The Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ) has been funded to host the HIV Control Working Group (HCWG), co-chaired by Drs. Yogan Pillay and Izukanji Sikazwe. The HCWG is comprised of African experts with relevant experience from diverse sectors, predominantly based within the Sub-Saharan African region to work collaboratively over 24- months to develop:

(i) A framework that identifies the necessary components for long-term sustained HIV control with particular reference to the Sub-Saharan African context.
(ii) A forward-looking research and program implementation agenda that informs country progress and achievements and identifies knowledge gaps which impede the provision of clear guidance to countries about how best to target their systems-building investments.

The HCWG will be supported by a Secretariat hosted by CIDRZ, staffed by a community engagement lead and other team members. The community engagement lead’s role is to set the tone for messaging and portray the HCWG’s values and vision. The community engagement lead is also responsible for and advises the Head of secretariat and Co-chairs on all aspects of complex, sensitive national, regional, and international importance that have implications for the work of the HCWG. Working closely with the secretariat head, the community engagement lead will use their specialist knowledge to spearhead, risk assess the strategic direction, planning, and management of the HCWG’s communications strategy in line with its vision.

Key responsibilities

• Develop a dissemination and communications strategy to share the findings of the HCWG with relevant stakeholders at the community, country, regional and global levels
• Issues policy briefs, press releases and reports to target audiences regularly
• Develops guidance to assist use of evidence more consistently to inform decision-making
• Synthesises, disseminates, exchange data and apply the knowledge to assist SSA countries in decision making to improve health, provide more effective health services, and strengthen health care systems
• Reviews and generates data and evidence to inform knowledge translation activities, based on up-to-date reviews or other syntheses of country, regional and global evidence
• Generate targeted messaging to inform funding of key priority areas including development of policies and guidelines tailored to specific contexts and audiences e.g. national, sub-national, regional
• Provide technical and operational support to overall Community Engagement activities
• Ensure community engagement strategies and implementation plans are evidence-based, coordinated, and well executed
• Create community outreach plans that engage the community in programs designed to meet specific needs in those communities
• Facilitates community dialogues to solicit input into the HCWG’s work
• Lead the processes of developing advocacy strategies and plans for the HCWG and co-chairs
• In consultation with the secretariat head and the co-chairs represent the HCWG in various advocacy forums
• Lead all engagement with media and press, and act as the media focal point for queries internally and externally.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in social science, health promotion, development, journalism, international relations, public administration or related field
• At least 10 years of experience in undertaking policy, advocacy, media and communication initiatives in HIV, health and/or development contexts;
• Experience in policy and practice analysis and implementing strategic advocacy initiatives aimed at bringing changes

Competencies

• Demonstrates ability of working within and learning from diverse communities and cultures;
• Demonstrates independent experience with, and shows initiative in leading group processes for complex or multiple community engagement activities, accompanied by reflective insights and analysis;
• Demonstrates ability and commitment to collaboratively work across and within diverse community contexts and structures to impact change; and
• Demonstrates excellent written and verbal communications skills, and an ability to produce good quality documents, information for a variety of audiences and communicate good practices.

Suitably qualified candidates are invited to apply. However, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.