Advisor, Knowledge Management and Communications Grade: P4

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME : The Latin American and Caribbean Center on Health Sciences Information (BIREME)'s objective is the promotion of technical cooperation in scientific and technical health information with the countries and among the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean, aiming to develop the means and the capacities for the provision and the equitable access to the relevant and up-to-date scientific and technical health information, rapidly, efficiently and at adequate costs.
Description of duties: Under the general supervision of the Manager, Knowledge Management and Communications (KMC), and the direct supervision of the Director, Latin American and Caribbean Center on Health Sciences Information (BIREME), the incumbent is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to, the following assigned duties: a) Advise the Latin American and Caribbean Center on Health Sciences Information (BIREME) on the definition of policies and implementation of strategies and plans to improve the quality of Latin American and Caribbean health science journals and for the creation of national and regional indicators of scientific communication; advise on the preparation of official policy documents; represent BIREME in national and international meetings; b) Provide strategic advice and lead the process of preparation and coordination of projects submitted to national and international cooperation agencies to raise funds to develop and strengthen health science communication flows in Latin American and the Caribbean (LA&C) and the Virtual Health Library (VHL); promote and establish networks, collaboration and partnerships with international, regional and national organizations to improve regional and national health sciences information and communication programs; c) Coordinate with editors in establishing functions, services and management criteria for automation of editorial routines and journal publishing, mainly in electronic format; d) Coordinate and promote the evaluation analysis of health scientific communication in the Region, aiming at the preparation of an Annual Report of Scientific Communication in the Region; e) Cooperate with the administration of information sources on the design and development of indicators of scientific production from LILACS, SciELO, MEDLINE and other databases; f) Promote research and analysis of health scientific literature production in all health sciences fields to promote improvement and quality control of scientific journals; g) Mobilize national and international resources to support the implementation of the Center's program of work; h) Plan and promote training on scientific writing, journal publishing, continuing education of health journal editors; information management and scientific communication; i) Cooperate with WHO, regional and country offices, PAHO/WHO Collaborating Centers, international cooperation agencies, intergovernmental and nongovernmental organizations, private sector, and other relevant stakeholders, in order to develop alliances and networks to promote the work of the Center; j) Coordinate the cooperative programs between national science agencies and committees and BIREME for defining journal evaluation criteria and for production and analysis of scientific production indicators; k) Coordinate the cooperative programs between database producers and BIREME for the improvement of journal indexing and development of quality criteria; l) Develop information sources for health science editors in the Health Science Communication Area of the VHL and coordinate the virtual community of journal editors within the VHL environment; m) Collaborate in the preparation of the Center´s Biennial Work Plan (BWP) and the execution of international cooperation, including the analysis of political, technical and socioeconomic realities; n) 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; o) Perform other duties, as assigned.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education: A university degree in a health, information or knowledge management sciences and a master's degree in library, information sciences, knowledge management, medical informatics or related field from a recognized university. In lieu of a master's degree, a post-graduate degree or a specialization in management of medical libraries and/or in health education or information management 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. -- Resource Mobilization: Establishes partnerships and alliances with a variety of institutions and organizations as well as internal partnerships to obtain financial and non-financial resources. Is able to relate with all types of people and at all levels in order to obtain resources that are needed. Is able to present and disseminate information in a clear manner. Executes resources according to the agreements previously established with partnerships. Technical Expertise: -- Theoretical knowledge and practical expertise at the highest level in all aspects related to knowledge management and communication; principles and practices of scientific publishing processes, definition of selection and evaluation criteria for improvement of health scientific communication flow. -- 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; statistics and research methodologies for bibliometric analysis. -- Knowledge of managerial concepts and techniques to develop, coordinate and evaluate policies, process, operational procedures and training methodologies, designing, writing, development, evaluation and coordination of projects, developing and implementing training activities, scientific meetings and congresses. -- 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 and Outlook. Other IT skills and knowledge of other software programs such as Visio, Microsoft SharePoint and Project; international standards for information sources management and development; use of Internet and other network environments; database management, including designing, development, evaluation and quality control; knowledge of methodologies for electronic publications would be an asset.
Experience: Nine years of combined national and international experience in management of health information systems and databases, including elaboration of short- and long-term range plans, project preparation and development; training and teaching. Experience should also include management and administration of multinational science information systems and health sciences library networks, including technical cooperation and training of information professionals and science editors.
Languages: Very good knowledge of Portuguese or Spanish with a working knowledge of the other language. Knowledge of English 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: 86.5 % 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.