The Global Surgery Foundation (GSF), an alliance of key global health leaders, including the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), Harvard Medical School, and Smile Train, was launched in 2020 at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting. The GSF is an international Swiss foundation headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. Its mission is to save lives by scaling up access to safe and affordable surgical care, especially in low- and middle-income countries.

Each year during the World Health Assembly (WHA), the GSF organizes a high-profile side event to bring together key stakeholders in global surgery. These events attract policymakers, donors, healthcare professionals, and representatives of international organizations to review progress and drive actionable steps toward making surgical care accessible to all.

For this year’s side event at WHA78, to be held at the Hôtel InterContinental, as well as other meetings during WHA week, the GSF is seeking an Event Coordinator Consultant based in Geneva, Switzerland. This consultant will provide expert support in planning, coordination, and execution. References to previous GSF events are available: WHA75,WHA76, WHA77.

2. Objectives of the Consultancy
Provide logistical and administrative event planning support for the planning, implementation, and follow-up phases of the GSF WHA78 side-event.
Provide logistical and administrative event planning support for the planning, implementation, and follow-up phases of other meetings organised or supported by the GSF during WHA78.

3. Scope of Work
Working closely with the GSF WHA Planning Committee, the consultant will be responsible for the following tasks related to the GSF WHA78 side-event as well as other meetings during the WHA week:

3.1. Pre-Event Coordination
Develop and update key planning assets, such as the agenda, run of show, talking points, and an event calendar for the week.
Support the recruitment of high-level speakers by managing the logistics with the speaker’s staff and handlers.
Liaise with event venue management regarding setup, audio-visual requirements, catering etc.
Arrange travel, accommodation, and logistical needs for invited speakers, VIPs, and team members.
Prepare regular internal WHA Planning Committee meetings, ensuring that meetings are effective and ensure follow-up.

3.2. On-Site Event Management (entire WHA week)
Act as contact point and coordinate staff participating in the management of the event.
Oversee registration and monitor list of participants during the event.
Monitor running of the event, ensure logistical adjustments to last minute changes and troubleshoot issues.
Provide support to and answer questions from participants.
Supervise the setup and breakdown of the event space.
Act as the primary point of contact for participants, vendors, and staff during the event.

3.3. Post-Event Follow-Up
Collect and compile participant feedback for evaluation purposes.
Support preparations of a final event report, including key takeaways, lessons learned, and recommendations.
Ensure all payments and financial reconciliations related to the event are completed.

3.4. Administrative Support
Manage the schedule and calendar of the Executive Director during WHA78, including coordinating meetings and appointments.
Assist with general administrative tasks, such as correspondence, document management, and follow-ups.
As needed, support other miscellaneous tasks related to the broader work of GSF, particularly during periods of reduced WHA-related activity, to maximize the consultant’s contributions to the organization’s overall objectives.

4. Duration and Timeline
The consultancy will run for approximately three months, starting on 15 March (negotiable) and concluding shortly after WHA78 in June 2025. The main GSF event is scheduled for 19 May, with most additional events and meetings taking place during the same week, from 19–23 May. The estimated time commitment for this role is approximately 20 hours per week, increasing as the event approaches and during the WHA itself.

5. Reporting and Supervision
The consultant will report to the Executive Director of the Global Surgery Foundation and work closely with other relevant team members, in particular the GSF WHA78 Planning Committee. Regular progress updates will be required.

6. Required Qualifications and Experience
Proven experience in coordinating high-level international events in Geneva.
Strong organizational and project management skills.
Excellent communication, interpersonal skills, and proactivity.
Familiarity with the WHA and global health (preferred).
Ability to work under pressure, meet tight deadlines.
Proficiency in English (required) & French (required).
Be based in Geneva or in commuting distance.

