Specialist, Communications & Knowledge Management

Contract

This is a P-2 contract. This kind of contract is known as Professional and Director staff. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 2 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 98,139 USD and 133,297 USD.

Please keep in mind that the salary displayed here is an estimation by UN Talent based on the location and the type of contract. It may vary depending on the organization. The recruiter should be able to inform you about the exact salary range. In case the job description contains another salary information, please refer to this one.

OBJECTIVE OF THE OFFICE/DEPARTMENT

This requisition is for employment at the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)/Regional Office of the World Health Organization (WHO)

The Department of Family, Health Promotion and Life Course (FPL) of the Pan American Health Organization promotes, coordinates and implements technical cooperation at the regional, subregional and country levels, emphasizing the central role of the family and community to foster a culture of health promotion and protection in which health is a social value and a human right. FPL focuses on the development and implementation of programs for women and men’s health; sexual and reproductive health; maternal and neonatal health; the integrated health and development of children and adolescents; the health of aging populations; food and nutrition; comprehensive family immunization and leads innovative, inter-sectoral and strategic efforts to address the social determinants of health.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the general supervision of the Director, Communications (CMU), and the direct supervision of the Director, Family, Health Promotion and Life Course (FPL), the incumbent is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to the following assigned duties:

1. Coordinate the adoption and implementation of the Knowledge Management and Communications Strategy within the Department, in close coordination with the Department of Evidence and Intelligence for Action in Health (EIH) and the Department of Communications (CMU); address the established general priorities to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with modern information technology tools and improved methodologies of information sharing and knowledge management initiatives; take the lead in the development of the Department’s communication and advocacy activities to support and promote the Department’s biennial work plan and strategic objectives; assist in the development of education and advocacy materials; provide strategic support to develop and strengthen a consolidated approach to synchronize and harmonize knowledge management and communications initiatives;
2. Develop, implement, coordinate and evaluate the knowledge management and information sharing strategies and activities for the Department, in collaboration with the Director, Unit Chiefs, and technical staff in the Department; assist in the design and implementation of an integrated management approach of the Department’s dissemination, communication and publication policies/guidelines to promote the technical cooperation projects and the production of project-specific technical publications and promotional materials;
3. Collaborate in strategy and program development for communication campaigns of special significance for the Department; identify information requirements and issue and provide timely solutions;
4. Identify opportunities to use existing and emerging online tools to monitor and collect information to support technical staff in gathering evidence-based information for program implementation and policies; review web-metrics reports, provide support and one-to-one training for current and emerging online communication channels;
5. Serve as the EIH and CMU’s focal point in the Department to provide strategic support and inputs to develop the principal EIH and CMU’s products and services, organized by the following areas of work:
   1. Knowledge Management & Organizational Learning: conduct face-to-face and/or virtual orientation/training sessions for the Department’s staff regarding the use and best practices of virtual tools; assist in identifying, developing and implementing Communities of Practice (CoPs); develop and maintain the Intranet/Website for the Department; coordinate and support the content management activities, ensuring quality and integrity of information published on both sites;
   2. Editorial Services: provide editorial support for scientific, technical and/or promotional materials produced by the Department for specific internal/external audiences, ensuring quality and integrity of information;
   3. Library and Information Networks: participate in the review process to update the Organization’s taxonomy and information architecture; coordinate and work with the Library to provide to the Department staff the accessibility to scientific articles and bibliographic databases, etc; develop and promote digital literacy initiatives for the Department staff and within the program of work, based on EIH guidelines and Learning Board; promote the integration with the institutional repository initiative and promote the operation of the Virtual Health Library related to the Department’s production, in coordination with EIH/BIREME;
   4. Multimedia Relations and Services: following the relevant CMU’s SOPs, act as contact person and work closely with CMU’s teams to support the timely response to external media requests (interviews, press releases, etc); edit content for press releases, fact sheets, campaign materials, video scripts, etc; review these materials for content, accuracy, and consistency in terminology and style; provide training to the Department’s technical staff in external communication methods, including media training; support and reinforce internal and external communications actions;
   5. Institutional Branding: provide technical support in the promotion of a focused branding and strategic approach to the Organization’s name, visual recognition, public relations efforts, and campaigns across all Department’s visual communication, media and associated networks; coordinate and provide data regarding the production of the Department’s information products, based on the guidelines of the Publishing Policy and the Institutional Branding principles and standards;
   6. Vaccine Hesitancy: implement context-relevant integrated multi-component strategies to achieve greater effects on vaccine uptake, including community engagement and participatory approaches to help control and eliminate outbreaks. Specifically, prepare communication related to introduction of vaccines against COVID-19. Support country communication and FPL focal points for the development of products that most effectively convey the desired information and message to target audiences for key initiatives, including COVID-19 vaccination, in accordance with the priorities of the Department's program of work and Plan of Action; Coordinate and develop the implementation of communication campaigns and activities related to the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically for COVID-19 vaccination, following relevant CMU’s SOP’s on communication. Implement strategic communications framework on immunization products and initiatives.
   7. Campaigns and initiatives: ensure FPL visibility in Organization’s thematic campaigns, including Vaccination Week in the Americas (VWA).
6. Support and promote the correct and innovative use of the virtual resources and platforms, and the social and institutional networks; develop and maintain a database of professionals who work with Knowledge Management and Communications within the Department and externally; identify opportunities for and forge strategic partnerships to improve dialogue and outreach activities to promote the Department’s program of work;
7. Work in close coordination and interaction with the Department’s Administrative Team, EIH and CMU staff;
8. Perform other related duties, as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education****:

Essential: A bachelor’s degree in information sciences, information management, knowledge management, communications or any other field related to the functions of the post from a recognized institution.

