Specialist, Collaborating Centers and Knowledge Networks – WHO jobs in the USA

• Location: Washington D.C, USA
• Vacancy No: N/A 
• Salary: N/A
• Organization: WHO
• Gender: Both
• Deadline: 2024-03-28

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 Evidence and Intelligence for Action in Health (EIH) is responsible for leading the Organization into a full fluid cycle that begins with the production and availability of quality basic and disaggregated data and the strengthening of information systems and digital transformation for health as fundamental pillars, the subsequent ethical use of data to produce health intelligence through analysis, modelling, forecasting, and data science to guide decisions and actions in health, knowledge generation and management to improve the access, use, and sharing of evidence in health, the prioritization of research agendas and resources to respond to Regional priorities, and culminating with knowledge translation to support evidence-based decisions and policy making in public health, including the implementation of research policy and bioethics programs and the management of the Pan American Journal of Public Health.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the general supervision of the Unit Chief, Science and Knowledge for Impact (EIH/SK), and the direct supervision of the Advisor, Knowledge Management and Networks (EIH/KM), the incumbent is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to, the following assigned duties:

1. a)Provide support for the administration of processes for the WHO Collaborating Centers (WHOCCs), namely designation, re[1]designation and terminations; formulate and elaborate plans of action to manage the designation and re-designation process of all WHOCCs in the Region; implement the screening process for all proposals; serve as Secretary and provide technical support to the Organization’s Global Screening Committee;
2. b)Manage recommendations for renewal/termination of WHO Expert Advisory Panel (EAP) memberships in the Region by coordinating, under a strict timeframe, communications between the Research Policy Cooperation Program (WHO/HQ), relevant technical advisors and the Office of the Assistant Director;
3. c)Provide technical support and guidance in the development and implementation of thematic knowledge networks. This includes dissemination of scientific and evidence-based technical information, knowledge sharing events, learning, collaboration and communities of practices to promote and support public health interventions to strengthen knowledge management and sharing among the Member States;
4. d)Provide technical support for the strengthening of PAHO’s Knowledge initiatives, with emphasis on the initiative Good Practices in Public Health: Experiences and Lessons Learned from the Americas; formulate and elaborate proposal and call for good practices; implement screening process and serve as Secretary of technical committees;
5. e)Serve as the Regional Focal Point for the WHOCCs and EAP in the Region and as an information resource to technical areas and potential/current institutions on WHO policy and procedures and ensure accountability for established norms and procedures;
6. f)Review, approve and/or recommend changes for all proposed designations and redesignations of WHOCCs; prepare relevant technical reports;
7. g)Manage the WHOCCs global electronic information system (eCC) in compliance with all established guidelines; provide technical support to all user’s help requests in the Region; analyze and recommend feasible enhancements to the eCC and contribute to enhancements of the system as requested by WHO;
8. h)Conduct face-to-face and/or virtual orientation/training sessions for staff requiring the mandatory use of the WHO e-work-based electronic system for collaborating centers (eCC);
9. i)Establish and maintain working relationships with key focal points at designated institutions and government agencies in relation to their respective WHO technical areas, including actively participating in internal/external meetings;
10. j)Manage PAHO distribution lists platform in order to guarantee high-quality standards and excellence on the contents shared by those lists;
11. k)Facilitate coordination between entities and/or external stakeholders in the preparation of calls for good practices, serve as the secretariat for technical review committees;
12. l)Collect, assess, and update the library of concrete deliverables provided by the WHOCCs in the Region that contribute to PAHO’s strategy and mandates;
13. m)Assist in the development of procedures and training guidelines for WHO staff and designated external users; review and update guidelines, standard procedures, and job aids, among other tasks respective to good practices;
14. n)Develop, implement and update EIH/KM methodologies used to consolidate all PAHO’s thematic and strategic networks, and contribute to the content management of the Knowledge Network and Good Practices websites;
15. o)Manage PAHO distribution lists platform in order to guarantee high-quality standards and excellence on the contents shared by those lists; prepare the contents, and the interaction among the memberships of the those lists with special emphasis on the PAHO’s Equity list & Knowledge network;
16. p)Update PAHO/WHO Collaborating Centers webpage and any other institutional channels created to disseminate WHOCCs in the Region and Knowledge Network initiatives;
17. q)Perform other related duties, as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Essential: A bachelor’s degree in a health science, public administration, business, international relations, information science, information systems or in any other field related to the functions of the position, from a recognized university.

Desirable: Proven training in knowledge management, information management or digital literacy 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 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 in project management, administration of collaborative networks supporting different program levels, or information science or systems.

Desirable: Experience with a UN common system organization, or other international public organization would be an asset.

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.
• Moving forward in a changing environment: Propose change/Adapt to change – Suggests and articulates effective and efficient proposals for change as needed when new circumstances arise.  Quickly and effectively adapts own work approach in response to new demands and changing priorities. Is open to new ideas, approaches and working methods; adjusts own approach to embrace change initiatives.

Technical Expertise:

–       Theoretical and practical knowledge of knowledge management, organization, distribution, dissemination, collaboration and refinement of information; skills in administration of inter-institutional collaborating/multilateral networks, communities of practice, or committee management.

–       Knowledge of modern management principles and practices with specific emphasis on project management.

–       Ability to integrate managerial and administrative inputs into recommendations for decision-making processes; ability to manage multiple issues and tasks in a complex organizational environment.

–       Ability to develop and disseminate information, using database systems and information technologies.

–       Ability to create and advocate innovative approaches to facilitate and enhance management and administrative capacity, as well as monitoring these processes.

– Excellent organizational and analytical skills with 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 English or Spanish with a working knowledge of the other language. Knowledge of French and/or Portuguese would be an asset.

IT Skills:

Demonstrated ability to effectively use current technology and software, spreadsheets and presentations, as well as Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and management information systems. Other IT skills and knowledge of software programs such as Microsoft Excel, Outlook, OneDrive, PowerPoint, Teams, SharePoint, and Word are considered essential. Other IT skills and knowledge of other software programs such as content management systems (such as Drupal, WordPress or Joomla) and WHOCCs e-Work system would be an asset.

REMUNERATION

Annual Salary: (Net of taxes)

USD $50,377.00 + post adjustment

Post Adjustment: 70.2% 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.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

THIS VACANCY NOTICE MAY BE USED TO FILL OTHER SIMILAR POSITIONS AT THE SAME GRADE LEVEL.

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 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/WHO 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/WHO 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 is committed to workforce diversity. PAHO/WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.

PAHO/WHO offers an attractive compensation package including an annual net salary and post adjustment, which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station and exchange rates (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance).  Other benefits include: 30 days annual leave, dependency benefits, pension plan and health insurance scheme. Benefits for internationally recruited staff may include home leave, travel and removal expenses on appointment and separation, education grant for dependent children, assignment grant and rental subsidy.

Candidates appointed to an international post with PAHO are subject to mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world.

All applicants are required to complete an on-line profile 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 organization purposes.

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