Principal Health Officer - Knowledge Management

The East African Health Research Commission (EAHRC) is a semi-autonomous institution of the East African Community (EAC). EAC is an East African regional intergovernmental organisation. The 5th Extra-Ordinary Summit of the EAC Heads of State held on 18th June 2007 in Kampala, Uganda established the EAHRC as a mechanism for making available to the community, advice upon all matters of health, health-related research and findings necessary for knowledge generation, technological development, policy formulation, practice and related matters.

The Vision of EAHRC is: A healthy and prosperous community built on evidence- driven policy and practice, which emanate from high quality research.

The Mission of EAHRC is: To improve health and well-being of the citizens of the Community by generating, accessing, capturing, assessing, synthesizing, sharing, disseminating, and utilizing health research and findings, as well as technological development that are suitable and relevant to the Community and its people.

The overall objective of the Commission is: To promote, facilitate, and coordinate the conduct and application of health research for the improvement of health and for the wellbeing of the people of East Africa.

The Commission is recruiting staff to serve at its Secretariat. This is an exciting opportunity for highly motivated and result-driven professionals who are citizens of East African Community Partner States (Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda) to apply for the following position tenable at the EAHRC Secretariat.

Position:                         PRINCIPAL HEALTH OFFICER (KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT)

Reference Number:       REF: EAHRC/2017-18/001

Department:                   EAHRC Department of Knowledge Management

Current Scale/Grade:   P3

Job reports to:                 Deputy Executive Secretary – Research

Duty Station:                   Bujumbura, Burundi

Position Summary (Main role and purpose of the job

This position is responsible for establishing mechanisms for generating, capturing, synthesising, assessing, sharing, disseminating, accessing and utilising knowledge to solve health challenges and support the development aspirations of the Community. The position requires frequent communication and interaction with all stakeholders and partners involved and/or supporting knowledge management within EAC Partner States and internationally such as government policy makers, health managers, health workers, health researchers, health research Institutions, health related professional associations, development partners, other stakeholders and the public in general.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Principal Health Officer KM will deliver the following duties and responsibilities in a manner that is consistent and cognizant of the EAHRC philosophy:

• Liaise with the management of the EAHRC
• Work under    the   supervision  of    the   Deputy   Executive   Secretary (Research) to provide technical expertise on Knowledge Management.
• Facilitate the creation of health research databases to strengthen health policy and practice.
• Promote the application of knowledge from research to strengthen regional health policy formulation and practice.
• Facilitate the development of regional health policies and their implementation.
• Facilitate and promote the synthesis, interpretation, and utilization of health research findings.
• Facilitate the exchange and dissemination of health research information through conferences, workshops, publications and other fora.
• Promote community outreach activities in implementation of research findings.
• Establish and maintain a harmonized network of morbidity and mortality registries for all diseases, illnesses and conditions which may occur at community, health facility, district, national, and regional levels within Partner States.
• Establish and maintain health research archives, e-library, registries, databases, etc. that will be utilised by the Community.
• Oversee the proper and effective functioning of the ICT infrastructure, the journal (EAHRJ), the East African Open Science Cloud, the EA health information Web portal, the East African Health and Scientific Conference & International Health Exhibition and Trade Fair and other conferences
• Initiate budget proposals for the KM Department;
• Prepare progress reports and follow up on the implementation of Commission, Sectoral Council on Health and Council decisions by the department;
• Promote a positive corporate culture and image of the Commission.
• Perform any other relevant duties and responsibilities as may be assigned by the Deputy Executive Secretary (Research) from time to time.

Minimum Job Requirements

ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Master’s degree in Health Sciences ;
• A post graduate qualification in knowledge and health information system management;
• Relevant working experience of at least ten (10) years in knowledge and health information system management or related fields with five (5) of which must at senior level;
• Must have published at least two (2) articles in international peer review journals, with at least one (1) article as the first or lead author

Skills and competencies

• Demonstrated knowledge of and competency in knowledge and health information system management;
• Ability to develop integrated results oriented annual work plans and other organization-wide activities (setting objectives, developing strategies, budgeting, developing policies and procedures, and organizing the functions necessary to accomplish the activities);
• Should have extensive and demonstrable knowledge of health research and the translation of results of health research into health policy and practice;
• Proficiency in computer office applications and automated statistical analytical tools and/or related packages;
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills;
• Should be fluent in the English language;
• Working knowledge of French and or Kiswahili will be an added advantage;
• Excellent communication and report writing skills;
• Ability to work as a team leader and to motivate others;
• Ability to work under pressure and to deliver on the set deadlines

Eligibility for application

Applicants from all six Partner States are eligible to apply for this position at the East African Health Research Commission.

Terms and conditions of service

The above position is tenable for a contract period of five (5) years, and may be renewed once.

Fringe benefits

This post offers attractive fringe benefits including housing allowance, transport allowance, education allowance, a medical scheme, and insurance cover.

Equal Opportunity

The EAHRC is an equal opportunity employer. Female candidates are particularly encouraged to apply. EAHRC will only respond to those candidates who strictly meet the set requirements.

How to Apply

Interested candidates who meet the qualification and experience requirements for the above mentioned position are advised to send their applications, detailed curriculum vitae, and photocopies of academic certificates, names and contact details of three (03) referees, and a copy of National Identity Card, Birth Certificate or national passport showing the date of birth.

Please quote the reference number on the subject of the email and forward to the address below.

Applications should be submitted electronically to the address with the subject head clearly indicating PRINCIPAL HEALTH OFFICER KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT (REF: EAHRC/2017-18/001) below not later than Thursday 14th December 2017 17:00hrs (GMT+3)

Important Note:

1) Please submit your application electronically.

2) Applications which do not: indicate nationality and age; the reference number; an application letter attached; have certified copies of their academic degrees and other professional certificates; and do not provide three referees shall be disqualified

3) Only qualified candidates will be contacted

4) EAC Staff Rules and Regulations prevent consideration of applicants above 55 years of age

The Executive Secretary
East African Health Research Commission (EAHRC) East African Community,
AICC Building,
Kilimanjaro Wing (6th Floor) Room 618
P.O. Box 1096, Arusha, Tanzania
Tel: +255-27-2162100
E-mail: eahrc-admin@eachq.org