Desirable: Training in emerging technologies and methodologies for knowledge management and communication would be an asset.

In the event that your candidature is retained for an interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WHO, only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/. PAHO will also use the databases of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation http://www.chea.org/search/default.asp and College Navigator, found on the website of the National Centre for Educational Statistics, https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator to support the validation process.

Experience****:

Essential: Five years of combined national and international experience working in the area of information and knowledge management and/or communication projects.

SKILLS****:

PAHO Competencies:

• Overall attitude at work: Maintains integrity and takes a clear ethical approach and stance; demonstrates commitment to the Organization’s mandate and promotes the values of the Organization in daily work and behavior; is accountable for work carried out in line with own role and responsibilities; is respectful towards, and trusted by, colleagues and counterparts.
• Teamwork: Collaborate and cooperate with others. - Works collaboratively with team members and counterparts to achieve results; encourages cooperation and builds rapport; helps others when asked; accepts joint responsibility for the teams’ successes and shortcomings. Identifies conflicts in a timely manner and addresses them as necessary; understands issues from the perspective of others; does not interpret/ attribute conflicts to cultural, geographical or gender issues.
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences: Relate well to diversity in others and capitalize on such diversity - Treats all people with dignity and respect. Relates well to people with different cultures, gender, orientations, backgrounds and/or positions; examines own behavior to avoid stereotypical responses; considers issues from the perspective of others and values their diversity.
• Communication: Express oneself clearly when speaking/Write effectively/Listen/Shares knowledge - Quality and quantity of communication targeted at audience. Listens attentively and does not interrupt other speakers. Adapts communication style and written content to ensure they are appropriately and accurately understood by the audience (e.g., power-point presentations, communication strategies, implementation plans). Shares information openly with colleagues and transfers knowledge, as needed.
• Knowing and managing yourself: Manages stress/Invite feedback/Continuously learn - Remains productive even in an environment where information or direction is not available, and when facing challenges; recovers quickly from setbacks, where necessary. Manages stress positively; remains positive and productive even under pressure; does not transfer stress to others. Seeks feedback to improve knowledge and performance; shows self- awareness when seeking and receiving feedback; uses feedback to improve own performance. Seeks informal and/or formal learning opportunities for personal and professional development; systematically learns new competencies and skills useful for job; takes advantage of learning opportunities to fill competencies and skill gaps.
• Producing Results: Deliver quality results/Take responsibility - Produces high-quality results and workable solutions that meet clients’ needs. Works independently to produce new results and sets own timelines effectively and efficiently. Shows awareness of own role and clarifies roles of team members in relation to project’s expected results. Makes proposals for improving processes as required and takes responsibility for own work and/or actions, as necessary. Demonstrates positive attitude in working on new projects and initiatives. Demonstrates accountability for own success, as well as for errors; learns from experience.

Technical Expertise:

• Theoretical knowledge of the principles and practices of knowledge management and communication, organization, distribution, dissemination, collaboration and refinement of information and “best practices”.
• Proven ability to develop and deliver knowledge management programs and/or content management systems and information architecture.
• Knowledge and skills in emerging information and communication technologies for knowledge management sharing and virtual collaboration; skills in electronic/digital library systems and methodologies.
• In-depth knowledge and understanding of knowledge sharing methodologies, concepts, and tools and their role to become a cross-cutting knowledge based learning organization.
• Ability to establish and maintain collaborative relationships within and outside the Organization.
• Mature judgment, strong technical, analytical and conceptual skills; demonstrated ability to assess, analyze, synthesize and provide recommendation on key managerial and administrative issues.
• Ability to integrate managerial and administrative inputs into recommendations for decision-making processes; ability to work independently and to manage multiple assignments simultaneously in a complex organizational environment.
• 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.

Languages:

Very good knowledge of Spanish or English with a working knowledge of the other language. Knowledge of French or Portuguese will be an asset.

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. Knowledge of Web 2.0 concepts, Virtual Collaboration tools; open source tools such as Joomla, etc.

REMUNERATION

Monthly Salary****: (Net of taxes)

USD$4,104,.50 (Salary non-negotiable)

Post Adjustment****:

USD$2,220.53- This amount is to be considered as indicative since variations may occur each month either upwards or downwards due to currency exchange rate fluctuations or inflation.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• This vacancy notice may be used to identify candidates to fill other similar short-term professional positions, at the same grade level.
• Candidates will be contacted only if they are under serious consideration. A written test and/or interview will be held for this position as a form of screening.
• The post description is the official documentation for organization purposes.
• Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to PAHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and e-Manual.
• For information on PAHO please visit: http://www.paho.org
• PAHO/WHO is committed to workforce diversity.
• PAHO is an ethical organization that maintains high standards of integrity and accountability. People joining PAHO are required to maintain these standards both in their professional work and personal activities.
• PAHO also promotes a work environment that is free from harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination, and other types of abusive behavior. PAHO conducts background checks and will not hire anyone who has a substantiated history of abusive conduct.
• PAHO personnel interact frequently with people in the communities we serve. To protect these people, PAHO has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse. People who commit serious wrongdoing will be terminated and may also face criminal prosecution.
• PAHO/WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
• Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are encouraged.
• All applicants are required to complete an on-line profile to be considered for this post.