The Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa (OSISA) is an advocacy and grantmaking organisation operating in Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

OSISA is part of a global network of foundations that share the common mission of developing more open societies through support to a range of programmes in various areas including education, media, human rights, information and communication technology, HIV/AIDS, language rights, as well as social, legal and economic reform. OSISA is looking to make the following appointment:

Law and Policy Researcher: HIV and AIDS

The successful candidate will be based in Johannesburg and will be responsible for conducting country-specific research on AIDS policy and law issues. The candidate will have a strong influence on supporting a new sub-programme on 'AIDS and the Law'. In addition, the successful candidate will be responsible for providing technical assistance to all grantees wishing to include legal and policy components in their HIV work. This will include primary responsibility for the technical content and editing of OSISA publications and documents relating to HIV and AIDS. The Researcher will also have a direct ongoing coordination and administrative responsibility over a number of grants.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Supporting the HIV and AIDS team with research and technical legal analysis within in the of the programme;
• Coordination of programme communication and publication issues;
• Supporting the AIDS and the Law sub-component of the HIV and AIDS programme;
• Providing overall programme assistance;

REQUIREMENTS:

• The ideal candidate will have a minimum of a law degree or any other degree with a focus on Public Health, Human Rights, HIV and AIDS, Journalism, or any other relevant degree from the social sciences or humanities.
• Close knowledge of the HIV and AIDS sub-sector and networks in the SADC region. They will have good knowledge of the HIV and AIDS terrain in the OSISA countries. They will also have sound experience in HIV and AIDS with a strong focus on governance, law and/or human rights.
• Experience of working in a funding organisation is preferred.
• The candidate must have excellent inter-personal skills. The ability to independently use computer packages such as MS Word, Excel, Internet and e-Mail is a must.
• The candidate should also be open to innovation and experimentation and have appreciation for community-based approaches.
• Fluency in written and spoken English is a prerequisite and knowledge of at least one African language from the SADC region (outside South Africa) is a must.

An attractive remuneration package, commensurate with experience, including relocation costs within Southern Africa, is offered. The job is offered on a two-year renewable contract, subject to performance.

Interested and qualified candidates who match the profile are invited to submit their CV and a letter of interest to:
The Human Resources Department,
Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa,
P.O. Box 678,
Wits
2050,
Fax: +27 11 4032708.
Email: [email protected]

Closing Date for applications is 15 July, 2006. Only short-listed candidates will receive a response from OSISA.