AVAC Advocacy Fellows Program 2019

Application Deadline: September 7th 2018

The HIV Prevention Research Advocacy Fellows Program pairs emerging leaders in advocacy and activism with existing organizations to develop and execute creative, context-specific projects focused on HIV prevention research. Fellows projects focus primarily on advocacy around biomedical HIV prevention research (such as clinical trials of vaccines, microbicides, pre-exposure prophylaxis) or rollout of male circumcision for HIV prevention. Fellows projects may also focus on “test and treat” or ARV treatment as prevention strategies, which are under active discussion in many contexts.

Fellows receive training, financial support, and technical assistance to plan and implement a targeted one-year project within host organizations focused on HIV/AIDS.

The Advocacy Fellows Program will run for one year, from April 2019 to March 2020. Selected Advocacy Fellows should also plan to spend a few days working closely with AVAC and their hosts to develop their work plans before the Fellows Program year begins.

Eligibility Requirements:

The Advocacy Fellows Program seeks the following:

• Emerging or mid-career community leaders and advocates involved or interested in advocacy around HIV prevention research and implementation, particularly the areas described in question (3).

• Individuals with some experience or education in the areas of HIV and AIDS, public health, medicine, international development, women’s rights, communications, or advocacy with key populations, such as sex workers, LGBTQ individuals and drug users.

• Individuals based in low-and middle-income countries with high HIV burdens and where

biomedical HIV prevention clinical research is planned or ongoing and/or where there is current work on implementation of new preventions strategies (such as voluntary medical male circumcision, pre-exposure prophylaxis or PrEP, early treatment and “combination prevention” packages. )Advocates can also develop proposals that seek to catalyze plans and policies in countries where little activity on these issues has happened to date.

• Those proficient in the English language . Applications are encouraged from all countries where prevention research is ongoing or rolling out, however the Advocacy Fellow and key staff at his/her Organisation must be able to communicate with AVAC staff in English.

• Demonstrated awareness of and willingness to learn about ongoing prevention research and implementation in their respective countries, although extensive knowledge in biomedical HIV prevention is not required.

Benefits:

The Fellows Program provides:

• Mentoring and capacity building in HIV prevention research and implementation advocacy from AVAC for both Advocacy Fellows and Host Organisations.

• Connection to a global network of HIV advocates including current and former Advocacy Fellows, researchers, civil society leaders and other individuals and/or Organisations working in similar fields.

• Opportunities for networking and information sharing with other Advocacy Fellows and a broader community of advocates including activists, scientists, clinical trial staff and other stakeholders working in the HIV movement.

• A small stipend and technical assistance for the selected Advocacy Fellow for the initial development of a detailed work plan (up to three days over a maximum of two months).

This phase takes place before the official Fellows Program year begins.

• Financial support and technical assistance from AVAC for project implementation over

12 months. Through a grant to the Host organisation, the Fellow will receive full-time

salary support, a budget for project execution and access to a discretionary fund for specific travel, infrastructure or and information technology (IT) needs. (Please note that in some

very specific circumstances, Fellows can be permitted to commit less than 100 percent

to the Fellows Programs.

Timeline:

18 July 2018 : Call for 2019 Fellows Applications open
7 August 2018 : Informational teleconference for potential applicants
7 September 2018 : Deadline– Applications Due Early October 2018
Shortlisted applicants notified regarding advancement to next stage. Additional financial information from the Host Organization is due 2 weeks after notification.
October 2018 : Interviews with short-listed candidates and Host Organisation representatives
October– November 2018 : External independent review process
December 2018: Selected Advocacy Fellows notified
December 2018 – March 2019 : Work plan and budget development; preparation and signing of grant agreement. A total of three days over two months is required for the process. This may be undertaken while the Advocacy Fellow is still employed, if applicable, in her/his current position.
Please also note that full participation in work plan development activities including conference calls and timely submission of documents is required. Fellows Program offers are provisional until the grant agreement is signed.
April 2019– March 2020 Advocacy Fellows Program (full-time)
April 2019 : Fellows Orientation Workshop: The workshop introduces and orients new Advocacy Fellows and Host Organisation Supervisors into the program, and provides an opportunity for networking and building peer/mentor relationships among new Advocacy Fellows, alumni and Host Organisations

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the AVAC Advocacy Fellows Program 2019

AVAC Advocacy Fellows Program 2019 for mid-career & emerging advocates on HIV prevention (Funded)