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2019 AVAC Advocacy Fellows Program

Application Form

Deadline 7 September 2018

1/18 2019 VAC Advocacy Fellows Application

Application Overview & InstructionsPlease read through the Information Packet (avac.org/fellows-application-materials) and these instructions before completing the application. Also see AVAC Resources at avac.org/resources for information on the work of AVAC and our partners as well as what’s new in HIV prevention research and implementation. This information can help you prepare your application.

Application components requiredThere are two phases to the application process. The documentation required at each phase is decribed on the next page: Phase 1 – for all applicants, components 1-5 are due no later than 7 September.

Applicants will be notified if they advance to the next round of the application process in early October.

Phase 2 – If an applicant advances to the second round, components 6-11 are due in mid-October. We advise applicants to begin collecting these materials before learning whether they have advanced to the next stage.

How to submit an applicationDownloading and completing this form and all relevant documents - submitting via email to [email protected].

Special Notes

Applications from individuals who do not have a Host Organisation will be considered, however priority will be given to applicants who have secured the commitment of a proposed Host Organisation and have submitted all required supporting documentation at the time of their application.

Applicants who propose existing AVAC grantees as Host Organisations will only be considered in specific circumstances - please reach out to AVAC at [email protected] to discuss BEFORE applying.

Incomplete applications and applicants who go over the maximum word limits will receive lower scores.

2/18 2019 AVAC Advocacy Fellows Application

mailto:[email protected]


http://www.avac.org/resources

http://www.avac.org/fellows-application-materials

A complete application consists of ELEVEN components.

Phase I – for all applicants

Items 1-5 in the list below must be submitted by 7 September

1. Applicant information form (Section 1 of this application)

2. Host Organisation information form (Section 2 of this application)

3. Essay questions (Section 3 of this application)

4. Letter of support from Host Organisation (Requirements listed in Section 4)

5. Applicant CV or resume

Phase 2 – for applicants who advance to the next stage

Items 6-11 in the list below must be submitted two weeks after short-listed candidate are notified. (Please note that it can take time to gather these documents. Applicants and Host Organisations are advised to initiate this process before learning whether they have advanced to the next round.)

6. Host Organisation’s proof of organisational registration

7. Host Organisation’s two most recent audited financial statements

8. Host Organisation’s mission statement

9. Host Organisation’s annual budget

10. Host Organisation’s organisational or staffing chart

11. Host Organisation commitment form

Please email completed application and additional documents to [email protected].

If you have further questions, please write to [email protected]




1.0 Applicant Information FormSubmit to: [email protected] by 7 September

First name

Last name

Date of birth

Gender

Nationality

Length of stay in country where Fellows Project proposed

Mailing address

Physical address

Landline telephone

Mobile telephone

Alternate mobile telephone (optional)

Email address

Alternate email address (optional)

Skype name

Fax

Current employer /affiliate organisation (where applicable)

Current position (where applicable)

Current salary/ volunteer stipend (circle or ‘x’ one) Please note the information you provide here will not

affect decisions about eligibility or merit of application. Please note that this information will be checked against documentation.

Please use www.oanda.com (click on the “Currency Converter” tab at top of the screen) to convert your local currency into USD$.

Volunteer/volunteer with stipend Less than USD$200 per monthUSD$200-$600 per month USD$601-800 per month USD$801-1000 per month More than USD$1000 per month

Applicant’s professional references Reference 14/18 2019 AVAC Advocacy Fellows Application

http://www.oanda.com/


Name:

Organisation:

Job Title:

Email:

Mobile(s):

Landline(s):

Reference 2

Name:

Organisation:

Job Title:

Email:

Mobile(s):

Landline(s):How did you hear about the Fellows Program?

(check all that apply)

AVAC website

AVAC Advocates’ Network

Fellows info session

Through current or alumni Fellows

Through friend/colleague

Other website/source (please specify):


2.0 Host Organisation Information FormSubmit to: [email protected] by 7 September

PLEASE NOTE: If you do not have a proposed Host Organisation, please leave this page blank and provide details in Section 3.9.

