Durban has been selected to host the 21st International AIDS Conference from 18th to 22nd July 2016 (AIDS 2016). The International AIDS Conference is the largest conference on any global health or development issue. First convened during the peak of the AIDS epidemic in 1985, the conference continues to provide a unique forum for the intersection of science and advocacy, and an opportunity to strengthen policies and programmes to ensure an evidence-based response to the epidemic.
The International AIDS Conference is the largest international meeting on a single health issue, where every two years between 15,000 - 22,000 participants representing all stakeholders in the global response to HIV meet to assess progress and identify future priorities. With more than 1,500 international journalists expected to attend, the conference is the single most widely-covered HIV event in the world.
Founded in 1988, the International AIDS Society (IAS) is the world's largest association of HIV professionals, with members from more than 180 countries. IAS members work on all fronts of the global response to AIDS, and include researchers, clinicians, policy and programme planners and public health and community practitioners on the frontlines of the epidemic. The International AIDS Society (IAS) will organize AIDS 2016 in collaboration with international and local partners.
More information on AIDS 2016 can be found at www.aids2016.org.
Details of Internship:
The internship is based at the IAS Secretariat in Geneva, Switzerland. He/she will report to the Director, Conference and will work closely with the Associate C&E Project Manager responsible for the Volunteers project. The internship is full-time and will start beginning of April 2016 until 5 August 2016.
Purpose of the Internship:
The intern will be responsible for assisting with the coordination of the Volunteers participating at the AIDS 2016 Conference.
Main Responsibilities:
- Volunteer recruitment including advertisement, presentations;
- Liaise with the universities, schools, possible youth radios, etc. for recruitment;
- Take care of the daily email correspondence with the volunteers;
- Help collect and sort the data from the on-line application form database and volunteer online platforms;
- Help manage the volunteer database;
- Schedule the volunteers in accordance with their preferences and the needs of the IAS;
- Re-schedule volunteers if needed;
- Take care of communication in regards to volunteers on Facebook;
- Help organize the details related to the supervisor selection (invitation, location, set-up, catering, audiovisual equipment, PowerPoint presentation, handout);
- Assist with the volunteer logistics (ordering T-Shirts, Catering tec.);
- Help develop a volunteer handbook and any other volunteer documentation (e.g. additional material for supervisors);
- Invite volunteers to the volunteer training prior to the conference;
- Train, during the week prior to the conference, together with the volunteer supervisors, the volunteers on the conference and their individual tasks and help with the conference centre walkthrough;
- Help organize the details related to the kick-off meeting (location, set-up, catering, PowerPoint presentation, handouts, distribution of volunteer t-shirts and badges);
- Manage, together with the volunteer supervisors, the time schedules, changes, no- shows, breaks, etc. during the conference;
- Help manage onsite remuneration to volunteers;
- Help organize an appreciation event for all volunteers after the conference;
- Prepare and produce Certificates of Attendance for the volunteers;
- Setup an evaluation form after the conference;
- Prepare a final report after the conference.
Academic Qualifications:
- Currently studying or recently graduated in business, events or hospitality management is favorable.
Experience: (previous internships)
- Experience helping organize conferences, seminars, workshops, meetings, or other events;
- Experience working in an international context.
Skills/Competencies:
- Ability to work independently and an aptitude for multi-tasking;
- Attention to detail;
- Strong computer skills in the Windows environment;
- Ability to work under pressure in an international context;
- Strong sense of diplomacy and discretion.
Languages:
- Excellent written and oral English language communication skills. Preferably working knowledge of other UN languages.
Benefits from this internship:
The intern can expect to gain skills and experience in the following areas:
- Event organizing
- NGO work and international exposure
- People management
- Large project management
- Time management & multitasking
Stipend: 2,000.- CHF/month gross (full time).
HOW TO APPLY:
This internship is ideally suited to a qualified, motivated and eager-to-learn graduate willing to prepare his/her professional life in challenging and dynamic settings, with high international exposure.
Interested and qualified candidates should send their CV and a cover letter, in English and by email only, to recruitment@iasociety.org by Monday 7 March 2016. Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Only candidates from Switzerland, from an EU/EFTA country or candidates already having a valid Swiss working permit will be considered. The IAS is committed to recruiting and sustaining a skilled, effective, diverse and gender-balanced secretariat, and to the greater involvement of people living with HIV (GIPA) in all aspects of its work. People living with HIV are strongly encouraged to apply.
