About the Opportunity

AVAC is seeking a strategic and results-driven consultant to serve as an organizational culture change leader to implement its equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) initiatives.

The consultant will provide AVAC with strategic counsel, coaching to senior leaders, and implementation of a series of staff trainings and other culture change initiatives that support organizational EDI growth and healthy organizational culture. The advisor will be embedded with AVAC over the course of 2025, working collaboratively across teams to ensure AVAC’s values are integrated and embodied in policies, programs, and practices.

AVAC has recently completed an organizational cultural assessment and developed a roadmap for strategically addressing EDI issues to support and strengthen organizational culture. The new advisor will have these tools available to guide their work and get off to a strong start.

We anticipate this position will require approximately 10-20 hours/week through December 2025. The consultant will report to AVAC’s COO with support from the staff-led EDI Leadership Council (LC).

AVAC is seeking proposals from consultants to conduct the following activities:

Strategic Counsel and Support

Lead the strategic delivery of the organizational plan for culture change. Review and finalize the plan for implementing AVAC’s plan for EDI and culture change; lead implementation of the plan for AVAC.
Monitoring and reporting: Work with AVAC’s Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) team and the LC to analyze the findings of the MEL components of the Culture Change plan. Review and provide feedback on the effectiveness of the initiative in a year-end report.
Anonymous reporting system: Scope and advise on implementing a proposed anonymous reporting system outlined in the culture change plan; lead implementation of the system.
Planning and strategy: Collaborate with AVAC leadership on recommendations for future annual plans for culture change along EDI principles at AVAC.
Board support: Support AVAC staff in preparation for regular progress updates and presentations to the Board EDI subcommittee and full Board.
Employee Resource Groups (ERGs): Advise on required capacity and feasibility to operationalize ERGs and other affinity networks to enhance community-building efforts. If appropriate, implement and facilitate ERGs.
HR: Partner with HR to review and monitor policies and procedures to identify and eliminate any barriers to equity and inclusion.

Leadership Coaching

Provide coaching to members of AVAC staff on integration of EDI principles into decision-making, leadership styles, and day-to-day operations.
Work with managers and supervisors to align team goals with EDI strategies.

Training and Education

Curate, recruit or lead/facilitate EDI trainings for AVAC staff from the priority areas identified in the 2024 AVAC culture report (training topics listed below). For each training module, provide at least one leave-behind tool or resource to help staff implement learnings on an ongoing basis after the training.

Improve Decision-Making Processes
Accountability in Action
Creating a Culture of Ownership
Equity, Diversity, Inclusion
Conflict Management
Cultural Humility

Skills and Qualifications

Deep understanding of EDI concepts and best practices with minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in EDI advisory and leadership roles.
Proven track record of successfully designing and implementing EDI strategies and initiatives for complex organizational clients that result in meaningful outcomes.
Experience developing and analyzing EDI-related metrics and translating findings into actionable improvements for client organizations.
Strong knowledge of EDI best practices, including anti-racism, bias mitigation, and inclusive leadership.
Excellent leadership, facilitation, and interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships across diverse stakeholders.
Strong communication skills, including the ability to present to executive leadership, boards, and external partners.
Familiarity with relevant EDI-related legal and compliance requirements.
Experience in project management and implementing change initiatives.
Empathy and the ability to navigate sensitive topics.
Experience doing this work across a global team is required.

Key Competencies

Strategic Thinking: Ability to implement long-term EDI strategies that align with organizational goals.
Demonstrates a high EQ and visible presence throughout the organization who can serve as a strategic and trusted advisor for the leadership team while also cultivating trust and respect with all employees.
Change Management: Experience driving organizational change and fostering a culture of inclusion.
Collaboration & Influence: Proven ability to work across departments and levels of an organization to drive results.
Analytical Skills: Capacity to assess EDI performance using qualitative and quantitative data.
Innovation: Ability to introduce new and creative approaches to advancing EDI efforts.

About AVAC

AVAC is an international non-profit organization that leverages its independent voice and global partnerships to accelerate ethical development and equitable delivery of effective HIV prevention options. AVAC operates at the intersection of advocacy, research, and policy to promote a comprehensive and integrated pathway to global health equity.

Request for Proposals

Consultants are invited to submit a proposal for AVAC for this work. Proposals will be reviewed based on the following criteria:

Expertise: 8+ years developing implementing EDI strategies.
Demonstrated competencies in sustainable EDI best practices: Certifications, completed trainings.
Experience with small non-profits (e.g., under 50 employees).
Experience working directly in and/or with US-based organizations that work in the global south.
Track record of successfully designing and implementing EDI strategies and initiatives for complex organizational clients that resulted in meaningful outcomes.
Experience developing and analyzing EDI-related metrics and translating findings into actionable improvements for client organizations.
Comfort with collaboration: Proposal will have a focus on applicant’s approach to collaboration.
Value for money.
Strong management skills: Proposal will have a focus on commitment to follow through and will highlight management competencies.

Proposals are due on May 2. Notifications will be shared on May 14. Proposals, and any questions related to this opportunity, should be directed to avac@avac.org.

State of Maryland

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Consulting Opportunity: EDI initiatives and organizational culture change