Thailand: Strategic Information Officer, Sustainable HIV Financing in Transition Programme (SHIFT) - APCOM Secretariat, Bangkok

Section 1: POSITION DETAILS Job Title: Strategic Information Officer Contract Period: 24 Months Project: SHIFT (LOE 100%) Location: APCOM Secretariat, Bangkok, Thailand

Section 2: BACKGROUND Founded in 2007, APCOM is a coalition of members – governments, UN partners, non-profits and community-based organizations – from Asia and the Pacific. We represent a diverse range of interests working together to advocate on, highlight and prioritize HIV issues that affect the lives of men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender people, including rights, health, and well-being.

Our goals are: • Increasing investment in HIV prevention, treatment, care and support in the region • Scaling up coverage of HIV prevention, treatment, care and support in the region • Strengthening the development and availability of the evidence base that supports our mandate

A critical issue facing the HIV response in Asia over coming years is the need to transition from external donor funding to sustainable domestic financing. While significant gains have been made in expanding treatment coverage and reducing transmission rates across the region, these successes will be compromised if the transition to domestic financing is not conducted successfully. At the same time, significant gaps in the response and challenges around the implementation of new prevention and treatment approaches need to be addressed. Reaching the ambitious 90-90-90 and Ending AIDS targets across the treatment cascade by 2020/2030 depends on the effective transition of funding from external to domestic sources.

One of the key roles of APCOM in the region is to advocate for increased investments for MSM programming and Human Rights work. Past few years APCOM has strengthened its position advocating for more financing in the region through capacity building initiatives, engaging in policy dialogue in the High-Level Meeting and developing the Regional MSM Investment Case. To take the investment agenda ahead, APCOM joined the Global Fund Regional Programme “SHIFT - Sustainable HIV Financing in Transition (SHIFT)” as Regional Sub-Recipient where Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations (AFAO) is Principal Recipient and Asia Pacific Council of AIDS Service Organizations (APCASO) is the Regional Sub-Recipient.

The proposed Sustainable HIV Financing in Transition (SHIFT) Programme aims to support four transition countries (Indonesia, Malaysia, Phillippines, Thailand) with the goal: ‘To ensure that transition countries have sustainable, cost effective and strategically allocated funding for their HIV responses covering key populations and civil society organizations.' The six objective pillars of the programme are;

• Pillar 1: Setting norms and standards for civil society engagement in national transition processes
• Pillar 2: Cultivating community-focused evidence base on transition and HIV financing
• Pillar 3: Fostering community access to transition related strategic information
• Pillar 4: Provision of packages of technical support to position civil society as sustainable key partners in HIV financing
• Pillar 5: Influencing country governments, regional and global entities on increased and sustained fiscal space for CSO and KP network HIV programmes
• Pillar 6: Civil society/KP network monitoring of transition processes

APCOM in consultation with the PR will be responsible for planning and implementing the Pillar 2 and Pillar 3 activities. For the innovative and challenging SHIFT programme, APCOM is looking for a qualified community expert for the position titled Strategic Information Officer for its Bangkok Regional Office.

The Strategic Information Officer is expected to generate, update and make the evidence and learnings available for its stakeholders in the region by strengthening its Strategic Information Hub and overall contributing towards the achievements of APCOM’s Strategy 3.

Section 3: DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES The Strategic Information Officer will be responsible for strategic planning and implementation of the programme activities and simultaneously creating the knowledge hub and strengthening the strategic information resulting in achieving the objectives of SHIFT programmatic pillars 2 & 3;

Specific Task over the 2 years of the programme includes;

