Senior Director of External Relations, Europe - (0628)

International Partnership for Microbicides_Brussells, Belgium based
Deadline: June 28, 2007

The International Partnership for Microbicides (IPM) is a global non-profit organization dedicated to promoting product development and world-wide access to microbicides. IPM’s goal is to develop women-initiated vaginal products that prevent the sexual transmission of HIV/AIDS, especially in low-resource settings.IPM presents a dynamic and innovative approach to preventing HIV infection throughout the world, especially in developing country communities where the epidemic has the most devastating impact. This position offers a rare opportunity to contribute to the advancement of one of the world’s most important emerging medical technologies. The organization’s world headquarters is in Silver Spring, Maryland; IPM has offices in Brussels, Belgium, and Paarl, South Africa.IPM’s Engagement in Europe.

IPM’s goal in its engagement with European nations and multinational organizations (including the European Union institutions) is to promote and increase political and financial support for the development of microbicides and IPM. Supporting objectives include ensuring effective advocacy and public policy for microbicides; increasing financial resources for microbicide product development for IPM and the field; ensuring communications that support greater awareness of key microbicide and HIV-related issues among constituencies in Europe; and supporting and strengthening links and synergies between the activities of IPM across the globe—and especially in countries where IPM is conducting clinical trials and site development work.

Job Summary

The Senior Director of External Relations, Europe (hereafter Director) is responsible for ensuring that IPM’s overall profile in Europe is strategic, well integrated, and responsive in attaining these goals and objectives. The Director reports to the Chief of External Relations (CER) and is responsible for coordinating IPM’s resource development, public policy and communications with European donors and stakeholders; policymakers, governments and multinational bodies; research and development institutions, activists and NGOs in the microbicide, AIDS, women’s health and development fields; and the media. As appropriate, the Director will assist with outreach to industry and scientific communities in Europe.

In this role, the Director provides a planned, focused and well integrated IPM response to the external European environment. Under the direction of the CER and in close coordination with IPM’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), s/he works closely with the Executive Directors for Communications, Global Public Policy and Resource Development, as well as the IPM Belgium office Programme Manager and staff. The Director assists the CER, CEO and other senior colleagues to engage with IPM’s European constituency. The Director liaises with and draws on the expertise of other IPM departments in determining and achieving European objectives, and will be an integral part of IPM’s senior management team.

JD:

• Mapping IPM’s current and planned activities in Europe across the organization, including resource development, advocacy, communications, and public policy interfaces; assessing their current strengths and weaknesses and making recommendations for changes and additions to the current portfolio;
• Ensuring the CEO, CER stay abreast of external trends and their implications for IPM, developing a clear picture of strategic options and recommending priorities;
• Assisting the CEO and CER to identify, prioritize and put in place the advocacy activities at the national and multinational level necessary for all phases of IPM’s work, including pipeline expansion, and other IPM research and development efforts, as well as for successful clinical trials and later product introduction;
• Facilitating joint planning across the organization of IPM’s interface in Europe, including liaison with other organizations and participation in events;
• Representing IPM at meetings, conferences and key events organized by European institutions and stakeholders;
• Helping the CEO, CER and other members of IPM’s senior management team prioritize and optimize time and travel in Europe, and enhance and systematize IPM contacts with key individuals, organizations, governments and multinational entities; and
• Selecting, developing, evaluating and leading a team, including European consultant constituents, with the specialist knowledge required and ability to carry out IPM initiatives.

NEED:

• Have worked in international public health or related field for a minimum of 10 years and demonstrate a familiarity with global health and HIV/AIDS issues;
• Have a track record of working with political, professional and community leaders, at both global and national level, to bring about changes in policy, program, and/or resource allocation;
• Have a working understanding of the institutions and functioning of the European Union;
• Show evidence of a strategic and organized approach to forward planning, implementation and follow-up;
• Be able to point to successes in his/her advocacy work;
• Have an appetite for understanding IPM’s work in science and the central role this plays in the organization’s continued success;
• Be comfortable working across and drawing on departments to achieve objectives;
• Have excellent leadership and staff management skills;
• Have strong diplomatic skills and be comfortable working across cultures;
• Be adept working in a virtual professional environment; and
• Demonstrate decisive, resourceful, reliable and creative working style.Education/Experience
• A master’s degree in public health, international relations or related field
• Published policy or position papers, desired but not requiredKnowledge, Skills and Abilities
• Excellent written and communications skills in English
• Proficiency in other languages, such as French or German, beneficial
• Strong analytical, organizational and research skills
• Experience editing and proofreading skills, and capability to produce quality materials under deadline and within a team, while simultaneously managing multiple projects and assignments without losing momentum
• Excellent working knowledge of MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint
• Demonstrated ability to manage a professional teamThis position is ideally based in Brussels, Belgium. Successful candidate must be willing to undertake very regular travel in Europe and outside of Europe.

To Apply for this position please visit http://ipm-web.ipm-microbicides.org/careers/ and complete the online application.