Category: Opportunities

COMMUNITY EXPERTS TO PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE ON STIGMA INDEX 2.0 

Introduction  

The PLHIV Stigma Index is a research initiative to gather evidence on the impact of stigma and discrimination on people living with HIV. The data collected are used for evidence-based advocacy and inform programs and policy development and implementation.  

Since its inception in 2008, more than 100 countries have completed the study and over 100.000 people living with HIV have been interviewed. The core principle of Stigma Index is enshrined in leadership of people living with HIV during the planning and implementation of the research – Stigma index is for, by and with people living with HIV.  

In 2018, the international partnership, composed of GNP+, ICW and UNAIDS in collaboration with John Hopkins University, launched the Stigma Index 2.0 new standardised methodologies to adapt to the evolving need of the HIV response.  

To ensure quality assurance, GNP+ together with members of the international partnership have been providing on-demand technical assistance to countries implementing the Stigma Index 2.0. In parallel, to increase ownership and technical skills on the new standard methodologies among people living with HIV, the Stigma index 2.0 Academy was launched and over 50 leaders were trained.  

With the aim of increasing ownership and sustaining the standardized methodology as well as providing timely and community-led technical assistance, GNP+ is creating a pool of community experts on Stigma Index 2.0 to provide technical assistance to country in the planning or in implementation phase of Stigma Index 2.0. 

The Technical Assistance provision 

The implementation of Stigma Index 2.0 requires the respect of a standardized methodology in addition to the core principle of people living with HIV leadership. Since 2018, GNP+ and the international partnership continue to provide on demand technical assistance to country implementing stigma index.  

The technical assistance provision ensures quality assurance which means a commitment to remain available to assist implementing countries withing a reasonable timeline. To support in the technical assistance provision, GNP+ is developing a Community Expert Pool as an on-demand support to countries requesting technical assistance.  

Recognizing that after 5 years of implementation and training, a considerable number of community members have acquired the knowledge and required experience to uphold the standardized methodology and assist their peers in other countries.  

Community experts’ profile 

Community Experts are:  

• People living with HIV who have been trained in the Stigma Index 2.0 Academy or  

• Those who have an extensive experience in the planning and implementation of Stigma Index 2.0.  

• Flexible to adjust when technical assistance is required  

• Fluent in one of the following languages: English, French and Spanish, Persons fluent in a second language are also encouraged to apply. 

• Willing to share their experience and support the planning and implementation in other countries  

Their Responsibilities:  

The Ccommunity expert will be expected: 

• To review country protocol and provide constructive feedback to country requesting technical assistance 

• Participate in country focused meetings aiming at providing guidance on the process, non-negotiables and other relevant insights to the country implementation of Stigma Index 2.0 

• To reviewing the report for quality assurance within a reasonable timeframe 

Application 

Interested Community Experts should use this link here to express their interest by the Tuesday 12 November 2024.  

Remarks 

• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted  

• Selected Ccommunity experts will be added to the Ccommunity experts’ pool 

• A refresher training will be organised to selected Community Experts 

• Duration of engagement: Varies from a few days to several months depending on the technical assistance requested by implementing countries  

• All engaged Community Experts will be expected to declare any conflict of interest and undertake a Confidentiality agreement with GNP+ 

The Communities Delegation to Unitaid is seeking applications for a Board Member and Alternate (unpaid positions)

Application deadline: COB October 4th, 2024

Unitaid saves lives by making new health products available and affordable for people in low- and middle-income countries. We work with partners to identify innovative treatments, tests and tools, help tackle the market barriers that are holding them back, and get them to the people who need them most – fast.

Since Unitaid was created in 2006, we have unlocked access to more than 100 groundbreaking health products to help address the world’s biggest health challenges, including HIV, TB, and malaria; women’s and children’s health; and pandemic prevention, preparedness and response. Every year, more than 300 million people benefit from the products we’ve helped roll out. For more information on Unitaid, please visit the website here.

The Communities Delegation to the Unitaid Board aims for a Unitaid in which people living with and affected by HIV, TB, Malaria, HCV and Cervical cancer have access to tests, medicines and products that prevent new infections, that are affordable and meet their needs. The Delegation represents the communities and their views at Unitaid Board and Committee level and ensures the voices from the communities positively influence the decisions, priorities, programmes and overall impact of Unitaid, at Board and country level.