1. In-house literature review of the 4 SHIFT focus countries to understand the situation on HIV programming for Key Populations (KPs) and different funding mechanisms available for CSOs
2. Based on the review and country scoping visits develop the implementation work plan for the project period in close consultation with PR and other Country partners
3. Working closely with the Communications Officer on designing, updating and making the SHIFT Knowledge Management Blog/Platform more interactive, user-friendly and accessible to communities and other stakeholders
4. Develop a database of expert consultants specific from 4 SHIFT countries to be utilized for the programme activities
5. Develop profiles/snapshots of countries with focus on HIV financing for KPs with advocacy policy recommendations for investments which will include translations
6. Take the lead on the national assessments on CSO financing mechanism/policies for 4 SHIFT countries, which will include the following; • Develop ToR for the consultants, with clear objectives and outcomes • Support the procurement process in close consultation with PR • Work closely with the consultants in developing the methodology, tools and accompany in literature review and data collection • Supervise the data analysis and report writing phase by providing substantial inputs for quality content and layout • Dissemination and translation plan
7. Take the lead on 4 Country Scan Study on governing formation and operation of CSO laws, which will include the following; • Develop ToR for the consultants, with clear objectives and outcomes • Support the procurement process in close consultation with PR • Work in close collaboration with the SR partners and consultants in developing the methodology, tools and accompany in literature review and data collection • Supervise the data analysis and report writing phase by providing substantial inputs for quality content and layout • Dissemination and translation plan
8. Take the lead on compiling good practices and case studies around domestic funding, successful advocacy around HIV investments, expansion of Universal Heath Coverage (UHC) to cover KP, use of innovative financing mechanisms which will build the knowledge base for CSOs in their advocacy efforts
9. Design and facilitate regional and in-country TA programmes for stakeholders on HIV financing, investment cases, policy advocacy, UHC, resource mobilization and effective use of social media, etc.
10. Efficient usage of International platforms (ICAAP, IAC & ILGA) to showcase learnings and achievements from SHIFT programme
11. Guiding the Communications Officer on efficient usage and promotion of SHIFT activities and issues around KP and investments on APCOM websites and other social media channels
12. Compiling quarterly reports and bulletin about SHIFT programme to update the stakeholders on achievements, issues/challenges and way forward
13. Supporting the finance person for quarterly financial request and reporting to PR
14. Any other task assigned by the Deputy Director or Executive Director

Section 4: KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL REQUIREMENTS Education: • Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences, Demography, Development, Statistics or academic equivalent; or similar Bachelor or degree with additional work experience.

Professional Experience: • More than 5 years professional experience with Bachelor degree working on HIV / Health/ Development in the Asia Pacific Region; • Possessing a good understanding of programme issues, preferably in programming for male who are having sex with males, transgender, and other sexual minorities; • Proven experience in designing projects, including development of required policies and procedures; • Proven experience in assisting on research projects, developing protocol and data collection tools, data collection and knowledge on ethics review; • Designed and implemented good advocacy plan/activities to address issues around male sexual health, social rights, and punitive laws; • Proven experience working on HIV / Health / Development issues with UN, governments, human rights, civil society, NGO’s/CBO’s in countries in the South East Asia and Greater Mekong Region; • Experience working in partnerships with a range of multi-stakeholders which includes health, human rights, donor and civil society organizations.

Functional /Technical Knowledge: • Ability to analyze and consolidate information from multiple sources and prepare technical briefs. The position is expected to write and edit technical briefs and papers • Ability to work efficiently under pressure, with limited or adequate day-to-day support with a sense of humor, and a willingness to take on different projects and tasks as need arises • Excellent English writing and communication skills, knowledge of any one Asian or South Asian language will be added advantage • Should have well-developed professionalism, tactfulness, personal discipline and impartiality • Able to work as a team, open to sharing information and excels in coordinating efforts • Sensitive and professional approach to sexuality and sexual health issues.

APCOM encourages applicants specifically from South East Asia and Greater Mekong Region Asia to apply. It is strongly recommended that applicants identify as one of the key affected populations for HIV (gay man, bisexual man, MSM, transgender person and/or people living with HIV) or LGBTIQ.

PREPARING YOUR APPLICATION:

If you think you have the passion, skills, and qualifications for this position and would like to join our team, please prepare your application, by addressing each point listed in Section 4 ‘Knowledge and Skill Requirements’ in the above position description/brief. You are required to state how your skills, knowledge, experience and qualifications relate to the position. It is recommended that you address each criterion separately in point form. You should use statements with examples that clearly demonstrate your competency in a particular area.

Applicants who fail to demonstrate the knowledge and skills required for this position in their application will not be invited to attend an interview.

Please attach this application along with your CV, covering letter and proposed monthly rate and submit to the APCOM Secretariat by emailing JoinUs@apcom.orgno later 17:00 GMT+7 on Friday 10 March 2017.

The completeness and relevance of your application will determine whether or not you are called for an interview. Where a large number of applicants meet the essential and desirable requirements, only those candidates who most strongly meet the requirements will be selected for an interview. The shortlisted candidates will undergo an online written test and oral interview.

SUBMISSION CHECKLIST:

Please ensure that you have attached and included the following information to ensure your application is complete.

Complete application (addressing each of the points in Section 4: ‘Knowledge and Skill Requirements’)

CV with 3 references

Cover Letter (Please include proposed monthly salary in USD)

For questions or inquiries for the position, please contact APCOM’S Programme Assistant, Rangsit at rangsits@apcom.org