Advisor advocacy and information management, P-4

Vacancy Notice No: PAHO/11/FT65

Organization unit: AM Americas (AM)
Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Relief (PED)/Deputy Director (DD)

Objectives of the programme:

The objective of the Area on Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Relief is to reduce the impact of disasters on the health of the population of the Americas through disaster preparedness, mitigation and a timely and coordinated response.

Description of duties:

Under the general supervision of the Deputy Director (DD), and the direct supervision of the Manager, Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Relief (PED), the incumbent is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to, the following assigned duties:

a) Conceptualize and develop a coordinated advocacy and public information strategy of all disaster reduction activities using the Internet as well as other technologies and traditional channels. Promote health sector disaster preparedness and risk reduction activities and initiatives through conferences and presentations at United Nations (UN) and regional disaster symposia.

b) Design and manage a strategic regional plan to develop, promote and market technical and scientific publications, training and audiovisual materials on disaster preparedness, mitigation and prevention; stimulate the creation of publishing partnerships at local, national and international levels; secure extra-budgetary funding sources.

c) Coordinate the production of multimedia and printed technical materials for the health sector, provide technical advice, review the quality of work of staff under supervision, as well as of freelance writers, editors and translators.

d) Develop annual promotional campaigns to increase awareness of health vulnerability reduction and disaster preparedness at national, regional and global level.

e) Plan and develop operational activities and strategies on information management and public communication in emergencies and disasters; lead and support the development of technical capacities at national and regional level in the areas of communication and information management in emergencies; support the development of the roster of experts for the Organization's Regional Response Team.

f) Provide policy and strategic advice and support in media relations related to disaster relief efforts in the Region; develop collaborative partnerships with the public and private sector.

g) Develop strategies and provide advice to improve access to local and global disaster and health information systems to strengthen disaster information services and centers in the Region (including the development and sustainability of the Regional Disaster Information Center, (CRID), in collaboration with Knowledge Management and Communication (KMC) and other external partners, such as the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UN/ISDR), National Library of Medicine (NLM), etc.

h) Oversee, review and approve the content of the Organization's information on disaster preparedness, mitigation and prevention that is disseminated electronically, through the web, related agencies, and other electronic and social media services.

i) Provide direct technical support in the mobilization of resources through liaison with donors and formulation of projects.

j) Supervise staff assigned, and the implementation of projects, including financial execution, develop work programs; establish clear work objectives for assigned staff, conduct timely and effective performance appraisals, provide coaching and feedback; review the quality of work of staff under supervision, as well as of freelance writers, editors and translators.

k) Optimize efficiency and effectiveness of outsourcing operations.

l) Perform other related duties as assigned.

Required qualifications

Education:

A bachelor's and master's degree in a health, information, social science or related field from a recognized university.

Skills:

-- Intra-institutional 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 information or to build an alliance. Takes into consideration the multicultural differences within the organization.

-- Information Management: Initiates, leads and participates in activities to improve systems for the presentation and dissemination of information. Verifies that information from the area of work is handled objectively and presented clearly and equitably. Develops new strategic forms to be more effective and concordant with the dissemination of the information.

-- 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.

-- 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.

-- Thinking, planning and the strategic management of technical cooperation interventions: Selects priority ideas for executing the interventions after anticipating their potential problems and solutions. Participates in the preparation of strategic plans, providing input about their impact, quality, critical points, and risks.

-- 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 and practical knowledge of the principles and practices of information and knowledge management, organization, distribution, dissemination, collaboration and refinement of information.

* Theoretical and practical expertise in all aspects related to media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods to include alternative ways to promote knowledge management initiatives;

* Excellent knowledge and skills for the design, organization and coordination of complex communication campaigns;

* Knowledge of business and management involved in strategic planning, resource allocation and coordination of people and resources.

* Strong inter-personal skills, diplomacy and tact to effectively communicate with the media and with senior level health officials in public and private sector and civil society, multiple stakeholders and professionals from diverse cultural backgrounds;

* Ability to manage multiple issues and tasks in a complex organizational environment to re-prioritize actions on short notice.

* Mature judgment, strong technical, analytical, conceptual, inter-personal and communication skills; demonstrate ability to identify, assess, analyze, synthesize and provide recommendation on key political, technical and administrative issues.

* Ability to integrate political, technical and managerial inputs into recommendations for decision-making.

* 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, SharePoint and Outlook. Other IT skills and knowledge of other software programs such as Visio and Project will be an asset.

Experience:

Essential: Nine years of combined national and international experience in information and knowledge management activities, design and management activities and programs for advocacy and communication; production and marketing of publications and other information/technical materials. Experience should also include working with new information technologies and multimedia.

Desirable: Experience directly related to health information promotion and the impact of disasters on the health and welfare of populations and with other international organization would be an asset

Languages:

Very good knowledge of Spanish or English with working knowledge of the other language. Knowledge of French and/or Portuguese would be an asset.

Additional Information:

A WRITTEN TEST AND/OR INTERVIEW MAY BE HELD FOR THIS POST. CANDIDATES WILL BE CONTACTED ONLY IF THEY ARE UNDER SERIOUS CONSIDERATION. ALL APPLICANTS ARE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE AN ON-LINE PERSONAL HISTORY FORM. THE POST DESCRIPTION IS THE OFFICIAL DOCUMENTATION FOR ORGANIZATIONAL PURPOSES.