7. Payment Terms
The consultant will be paid based on the submission of monthly invoices.

8. Application Process
Interested candidates are invited to submit the following documents:

CV highlighting relevant experience.
A brief cover letter (max 1 page) outlining their approach to event coordination for WHA78.
Confirmation of eligibility to work as a consultant in Switzerland.
Please send your application to Sebastian Hofbauer at s.hofbauer@globalsurgeryfoundation.org. Applications remain open until a suitable candidate is identified and candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

9. Disclaimer
GSF reserves the right to modify or cancel these terms at any stage, depending on organizational needs.

Thank you to all the communications professionals who attended our lunchtime seminar yesterday on “how AI is influencing photography”. It was an interesting presentation which generated a great discussion on how AI generates images and how to manage the rights of your own identity which may be captured by others, as well as those of the images you publish. Francesco presented some interesting facts about the evolution of photography as well as the current trends. We cannot predict the future but the more we share our own experiences, the more we can learn how to manoeuvre in this rapidly changing environment.

Below are a few photographs from the event taken by the very talented Geraldo Pestalozzi without any AI influence.

We will not distract you from the end of the year rush with any further events this year. But look out for an evening apero to ring in January the new year.

Happy holidays to all.

The GCN Team

Description

The Global Survivors Fund is looking for a Senior Communications Officer and Editor to join their team and:

✅ Provide editing and document structuring support for publications;
✅ Maintain GSF’s brand identity and credibility on social media;
✅ Manage the relationship with our external web developer.

Deadline: 31 July 2024

Further information (pdf) >>

Head of Communication & External Relations 80% (F/M/D)
For the Geneva Academy

CONTRACT: Permanent

ACTIVITY RATE: 80% 32 h / w

APPLICATION DEADLINE: 10.06.2024

STARTING DATE: as agreed

Introduction of the Academy :

The Geneva Academy provides postgraduate education, conducts academic legal research and policy studies, and organizes training courses and expert meetings. We concentrate on branches of international law that relate to situations of armed conflict, protracted violence, protection of human rights and transitional justice.

The role:

Under the supervision of the Executive Director of the Geneva Academy, you will be in charge of the Geneva Academy communication and overall external positioning of the institution, and promote its various activities (masters, training courses, research, the Geneva Human Rights Platform, events) in a coherent manner.

You will guarantee the integrity and coherence of the organisation’s external image, in accordance with its values. You will manage the Communication Officer, the Events Assistant and external relations unit and ensure timely deliverables of the highest quality.

Key responsibilities:

• Development and implementation of the communication strategy;
• Management of the Geneva Academy internal and external communication, and media relations to ensure visibility, coherence, accuracy and timeliness of published information
• Management of the communication unit ( budget and finances, staff members) ;
• Production of communication content for publications, the website and social media networks to promote research, publications, the master’s programmes, training courses , the Geneva Human Rights Platform and events ;
• Development and implementation of communication tools, procedures and guidelines to ensure coherence of the Geneva Academy communication, both for internal and external communication ;
• Builds and expands relations with local and international media, responds to queries from local and international media, identifies new media to promote the institutions’ activities;
• Supervise and coordinate the organization of events to ensure coherence among the events organized by the Geneva Academy and the relevance of the communication developed around these events
• Participate in institutional fundraising efforts
• Takes part in the core management of the Geneva Academy and participates in the decision-making process.

To be successful in this role, you should have:

• Advanced university degree in communication, journalism, international relations, international law, political science or related fields
• At least seven years of experience in public relations, media and communication ideally in the academic, public or civil society sector
• Strong understanding of human rights, international humanitarian law and international criminal law
• Strong experience in web design and graphic design ;
• Excellent commend of both English and French (oral expression and writing)
• Creativity & innovation
• Reactivity and dynamism
• Availability and capacity to work with activity peaks
• Reliability and autonomy
• Problem-solving abilities
• Highly organized and structured
• Sense of diplomacy and responsibility

What you can expect from us:

