Journal Management Specialist Pan American Health Organization

VACANCY NOTICE: PAHO/12/FT75

GRADE: P-3

OFFICIAL STATION: Washington, DC

APPLICATION DEADLINE: 5 April 2012

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is an international public health agency with more than 100 years of experience in working to improve health and living standards of the countries of the Americas. It serves as the specialized organization for health of the Inter-American System. It also serves as the Regional Office for the Americas of the World Health Organization and enjoys international recognition as part of the United Nations system.

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 the Organization's knowledge sharing processes and information and communications products. It ensures that the Organization is widely recognized as a source of authoritative scientific and technical information and safeguards its intellectual property against any use contrary to the Organization's mission and principles.

DESCRIPTIONS OF DUTIES:

Under the general supervision of the Manager, Knowledge Management and Communications (KMC) and the direct supervision of the Advisor, Editorial Services (KMC/ES), the incumbent is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to, the following duties:

• Manage the editorial and production flow of the Revista Panamericana de Salud Pública /Pan American Journal of Public Health (PAJPH); work closely with the Editor in Chief, Associate Editors, and the Editorial Board to maintain quality control and adherence to editorial policies;
• Manage the peer review and the manuscript selection process; prepare decision letters for approval by the Editor in Chief; follow-up the work of peer reviewers and freelance editors and translators; prepare, share and monitor work plans and schedules; identify problems and propose action plans to the Editor in Chief to resolve them;
• Supervise the work of production of technicians and assistants to maintain the quality control and regularity of publications;
• Coordinate the external network of peer reviewers in order to ensure that the PAJPH is produced cost-effectively and in a timely manner, adhering to the highest standards of quality;
• Collaborate with relevant stakeholder to improve the selection process of peer reviewers and maintain the peer reviewer database; evaluate the work of peer reviewers on an ongoing basis, ranking them according to their level of experience and productivity and quality of work; resolve queries presented by authors, editors, and peer reviewers; manage the flow of submitted papers and assign them to the appropriate Associate Editors or peer reviewers;
• Provide guidance to authors, reviewers and freelance editors and translators on editorial policies and processes; assist in the development and implementation of style guidelines; prepare, update and maintain instructions and guidelines for authors, editors, and peer reviewers; disseminate publishing standards, norms, and practices of the Organization;
• Collaborate with the Editorial Board and the Editor in Chief in the development of the editorial policies and guidelines; collaborate in the development and enforcement of the publishing policy of the Organization;
• Coordinate the development and maintenance of the PAJPH portal and other scientific and technical periodical publications of the Organization;
• Analyze methods, new practices and technologies for applicability to editorial functions and develop plans for continuous improvement of the PAJPH; lead the PAJPH in the absence of the Advisor, Editorial and Translation Services in order to ensure the continuity of publishing processes;
• When called upon to directly supervise staff, establish clear work objectives, conduct timely and effective performance appraisals, provide coaching and feedback, and support staff development opportunities;
• Perform other duties, as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS INCLUDE:

Education:

• Essential: A university degree in a health-related science, knowledge management, international studies or other related field from a recognized institution.
• Desirable: A master's degree in knowledge management, public health, epidemiology or related field would be an asset.

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: Actively engages in conversation with the key players in a multicultural environment both within and outside the organization. Develops a network of appropriate contacts inside and outside PAHO to gain and disseminate information, to raise awareness of PAHO's activities and achievements, and to build alliances. Takes into consideration the multicultural differences within the organization and the distinct needs and opportunities for communication presented by different external stakeholders and audiences.
• 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.
• Teamwork: Promotes teamwork and leads one's area to finish tasks and accept responsibility. Creates a positive environment within the area of work. Makes everyone feel like they are part of the team as well as welcomes and appreciates everyone's ideas and suggestions. Able to see the positive aspects of working as a team, shares the team's enthusiasm for achieving mutual goals.
• Knowledge Management: Shares knowledge and information appropriately and participates in activities to facilitate sharing. Develops tools and protocols for creation, integration and dissemination of knowledge. Researches opportunities, methods and approaches for delivering value through improved knowledge.
• Service Orientation: Makes concrete attempts to add value to the client, to make things better for the client in some way. Is always aware of the client's need (internal and/or external clients).
• External Action: Deliverables are on time. Keeps establishing and maintaining mutually beneficial productive relations and partnerships with counterparts in other institutions and sectors.

Technical Expertise:

• Theoretical and practical knowledge of the principles and practices of scientific publishing processes, including peer review management, editorial and production processes, and ePublishing.
• Knowledge of writing, editing, and revising in English or Spanish; including manuscript assessment for style, content, and organization.
• Ability to acquire knowledge and information about a wide-range of subject-matter fields, and select, organize, and present information in a manner suitable to the intended audience.
• Thorough theoretical and practical knowledge of managerial principles and practices, as well as good judgment to plan and execute tasks and to supervise subordinates.
• Familiarity with public health, international development, and other fields relevant to the Organization; knowledge of statistics and/or epidemiology would be an asset.
• Proven ability to write, edit and present technical scientific information to different audiences in a clear, simple and effective manner.
• Strong project management skills in producing projects on time and within budget.
• Excellent organizational and analytical skills, complemented by excellent communication and interpersonal skills combined with the ability to write, speak, and present in a clear and concise, diplomatic, tactful, and courteous manner.

IT Skills:

• Demonstrated ability to effectively use a computer and software programs such as Microsoft Office Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint, and Outlook. Other IT skills and knowledge of other software programs in publishing software and hardware for print and online would be an asset.

Experience:

• Essential: Seven years of combined national and international experience in editing and publishing of scientific, medical and/or technical products.
• Desirable: Experience as a managing editor of scientific and technical publications, preferably in a field of public health, or international development including supervisory experience, 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.

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.

Direct link:

https://erecruit.who.int/public/hrd-cl-vac-view.asp?o_c=1000&jobinfo_uid_c=25766&vaclng=en