Programme Support Associate: Community and Civil Society Coordination

Host entity: UNAIDS ZAF

Volunteer type: National

Areas of expertise: Administration, Community development

Application deadline: 20/08/2026

Mission and objectives

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) leads and inspires the global effort to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals. UNAIDS works with governments, civil society organizations, communities, United Nations agencies and development partners to promote human rights, reduce inequalities, strengthen HIV prevention and treatment programmes, and ensure that no one is left behind.
In South Africa, UNAIDS supports the national HIV response through strategic policy engagement, advocacy, partnerships, community mobilization and coordination with government, civil society, networks of people living with HIV, key population organizations and development partners. UNAIDS works to strengthen inclusive participation in decision-making processes and promote community-led responses that improve health outcomes and advance social justice.
As a member of the United Nations Country Team (UNCT), UNAIDS contributes to coordinated action across the UN system by promoting joint advocacy, strategic partnerships and collaboration in support of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF).

Assignment context

UNAIDS South Africa works closely with civil society organizations, community-led networks, government institutions and development partners to strengthen community engagement, advocacy and inclusive participation in the national HIV response. Effective coordination of these partnerships requires strong administrative support, stakeholder engagement, communication, knowledge management and documentation to ensure meaningful collaboration and timely implementation of activities.
Hosted within the UNAIDS Country Office, this assignment provides an excellent opportunity for a young professional to gain practical experience in community engagement, civil society coordination and advocacy within the United Nations system. Working under the supervision of the Communications and Advocacy Advisor, the UN Volunteer will support the coordination of community and civil society partners while contributing to stakeholder engagement, meeting coordination, documentation, reporting and knowledge management activities.
The assignment offers practical exposure to partnership development, advocacy initiatives, communication for development, community engagement and multi-stakeholder coordination. Through structured mentoring, coaching and workplace learning, the UN Volunteer will strengthen competencies in coordination, stakeholder engagement, communication, administration and partnership management while contributing to UNAIDS' efforts to strengthen community-led responses to HIV.

Task description

Under the direct supervision of the designated UNAIDS Supervisor (Advisor: Communications and Advocacy), the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

1. Support community and civil society coordination
● Support the planning and coordination of engagement with civil society organizations, community-led networks, people living with HIV, key population organizations and other partners involved in the national HIV response.
● Assist in organizing consultations, meetings, dialogues and collaborative activities that strengthen community participation and partnership building.
● Contribute to maintaining effective communication and coordination with community and civil society stakeholders.

2. Support UNCT internal coordination mechanisms
● Support the coordination of the HIV Joint Programme by assisting with the planning and organization of inter-agency meetings, preparing agendas and background documentation, coordinating meeting logistics, recording meeting minutes, maintaining action trackers and following up on agreed action points.
● Facilitate information sharing and collaboration among participating UN agencies and partners by supporting communication, maintaining coordination records and assisting with the implementation of the Joint Team on AIDS work plan in support of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF).
● Support the documentation and reporting of Joint Team on AIDS activities by compiling progress updates, maintaining organized records of meetings and decisions, and contributing to reports and knowledge products that strengthen inter-agency coordination and collective action in the national HIV response.

3. Conduct research, data collection and basic analysis
● Undertake desk research, literature reviews and information gathering on HIV, AIDS, public health, community systems, human rights, gender equality and related development issues to support programme planning and implementation.
● Compile and analyze information from community consultations, civil society engagements and programme activities to support evidence-informed decision-making.
● Support the preparation of background papers, briefing notes, concept notes, presentations and other technical documentation.

4. Support monitoring, reporting and results tracking
● Assist in monitoring programme implementation by maintaining activity trackers and supporting the collection and verification of programme performance information.
● Compile administrative and technical inputs for programme reports, Joint Team on AIDS updates, donor reports and other reporting requirements.
● Support results tracking and contribute to monitoring progress against programme objectives and approved work plans.

5. Support knowledge management and documentation
● Organize and maintain programme documentation, electronic filing systems and information repositories.
● Document lessons learned, good practices, community perspectives and programme achievements arising from programme implementation and stakeholder engagement.
● Support the development of knowledge products that strengthen organizational learning and facilitate information sharing across UNAIDS and the Joint Team on AIDS.

6. Support stakeholder engagement and operational coordination
● Assist in coordinating engagement with government departments, civil society organizations, community-led organizations, networks of people living with HIV, development partners, United Nations agencies and other stakeholders.
● Maintain stakeholder databases and support communication and follow-up with partners.
● Provide logistical and operational support for meetings, consultations, workshops and joint activities.

7. Support communication and advocacy
● Assist in coordinating advocacy activities that promote community engagement and inclusive participation in the HIV response.
● Support the preparation of presentations, briefing materials, talking points, event summaries and other communication products in line with UNAIDS communication standards.
● Assist in documenting advocacy events, community dialogues and stakeholder engagements through meeting summaries, photographs and success stories.

8. Provide general administrative support
● Provide administrative support for office operations, including correspondence, scheduling, document management, meeting logistics and record keeping.
● Ensure proper filing and maintenance of programme documentation in accordance with UNAIDS administrative procedures.
● Perform other programme support and administrative duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Skills and experience

Demonstrated interest or experience in:
● HIV/AIDS, public health, community engagement or development programmes.
● Civil society coordination, stakeholder engagement or partnership development.
● Programme support, project coordination, advocacy or communications.
● Knowledge management, reporting, meeting coordination or administrative support.     

Skills in:
● Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Microsoft Teams).
● Programme administration, report writing and document management.
● Stakeholder engagement, meeting coordination and professional communication.
● Knowledge management, records management and minute taking.
● Planning, organization and the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.

*Mastercard Foundation Alumni and Youth with Disabilities are encouraged to apply.

*Candidates must be between 18 and 34 years of age at the time of application.

Competencies and values

Accountability, Adaptability and Flexibility, Building Trust, Client Orientation, Commitment and Motivation
Commitment to Continuous Learning, Communication, Ethics and Values, Integrity, Knowledge Sharing
Planning and Organizing, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity, Self-Management, Technological Awareness
Working in Teams.

Living conditions

Bigger cities in South Africa can be highly cosmopolitan. In Johannesburg and Pretoria, you will find an abundance of world class gyms, restaurants, bars, recreational classes, galleries, parks etc. The bigger shopping malls host a large selection of international brands. There is a plethora of international cuisine to be sampled, and quirky independent cinemas to be discovered. OR Tambo International Airport is a world class airport, offering highly sophisticated facilities. It is located just outside of Johannesburg, in Kempton Park. It has many international airlines that fly into this airport. Crime rates in South Africa are ranked on the high end, petty theft and opportunistic crimes are common, and armed robberies, smash & grabs and hijackings are also fairly frequent in certain areas. One needs to remain vigilant especially at night and at road intersections. There are usually sign posts that indicate such hot spots. Periodic security information updates are sent via email providing information at national level, with regards to circumstances such as incidents of civil unrest, transport security, computer and networking safety and trends in criminality. UNDSS sends weekly security updates via email. Updates from wardens are on an ad hoc basis, following security related events in your residential area. Updates from UNDSS are provided weekly.

Full eligibility requirements, conditions of service and application instructions are available on the official UNV platform.