Congress & Exhibition Intern

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 IAS organizes the world’s two most prestigious HIV conferences, each convened biennially in alternating years. The International AIDS Conference is the largest conference on any global health or development issue, and provides a unique forum for the intersection of science and advocacy. The IAS Conference on HIV Science brings together a broad cross section of HIV professionals and features the latest HIV science, with a focus on implementation – moving scientific advances into practice.

In addition, the IAS advocates for urgent action to reduce the global impact of HIV, including increased investment in HIV cure research; optimizing treatment and care for infants, children and adolescents with HIV in resource-limited settings; preventing and treating HIV-related co-infections; and expanding access to prevention, treatment and care for key populations at higher risk for HIV – such as men who have sex with men, people who inject drugs, sex workers and transgender individuals – including protecting their human rights by combatting punitive laws and discriminatory policies.

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

Details of Internship:

The internship is based at the IAS Secretariat in Geneva, Switzerland. He/she will report to the Acting C&E Manager and will work closely with the Associate C&E Project Manager responsible for the Volunteers project. The internship is full-time and will last 5.5 months from 1 March 2017 to 18 August 2017.

Purpose of the Internship:

The intern will be responsible for assisting with the coordination of the Volunteers participating at the IAS 2017 Conference.

Main Responsibilities:

• Assist with the volunteer recruitment including preparing presentations;
• Assist with testing the volunteer application form and volunteer system;
• Take care of the daily email correspondence with the volunteers;
• Help collect and sort the data from the on-line application form database and online volunteer platforms;
• Help manage the volunteer database;
• Help scheduling the volunteers in accordance with their preferences and the needs of the IAS;
• Re-schedule volunteers if needed;
• Assist with the communication in regards to volunteers on Facebook;
• Help organize the details related to the supervisor selection (invitation, location, set-up, PowerPoint presentation, handout and setting up Skype interviews if needed);
• Assist with the volunteer logistics (ordering t-shirts, catering etc.);
• 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 Associate C&E Project Manager and 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 onsite during IAS 2017, together with the Associate C&E Project Manager and the volunteer supervisors, the time schedules, changes, no-shows, breaks, etc. to ensure the smooth running of the volunteer programme; help organize an appreciation event for all volunteers after the conference;
• Help prepare and produce Certificates of Attendance for the volunteers;
• Help 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;
• Strong communication skills and an ability to work well with people;
• 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 French.

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 13 February 2017. 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.