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Vice President, Advocacy, Policy and Communications (APC)

The International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) is a nonprofit scientific and charitable organization founded in 1996 whose mission is to ensure the development of safe, effective, accessible, preventive HIV vaccines for use throughout the world. IAVI will help advance the development of an AIDS vaccine by: 1) adding value to the HIV vaccine field by identifying opportunities and gaps in vaccine discovery and development where IAVI’s capabilities can best be leveraged; 2) partnering to advance quality HIV vaccine candidates to the clinic; and 3) ensuring that investments in HIV prevention and AIDS vaccine R&D remain central to the public policy and international health and development agendas by serving as a voice for the field in partnership with stakeholders and donors.

IAVI is a young, dynamic and mission-driven organization, and the work environment is fast-paced and intellectually stimulating, relying on the good cheer and high level of collaboration amongst its committed staff members.

The Role

The Vice President, Advocacy, Policy and Communications (APC), will be a member of IAVI’s Senior Management Team, working within a highly matrixed environment and in collaboration with other leaders in the organization to ensure that the overall direction of the advocacy, policy and communications functions are aligned to the strategic plan and are central to delivering the organizational objectives (specific areas include advocacy, public policy & analysis, media relations, institutional marketing and positioning, external and internal communication and constituency-building). The Vice President will play a key role in guiding and contributing to IAVI’s analysis and advocacy/policy recommendations as s/he implements a comprehensive advocacy strategy and develops both public policy briefs and a global communication strategy in support of IAVI and the wider HIV vaccines field.

IAVI’s dynamic and highly visible goals in advocacy, policy and communication touch almost every aspect of the organization’s interactions. The position has the responsibility of serving as a key member of the newly formed External Affairs Council, which is sponsored by the Chief Executive Officer and includes representation from across Resource Mobilization, Advocacy, Policy, Communication and the relevant functions in Europe, Africa and India.

A key requirement for this position will be the ability to partner effectively and work collaboratively with all stakeholders to help achieve consensus on key advocacy, policy and communication issues.

The three areas of Advocacy, Policy and Communication are envisioned as working closely together and leveraging off each other to ensure a coherent delivery of IAVI’s messaging and position to a variety of stakeholders.

Advocacy function:

  • The Vice President will play the lead role in orienting and implementing IAVI’s global advocacy strategy, which includes developing an annual work plan that incorporates work to be done by the APC staff at a global level. The global plan will be informed by input from regional/country personnel, and the VP will ensure implementation is consistent and coordinated globally.
  • Ensure relevant and high priority initiatives, expected outcomes, target audiences, stakeholders and potential partners are clearly identified and that extensive consultation and collaboration with others throughout the organization, and most importantly with external partners also working on AIDS vaccine advocacy, is emphasized.
  • Work with the other VPs to coordinate outreach to and maintain relationships with advocacy groups and others to build and develop constituencies around the world and develop alliances that will forward organizational goals.
  • Work to further IAVI's global advocacy goals, including establishing and maintaining partnerships with key political and global health leaders across the world.
  • Lead the development and execution of advocacy campaigns for IAVI in close collaboration with others from relevant departments including staff based in Europe, Africa, South Asia, New York, and Washington DC.

Policy function:

  • The Vice President will be responsible for the overall design, implementation and monitoring of IAVI’s policy research and analysis program, which will be congruent with the pace and needs of AIDS vaccine R&D, and with anticipated trends and developments in the larger field of HIV prevention.
  • Lead IAVI’s activities directed at engaging national governments and international agencies to support the development and implementation of public policies directed at accelerating AIDS vaccine development and testing, ensuring that once a vaccine is developed it is widely accessible in as short a time as possible.
  • Engage policy makers in developing countries, international agencies, and international and national NGOs in discussions about AIDS vaccine policy issues as part of a broader advocacy effort with these countries.
  • Build relationships with international and national agencies working within the policy area to build credibility for IAVI and support for AIDS vaccine research.
  • Identify and support research designed to inform the development of appropriate public policies and then ensure that these research findings are translated into advocacy for action.
  • Represent and convey IAVI’s policy approach in discussions with a wide range of interlocutors, including senior international institutions members, members of the administration, and members of Congress and Hill staff, amongst others.
  • Monitor the impact of public policy changes.

