The consultant will work with local public health teams and commissioners to turn pilot learning into practical delivery while building national support for wider adoption.
Job Summary
- Employer: Elton John AIDS Foundation
- Job Type: Contract
- Location: Harare, Zimbabwe
- Category: Public Health
- Salary: Up to £20,000, inclusive of fees and expenses
- Closing Date: 2026-09-28
Key Responsibilities
- Lead targeted city-to-city mobilisation across priority areas, tailoring engagement to each local system’s commissioning context, stakeholder landscape, unmet PrEP need and implementation readiness.
- Build and maintain relationships with senior stakeholders, including Directors of Public Health, Association of Directors of Public Health networks, Fast-Track Cities and relevant commissioning networks.
- Prioritise engagement using national PrEP data, needs assessments and local intelligence, with a focus on areas where new access routes could address unmet need or inequalities.
- Undertake stakeholder and power mapping to identify decision-makers, influencers, potential allies and barriers within each local system.
- Identify and support local champions, assess readiness to adopt digital PrEP and agree the next steps needed to build local commitment.
- Develop and manage a pipeline of areas progressing from initial interest to commitment, implementation planning and delivery.
- Convene regional and cross-system discussions involving public health, commissioning, sexual health, primary care, women’s health and voluntary and community sector partners.
- Connect interested areas with the digital PrEP implementation support offer, drawing on the London toolkit and learning from UK PrEP pilots.
- Develop locally relevant cases for adoption by translating evidence into clear benefits, requirements and practical options for commissioners and providers.
- Identify recurring barriers to adoption, including governance, commissioning, procurement, workforce, data and pathway issues, and explore regional or collaborative solutions.
- Share regional intelligence, progress and learning with the UK PrEP Programme Manager and implementation partners to strengthen the wider programme.
- Identify and engage influential national champions for digital PrEP and innovative PrEP delivery models.
- Build and maintain relationships with the Department of Health and Social Care, UK Health Security Agency, NHS England and other national HIV, sexual health and public health stakeholders.
- Ensure that evidence, outcomes and implementation learning from digital direct-to-consumer PrEP and integrated clinical pilots are visible and accessible to national decision-makers.
- Position digital PrEP and integrated delivery models as complementary contributions to the HIV Action Plan, including commitments to improve remote PrEP provision and scale effective innovation.
- Identify and pursue opportunities to influence national policy, guidance, commissioning approaches and investment decisions that could enable wider adoption.
- Translate programme evidence and local intelligence into clear, persuasive messages tailored to different national audiences.
- Work sensitively with national and voluntary and community sector partners, recognising different roles, priorities and organisational dynamics.
- Represent the programme in relevant national and regional meetings, networks and forums.
Requirements
- Strong credibility with Directors of Public Health, commissioners and regional or national health leaders.
- Established professional networks across several English regions, extending beyond London.
- Experience of influencing national health policy and engaging senior stakeholders.
- A strong understanding of local authority public health commissioning and decision-making, including budgets, governance, procurement and the commissioning of new services.
- Knowledge of sexual health, HIV prevention and PrEP, including the barriers that affect equitable access.
- Experience of spreading, scaling or implementing innovation across organisations or systems.
- Experience of interpreting data and evidence and translating it into clear, compelling arguments for change.
- Understanding of how health inequalities and service design affect access to prevention services.
Salary
Up to £20,000, inclusive of fees and expenses
How to Apply
About the Company
The Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF) is a nonprofit organization established by the British musician Elton John in 1992 in the United States and 1993 in the United Kingdom to support innovative HIV prevention, education programs, direct care and support services to people living with or at risk of HIV. It has raised over $565 million to support HIV-related programs across ninety countries.
Website: https://www.eltonjohnaidsfoundation.org/
Frequently Asked Questions
What qualifications and experience are typically required for a Regional Mobilisation and National Advocacy Consultant role in Zimbabwe's public health sector?
Most employers require a Master's degree in Public Health, Social Sciences, or Development Studies, plus 5-7 years of experience in HIV/AIDS programming or advocacy. Demonstrated experience with digital health platforms and community mobilisation is increasingly essential. International NGO experience and fluency in English with local language proficiency are highly valued.
What are the typical day-to-day responsibilities of this consultant role?
Daily tasks include coordinating with community-based organisations, developing digital advocacy strategies, and representing the organisation in national health forums. You will analyse policy environments, prepare briefing documents, and support capacity-building workshops for local partners. Travel to provincial centres and rural districts is common, often requiring 30-40% field time.
How does work culture and employer expectations differ in Zimbabwe's NGO sector compared to government roles?
NGO roles typically demand faster turnaround times, results-based reporting, and strict donor compliance compared to government positions. Hierarchical structures exist but consultancies often allow more autonomy than permanent posts. Punctuality is expected, though flexibility around connectivity challenges in remote areas is usually accommodated.
What career progression opportunities exist after working as a Regional Mobilisation and National Advocacy Consultant?
Successful consultants often advance to Senior Programme Manager, Country Director, or Regional Advocacy Lead positions within international NGOs. Specialising in digital health or policy influencing can open doors to technical advisory roles with UN agencies or global health initiatives. Some transition into independent consultancy or academic research positions focused on health systems strengthening.
What benefits are typically included in consultancy contracts with international foundations operating in Zimbabwe?
Consultancy contracts usually include medical aid coverage, pro-rated annual leave, and professional development allowances. Pension contributions vary by employer type and contract duration, with some offering Provident Fund arrangements. Travel insurance and per diems for field assignments are standard, though permanent employee benefits differ from short-term consultancies.
What do Zimbabwe-based employers look for in applications for advocacy and mobilisation roles?
Employers prioritise demonstrated networks within civil society and government health structures, plus evidence of successful campaign outcomes. Your application should highlight quantifiable achievements in community engagement and digital tool deployment. Strong references from recognised institutions and a well-articulated understanding of Zimbabwe's HIV policy landscape significantly strengthen candidacy.
