Switzerland: Public Policy and Advocacy Officer, Geneva

Organization: Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation
Country: Switzerland
Closing date: 07 Dec 2014

"Sometimes in life there is that moment when it's possible to make a change for the better. This is one of those moments."
-Elizabeth Glaser

The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundationis a global leader in the fight against pediatric HIV and AIDS, working in 16 countries and at over 5,500 sites around the world to prevent the transmission of HIV to children, and to help those already infected. Today, because of the highly successful work of the Foundation and its partners, pediatric AIDS has been virtually eliminated in the United States. With a growing global staff of over 1,000—nine of 10 who work in the field—the Foundation’s global mission is to implement prevention, care, and treatment; further advance innovative research; and to execute strategic and targeted global advocacy activities to bring dramatic change to the lives of millions of women, children, and families worldwide.

The Public Policy and Advocacy Officerwill lead the Foundation’s efforts to build a continuous public policy presence in Geneva and expand the Foundation’s influence in Europe-based policy in support of the Foundation’s goals of scale-up of prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) services, expansion of care and treatment for children and families, and elimination of pediatric HIV and AIDS.
The Public Policy and Advocacy Officer will report to the Senior Director of Public Policy and Advocacy and work closely with the Senior Public Policy and Advocacy Officers in Washington DC and Nairobi; key technical staff; and country program officers and country-based staff, including Country Communications and Advocacy Officers (CCAOs).

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
• In collaboration with the Senior Director of Public Policy and Advocacy, develop and implement an advocacy strategy to prioritize pediatric HIV/AIDS issues among Geneva- and Europe-based stakeholders engaged in the global HIV response and/or international human rights or development work;
• Identify opportunities for engagement with UN mechanisms, including the Human Rights Council and relevant treaty bodies, to ensure inclusion of EGPAF concerns in their work and lead EGPAF’s engagement in these opportunities, including country reviews.
• Build new and strengthen existing relationships with policymakers and staff from the relevant UN agencies, multilateral organizations, non-governmental organizations and coalitions, and the permanent missions of UN Member States;
• Identify opportunities for public policy and advocacy engagement in HIV-related partnerships, in particular with UNAIDS, UNITAID, PMNCH and the Global Fund;
• Ensure strong and effective working relationships with relevant civil society and global health organizations and coalitions in Geneva and other parts of Europe, when possible;
• Identify opportunities for engagement with Parliamentarians and their associations, in particular in collaboration with the Inter-Parliamentary Union and in consultation with the Senior Public Policy and Advocacy Officer based in Nairobi;
• Work with the Senior Director of Public Policy and Advocacy to provide advocacy support for Foundation participation at high-level international, regional, and in-country meetings and activities, particularly those located in and/or hosted by entities based in Europe;
• In collaboration with the Senior Director of Public Policy and Advocacy, analyze opportunities for strategic engagement with European governments, European policy-making bodies, and international funding mechanisms on Foundation priorities; and
• Work closely with External Affairs staff to help develop strong and effective advocacy messages, craft stories, and generate advocacy content for blogs, the website, and online communications, including e-advocacy.

Required Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree required and relevant higher education strongly preferred
• Minimum 6 years of relevant experience working in public policy, advocacy, communications and/or global health
• Knowledge and understanding of UN structures and mechanisms to influence such structures
• Citizen/Permanent Resident of the European Union/Switzerland/Norway.
• Fluency in English and French
• Ability to travel internationally

How to apply:

Please apply via our website:

http://ch.tbe.taleo.net/CH03/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=PEDAIDS&cws=1&rid=819