Announcement: advocacy specialist for PSN

[Posted by Brad Otto on msm-asia Google Group, 29 September 2008]

RTI International is seeking expressions of interest for a long term consultant as advocacy specialist to advise and support Mekong Regional Purple Sky Network Secretariat based in Bangkok. Expressions of interest are invited from Thai nationals. Please submit a cover letter responding to the responsibilities and qualifications, and a current CV. Deadline for submission of cover letter and CV is 17 October 2008. Address cover letter to:

Chief of Party
Health Policy Initiative / Greater Mekong Region and China
Email: bhu@hpi-asia.rti.org

Advocacy Specialist
Men Who Have Sex With Men in Greater Mekong Subregion

RTI International is seeking to fill an advocacy specialist position which will be responsible for regional advocacy skills development for the Purple Sky Network (PSN) Regional Coordinating Secretariat (RCS), including support to PSN country working groups and member organisations

Responsibilities

The primary role is to represent PSN at the national and regional level on advocacy around HIV and men who have sex with men. Specific responsibilities include:

Advocacy

• Liaise with regional governmental and international organisations (ag. ASEAN, ADB, UNAIDS, UNICEF, UNESCO, etc) on development of policies and program support for HIV and men who have sex with men
  
• Liaise with other relevant advocacy agencies and networks (eg. APCOM, APN+, APCASO, APNSW etc)
  
• Facilitate advocacy network building at the national and regional level
  
• Support capacity building for advocacy of relevant partners at the national (and for China provincial) level
  
• Maintain an inventory of donors and technical organisations supporting and working on HIV and male sexual health programs in the GMS

Fund raising

• Serve as the primary liaison between PSN and regional/national grantor institutions; establish and maintain contacts with prospective grantor institutions within and outside the GMS
  
• Assist the RCS Coordinator to develop an integrated fund raising strategy for current and prospective funders, including development and sustaining of a network of advocates, champions, and partners within high-priority donor countries and organizations
  
• Explore funding possibilities and contribute to proposal development to support PSN Secretariat and member organizations

Other

• Contribute to annual work plan development of PSN Regional Coordinating Secretariat and its host organization, incorporating annual advocacy plans
  
• Contribute to reporting, publications and PR materials on request
  
• Coordinate all activities with the PSN Regional Secretariat Coordinator

Key Competencies and Qualifications

• 3-5 years experience in organizational development and advocacy at national or regional level
  
• Bachelors or Master's Degree in Law, Economics, Politics, Social Sciences, Journalism, Public Health or equivalent
  
• Well-experienced in advocacy activities and policy analysis
  
• Demonstrated links to communities of men who have sex with men
  
• Knowledge and experience with lobbying, networking and development of strategic alliances at national level and preferably also at regional Asian level
  
• Good Facilitation skills to assist partners & organize stakeholder platforms, meetings, workshops etc.
  
• Experience with the development and implementation of public campaigns
  
• Experience with capacity development for partner organizations (NGOs, networks, etc.)
  
• Report and publication writing skills in English
  
• Proficiency in English (speaking and writing)
  
• Good computer operation Word, Excel, PowerPoint

People living with HIV are encouraged to apply