Senior Advisor, Health Information, Knowledge Management and Communication

Duty Station: Brasilia, Brazil Organization unit: AM Americas (AM) PAHO/WHO Representative (PWR-BRAZIL)/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 direct supervision of the PAHO/WHO Representative and the general technical supervision of the Manager, Knowledge Management and Communication (KMC) and the Manager, Health Surveillance, Disease Prevention and Control (HSD), the incumbent is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to, the following assigned duties: a) Provide technical, managerial and policy advice in the area of health information systems, knowledge management and communication; 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 the Organization; develop virtual collaboration tools and methodologies, policies and services within the context of the areas of responsibility; b) Support the work of KMC by creating and providing mechanisms of 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 Practices; develop proposals to strengthen organizational capacity for the development and application of tools for knowledge management and communications; support the quality development of knowledge products/publications; c) Advise and coordinate specific projects related to the areas of responsibility, including providing support to the consolidation of the PAHO Web 2.0 Strategy, including the development of managerial reports for Executive Management and the Web Technical Advisory Group; the e-Learning components of the Digital Literacy Program in convergence with the Virtual Campus Project; d) Develop and implement new tools and methodologies to improve knowledge sharing in the Organization and within national institutions; coordinate the implementation and evaluation of the Corporate Contact Management System in the context of the Selective Information Dissemination Portal; develop information audits projects and collaborate in the establishment of a Corporate Identity system and standards; e) Collaborate with KMC and the Latin American and Caribbean Center on Health Sciences Information (BIREME) in the development and promotion of the Virtual Health Library at regional and national levels; f) Facilitate access to relevant and important sources of scientific and technical information globally, with the support of WHO and other partners, through established projects at national, regional and global programs, as the Virtual Health Library (VHL) and other relevant partners; g) Provide technical, international advocacy, coordination and collaboration on program activities on knowledge management with governmental and non-governmental institutions and the Representation; h) Provide technical cooperation for the strengthening of health information systems by providing technical assistance and support to improve the organization and functioning of public health networks at all levels; provide advice in applying approaches for the use of the principles and methods of epidemiology for the analysis of health situation and trends of political and economical situation related to health; disseminate technical information on health trends in the Region for the Interagency Information Network for Health (RIPSA); identify and mobilize national financial and human resources to support health information systems initiatives; i) Identify possible sources of external funding and resources in support of national programs and oversee the preparation and negotiation of projects, funding proposals, research grants and contracts addressing public health priorities; j) Formulate objectives, targets, and lines of action for the Inter-programmatic Team; develop methodologies for program execution to achieve those targets and objectives taking into account the country's needs and the orientation and policies of the Organization. Ensure that the results are aligned with the Representation's biennial and multi-year plans, including monitoring, controlling and evaluation of activities, adjustments to any deviations, such as redefined objectives or strategies; plan and supervise program execution; provide periodic evaluations of Team performance; k) Administer, allocate and monitor and control the Inter-programmatic Team's financial, logistical and staff resources; prepare, and justify the Team's program and budget proposals; plan and organize the formulation, development, implementation and control of information systems to monitor and improve the area's activities; l) Participate in the definition of the Inter-programmatic Team's personnel component, including their selection, training and development. Initiate and recommend approval of personnel actions for all staff assigned and assure timely personnel evaluations; monitor the competencies of the staff to ensure optimal performance and staff development, monitor workloads to ensure equitable distribution of work and maintain job satisfaction, efficiency and output; and follow up on any deviation of work results from objectives; m) Provide authoritative technical, managerial and policy advice to national authorities and technical staff within the Representation; review reports submitted by staff and provide constructive feedback; n) Provide a stable managerial framework that demonstrates credibility, trust and value to Member States, clients and donors, while optimizing staff performance; o) Advise, prepare and support the participation of national authorities in the Governing Bodies Meetings in close coordination with the Representative; p) Serve as communication link between the Representative and the Teams of the Office on matters of policy, strategy, program implementation and evaluation; q) Promote team work across the Representation and the establishment of an environment which encourages participation, stimulates each staff member's creativity, and fosters a multidisciplinary approach to the solution of specific problems; r) Provide leadership, guidance and monitoring of staff through setting of clear work objectives, use of performance reviews and feedback mechanisms, regular communications, and solving interpersonal conflicts or resolving technical debates; coordinate the institutional development plans under area of responsibility; s) Identify, promote, establish, maintain, and coordinate liaison across the Organization, within WHO, with other United Nations organizations or with other partners in order to maximize programmatic integration, efficiency and effectiveness; t) Serve as an active member of the Group for Management Coordination (GCAC), Inter-programmatic Group (GI), Expanded Inter-programmatic Group (GIA), Optimal Group (GO) and the Plenary (PG); advise the Representative on all aspects related to technical organization and follow-up on recommendations made at these meetings; u) Represent the PAHO/WHO Representative and other senior level staff in the Office as requested; v) Perform other duties as assigned.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education: Essential: A bachelor's and master's degree in health or information sciences, information technology, epidemiology or a related field from a recognized university. Desirable: Coursework and/or training in emerging technologies for Library and Knowledge Management would be an asset.
