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ICW is the only global network of the 19 million women worldwide living with HIV/AIDS. ICW campaigns to promote gender equity, access to care and treatment, and meaningful involvement of HIV positive women in decision-making that affects their lives at all levels.

The East Africa Regional Coordinator is a new, senior, full-time post for an HIV-positive woman who is an experienced networker, advocate and activist, with a track record in capacity building and facilitating the involvement of HIV positive women in advocacy work.

The location of the post in East Africa is flexible, and may be in any country in the East Africa region. Access to good international communications and a willingness to travel are essential. The contract is initially for 12 months with the expectation that it will be renewed at the end of the period, subject to funding.

ICW does not currently have an office in East Africa (although the East Africa trustee has to date provided a base in her organisation). You will be expected to organise your own workspace, either renting a desk space or small office, working from home, or working from a host or partner organisation in your own country. The salary will be commensurate with the experience of the selected candidate and market rates in the relevant location.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Increase communications with ICW members in East Africa through face-to-face contact and other communications mechanisms.
• Strengthen members' participation and inclusion in the global ICW network as a means of increasing the voices of HIV-positive women from the region in support, treatment and advocacy initiatives at all levels.
• Develop and pilot a transparent and accountable system of electing HIV-positive women as ICW country and regional representatives in East Africa.
• Develop ICW's East Africa region in consultation with members in the region, the ICW International Support Office, the Board of Trustees and ICW staff in other regions, ensuring that it is fully integrated into the worldwide ICW network.
• Provide monthly reports to the International Support Office and Board of Trustees, including financial reports, and donor proposals and reports as required.
• Oversee the establishment of solid financial and funding flow systems in the region.
• Coordinate and develop ICW projects and workshops in the East Africa region, in coordination with the Global Sexual and Reproductive Rights Advocacy Officer (currently based in Durban), the Global Advocacy Officer on Access to Care, Treatment and Support (recruitment in process), and other staff across the global network.
• Develop a monitoring and evaluation system for regional activities.
• Develop mutual support and joint advocacy and policy work with local and national networks of HIV-positive women in the region, networks of positive people, GNP+, and ICW partners such as YWCA, WAGGGS and others.
• Encourage the development of national positive women's networks in countries in the region where these do not exist.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Firm commitment to the ethos of ICW.
• Excellent communications skills, both written and verbal, including project proposal writing. Good spoken and written English, knowledge of other languages an advantage.
• IT skills, particularly Word, Excel, email and internet.
• Planning, budgeting and project management skills. Influencing skills and interpersonal skills.
• Willingness and availability to travel within the region and internationally.
• An understanding of the need to facilitate the involvement of HIV-positive women in advocacy, and experience in training and capacity building of HIV-positive women, and participatory action research or other participatory approaches.
• Sound understanding of international HIV, gender, and development issues and principles of democracy and accountability in a network.
• Sound understanding of confidentiality and gender issues.
• Ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team.
• National of a country within the East Africa region.
• Diagnosed HIV positive and public about HIV status.

Application forms can be downloaded from the ICW website or requested from and returned to ICW by email () marked "ICW EARC 2004". CVs will also be accepted, and should be sent with a cover letter detailing your suitability and interest in this post. Closing date: 26 August 2004.

For more information on ICW and the position: www.icw.org