Strong listening skills with the ability to interpret key messages and information
• Excellent knowledge of English, strong oral and written communication and experience developing, drafting, and editing a range of communication products
• Ability to facilitate meetings on online communications platforms and coordinating activities across multiple time-zones
• Demonstrated interpersonal and teamwork skills in a fast-paced work environment
• Ability to prioritise tasks, take initiative, and independently manage competing demands
• Function effectively in cross-cultural teams, making culturally appropriate adjustments to communications materials aligned with the aims and objectives of the program

Selection Criteria

Essential

Qualifications and experience

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in communications, public health, policy, community or international development, social sciences, or another relevant field or equivalent work experience
• At least five experience years in a communications and/or advocacy role, including the ability to develop strategies to influence decision making
• Excellent written English language and editing skills
• Basic design skills to ensure products and materials look professional and are consistent in branding and style
• Capacity to travel within the region up to approximately 40% of the time.
• Willingness to work across different time zones, cultures and with people whose first language is not English

Desirable

• Knowledge of HIV, global health, or development sector
• An understanding of and commitment to community-led action for health and other issues affecting key populations and people living with HIV
• Experience of working with the Microsoft Teams platform
• Experience working in, or knowledge of South-East Asia

To apply

• Provide your CV and max 2 pages addressing your ability to fulfill the key responsibilities outlined in the Position Description
• Applicants are encouraged to provide links to, and examples of their work
• You should include a minimum of 2 professional referees
• Email your application to recruitment@afao.org.au

Applications close

24 October 2022 at 9am

About the Organization

SKPA-2 Overview

SKPA-2 is a three-year, USD$12.5m program funded by the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria for the period 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2025. The Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations (AFAO) is the Principal Recipient of the grant and provides technical assistance and support to our local partners in Bhutan, Mongolia, Philippines, and Sri Lanka.

As countries shift towards middle-income status their eligibility for international development funding reduces. Middle-income countries are expected to fully fund health and HIV programs domestically. However, funding services for key populations remains a contentious in many countries.

SKPA-2 aims to improve the sustainability of evidence-informed, prioritised HIV services for key populations in the above listed countries. There are four program objectives:

1. Accelerate financial sustainability
2. Improve strategic information availability and use
3. Promote programmatic sustainability
4. Remove human rights and gender-related barriers to services.

The Regional Steering Committee, chaired by UNAIDS, provides stewardship and strategic direction at the regional and national levels to the SKPA-2 program. The Committee ensures that the HIV strategies of participating countries guide SKPA-2 activities. The Committee also helps identify and remove barriers to effective implementation and facilitates cross-regional learning.

About AFAO

AFAO leads Australia’s effort to end HIV transmission. We do so on behalf of our member organisations who represent lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex communities, sex workers, people who use drugs, people with HIV and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

Our close connections with our communities provide us with rapid intelligence on changes in Australia’s HIV epidemic, allow us to mobilise and respond quickly and to act as a trusted communication channel to government, research and clinical partners.

We have worked with Australian governments for more than 30 years to achieve a world-class response to HIV of which we can be proud. AFAO works across the Parliament to foster interest, strengthen political support, provide briefings and education about Australia’s response to HIV and to highlight the opportunities we have to better meet our goals of ending HIV transmission and minimising the impacts of HIV.

AFAO supports its members by leading the national conversation on HIV, advocating for AFAO’s members and communities in forums and government processes and providing a public voice on HIV. We work directly with our members in formulating positions and responses as new issues and evidence emerges.

Internationally, we foster the development of regional and country-level responses to HIV, contribute to the development of effective HIV policy and programs, and represent Australia’s community response to HIV in global forums. We are proud to have partnered with communities, technical partners and governments in Asia and the Pacific since the beginning of the HIV epidemic.

AFAO has offices in Sydney, Australia and Bangkok, Thailand.

AFAO is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children young people and vulnerable adults, and any offer of employment is contingent on a National Police Check and signing AFAO’s Safeguarding Code of Conduct.

AFAO is an equal opportunity employer. We value inclusion, diversity, and gender equality. As part of our commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace, people with HIV are strongly encouraged to apply.

More information