Advisor, Editorial Services Grade: P4

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 Communications (KMC), the incumbent is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to, the following assigned duties: a) Provide technical advice in publishing policies and editorial services; serve as the Editor-in-Chief of the Pan American Journal of Public Health; represent the Organization in the WHO Publishing Policy Coordination Group; b) Develop policies, strategies and plans to improve scientific and technical publishing in the Organization; coordinate the development, update and maintenance of the PAHO Publishing Policy; ensures that the policy is implemented throughout the Organization, Country Offices and Specialized Centers c) Provide technical guidance to the Organization on editorial and publishing matters in fulfillment of KMC's normative function; coordinate and provide advice for the development and implementation of style guidelines; prepare, update, and maintain directives and guidelines governing the work of editors; analyze proposed publications submitted by technical programs and recommend the most cost-effective and efficient format, treatment, and end product; provide editorial support during times of public health emergencies. d) Coordinate the production process of the Revista Panamericana de Salud Pública /Pan American Journal of Public Health; develop and maintain the journal editorial policies and guidelines; coordinate the Editorial Board activities; manage the publishing process to ensure that the publication is published on time, in accordance with the highest standards of quality, and within the prescribed budgetary constraints; e) Coordinate and prepare training initiatives for capacity building in publishing, editing, and writing scientific and technical information; identify training activities to improve the quality of the Organization's scientific and technical publications; f) Coordinate the development and maintenance of the Organization's publications portal, integrating all publications produced in Headquarters, Country Offices and Specialized Centers; g) Explore and introduce new publishing practices and technologies to improve editorial and publishing processes, including new publishing technologies and processes to streamline the publishing workflow and continually improve efficiency and cost-effectiveness; h) Develop and foster alliances and partnerships with other organizations for publishing ventures and exchanges; i) Oversee the work of the Editorial Services Team and external contributors; prepare, communicate and monitor work plans and schedules, identify issues and problems and propose actions to resolve them; j) 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; k) Provide leadership, guidance and monitoring staff through setting of clear work objectives, timely and effective use of performance reviews and feedback mechanisms, regular communications, and solving interpersonal or technical conflicts; establish and support a learning environment; l) Recruit, train and develop staff for fulfillment of KMC's normative functions; m) Represent the Organization in meetings and congresses, particularly in those in the areas of scientific and technical publishing; n) Collaborate with the Manager, KMC in the development of technical cooperation plans and projects; o) Perform other related duties, as assigned
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education: A bachelor's and master's degree in health-related science, knowledge management, communications, journalism, international studies or related field from a recognized university. In lieu of a master's degree, a post-graduate degree or a specialization in public health from a recognized institution will be accepted.
Skills: Key Behavioral Competencies: -- 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. -- 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. -- 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. -- 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. -- Accountability: Accepts responsibility for the results, for the work of subordinates, for the tasks delegated, the deadlines, and any deviations from them. Requires and oversees the adherence according to the budget. Monitors the progress made upon reaching the objectives and deadlines. For any deviations on the work plan, looks for corrective actions. Technical Expertise: -- Theoretical knowledge and expertise at the highest level in all aspects related to scientific publishing processes, definition of selection and evaluation criteria for improvement of health scientific communication production -- Extensive knowledge of health scientific communication flow and journal publishing and management; knowledge of information policy issues; methodologies for electronic publications; health terminology and concepts. -- Expertise in techniques to develop, coordinate and evaluate publishing policies, process, operational procedures and training methodologies, designing, writing, development, evaluation and coordination of projects, developing and implementing training activities. -- Strong technical, analytical, conceptual, interpersonal and communication skills; demonstrated ability to identify, assess, analyze, synthesize and provide recommendation on key technical and administrative issues. -- Strong interpersonal skills; diplomacy, tact and ability to effectively communicate with senior level officials, multiple stakeholders and professionals from diverse cultural and professional backgrounds; ability to develop and coordinate networks with relevant players in the international health field. -- 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, SharePoint and Outlook. Other IT skills and knowledge of other software programs such as Visio and Project will be an asset.
Experience: Essential: Nine years of combined national and international experience in scientific communication, journal management, and other related publishing activities. Desirable: Publishing and journal management experience with an international organization or an international nongovernmental organization, preferably in the field of public health, would be an asset.
Languages: Very good knowledge of English and Spanish. Knowledge of Portuguese or French would be an asset.
Additional Information: PAHO offers an attractive compensation package including an annual net salary (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance), dependency benefits, pension plan, health insurance scheme, and 30 days annual leave. Benefits for internationally recruited staff may include travel and removal expenses on appointment and separation, assignment grant, rental subsidy, and home leave. ALL APPLICANTS ARE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE AN ON-LINE PERSONAL HISTORY FORM TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS POST. CANDIDATES WILL BE CONTACTED ONLY IF THEY ARE UNDER SERIOUS CONSIDERATION. A WRITTEN TEST AND/OR INTERVIEW WILL BE HELD FOR THIS POST. THE POST DESCRIPTION IS THE OFFICIAL DOCUMENTATION FOR ORGANIZATIONAL PURPOSES. THIS VACANCY MAY BE USED TO FILL OTHER POSITIONS IN THE ORGANIZATION THAT MAY BECOME VACANT AT A LATER DATE, AND WHICH HAVE SIMILAR REQUIREMENTS AND DUTIES AS THE ONES STATED IN THIS NOTICE.
Annual salary: (Net of tax) US $67,483.00 at single rate US $72,467.00 with primary dependants	Post Adjustment: 44.4 % 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.