JOB DESCRIPTION
Start Date: October 1, 2016
Title: Senior Public Health Advisor
Division: The Global Forum on MSM & HIV (MSMGF)
Reports to: Director of Public Health Programs, MSMGF
Type: Regular
Hours: 40

ABOUT MSMGF
The Global Forum on MSM & HIV (MSMGF) was founded in 2006 at the Toronto International AIDS Conference by an international group of activists concerned about the disproportionate HIV disease burden being shouldered by gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men worldwide. The silence at that time about the toll HIV was taking on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men was deeply troubling to many community members and advocates working at the frontlines.

Our coalition includes a wide range of people, including HIV-positive and HIV-negative gay men directly affected by the HIV epidemic, and other experts in health, human rights, research, and policy work. What we share is our willingness to step forward and to act to address the lack of HIV responses targeted at gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, to end AIDS, and to promote health and rights for all. We also share a particular concern for the health and rights of gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men who: are living with HIV; are young; are from low and middle income countries; are poor; are migrant; belong to racial/ ethnic minority or indigenous communities; are sex workers; use drugs; and/or identify as transgender.


POSITION OVERVIEW
Under the Director of Public Health Programs, the Senior Public Health Advisor coordinates the implementation of HIV-related technical support strategies, both in-person and virtual, while documenting their relevance and impact in promoting the health and human rights of gay and bisexual men worldwide. The Senior Public Health Advisor maintains MSMGF’s commitments to timely and contextualized delivery of high-quality technical support to beneficiaries at all levels, including bilateral/multilateral agencies, international and in-country NGOs, national health ministries, community-based organizations and global/regional/subregional/national networks of gay and bisexual men.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Work in close collaboration with the programs team and other key MSMGF policy, communications and research staff to advance the organization’s strategic plan and technical support objectives.
  • Conduct context analyses and assessments that help inform local advocacy and strengthen HIV-related service implementation, including the design of community-led initiatives at the country level.
  • Apply emerging and up-to-date technical knowledge in the design and delivery of technical support strategies to eliminate barriers that preclude accessibility to and availability of sensitive sexual health services tailored to the needs of gay and bisexual men.
  • Generate and disseminate high-impact content in the form of case studies, public statements, podcasts, webinars, training curricula, and best practice documents related to sexual health and rights-based programming for gay and bisexual men and other key populations.
  • Design and implement trainings to increase local uptake of normative guidance; build local advocacy capacity among CBOs and develop cultural competency among healthcare providers.
  • Implement digital strategies for increasing visibility of MSMGF’s technical support projects through the msmgf.org website, social media channels, mainstream media and other major HIV/health web-based platforms in close collaboration with MSMGF’s Communications team.
  • Integrate monitoring and evaluation approaches on a continuous basis alongside program development and implementation within a range of MSMGF focus countries in close collaboration with MSMGF’s Senior Research Advisor.
  • Identify and cultivate professional partnerships with private, public and community-based HIV/AIDS, health, human rights, LGBT and other key population-focused organizations worldwide.
  • Travel as necessary to meet with sub-contracted local counterparts, implementing partners, policy makers and potential funders.
  • Represent MSMGF priorities at international gatherings, high-level summits, consultations, and other meetings as required.


REQUIREMENTS
Graduate degree in international development, public health, or related field; a minimum of 5 years’ experience working in international health, and/or human rights; excellent English language written and oral communication skills (as evidenced by recent, first-authored writing samples). In addition, the Senior Public Health Advisor must demonstrate a track record in navigating multiple projects across tight deadlines. Potential candidates must have a working knowledge of global HIV and human rights issues affecting gay and bisexual men and other key populations. Proficiency in languages other than English and solid in-country experience are strongly preferred.


International travel will be required. In addition, the Senior Public Health Advisor must be willing to relocate to Oakland, California. All applicants must possess the necessary legal authorization to work in the United States.

HOW TO APPLY
Interested candidates should send a cover letter and CV. Application materials should be emailed to Dr. Mohan Sundararaj, Director of Public Health Programs at
msundararaj@msmgf.org. All inquiries should be directed to Dr. Sundararaj via email.


Applications will be evaluated against the eligibility and qualification requirements listed above. Successful applicants will be invited to a series of individual and group interviews involving the MSMGF Executive Director and key MSMGF staff.