• A thriving working environment with a dynamic international team.
• A work in partnership with the main humanitarian and human rights institutions and experts.
• A motivating, human, collaborative and inclusive working environment
• A competitive salary and the usual package of insurance cover as well as five weeks of holiday

How to apply :

Swiss nationals, persons from the European Union or the European Economic Area, as well as persons with a valid Swiss working permit are invited to submit their applications with

1) a motivation letter

2) CV with two references

3) examples and references to websites, articles or communication products that you’ve created

by 10 June 2024

Apply online>>

Thanks to all the communicators who attended our lunchtime seminar on Harnessing AI in Communications. Marco Barber presented some interesting insights and tools that could be useful for both professional and personal strategies.

Below are a few photos of the event.

In line with this interesting topic, here is a post by Reid Hoffman, the co-founder and executive chairman of LinkedIn presenting an amazing application of AI. He presents an interview with an AI version of himself called “Reid AI,” his digital twin, which was created by a team of experts based on his life work reproducing incredibly real gestures, mannerisms and voice. The video explores AI on many levels. Worth a watch!

Head of Communication & External Relations 80% (F/M/D)
For the Geneva Academy

CONTRACT: Permanent

ACTIVITY RATE: 80% 32 h / w

APPLICATION DEADLINE: 10.06.2024

STARTING DATE: as agreed

Introduction of the Academy :

The Geneva Academy provides postgraduate education, conducts academic legal research and policy studies, and organizes training courses and expert meetings. We concentrate on branches of international law that relate to situations of armed conflict, protracted violence, protection of human rights and transitional justice.

The role:

Under the supervision of the Executive Director of the Geneva Academy, you will be in charge of the Geneva Academy communication and overall external positioning of the institution, and promote its various activities (masters, training courses, research, the Geneva Human Rights Platform, events) in a coherent manner.

You will guarantee the integrity and coherence of the organisation’s external image, in accordance with its values. You will manage the Communication Officer, the Events Assistant and external relations unit and ensure timely deliverables of the highest quality.

Key responsibilities:

• Development and implementation of the communication strategy;
• Management of the Geneva Academy internal and external communication, and media relations to ensure visibility, coherence, accuracy and timeliness of published information
• Management of the communication unit ( budget and finances, staff members) ;
• Production of communication content for publications, the website and social media networks to promote research, publications, the master’s programmes, training courses , the Geneva Human Rights Platform and events ;
• Development and implementation of communication tools, procedures and guidelines to ensure coherence of the Geneva Academy communication, both for internal and external communication ;
• Builds and expands relations with local and international media, responds to queries from local and international media, identifies new media to promote the institutions’ activities;
• Supervise and coordinate the organization of events to ensure coherence among the events organized by the Geneva Academy and the relevance of the communication developed around these events
• Participate in institutional fundraising efforts
• Takes part in the core management of the Geneva Academy and participates in the decision-making process.

To be successful in this role, you should have:

• Advanced university degree in communication, journalism, international relations, international law, political science or related fields
• At least seven years of experience in public relations, media and communication ideally in the academic, public or civil society sector
• Strong understanding of human rights, international humanitarian law and international criminal law
• Strong experience in web design and graphic design ;
• Excellent commend of both English and French (oral expression and writing)
• Creativity & innovation
• Reactivity and dynamism
• Availability and capacity to work with activity peaks
• Reliability and autonomy
• Problem-solving abilities
• Highly organized and structured
• Sense of diplomacy and responsibility

What you can expect from us:

• A thriving working environment with a dynamic international team.
• A work in partnership with the main humanitarian and human rights institutions and experts.
• A motivating, human, collaborative and inclusive working environment
• A competitive salary and the usual package of insurance cover as well as five weeks of holiday

How to apply :

Swiss nationals, persons from the European Union or the European Economic Area, as well as persons with a valid Swiss working permit are invited to submit their applications with

1) a motivation letter

2) CV with two references

3) examples and references to websites, articles or communication products that you’ve created

by 10 June 2024

Apply online>>