Name of organisation

Mailing address

Physical address

Landline telephone

Mobile telephone

Organisational e-mail address

Organisational website (if any)

Date organisation formed

Organisation’s legal designation (type of organisation and registration number, if applicable)

Organisation’s Mission Statement

Executive director/head of office where Fellow will be

Name:Job Title:Email:Mobile(s):Landline(s):

Applicant’s proposed supervisor Name:Job Title:Email:Mobile(s):Landline(s):



Staff person with whom AVAC Fellows team will communicate throughout application process (If same as any above, please only include name)

Name:Job Title:Email:Mobile(s)Landline(s)

Two Host Organisational references (these are individuals whom the Fellows Team can talk to regarding the proposed Host Organisation’s work)

Name of 1st reference:Organisation:Job Title:Email:Mobile(s):Landline(s):Name of 2nd reference:Organisation:Job Title:Email:Mobile(s):Landline(s):


3.0 Essay QuestionsThe following essay questions will help us get to know you better, get a better sense of why you do this work, what issue/project you would like to work on and why this is the right time for you to pursue an AVAC Fellowship.

Please note the following:

- Answer all essay questions.

- Pay special attention to word limits – and use your words to express your ideas clearly and concisely. Please note that applicants who exceed the word limit will be penalized.

- When describing your motivations or experience, please do not repeat information in your CV, but focus on details that expand on your CV.

- There is no right or wrong answer – we want to hear what you think about the issues we ask about.

- We want to hear your voice – not something we could find and read about online. Avoid cutting and pasting online content. Strong applicants take positions and show critical thinking.

- Applicants are not expected to have fully formed project proposals to include in their application. However, the application components are designed to help AVAC learn more about applicants’ strategic thinking and familiarity with broad areas of biomedical prevention research and implementation advocacy. Successful applicants will take the time to consult www.avac.org, trial websites, and media resources such as searchable databases of national and local newspapers to learn more about what is happening in their respective contexts.

- Please submit to: [email protected] by 7 September 2018.



http://www.avac.org/

(3.1) About youTell us about yourself— what motivates you, how you got involved in the work you do and some of the highlights and/or challenges of your most recent work experience with a particular focus on HIV/AIDS, human rights, scientific research or other projects. (Please don’t repeat your CV; tell us your story)(Maximum 150 words)

(3.2) Advocacy experiencePlease provide an example of advocacy that you have done around any issue (not necessarily HIV), clearly stating the goal and the outcome; if there were any challenges you faced and how you overcame them. (Advocacy can be at an individual, institutional, national or community level. It can involve family members, schools, government officials and many other groups.) (Maximum 150 words)


(3.3) Future Goals What are you hoping to achieve and where do you see yourself in five years? Why is this the right time for this Advocacy Fellowship for you and how will it help you towards your longer-term goals? (Maximum 150 words)

(3.4) HIV Prevention in your country – your view of the big picture Please answer both questions below.

a) What HIV prevention interventions are available in your country and are they the right mix for the groups who most need HIV prevention options? Why or why not?(Please don’t cut and paste or summarize the status and statistics of the epidemic in your country – we want to hear your thoughts.) (Maximum 150 words)


b) There are often several barriers in the way of key and vulnerable populations to access HIV prevention and related services. What are some of these barriers in your community and how could they be overcome, and by whose actions? Finally, what role do prevention advocates have in influencing these changes? (Maximum 150 words)

(3.5) Prevention research: Half full or half empty?Please answer both questions below.

a) “If only we had cheaper and better access to PrEP, we would not need an HIV vaccine.” Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Please explain your position.(Maximum 150 words)


b) Community advocates have a role to play in HIV prevention research processes. From your perspective, what are those roles and why are they important?(Maximum 150 words)

(3.6) Influencing HIV Prevention Access Please answer both questions below.

a) If you are attending a meeting at your Ministry of Health to discuss HIV infections among young women – who may be the group with the highest rates of HIV in your country (as is in many countries) – how would you prepare for this meeting and what information and/or strategies would you use to convince policy makers this is an important issue to focus on? (Maximum 150 words)

b) Consider this possible future scenario: a new HIV prevention product has just proven to be effective in a large trial; it is an ARV to be delivered as an injection that HIV-negative people would have to take every 2 months to prevent HIV infection. It is likely to take a long time before it is available in public health clinics. As an advocate, what could you do to prepare for its introduction: what questions would you have about this product? And who would you need to influence to accelerate its introduction?


