Graduate Assistant, Governance, 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 the IAS can be found at www.iasociety.org.

Details of employment

The Graduate Assistant, Governance, Membership and Learning will be based in Geneva. 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. The Graduate Assistant will be supervised by the Project Manager, Capacity Development and Engagement, and the Project Manager, Scholarships. This is a full-time and fixed-termed position between 8 January-30 November 2024.

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

Purpose of the position

The Graduate Assistant, Governance, Membership and Learning will support the Membership and Learning team and the Capacity Development and Engagement team in their day-to-day activities. These activities include supporting the IAS Scholarship Programme and IAS change makers, as well as the Youth Hub.

Main responsibilities

• Responding to queries from scholarship applicants/recipients and IAS change makers on a daily basis
• Assisting with communications (email notifications, webpage updates and the pre-departure guide for scholarship recipients)
• Supporting the screening and reviewing of scholarship applications
• Supporting the coordination of logistics for scholarship recipients and IAS change makers for flight bookings, accommodation, accessibility support, per diem and catering
• Meeting and greeting scholarship recipients and IAS change makers during AIDS 2024, the 25th International AIDS Conference, provide support to the per diem distribution, and assist scholarship recipients and IAS change makers to make the most of their experience through networking, training and other educational opportunities
• Supporting the planning and implementation of virtual events, training webinars and courses, as well as in-person meetings
• Supporting the strategic curation and editing of content for the Youth Hub
• Collaborating in the preparation of statistics, reports, and presentations for meetings
• Performing any additional tasks as requested

Academic qualifications

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

Experience

• Experience in administration, project management and/or virtual event organization
• Experience working in a culturally diverse environment
• Experience working for international organizations would be an asset
• Experience with in-person, virtual and hybrid conferences would be an asset
• Experience working in the field of HIV and AIDS is a plus
• Experience with online community platforms is an asset
• 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 management skills and/or experience in organizing events
• Time management skills, ability to meet deadlines and aptitude for multi-tasking
• Highly organized and systematic, with meticulous attention to detail
• Strong communication, cross-cultural and customer service skills
• Ability to operate with minimal supervision but also know when to consult for help
• Ability to work efficiently under pressure and occasionally work overtime
• Customer service attitude and sense of diplomacy
• Open-minded and a strong team player
• Thorough computer skills in the Microsoft environment (Office package, SharePoint, CRM)
• Eager to learn, hands-on attitude and solution oriented
• Zoom and virtual meeting platforms experience an advantage
• Ability to travel internationally to attend AIDS 2024

Languages

• Excellent English language communication skills, both written and oral (full professional proficiency); knowledge of other languages is an asset

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.