Terms of Reference – Consultant for HIV Instrument Inception Phase (3 months)

Aidsfonds - SOA Aids Nederland strives for a world where there are no longer any deaths from AIDS, where people enjoy good sexual health, and a cure is available for all people living with HIV. A world in which everyone can love freely and without fear. For all that is love. As one of the largest HIV-specific funders in the world, we raise funds and fund to directly support communities with long-term, flexible, and core funding and funding for advocacy.

We recognise that funding alone is not sufficient to address the complex challenges of HIV. We put communities in the lead to address challenges and inequalities by giving them the power to decide on funding and programming to make the most effective investments to end AIDS. We focus on communities of populations living with or affected by HIV (including LGBTIQ+ people, sex workers, people who use drugs, young people, women and children) in ten countries and two regions worldwide.

For the Children, Women & Key Populations team in the International Department we are looking for a Consultant - Senior project Officer to support the HIV Instrument project team for the coming three months in its inception phase. Terms of Reference – Consultant for HIV Instrument Inception Phase.

Duration: 3 months.

Expected start: 1st week of October 2026.

Level of effort: 32 hours per week.

Location: From Aidsfonds office in the Netherlands, or remotely.

Background: The HIV Instrument is a new programme funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs through the Dutch Embassy in Maputo, focused on strengthening community-led responses to HIV. The programme has just entered its inception phase, during which the programme design, governance, partnerships, grantmaking, capacity strengthening, advocacy and monitoring and learning approaches are further developed and operationalised.

Purpose of the assignment: The consultant will provide both strategic thinking and hands-on implementation support, working closely with the project lead and a team consisting of 2 project officers and a project assistant. We are looking for someone who can quickly understand a complex programme environment, bring structure to emerging processes, take ownership of specific workstreams and deliverables, and proactively move things forward.

Key responsibilities: The consultant will: Support the overall inception process, translating priorities into clear actions, timelines and deliverables, and contributing to the inception report and 2027 workplan. Take ownership of selected programme workstreams, developing key documents, processes and recommendations and ensuring follow-up and delivery. Support the development of the capacity-strengthening approach, including consultations with CSOs and partners, synthesis of findings and translation into a practical approach and learning agenda.

Support community engagement, governance and grantmaking, including the development of participatory approaches, advisory structures, partner selection processes and related operational arrangements. Provide hands-on support to the project lead and wider team, including preparing meetings and consultations, synthesising input, identifying gaps and risks, and ensuring that agreed actions move forward.

Profile: We are looking for a senior, self-directed and delivery-oriented professional with: Significant senior-level experience in programme/project management in international development, global health, HIV, human rights or a related field; Strong strategic and analytical skills combined with a practical, hands-on approach; Demonstrated ability to independently develop high-quality programme products and processes; Strong facilitation, stakeholder engagement and communication skills; Excellent written and spoken English; Experience working with civil society and community-led organisations; Experience with community-led responses, participatory grantmaking and capacity strenghtening; The ability to work effectively in a complex and evolving environment and manage multiple priorities independently.

Offer: By mutual agreement.

Duration and application: The consultancy will be for an initial three-month period, starting in October 2026. Interested consultants are invited to submit a CV, a short statement outlining their relevant experience and motivation, their proposed rate, and their availability during the consultancy period. Applications should be sent by 2 October 2026 to Soraya Bouwmeester, Project Lead HIV Instrument, at [email protected]. Interviews will be planned for October 7th.