1. Background

The African-led HIV Control Working Group (HCWG) is a think-tank of African public health, policy, clinical, research, and advocacy experts working collaboratively to define frameworks for long-term sustainable control of HIV in Africa and to develop forward-looking HIV research, policy, and programme agendas that support national and regional progress toward ending AIDS as a public health threat.

The HCWG Secretariat, hosted by the Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ), convenes technical and policy development activities, contributes to consensus building on definitions and frameworks for sustained HIV control, and advances recommendations to African governments, funders, multilateral agencies, and implementing partners.

To reinforce the HCWG’s strategic engagement with global health policy, governance, law, and sustainable financing architectures, the Secretariat seeks a Global Health Policy and Law Expert with deep experience in policy formulation, legal and regulatory frameworks, and multilateral health diplomacy.

2. Purpose of the Role

The Health Policy and Law Expert will lead policy and legal analysis, strategy formulation, and representation for the HCWG Secretariat, ensuring that its outputs, advocacy positions, and engagements with governments and global bodies are grounded in sound legal frameworks, policy coherence, and effective governance principles consistent with African priorities for HIV control and sustainability.

3. Scope of Work and Key Responsibilities

3.1 Strategic Policy Leadership

• Lead development and refinement of policy positions and strategic advice on global and regional health policy issues affecting long-term HIV control.
• Analyse African, regional (e.g., African Union, Africa CDC), and global (e.g., UNAIDS, WHO) health policy trends, frameworks, and regulatory environments that influence HIV sustainability agendas.
• Identify opportunities and gaps in governance frameworks that impede sustainable HIV control in African contexts and recommend strategic responses.

3.2 Legal and Regulatory Analysis

• Conduct legal assessments pertaining to human rights, equity, access to services, and regulatory obligations that intersect with HIV prevention, treatment, community participation, and integration of services.

3.3 External Representation and Advocacy

• Represent HCWG in international and regional policy fora, technical working groups, and high-level dialogues to advocate African-led perspectives on HIV control and sustainability.
• Engage bilateral and multilateral partners (including funders, regional bodies, UN agencies, and civil society networks) to advance HCWG policy recommendations and frameworks.

3.4 Development of Strategic Outputs

• Lead preparation of high-quality policy briefs, legal analyses, consensus documents, and strategic position papers that articulate African perspectives on HIV control and sustainability.
• Support preparation of HCWG contributions to global health consultations (e.g., UN High-Level Meetings, strategic planning processes), ensuring alignment with African priorities.

3.5 Secretariat Support

• Provide strategic inputs to HCWG Secretariat planning, communications, and stakeholder engagement strategies.
• Mentor Secretariat staff on policy and legal frameworks relevant to global health and HIV control.
• Support the Secretariat with other reports, publications, and duties as determined by the Head of Secretariat

4. Deliverables

Deliverables will include, but are not limited to:

• Policy and Legal Landscape Report on global/regional policy and legal issues shaping HIV sustainability (within 90 days of start).
• Series of Policy Briefs (minimum four per annum) with actionable recommendations for governments, funders, and partners.
• Guidance Documents on legal compliance, governance frameworks, and human rights considerations in sustained HIV control.
• Representation Reports summarising outcomes from key regional and global engagements with documented follow-up actions.
• HCWG Contribution to Global Processes, as defined in the annual work plan.

5. Qualifications and Experience

Education:

• Advanced degree (Master’s or higher) in Public Health, Global Health, Law, Public Policy, International Relations, or related field.

Experience:

• Minimum 8–12 years of progressive experience in global health policy, legal analysis, governance, and advocacy.
• Demonstrated expertise in HIV, health systems, or infectious disease policy environments, especially within African contexts.
• Experience engaging with multilateral agencies (e.g., UNAIDS, WHO), African Union organs, and major bilateral funders.

Competencies:

• Strong analytical, drafting, and presentation skills.
• Ability to synthesise legal and policy frameworks into strategic recommendations.
• Proven track record in high-level representation and stakeholder engagement.

6. Governance and Reporting

The Expert will report to the HCWG Secretariat Lead and work closely with the HCWG Co-Chairs. Performance will be measured against delivery of agreed outputs, quality of policy analysis, and effectiveness of strategic engagements.

7. Duty Station and Travel

The position is based in Lusaka, Zambia, with travel to regional and global meetings as required to fulfil representation and advocacy responsibilities. Remote work is possible for individuals who do not reside in Lusaka, Zambia. No relocation benefits are included in this position.

• Lead development and refinement of policy positions and strategic advice on global and regional health policy issues affecting long-term HIV control.
• Analyse African, regional (e.g., African Union, Africa CDC), and global (e.g., UNAIDS, WHO) health policy trends, frameworks, and regulatory environments that influence HIV sustainability agendas.
• Identify opportunities and gaps in governance frameworks that impede sustainable HIV control in African contexts and recommend strategic responses.
• Conduct legal assessments pertaining to human rights, equity, access to services, and regulatory obligations that intersect with HIV prevention, treatment, community participation, and integration of services.
• Represent HCWG in international and regional policy fora, technical working groups, and high-level dialogues to advocate African-led perspectives on HIV control and sustainability.
• Engage bilateral and multilateral partners (including funders, regional bodies, UN agencies, and civil society networks) to advance HCWG policy recommendations and frameworks.
• Lead preparation of high-quality policy briefs, legal analyses, consensus documents, and strategic position papers that articulate African perspectives on HIV control and sustainability.
• Support preparation of HCWG contributions to global health consultations (e.g., UN High-Level Meetings, strategic planning processes), ensuring alignment with African priorities.
• Provide strategic inputs to HCWG Secretariat planning, communications, and stakeholder engagement strategies.
• Mentor Secretariat staff on policy and legal frameworks relevant to global health and HIV control.
• Support the Secretariat with other reports, publications, and duties as determined by the Head of Secretariat

• Strong analytical, drafting, and presentation skills.
• Ability to synthesise legal and policy frameworks into strategic recommendations.
• Proven track record in high-level representation and stakeholder engagement.

• Advanced degree (Master’s or higher) in Public Health, Global Health, Law, Public Policy, International Relations, or related field.
• Minimum 8–12 years of progressive experience in global health policy, legal analysis, governance, and advocacy.
• Demonstrated expertise in HIV, health systems, or infectious disease policy environments, especially within African contexts.
• Experience engaging with multilateral agencies (e.g., UNAIDS, WHO), African Union organs, and major bilateral funders.