Head of African HIV Cure Consortium (AHCC) Secretariat Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ)

Project Background

The Africa HIV Cure Consortium convenes partners to pave the way for discovery, development, clinical testing, and distribution of a curative intervention for HIV that is safe, effective, affordable, and – importantly – tailored to PLHIV in Africa.

The African HIV Cure Consortium will be coordinated by the Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ) through a project management unit (PMU) (to be established), led by a steering group with representatives from all Consortium members. Since its inception in 2001, CIDRZ has supported local ownership of high-quality, complementary, and integrated healthcare research and services within the public health system. Other Consortium partners include the African Alliance, a non-profit organisation that seeks to advance right based, critical, and developmental programming to address the needs of underserved communities; the Sub-Saharan African Network for TB/HIV Research Excellence (SANTHE), that aims to drive locally relevant basic, clinical, and translational research in Africa; AVAC, which leverages its independent voice and global partnerships to accelerate ethical development and equitable delivery of effective HIV prevention options; the International AIDS Society (IAS), which unites scientists, policymakers, and activists to galvanise the HIV scientific response, build global solidarity, and enhance human dignity for all people living with and affected by HIV and the Global Gene Therapy Initiative (GGTI), formed to open sustainable pathways to global gene therapy access and greater inclusion of low- and middle-income countries in gene therapy research, manufacturing, and infrastructure development.

Our long-term vision is to strategically shape the HIV response in Africa to include and prioritise HIV Cure, including drug discovery and development, local leadership, stakeholder literacy and awareness, regulatory shifts, manufacturing capacity, service delivery, and community engagement.

Key responsibilities

• Manages secretariat personnel and human resource matters and further strengthens performance management by tracking key performance indicators
• Effectively manages operational or financial matters to deliver on the objectives of the AHCC
• Ensures the transparent and effective financial and administrative functionality of the AHCC secretariat
• Oversee the management and implementation of all AHCC technical support contracts in line with CIRDZ’s procurement systems and practices to ensure value for money delivery
• Fosters and maintains effective partnerships and operational collaboration with public and private partners, including governments in the region, multilateral agencies, donors, non-governmental organisations, the private sector, civil society, and communities affected by HIV/AIDS
• Manage diverse steering committee of global and African partners to shape AHCC strategy and workplan and ensure milestone targets and objectives are consistently met
• Proactively works with steering committee to recruit additional AHCC members over time who are actively contributing to HIV cure research on the continent
• Represents the AHCC and its work with external stakeholders to build effective partnerships with key stakeholders to support the work of the AHCC
  In collaboration with AHCC partner steering committee members, interacts with governments at the highest political level to advocate for an appropriate level of national resources to be directed to promotion of and support to HIV cure research and literacy.
• Develop an effective communication strategy for stakeholder engagement; and maintain effective communication with all stakeholders
• Reports to the Consortium Principal Investigator (CEO, CIDRZ) on the operational, administrative, and financial aspects of the on an ongoing basis and AHCC meetings
• Represents the Secretariat at AHCC meetings, and ensures effective and timely preparation and distribution of all materials in accordance with the relevant policies and procedures
• Communicates AHCC meeting outcomes to the secretariat staff, and other relevant stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Masters level degree in related discipline (business administration, medical sciences, public health, medical degree)
• Extensive experience 15 years or more, of successful strategic management and leadership in public, private, regional or international organisations
• A good understanding of the sub-Saharan region and ability to lead efforts for a more effective and coherent response at all levels
• In-depth knowledge of the HIV epidemic and response as well as expertise and experience Knowledge and understanding of key populations, vulnerable groups and those affected by the HIV epidemic
• Excellent understanding of working in Sub Saharan Africa, including implementation challenges
• Experience and knowledge related to HIV/AIDS and/or public health at the national, regional and international level, with working experience in at least 2 countries on the continent
• Experience working with multiple, relevant sectors, including regional or international organisations, governments, NGOs, scientific community, implementers and the private sector
• Strong language skills: ability to work in English. French and/or Portuguese will be an added advantage.
  Competencies
• Vision, understanding and strategic thinking on the challenges and opportunities that face the sub-Saharan region’s sustainable HIV response
• Demonstrated commitment to promote involvement of people living with, or affected by HIV
• Strong analytical, creative and technical skills, experience, and ability to lead forward the agenda for HIV cure and effective use of available resources
• Political and cultural sensitivity, and external representation skills, with proven ability to relate and work effectively and strategically within a multicultural environment; and
• Understanding of governance processes at regional, international or national levels
• Competence in staff management and administration processes within national, regional, international organisations, public or private sectors, or NGOs
• Proven ability to delegate effectively
• Proven ability to identify and nurture talent, to encourage diversity, and foster teamwork and team building