8.30PM: Just three months after taking up a senior post with the NZ AIDS Foundation, its HIV Prevention and Communication Manager has tendered his resignation. The NZAF says his decision is for personal reasons and will have only minimal effect on the Foundation's work. Despite rumours swirling through the gay and HIV communities that Josh Frost's departure, effective today after his resignation was tendered just four days ago, on Friday, was acrimonious, the NZAF says he merely resigned "to return to the corporate sector." "It is with regret that the NZAF and Joshua Frost advise that he will be moving on from his work with NZAF to return to the corporate sector," the Foundation stated in response to questions put to it today. The Foundation made no mention of why Frost's departure was so hasty. It is not known how much notice of resignation or termination of employment Frost or the NZAF would have been contractually required to give. The NZAF is on record as being very careful not to breach employee rights to privacy in employment relations matters. Frost was a new employee when he was appointed to the high level position on 15 October, and Foundation Executive Director Rachael Le Mesurier says he was "very committed to preventing HIV and supporting people living with HIV." The NZAF "appreciates the energy, passion and commitment to our mission that Josh brought to NZAF and wishes him well in his return to the corporate world," she said this afternoon. Asked whether Frost's departure so early from the NZAF was an indication that the Foundation's appointments process was flawed, Le Mesurier said the appointment process was "rigorous and followed our Human Resources procedures and guidelines." She says the process included a shortlisting of candidates and a three-person interview panel which included one interviewer external to the NZAF. Two referees, Body Positive and his most recent employer at that time, were contacted according to the NZAF. The Foundation says the effect of Frost's departure on its operations will be "minimal." It says plans for the coming year are already underway for each of NZAF’s prevention and communications programmes. As a stop-gap measure the Foundation's recently-appointed fundraising and events person, Les Hill, will cover the position while it is readvertised. Le Mesurier says Hill has a background in senior management, marketing and project management, "and he will be supported with more admin functions for the fundraiser tasks." The NZAF expects to make a permanent appointment to the vacancy in March.
Credit: GayNZ.com News Staff
First published: Wednesday, 16th January 2008 - 7:32pm