Graduate Assistant, Membership and Learning

About the IAS

IAS – the International AIDS Society – convenes, educates and advocates for a world in which HIV no longer presents a threat to public health and individual well-being. After the emergence of HIV and AIDS, concerned scientists created the IAS to bring together experts from across the world and disciplines to promote a concerted HIV response. Today, the IAS and its members unite scientists, policy makers and activists to galvanize the scientific response, build global solidarity and enhance human dignity for all those living with and affected by HIV. The IAS is also the steward of the world’s most prestigious HIV conferences: the International AIDS Conference, the IAS Conference on HIV Science, and the HIV Research for Prevention Conference.

More information on IAS can be found at www.iasociety.org.

Details of employment

You will be based in Geneva, Switzerland. The IAS offers the possibility of working from the legal residence for up to 11 days per month for Swiss-based employees and up to eight days per month for French border-zone employees. You will be supervised by the Membership and Learning Officer. The work pattern and duration of the position will ideally be 80% (possibility to make it full-time at a later stage) for six months from February 2025 to August 2025 with one trip to Kigali, Rwanda.

This entry-level position is intended for recent graduates and paid at the Geneva minimum wage.

Purpose of the position

You will support the Membership and Learning team in their day-to-day activities. These activities include supporting the implementation of the IAS Mentorship Programme as well as membership and learning related activities.

Main responsibilities

o   Provide support to the implementation of both the English and French general IAS Mentorship Programmes, including:

• The development and translation of the English curriculum into French
• The development and facilitation of Virtual Learning Events, Mentoring Circles and team-building events in both English and French
• Monitoring and evaluation efforts for the programme, including development, translation into French and administration of surveys and phone check-ins and production of reports related thereto
• Corresponding regularly with mentors and mentees as well as members by email and follow up on requests

o   Provide support for IAS 2025, the 13th Conference on HIV Science, in Kigali, Rwanda, including:

• The coordination of travel for mentors and mentees to the conference
• The organization of on-site engagement for mentors, mentees and members
• The development of materials and designs for the conference

 Academic qualifications

• Recently graduated with a university degree in global health, social science, international relations, business management or other related field.

Experience

• Ideally one year of work experience in administration, project management and virtual and in-person event organization
• Experience working in a culturally diverse environment
• Experience working in the field of HIV and AIDS is a plus
• Although not essential for this position, the IAS acknowledges the value of the experience of living with HIV and will consider this when evaluating applications

Skills/competencies

• Project and time management skills
• Strong written communication and cross-cultural skills
• Ability to work with minimum supervision on several projects simultaneously
• Highly organized and systematic, with strong attention to detail
• Customer service attitude and sense of diplomacy
• Excellent computer skills in the Windows environment in particular Excel and Outlook
• Ability to work efficiently under pressure in an international context, and occasionally work overtime
• Ability to travel internationally to attend the IAS 2025 in Kigali, Rwanda.
• CRM or database management as well as knowledge of Drupal platforms a plus
• Zoom and virtual meeting platforms experience an advantage
• We encourage candidates with transferable skills and diverse experiences to apply, even if they do not meet every listed competency.

Languages

• Excellent English and French communication skills, both written and oral (full professional proficiency); knowledge of other languages such as Spanish, Portuguese or Russian an asset.

Benefits from this position

You can expect to gain skills and experience in the following areas:

• Project management
• Events planning
• Relationship building
• Business communications
• Database management
• Experience in a dynamic and multi-cultural environment

Work environment 

The IAS Secretariat in Geneva is a dynamic and diverse workplace that brings together public health, HIV science, conferencing, programme management and other specialists who all share the IAS vision of a world in which HIV no longer presents a threat to public health and individual well-being. We thrive on an exceptional team spirit, put trust in our colleagues’ professionalism, and value new ideas. The IAS promotes a flexible and collaborative workplace that encourages employees to grow their skills and competencies.

The IAS is committed to ensuring a diverse, equitable and inclusive work environment and to the greater involvement of people living with HIV (GIPA) in all aspects of our work. To help us achieve this, we welcome applications from all qualified candidates who share the IAS values (learn more here), regardless of their sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, HIV status, race, national origin, cultural or ethnic background, disability, religion, or age.