The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) -World AIDS Day 2025 Event Coordination Support

Mission and objectives

UNAIDS is leading the global effort to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals. Since the first cases of HIV were reported more than 40 years ago, 88 million people have become infected with HIV, and 42 million have died from AIDS-related illnesses. Since it started operations in 1996, UNAIDS has led and inspired global, regional, national and local leadership, innovation and partnership to ultimately consign HIV to history. UNAIDS is a problem-solver. It places people living with HIV and people affected by the virus at the decision-making table and at the centre of designing, delivering and monitoring the AIDS response. It charts paths for countries and communities to get on the Fast-Track to ending AIDS and is a bold advocate for addressing the legal and policy barriers to the AIDS response. UNAIDS provides the strategic direction, advocacy, coordination, and technical support needed to catalyze and connect leadership from governments, the private sector, and communities to deliver life-saving HIV services. Without UNAIDS, there would be no strategic vision for the AIDS response.

Context

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) is leading the global effort to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. In Ethiopia, while progress has been made in scaling up HIV prevention, treatment, care, and support services, challenges remain, particularly in ensuring equitable access for children, adolescents, young people, and other vulnerable populations. Persistent service delivery gaps, limited adoption of digital innovation, and barriers to community engagement persistently hinder optimal health outcomes. To address these challenges, UNAIDS Ethiopia works closely with the Ministry of Health (MoH), networks of people living with HIV (PLHIV), civil society organizations, UN agencies, and other partners. The focus is on strengthening community-led responses, advancing digital health innovations, and ensuring inclusive participation in shaping the HIV response. World AIDS Day 2025, which will be commemorated under the global theme, represents a critical platform to mobilize communities, advocate for sustained resources, and highlight the progress and challenges in Ethiopia’s HIV response. Parallel to this, UNAIDS Ethiopia is spearheading the development of the Abeba Digital Platform, a chatbot, mobile application, and web-based tool aimed at providing youth-friendly, accessible HIV information and referrals.

Task type

• Event organization

Task description

UNAIDS Ethiopia is seeking the support of one or more Online Volunteers to assist in organizing and coordinating activities for World AIDS Day 2025. This year’s commemoration will focus on inclusive engagement, awareness-raising, and mobilization of communities across Ethiopia. The volunteer(s) will work closely with UNAIDS staff, national stakeholders, and community partners to ensure the successful planning and execution of events aligned with the Ministry of Health-led efforts.

Responsibilities

The Online Volunteer(s) will:

• Contribute to the planning, organization, and execution of World AIDS Day events at national and community levels, ensuring alignment with Ministry of Health-led initiatives.

• Assist in developing campaign strategies and key messages tailored to priority groups, including youth, women, people living with HIV (PLHIV), and marginalized populations.

• Support the design of public outreach campaigns using traditional and digital media to mobilize broad engagement.

• Assist with logistical coordination, including event schedules, stakeholder meetings, venue preparation, and dissemination of materials.

• Prepare communications materials, such as newsletters, press releases, social media content, and talking points.

• Document event outcomes through reports, photographs, and lessons-learned summaries.

Assignment requirements