Advisor, Publication Services – P4  

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that the deadline for receipt of applications indicated above reflects your personal device’s system settings. 

 

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 Publication team (PUB) positions PAHO as a public health leader, a catalyst for change, and an authoritative source of health information in the Region of the Americas and beyond. Through its expertise, PUB advises the PAHO Publications Committee to ensure publications align with the Organization’s strategic priorities. The team collaborates with technical departments and country offices to develop multilingual high-quality, high-impact information products that respond to the needs of PAHO audiences. To this end, PUB enforces rigorous editorial standards; leads worldwide dissemination of publications; establishes partnerships and co-publication agreements; promotes Open-Access initiatives and safeguards PAHO’s intellectual property.

 

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the direct supervision of the Deputy Director (DD), the incumbent is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to, the following assigned duties:

a)   Provide technical advice and guidance to the Organization on editorial and publishing matters; represent PAHO in the WHO Publishing Policy Coordination Group (PPCG) and related inter-institutional activities, as well as engage with relevant UN Agencies;

b)   Develop and update the PAHO publishing policy and ensure the policy is implemented throughout the Organization, Country Offices, and Specialized Centers;

c)    Design, implement, and measure the impact of strategies that advance evidence-based scientific and technical publishing in the Organization, as well as raise the visibility and profile of PAHO;

d)   Serve as Secretariat of the PAHO Publications Committee, advising and reporting to the Committee on publishing matters and coordinate the publications biennial planning;

e)   Under EIH leadership, contribute to the production of the PAHO flagship publication Health in the Americas, and other flagship publications, as appropriate;

f)    Lead the writing and production of publications aimed at PAHO diverse audiences in multiple formats, including annual reports and advocacy publications, and as appropriate, in coordination with technical units;

g)   Assess proposed publications submitted by technical programs and recommend the most cost-effective and efficient format, publication processes, and end product as well as help technical programs and other PAHO organizational units to determine and better understand their intended audiences for maximum impact;

h)   Manage and expand the roster of external writers with a goal to ensure quality writing and editing;

i)     Provide publication and editorial support during times of public health emergencies;

j)    Lead the development and implementation of editorial guidance materials, including PAHO style guides;

k)   Close follow industry developments, and then research, advise and introduce new publishing practices and technologies to improve PAHO editorial and publishing processes, including assessment and recommendations for introduction of AI publishing technologies, streamline workflows, and increase efficiency and cost-effectiveness;

l)     Identify, prepare, and coordinate training activities to improve the visual and content quality of the Organization’s scientific and technical publications and related information products, within the PUB team and across the Organization;

m)  Coordinate the development and maintenance of the Organization’s publications website;

n)   Develop and foster alliances and partnerships with other organizations for publishing ventures and exchanges;

o)   Manage production and dissemination of PAHO publications and other information products to and through academic institutions, scholarly journals, scientific and technical meetings, international book fairs, the media, and electronic forums;

p)   Supervise the work of the Publications Services team; prepare, communicate, and oversee work plans, performance plans and staff evaluations;

q)   Monitor changes in workload, redistributing as necessary, in order to maintain optimal quality and efficiency;

r)    Provide leadership, guidance, and support to team through setting of clear work objectives, timely and effective use of performance reviews and feedback mechanisms, regular communications, and resolution of interpersonal or technical conflicts; establish and support a learning environment;

s)    Ensure the implementation of the BWP for Publications, in cost-efficient, transparence and accountable manner(s);

t)    Represent the Organization in domestic and international meetings and congresses, particularly those in the areas of scientific and technical publishing;

u)   Collaborate in the preparation of the entity’s biennial work plan, programs and budgets, semiannual work plans, and periodic evaluations for assigned projects; and

v)   Perform other related duties, as assigned.

 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Essential: A bachelor’s and master’s degree in communications, journalism, a health-related science, international studies, or related field from a recognized university.

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.  PAHO, only considers official degrees 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: Nine years of combined national and international experience in publications management, scientific communication, and other related publishing activities.

Desirable: Publishing management experience with an international organization or an international nongovernmental organization, preferably in the field of public health, 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. 

·       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. 

·       Teamwork: Collaborate and cooperate with others – Works collaboratively with team members and counterparts to achieve and build rapport; helps others when asked; accepts joint responsibility for the team’s successes and shortcomings. 

·       Communication: Write effectively/Share knowledge – Writes down ideas in a clear, structured, logical and credible way; drafts and supports the development of guidelines, policies and procedures. Shares relevant information openly and ensures that the shared information is understood; considers knowledge sharing as a constructive working method and demonstrates awareness of the Organization. 

·       Producing Results: Work efficiently and independently/Deliver quality results – Monitors own and others’ work in a systematic and effective way, ensuring required resources and outputs. Aligns projects with Organization’s mission and objectives. Consistently solves own and team’s problems effectively as needed. Proactively engages in projects and initiatives, accepting demanding goals, in line with Organizational Strategies and Program of Work. Demonstrates accountability for work of team and sets an example, while explicitly articulating lessons learnt for own and team’s benefit. 

·       Ensuring effective use of resources:   Strategize and set clear objectives/Monitor progress and use resources well – Sets specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely objectives for own team and/or the Organization; systematically analyses and anticipates priority projects for own team and allocates necessary resources to achieve them; identifies the cross-Organizational resources needed for large- scale projects in line with key Organizational objectives.  Anticipates foreseeable changes and adapts own and team’s projects in the face of unforeseen circumstances and/ or challenges; creates measures and criteria to monitor progress of overall projects against key Organizational objectives; creates cost-effective solutions for the Organization. 

·       Building and promoting partnerships across the Organization and beyond:  Develop networks and partnerships and encourage collaboration – Builds and negotiates strategic partnerships and alliances with a wide range of key stakeholders to ensure Organizational results and success.  Creates innovative opportunities for promoting synergies inside and outside the Organization to improve Organizational success.

 

Technical Expertise:

–       Theoretical knowledge and expertise at the highest level in all aspects related to scientific publishing processes, and in the definition of criteria to select and evaluate scientific communication production, including journalistic abilities and resourcefulness to evaluate and guide the quality of editorial products.

–       Broad understanding of public health, scientific and corporate communication best practices and innovations; knowledge of information policy issues, methodologies for electronic publications, and public health terminology and concepts.

–       Expertise in techniques to develop, implement, coordinate, and evaluate publishing policies, processes, operational procedures, and training methodologies, and in project design, writing, coordination, and evaluation. 

–       Strong technical, analytical, conceptual, interpersonal communication skills; demonstrated ability to identify, assess, analyze, synthesize, and provide recommendations on key technical and administrative issues.

–       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 field of international health and communication

–       Strong professional oral and writing/editing skills, including the ability to develop reports, oral presentations, and technical/persuasive documents for consideration at the highest levels of the Organization.

Languages:

Expert knowledge of English or Spanish and advanced knowledge of the other. Knowledge of Portuguese or French would be an asset but is not required.

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. Hands-on familiarity with AI generative software is expected. Knowledge of Visio and Project will be an asset.

 

REMUNERATION

Annual Salary: (Net of taxes)

USD 77,326.00 + 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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