Gender and HIV and AIDS Adviser

Working alongside the Society for Women and AIDS in Malawi (SWAM)
Based at SWAM’s Secretariat, in Lilongwe, Malawi
Two-year placement (with the possibility of renewal)

The Gender and HIV and AIDS Adviser will work alongside the Secretariat of the Society for Women and AIDS in Malawi (SWAM), providing technical support to build the capacity of the partner organisation to effectively integrate a gender and rights-based approach into HIV and AIDS programming.

This placement is part of a project on promoting Effective HIV Responses through Improved HIV and AIDS Advocacy and Management Capacity Development with Malawi Civil Society, which includes two other partners, and two other Progressio development workers. The project aims to contribute to HIV prevention, mitigating the impact of HIV, especially amongst women and girls, through the greater and positive involvement of women, men, girls and boys themselves, and religious and community leaders in dealing with stigma, denial, discrimination, inaction and mis-action, and also through advocacy for policy change and effective HIV and AIDS programming.

You should have a Master’s Degree in Social Sciences, Development Studies or related fields.

A minimum of five years’ experience in gender and HIV and AIDS programming, including planning, implementation, participatory monitoring and evaluation; a minimum of three years’ experience of developing, implementing and monitoring effective advocacy strategies to respond to HIV and in the organisational development of NGOs and/or community based organisations; proven experience in gender analysis and a track record of mainstreaming gender in all areas of programming; of working in a multi-cultural setting, with people of different educational, cultural, socio-political and faith backgrounds, and of securing funding for HIV and AIDS programmes and activities is essential.

You should also have an understanding of participatory capacity building techniques and methods, and the ability to transfer skills and knowledge through formal or informal training and skill-sharing; analytical skills in policy analysis, including the ability to communicate complex (and potentially sensitive) ideas into briefings and presentations for diverse audiences; advocacy skills in addressing HIV and AIDS as a development and human rights issue and an in-depth knowledge of governance issues, especially from a rights-based approach; excellent leadership and interpersonal skills, including the ability to communicate and work with a wide range of stakeholders in a participatory, respectful, consultative manner, and to enhance effective work relationships; maturity and sound political judgement; good problem solving skills, an openness to learning, and a drive for innovation and excellence; project management, self-organising and prioritising skills to meet competing deadlines; ability to adapt skills and knowledge to the local context and work with existing resources, in a resource poor environment; demonstrable skills in engaging with potential national, regional and international donors and mobilising resources, and an empathy with and readiness to work with people living with or affected by HIV.