(Maximum 150 words)

(3.7) Project Idea Please tell us your initial idea about a prevention advocacy project you would undertake as a Fellow, if given the opportunity. Specifically, tell us:

a) What would you aim to change and what would that change or outcomes look like?b) Which communities would you work in and why?c) What are some activities you would undertake to achieve your goals?d) What effect would that change have on HIV prevention in your country in a year?

Be creative!

(350 word limit)

For examples of projects and outcomes other advocates are working on, including current and former Fellows, please read the Advocacy Fellows Information Packet and visit www.avac.org/fellows. Before you answer please refer to and consider the definition of advocacy included in the Advocacy Fellows Information Packet .

(Please note: If you are selected as a Fellow, you will work closely with the AVAC team to shape your project. What we want here is to have a broad sense of what your project would look like and what it would aim to do.)


http://www.avac.org/resource/advocacy-fellows-program-information-packet

http://www.avac.org/fellows

http://www.avac.org/resource/advocacy-fellows-program-information-packet

(3.8) Why should we be interested in your idea? AVAC’s mission statement reads: “AVAC works to accelerate the ethical development and global delivery of HIV prevention options as part of a comprehensive and integrated response to the epidemic.”

What uniquely positions you to make an impact? Why should we select you and the project you propose as an important way to take this work forward? (Maximum 150 words)


(3.9) Information on your Proposed Host OrganisationPlease answer each relevant section of this question

a) Why have you proposed this Host Organisation?

b) How does your propsed project relate to the organisation’s work and mission in HIV and specifically around HIV prevention?

c) If you are currently employed at the proposed Host Organisation, which (if any) of your job responsibilities would you continue during the Fellowship? How would you manage your time commitment to the Fellowship and your work responsibilities?


d) If you HAVE NOT secured a Host Organisation yet, please describe the type of organisation you think would be best suited to host you. Please list any specific organisations you have considered or contacted and the status of that discussion. Please note that priority will be given to applicants who have identified a Host Organisation.


4.0 Letter of Support from Host Organisation

Submit to: [email protected] by September 7

All applicants must obtain a letter of support from their proposed Host Organisation. The letter must be on the organisation’s letterhead and signed by the head of the organisation (or for multi-site organisations, the head of the office at which the Advocacy Fellow would be housed). The letter should be one to two pages. It must answer ALL the questions listed below. Please share these questions, the Application Information Packet and the Frequently Asked Questions for Host Organisations document with your proposed Host. All materials can be downloaded at www.avac.org/fellows-application-materials.

1. What are some of the activities or programs that your organisation has worked on related to HIV research and/or broader HIV prevention?

2. What is your organisation’s experience working with the applicant?

3. Please describe why/how the organisation is interested in hosting the applicant as a Fellow and their proposed advocacy project.

4. Where would the Advocacy Fellow fit within the organisational structure? Who would be her/his supervisor whose portfolio this best fits under?

5. What other job responsibilities and expectations would the Advocacy Fellow have in addition to her/his Fellowship activities?

To the Proposed Host Organisation:

This letter can be addressed to: AVAC Fellows Team. Please ensure that this letter is on organisational letterhead and is dated and signed by the head or other assigned leadership at the organisation.

It can be sent directly by the proposed Host Organisation or by the applicant, via email to [email protected] or via Fax to +1 646.365.3452.

This letter must be received by 7 September 2018. Refer to Frequently Asked Questions for Host Organisations downloadable at

www.avac.org/fellows-application-materials for more information. Please contact [email protected] if you require further information.







End of Advocacy Fellows Application Form

All sections above and the applicant’s CV/Resume must be submitted no later than

7 September 2018.

By email: [email protected]



about the prevention research fellows programme · web viewpay special attention to word limits –...

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