Communications function:

  • Work closely with the CEO, COO, senior management team (SMT) and the global communication staff to create an integrated, focused communications plan that is executable worldwide and based on a strategy to meet internal and external communications needs.
  • Supervise and motivate a diverse group of IAVI communications staff and consultants around the world to ensure their effectiveness in working in a global, matrix working environment.
  • Work closely with other players in AIDS vaccine research to coordinate communications on AIDS vaccine developments and be mutually supportive of messaging on issues affecting the field
  • Work with key media globally to position IAVI in a positive light and to get solid coverage of IAVI’s achievements, issues and positions.
  • Oversee a successful and respected publications program, which produces periodicals, reports, newsletters and organizational materials. Provide advice and services to other IAVI programs to make sure that the organization communicates with one voice and a consistent set of messages.
  • Further refine IAVI’s internet and social media presence and focus the use of interactive media to build partnerships and communicate with stakeholders and the public.

Candidate Profile

We seek a skilled individual with strong external relations experience at the intersection of advocacy, policy and communications who is seasoned at supporting resource mobilization efforts. The successful candidate will have comfort with science and scientific data and have a level of credibility within the global health/development arena, if not specifically HIV/AIDS experience. S/he should have a proven ability to translate high level strategy into tactical implementation and a history of working effectively in a matrix environment, across a senior management team, and with a Board.

The successful candidate will be comfortable working in a fast-paced environment and being held accountable for meeting ambitious targets. S/he should have 15+ years of professional experience at progressively senior levels in the field of communication, public policy, economics, and/or advocacy. S/he must have proven management experience, preferably within a global organization and matrix framework.

An undergraduate degree is required, as is fluency in English. An advanced degree in a related field and international government relations experience, although not required, would be viewed favorably, as would fluency in one of the EU languages.

In terms of the performance and personal competencies required for the position, we would highlight the following:

Strategic Acumen and Results Orientation

  • Strong strategic & conceptual thinker who can drive quickly to a clear and concise synthesis of even the most complex issues and concepts while counseling colleagues on issues.
  • A dynamic technical leader with a passion for public affairs who understands the nexus of politics, policy, advocacy and public relations and who can successfully lead multi-pronged proactive campaigns.
  • Demonstrated ability to analyze policy and advocacy issues and communicate findings and recommendations to a variety of audiences.
  • Strong strategic planning experience including experience developing communications plans, public education and public relations proposals, and advocacy initiatives and strategies.
  • A thorough understanding of the workings of news media (print, broadcast and online) in the industrialized and developing worlds and experience with new media including web-based systems and corporate intranets.
  • Highly developed and effective interpersonal and communication skills, verbal and written; able to communicate sensitively and compellingly with individuals as well as large groups across cultures and languages.
  • Manage implementation schedules and resources consistent with department-wide-budget and work plan; ensure that key milestones and objectives are met, on schedule, with the desired impact achieved, including managing public relations and public affairs contractors and agencies hired to provide counsel to IAVI.

Building Relationships and Using Influence

  • Build strong, productive personal and professional relationships and interconnected networks of people and organizations to create positive relationships and maintain a service orientation.
  • Constituency-building skills and savvy, garnered through senior global leadership positions.
  • Credible and regarded thought leader with excellent communications skills who is able to represent the organization to a wide variety of audiences.
  • Ability to leverage networks and accomplish goals by working both behind the scenes and out in front as necessary.

Leading Teams

  • A visionary leader who exudes a passion for the mission that is inspiring and contagious.
  • Encourages open communication and participation with an emphasis on transparency and the sharing of information.
  • Defines ambitious goals and establishes priorities, designing processes and managing projects and resources that align to achieve those goals.
  • Able to handle challenging situations, including daunting tasks and complex interpersonal issues, with a calm, assured, unflagging approach that keeps all “eyes on the prize.”
  • A team player and team builder who is willing to work with and patiently align diverse stakeholders who maintain their individual autonomy and decision-making.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills, influencing skills and cultural competencies, with the ability to effectively manage across a global platform of partners and employees.

Interpersonal Acumen

  • Creative and flexible in approaching problem-solving and management in a globally diverse and highly matrixed environment.
  • An energetic, strategic, dynamic individual who embraces change.
  • Values-driven with a high degree of integrity and moral authority.
  • Disciplined and methodical with a resilient temperament.
  • A sense of humor, flexibility, and humility.

Vice President, Advocacy, Policy and Communications (APC)