The Medical Foundation for AIDS & Sexual Health (MedFASH), a charity supported by the British Medical Association, seeks an experienced administrative and finance officer to provide full administrative and financial support to the organisation.

This is a varied job in a small charity based in central London:

· · • managing the day-to-day accounts function of the organisation
· · • dealing with and managing relationships with colleagues at all levels
· · • setting up and servicing meetings,
· · • diary management,
· · • document preparation,
· · • website management,
· · • ensuring the smooth running of the MedFASH office

Established in 1987, and originally known as the BMA Foundation for AIDS, the Medical Foundation for AIDS & Sexual Health aims to promote excellence in the prevention and management of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Health professionals have an important role to play in prevention, treatment and care of HIV, but the challenges are many and varied. Social exclusion and stigma hinder prevention and access to treatments. The emergence of new drug therapies has led to a major reorganisation of HIV services in the UK. In developing countries, the difficulty of providing adequate basic healthcare presents a significant obstacle to HIV treatment.

The number of people diagnosed each year with other STIs is rising rapidly in the UK. Services around the country to diagnose and treat these infections are struggling to meet the level of need. There are delays in access to these services, and clinic infrastructure is far from adequate in some places.

The Medical Foundation for AIDS and Sexual Health aims to support health professionals in meeting these challenges, and to influence the policy-making that can exacerbate or alleviate them.

Where do we work?
Our primary focus is on policy and practice in the UK. We also engage with UK-based initiatives relating to the international HIV epidemic.

Who do we work with?
Without affiliations to any one medical specialty, we are well placed to have an influence across the whole medical profession and to encourage joint working between specialties to address HIV and sexual health. Our links with a range of medical bodies, including the support of the British Medical Association, give us a credible voice with doctors and policy-makers. As a small organisation, we seek to maximise our effectiveness by working in partnership with others, including voluntary sector and service user organisations as well as those for health professionals.

Who are we?
The Foundation is overseen by a board of charity trustees. The day-to-day business is undertaken by a core staff of two, the Executive Director and the Administrative and Finance Officer, which is expanded to facilitate specific projects as and when funding allows.

What values underpin our work?
We exist to benefit people at risk of, or affected by, HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.

Current work and projects
· · • In 2003 we published national recommended standards for NHS HIV services.
· · • Also in 2003, we embarked on a project to develop standards for sexual health services. This project is due to be completed in 2005.
· · • We have just begun a new 2-year project funded by the Department of Health to undertake a major review of genito urinary medicine (GUM) services in England.
· · • We develop materials to support health professionals, and particularly to help them respond to demands arising from new government policy and changing patient needs.
· · • We provide authoritative responses and briefings to government and other policy-makers on current policy issues.

We are a busy and dynamic charity constantly developing further new work to help health professionals and policy-makers meet the challenges of HIV and sexual health in the UK and overseas.

Our work is guided by the priorities in our strategic plan for 2002-4:
· · • to promote excellence in the practice of doctors and other health professionals,
· · • to influence policy and advise professionals,
· · • to address both the prevention and treatment of HIV,
· · • and to address the prevention and treatment of other sexually transmitted infections.

13/07/04
Medical Foundation for AIDS & Sexual Health (MedFASH)