Advisor, Knowledge Management and Organizational Learning

Vacancy Notice No: PAHO/11/FT68 Title: Advisor, Knowledge Management and Organizational Learning Grade: P4 Contract type: Fixed-Term Appointment Duration of contract: Two years, first year probationary period.	Date: 25 February 2011 Application Deadline: 8 April 2011 (39 day(s) until closing deadline) Currently accepting applications Duty Station: Washington, D.C., United States of America Organization unit: AM Americas (AM) Knowledge Management and Communication (KMC)
OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME : To establish the principles and practice of knowledge management and communication as fundamental to public health and a key component of technical cooperation and capacity building. As such, it oversees the equitable and efficient dissemination of health information and communications to priority audiences, especially in Member Countries, as well as PAHO's knowledge sharing processes and information and communications products. It ensures that PAHO is widely recognized as a source of authoritative scientific and technical information and safeguards PAHO's intellectual property against any use contrary to the Organization's mission and principles.
Description of duties: Under the general supervision of the Deputy Director (DD), and the direct supervision of the Manager, Knowledge Management and Communication (KMC), the incumbent is responsible for, but not limited to, the following assigned duties: a) Provide technical, managerial and policy advice in the area of knowledge management; coordinate project development and program activities required for the operationalization and accessibility of tools and platforms required for the optimization of knowledge management following the mandates and policies of Organization; b) Coordinate the work of the eHealth, Internal Communications, Web, Intranet and Extranet, Virtual Collaboration and Communities of Practice, and Knowledge Transfer Teams within the Entity; identify and analyze the Organization's technical information interests and needs; develop virtual collaboration tools and methodologies, policies and services within the context of the areas of responsibility; c) Provide technical advice and formulate strategies and work plans for the implementation of the Organization's Regional Program on eHealth, including the development of a corporate conceptual model and communities of practice and thematic networks in support of this Program; d) Coordinate the implementation of the Organization's Internal Communication Strategy, including the development of a corporate conceptual model and communities of practice and thematic networks in support of this Initiative; e) Formulate the strategic model for mobilization of resources in support of the National Health Policies to promote the use of information and communication technologies to improve health systems performance; f) Develop policies and guidelines to promote capacity building to maintain and implement eHealth; internal communication and web solutions; g) Create a network of Collaborating Centers on eHealth with the objective of identifying and analyzing eHealth practices to promote best practices and synergies; h) Provide technical advice and support for the promotion of information and knowledge management, including the adoption of new technologies of information and communications for content management in health; i) Support the work of KMC by creating and providing mechanisms for capturing and disseminating health information products and in the promotion of equitable and efficient dissemination and access to health information by implementing and supervising information systems and tools for the Organization's information products; support the facilitation of regional Communities of Practice; develop proposals to strengthen organizational capacity for the development and application of tools for knowledge management; support the quality development of knowledge products/publications; j) Establish the objectives for the Teams under his/her supervision and design strategies to accomplish them; establish the planning and budget of the Teams, as well as executing the work plans; ensure that the initiatives are aligned with the Organization's business needs and strategic plans; k) Identify opportunities for collaboration in scientific and technical information production and knowledge sharing across the Organization, within WHO, with other UN organizations or with other partners; establish and maintain partnerships that promote and support such collaboration; provide assistance, when called upon, to institutions of Member States in the area of eHealth and knowledge management; l) Lead proposals to strengthen organizational capacities to improve scientific and technical information production and knowledge sharing policies and procedures; plan and guide the implementation of the Regional Strategy for the Web and the Intra-Extranet in the Organization; Regional Strategy for Virtual Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing in the Organization and Member States; m) Supervise staff of the Team; provide training, advice and guidance on issues arising from the day-to-day activities of the office; monitor changes in workload in order to ensure equitable distribution of work to maintain optimal efficiency and output as well as job satisfaction; redistribute work when necessary; follow up on any deviation of work output; n) Provide leadership, guidance and monitoring of staff through the setting of clear work objectives, timely and effective use of performance reviews and feedback mechanisms, regular communications, and solving interpersonal or technical conflicts; o) Perform other related duties, as assigned.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education: A university degree in one of the social or information management sciences and a master's degree in knowledge management or related field from a recognized institution.
