The Innovation, Access to Medicines and Health Technologies Department (IMT) is responsible for promoting, coordinating, and implementing the Organization’s technical cooperation in access to and rational use of quality medicines and other health technologies. IMT works across all categories of medicines and health technologies, including medicines, vaccines, diagnostics, medical equipment, blood products, and organs for transplantation. IMT supports countries in addressing barriers to access, addressing challenges across the medical product full life cycle, strengthening regulatory capacity and supporting evidence-based decision making and rational use through health technology assessment. IMT consolidates action in the development of pharmaceutical and other health technology related services and leads efforts in innovation through the regional platform to advance the manufacturing of vaccines and other health technologies, increasing regional capacity in the research and development of priority health products, and supporting the generation of ecosystems to enable development, production and access to medicines and other health technologies.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
Under the general supervision of the Director, Communications (CMU), and the direct supervision of the Director, Innovation, Access to Medicines and Health Technologies (IMT), the incumbent is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to,the following assigned duties:
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 (BWP) 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Campaigns and initiatives: ensure IMT visibility in Organization’s thematic campaigns, including World Health Days of significance for the Department.
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
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.
Experience:
Essential: Five years of combined national and international experience working in the area of information and knowledge management and/or communication projects.
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.