The Position: The Communities Delegation to the Board of Unitaid is looking to appoint a new Board Member and Alternate Board Member to represent Communities living with and affected by the diseases that Unitaid focuses on. 

The Board members will work with the Liaison Officer, the members of the Delegation and the Host organisation, GNP+, to represent the voices and issues of people living with the diseases.  Applicants must be able to commit 25% of their working time to the position and have the support of their organisation for the role and time commitment.

The term of service is two years for the Board member and for the Alternate. The Alternate Board member can be offered the Board member position after two years, subject to a satisfactory performance evaluation. Board member and Alternate Board member positions are subject to annual peer performance reviews.
The Board members should be available to attend the forthcoming Executive Board meetings on 3-4 December 2024 in Johannesburg, South Africa, as an induction to the new role.

Please note this is an unpaid position but travel costs, including a per diem, will be covered by Unitaid. Some support towards telephone, computer/internet, and other office costs will also be provided.

Community members living with the diseases from Unitaid-implementing countries are strongly encouraged to apply. You will find an overview of the Unitaid projects and implementing countries here.

Applicants will be assessed through their CV and application form, and will be asked to participate in a telephone interview if short-listed. The application form is available here and the full Terms of Reference is available on pages 7 – 11 of the Delegation Handbook, available here.

We thank all applicants in advance for their interest. Results of the appointment will be circulated on civil society mailing lists and social media.

Interested community members with the above expertise and criteria are invited to submit the Application Form via email to wvandevelde@gnpplus.net. The deadline for submissions is Friday, October 4th, 2024 COB.

Please don’t hesitate to contact me should you require any further information.

Best Regards,

Wim Vandevelde

Liaison Officer, Communities Delegation to Unitaid Board

Are you a young person living with HIV or a member of a key-population community who is passionate about making a difference in your community? Are you actively engaged in national or regional advocacy? Do you feel ready to voice the needs of young people in global advocacy spaces? Join our elite squad of advocates to bring change to young people in all their diversity!

The Global Network of People Living with HIV (GNP+) and the Global Network of Young People Living with HIV (Y+ Global) are inviting young advocates across the globe to apply for our joint Young Emerging Leaders Programme (YEL), a leadership development programme which will build an elite squad of young advocates to engage and influence global policy and health governance spaces. The Young Emerging Leaders Programme (YEL) will strengthen the representation of young people on global platforms, such as the United Nations General Assembly, the World Health Organization and the Global Fund.

GNP+ and Y+ Global will recruit 15 YEL advocates focused on HIV and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) issues.

Who are we looking for?

• Young people living with HIV (preferably openly) or young Key-Populations: sex workers, LGBTQIA+people, people who use drugs;
• Must be between the ages 18 to 25 years old;
• Show willingness, commitment, and availability to engage in the programme learning and advocacy activities until December 2024, this includes at least 2 virtual trainings/meetings per month;
• Be willing to publicly represent their communities (existing social media presence as an advocate or being an influencer in HIV and SRHR issues will be valued);
• Experience in advocating and engaging with key stakeholders/decision makers at national level; initial engagement with global platforms is strongly desirable;
• Commitment to human rights principles, non-discriminatory and inclusive approaches;
• Have an excellence driven, creative and proactive approach to work;
• Passion and knowledge about HIV and SRHR related activism.

Eligibility Criteria

• Experience in implementing advocacy and movement-building projects;
• Attachment/connection or link with a Y+ Global country offices, if existing, or with Key Population-led organizations and PLHIV networks where Y+ doesn’t have an office. These organizations must provide a letter of recommendation describing the candidate’s skills and experience.

Required Skills

• Good English reading and speaking levels are preferred. Arabic, French and Portuguese speakers are also encouraged to apply, as translation support will be provided for these languages;
• Ability and experience in mobilizing and recruiting a critical mass of young advocates for community events, campaigns and meetings;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills;
• Basic computer or information technology (IT) skills – particularly Google Drive, Microsoft Word, email, social media and access to the internet.

Application Process

Please fill up the application form and submit your CV by 8 March 2024.