Public Affairs & Communications Manger

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Public Affairs & Communications Manger
AIDS 2012 Local Secretariat, Washington DC

Washington, DC has been chosen to as the venue for the XIX International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2012), the largest international meeting on HIV, where every two years over 20,000 participants representing all stakeholders in the global response to HIV meet to assess progress and identify future priorities.

AIDS 2012 is organized by the International AIDS Society (IAS), in partnership with government, scientific and civil society partners in the United States and international partners from civil society and the United Nations. Based in Geneva, Switzerland, the International AIDS Society is the world's leading independent association of HIV professionals. In order to effectively organize the conference, a
Local Secretariat based in Washington, DC and headed by the Head of Local Secretariat (HLS), has been set up as the focal point for AIDS 2012 activities in Washington, DC and in the U.S.

The Public Affairs and Communications Manager is a full time position and is expected to last from June 2011 until August 31, 2012.
The Public Affairs and Communications Manager will report to the Senior Communications Manager based in the International Secretariat in Geneva, and also work in close collaboration with the Head of the Local Secretariat. The AIDS 2012 communications department manages media, marketing and other communications elements for AIDS 2012 from its international secretariat in Geneva. The Public Affairs and Communications Manager will act as the focal point for all communications-related activities in the US, will develop and implement a comprehensive AIDS 2012 communications strategy for the US in coordination with the Communications Unit in Geneva, and will be entrusted with the following responsibilities:

Description:
„h Generate and execute strategic communications to advance AIDS 2012 interests with US government and other conference related stakeholders
„h Assist in building strategic alliances with US officials (including members of Congress, governors, legislators and executive branch officials) and both state and federal political and public policy environment
„h Develop and implement a strategy to inform the general public about the conference, and those conference activities open to the general public, analyzing public reaction to the conference programme and activities and creating positive key messages and responses to deliver through the appropriate media channels
„h Conduct political bi-partisan research to analyze and create public affairs opportunities
„h Leverage media to impact state and federal government officials, opinion leaders and third party organizations
„h Communicate effectively both orally and in writing with internal and external stakeholders - including congressional representatives, government officials and entities at local and national levels, and relevant health and HIV/AIDS organizations - and monitor the critical elements of the conference in relation to communications and public relations
„h Communicate both positive and negative news/information with HIV/AIDS organizations with tact, skill and diplomacy
„h Understand various media markets and influence the media to the advantage of the conference
„h Establish and maintain effective working contacts with representatives of media outlets, congressional delegations, HIV/AIDS organizations, and allied agencies and stakeholders
„h Provide timely and accurate advice to the Senior Communications Manager and other executive management with regards to all stakeholders, congressional members, media products, communication strategies including short and long term communication plans
„h Develop and execute a plan for establishing and maintaining a social media program
„h Be the media liaison in the US: including the development of a comprehensive database of journalists in the US and key relationships with journalists, as well as motivating journalists to attend the conference and handling any media questions and requests
„h Support the outreach efforts in the US including the US-wide awareness campaign
„h Manage the activities of any additional communications staff which may be hired in the Washington DC secretariat
„h Be the US focal point for journalists in the media centre at the conference

Desired Capability Requirements
„h Background in journalism and/or political or government communications
„h Ability to analyze and craft public affairs and communications strategies
„h Experience in managing political or public relations agencies
„h Proficiency in political/opposition research
„h Political campaign experience at state or federal level
„h At least 10 plus years working in a political and media environment
„h Understanding of HIV/AIDS environment
„h Strong written communication skills with ability to write well under pressure
„h Experience in public speaking and serving as a spokesperson
„h Ability to forecast public affairs and communication changes and develop
strategies for changing complex communication programs
„h Expertise in scenario planning and crisis management
„h Mother tongue English essential and knowledge of Spanish desirable
„h Be in possession of a media, communications or public relations-related university qualification

Only candidates from the US currently holding a valid work permit will be considered. Initial telephone interviews will take place in early May, and then those shortlisted will be invited for interview in mid May interviews will take place in Washington DC.

A previous experience in a similar position, in an international and/or NGO settings, would be an asset.

Applicants should have a keen interest in the conference. More information can be found at www.aids2012.org .

Your application should be written in English and include your resume or CV, a personal letter (not more than one page), salary expectations, and a specification of your skills as requested above.

Send your application by email to recruitment@iasociety.org by 22nd April 2011. Inquiries can be directed to Sian Bowen, +41 22 710 0864.

AIDS 2012 is an equal opportunity employer. AIDS 2012 is committed to recruiting and sustaining a skilled, effective, and diverse secretariat, and to the greater involvement of people living with HIV (GIPA) in all aspects of its work. People living with HIV, women, and members of minority groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

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