Skills: Key Behavioral Competencies: -- Intrainstitutional Action: Operates in a fair, consistent and equitable manner, and displays such behavior by example. Ensures that the mission and the values of the Organization as well as the setting in which projects will be carried out are the drivers in one's technical work. Understands the results required and performs to that standard. Behaves consistently in accordance with the Code of Ethics of the Organization. -- Communication: Leads the development of an environment that actively establishes and proactively engages in productive dialogues that involve multicultural environments. Encourages the skills and behaviors that facilitate productive dialogues. Expresses points of view effectively. -- Information Management: Processes and analyzes the data objectively, presenting it clearly and equitably. Leads the effort to acquire relevant and selected information that facilitates the achievement of organizational results. Evaluates/leads the evaluation of information systems on the basis of its advantages/disadvantages for processing information relevant to the area of work. -- Knowledge Management: Supports and develops networked and community working. Identifies, develops and nurtures networks and communities. Identifies and builds on working networks that enable knowledge and information flow. Designs and implements knowledge and information services. Enables utilization of knowledge and information sources. Delivers relevant knowledge and information in most appropriate form. Participates in and learns from networked and community approaches. -- Analysis, Synthesis, and Forecasting: After analyzing situations on the basis of the available evidence and knowledge, leads one's area of responsibility toward individual and collective actions. Encourages the importance of continual analysis. Verifies and promotes that action is taken in situations that will require future intervention, based on ongoing analysis. Leads others in decisions needed to implement required actions. Is capable of anticipating the implications of analyzed situations between one and two years ahead. -- Teamwork: Embraces and leads consensual decision-making, that is, leading the fulfillment of team decisions, even when they may not fully coincide with one's own opinions or proposals. Knows how to manage difficult team situations and promotes consensus building. Takes responsibility for the team's successes and failures. -- Continuous Learning: Leads others, through both management oversight and one's own behavior, to take advantage of all opportunities to share knowledge and sources of learning with subordinates, colleagues, and staff across the Organization. Likes to be up to date with the best practices in the field. Is able to contribute to internal initiatives to improve the effectiveness of the Organization. -- Resource Mobilization: Works in an objective manner to obtain and apportion resources (financial and non-financial) according to need. Supports and advises technical areas to enable best use of resources are aligned with the mission and vision of the Organization. Is able to work in a multicultural environment. Is flexible and has the ability to work well under pressure. Is able to give feedback to partners within and outside the organization about the use of the resources and the results acquired. Technical Expertise: -- Theoretical and practical expertise in all aspects related to knowledge management, media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods to include alternative ways to promote knowledge management. -- Ability to analyze current information networks, systems and portals and possess the capability to develop and plan innovative and appropriate solutions for improvement. -- Excellent knowledge and skills for the design, organization and coordination of information networks processes. -- Knowledge of business and management involved in strategic planning, resource allocation and coordination of people and resources. -- Strong inter-personal skills, diplomacy and tact to effectively communicate with senior level health officials in public and private sector and civil society, multiple stakeholders and professionals from diverse cultural backgrounds. -- Ability to manage multiple issues and tasks in a complex organizational environment and to re-prioritize actions on short notice. -- Strong professional oral and writing skills including the development of reports, oral presentations, and technical/persuasive documents for consideration at the highest levels of the Organization. IT Skills: Demonstrated ability to effectively use a computer and utilize software programs such as Microsoft Office Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and SharePoint. Demonstrated understanding of and experience with scientific, web-based and open source information systems as well the ability to operate desktop, web related applications, knowledge management and virtual collaboration tools and methodologies.
Experience: Nine years of combined national and international progressively responsible experience in knowledge management, including eHealth, library work, management and operation of networks, information networks, systems and portals.
Languages: Very good knowledge of English or Spanish with working knowledge of the other language. Knowledge of French and/or Portuguese would be an asset.
Additional Information: A WRITTEN TEST AND/OR INTERVIEW MAY BE HELD FOR THIS POST. CANDIDATES WILL BE CONTACTED ONLY IF THEY ARE UNDER SERIOUS CONSIDERATION. ALL APPLICANTS ARE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE AN ON-LINE PERSONAL HISTORY FORM. THE POST DESCRIPTION IS THE OFFICIAL DOCUMENTATION FOR ORGANIZATIONAL PURPOSES.
Annual salary: (Net of tax) US. $67,395.00 at single rate US. $72,373.00 with primary dependants	Post Adjustment: 40.7 % of the above figure(s). This percentage is to be considered as indicative since variations may occur each month either upwards or downwards due to currency exchange rate fluctuations or inflation.
Online applications are strongly encouraged to enable WHO to store your profile in a permanent database. Please visit WHO's e-Recruitment website at: www.who.int/employment. The system provides instructions for online application procedures.
All applicants are encouraged to apply online as soon as possible after the vacancy has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the vacancy announcement