AIDS Accountability International (AAI) is an independent research and advocacy think tank organisation holding leaders accountable for the commitments they have made to respond to health needs. AAI was established in 2005 with the mission to follow up on commitments to the AIDS epidemic that were made by governments. Our work has since expanded to sexual and reproductive health and rights, malaria, tuberculosis, and non-communicable diseases, as well as underlying causes such as inequality and discrimination.
AAI seeks to appoint an Executive Director to be based in Johannesburg.
The Executive Director reports directly to the Board and with its Chair as the direct point of contact.
The Executive Director will be primarily responsible for organisational strategy, advocate on behalf of the organisation, partner relations, handling the relations with the elected Board and the Chair. This person will bring a deep understanding of Health, Human Rights and Social Justice issues and having integrity, personal confidence and powerful networking skills. The ED will represent the organisation at the highest levels in global public health and human rights circles and be spokesperson of the organisation and have a crucial role in securing financial resources for AAI.
Responsibilities:
- Overall management of the organisation, and is charged with implementing its strategic plans under the direction of the governance of the organisation
- Contribute to the development and implementation of the overall vision, mission, values and strategic planning of the organisation
- Lead AAI research and advocacy work together with the Director of Research and Communications
- Act as the main fundraiser of the organisation, with support from the Resource Mobilisation Manager
- Financial oversight of the organisation with the support of the Director of Finance and Operations
- Overview of the organisation’s Human Resources
- With integrity, representing AAI at international and regional conferences and meetings as well as in other collaborative initiatives and projects with partners
- Moving forward the organisational principles of diversity and social responsibility
- Represent and advocate for AAI externally, including to the media
- Ensure the development and maintenance of strong partnerships internationally, regionally and nationally where appropriate, including UN bodies, public/private initiatives, academia, research organisations, governments and importantly a wide variety of civil society organisations
- Maintain strong technical knowledge and staying current with issues pertinent to the HIV/AIDS epidemic, other health issues, human rights and social justice
- Lead and empower the secretariat; managing the performance and development of staff and organisational change with the support of the other directors
Requirements:
- An understanding of the major issues in development, global health including the fight against HIV/AIDS and human rights with a strong focus on key populations, specifically LGBTI people, youth, women and children, sex workers and people passing through prisons
- Credible and persuasive player at the highest levels and be recognised as a peer by senior colleagues in government; multi-lateral, scientific and civil society contexts
- An understanding of the Think-Tank and research roles of AAI
- A sophisticated appreciation of the complexities and processes, including diplomacy, firmness and conflict resolution skills involved in multi-partner initiatives is necessary
- Minimum five years’ experience in a leadership positions, preferably in civil society
- Experience from advocacy in human rights, health, social justice, governance, sexual reproductive health and rights
- Understand the rating work of AAI and its Think-Tank character
- Experience of managing people and organisations at the highest level
- A track record of achievement and leadership in the field and an active network among the partners of AAI
- International experience, a knowledge of the global public health and human rights architecture and its leaders
- Experience in working in partnership with civil society actors and advocates
- Knowledge of the commercial world and ability to nurture industry partnerships would be meriting
- Experience in acting in a representative capacity
- Visionary and strategic thinking
- Management experience from an international organisation
- Experience of fund-raising and the capacity to engage with non-traditional sources of resource
Skills and Competencies
- Ability to inspire and engage with a wide range of relevant audiences; personal presence; excellent influencing skills
- Verbal and written communication skills in English
- An inspiring presenter and ambassador; other languages an asset
- A manifest commitment to the human rights part of the AAI agenda
- The capacity to convey complex messages to lay audiences, as well as interacting meaningfully with expert ones
- The ability to lead, delegate, develop, retain and manage a diverse team of professionals
- Management and delegation skills
- Quick and sound people judgement
- Financial literacy; with the ability to set clear financial direction
- Research literacy; must understand the core work of AAI
- Strong visionary leadership with demonstrated ability to foster integration and teamwork
- The breadth of mind to build partnerships across many sectors
- Willingness to travel extensively
- Optimism and openness to new ideas
- Sound negotiating skills
- Sincerity – the genuine and selfless nature of the Executive Director’s commitment to the work of AAI must be palpable
To apply , submit a full CV together with a supporting statement, briefly highlighting your experience and skills against the requirements of the role, to [email protected]
If you have any questions you can contact the Mats Ahnlund, Director of Finance and Operations at [email protected]
More Information
- Job City Johannesburg