Skills: -- Intrainstitutional Action: Leads team efforts toward full understanding of the policies the organization must operate within as well as the Standard of Conduct for the International Civil Service. Leads employees and co-workers toward operating in a fair, consistent and equitable manner, and displays such behavior by example. Behaves consistently in accordance with the Code of Ethics of the Organization. -- Thinking, planning and the strategic management of technical cooperation interventions: Evaluates the ideas for interventions in terms of their potential for change and transformation before deciding to execute them. Follows the Organization's strategy in executing technical cooperation interventions in order to generate expected results. -- Performance Management: Evaluates the performance of subordinates in terms of the organizational strategy, provides feedback offering measurable suggestions and promotes their professional development. Develops and implements realistic and achievable work plans--including tasks, priorities, resources and schedules. Adjusts goals and courses of action to meet changing needs. In a systematic way develops people through demanding and challenging projects utilizing each employee's competencies. Effectively uses the Organization's official performance evaluation processes and systems. Uses a regular evaluation system. Provides constant and positive feedback to focus development efforts. -- Devising the budget for interventions and cost optimization: Demonstrates initiative and managerial capacity in obtaining alternative sources of financing and in mobilizing extrabudgetary resources for interventions. Acquires adequate funding, based upon the resources allocated in intervention plans. -- Information Management: Initiates, leads and participates in activities to improve systems for the presentation and dissemination of information. Verifies that information from the area of work is handled objectively and presented clearly and equitably. Develops new strategic forms to be more effective and concordant with the dissemination of the information. -- Teamwork: Develops a high performing team in one's operational area and also encourages teamwork across the Organization. Establishes and models the standard for teams and teamwork. Provides significant contributions when participating in internal and external work teams. Initiates and leads mutually beneficial productive interpersonal relationships based on trust, both inside and outside the Organization. -- Knowledge Management: Systematically seeks and disseminates knowledge that can serve as evidence, lessons learned, and good practices within a particular area and the Organization as a whole. Encourages a culture where more experienced professionals share their knowledge within the Organization, letting others learn, create the best criteria and reinforce their knowledge. -- Resource Mobilization: Establishment of an internal Culture that supports the Organization's strategic direction program of work and the organizational results to enable effective resource mobilization. Supports and makes all efforts to increase the level of resources that are considered necessary for operations. Is capable of negotiating with different types of organizations. Uses the financial and non-financial resources with objectivity. Is able to achieve the goals and results with the resources they have. Technical Expertise: - Technical: Excellent knowledge of the principles and recent developments in epidemiology, surveillance and biostatistics. Demonstrated ability in the applications of epidemiological techniques and procedures for analyzing the health situation and conditions affecting the health of the population; determining factors which influence the magnitude of these conditions and applying and evaluating selected interventions designed to reduce its impacts. In-depth knowledge and understanding of knowledge management and communication methodologies, concepts, and tools and their role in helping organizations become a learning institution; possesses know-how related to capturing and structuring an organization's intellectual capital; including advance knowledge on the use of different technologies and tools. Ability to present innovative concepts in knowledge management initiatives, promote knowledge sharing and to reduce the know-do gap in public health interventions and evidence based decisions. - Managerial: Extensive expertise in senior, progressively responsible positions in the management of a large public or private administration of administrative and technical matters requiring sensitive negotiation and high level intervention and in organizational development. Demonstrated ability to provide professional leadership to strategic, organizational, managerial and analytic work in health; resourcefulness, initiative, highly developed judgment and interpersonal skills to deal with difficult situations and sensitive areas. - Administrative: Skills or experience with creation and integration of administrative procedures for the delivery of the highest quality results for the Team. Courtesy, tact, sensitivity to manage confidential information, and ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with people of different professional levels, discipline, nationalities, and cultural background. IT Skills Demonstrated ability to effectively use a computer and utilize software programs such as Microsoft Office Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint and Outlook. Demonstrated understanding of 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: Thirteen years of combined national and international progressively responsible experience in health information management, knowledge management and epidemiology functions.
Languages: Very good knowledge of English or Spanish with a 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 $80,630. at single rate US $86,800. with primary dependants	Post Adjustment: 79.7 % 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.
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