WHO Librarian Job Vacancy in New Delhi

Contract type: Fixed-Term Appointment
Duration of contract: Two Years
Date: 19 December 2011
Application Deadline: 18 January 2012
Duty Station: New Delhi, India
Organization unit: SE/SDE Dprtmnt of Sustainable Dev and Healthy Environments (SE/SDE), SE/IMD – Technical Information Management and Dissemination (SE/IMD)

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME :
To provide substantive advice and authoritative expertise in strengthening knowledge culture within the organization and Member States.
To develop, implement and evaluate comprehensive information management, dissemination and knowledge sharing platform within the organization and in the Member States by creating team environment, integrating related specialties.
To create sustainable infrastructure for access to reliable, timely evidence-based health information that guides health policy and practice in Member States.

Description of duties:
Under the overall guidance of Deputy Regional Director and direct supervision and guidance of Director, Health Systems Development (HSD), WHO Regional Office for South-East Asia, the incumbent will perform the following duties:
1. Advocate, motivate, support and provide leadership role in creating sustainable capacity in access to reliable, timely evidence-based health information that guides health policy and practice in Member States.
a) Strengthen and position IMD to be a model unit in the area of information management, dissemination and knowledge sharing and provide advisory, technical and infrastructural assistance to counterparts at the Member States.
b) Organize policy and strategic meetings, seminars, workshops and trainings at the Member States to strengthen national capacity in the area of information management, dissemination and knowledge sharing.

2. Provide substantive advice and authoritative expertise in the area of information management, dissemination and knowledge sharing which will strengthen knowledge culture within the organization and Member States and position the organization as leader in the field.
a) Develop and promote regional norms, standards, guidelines and recommendations with respect to information management and knowledge sharing.
b) Mobilize information resources and manpower to support information management, dissemination and knowledge sharing activities both within the WHO SEAR offices and at the Member States.

3. Coordinate information management, dissemination and knowledge sharing activities within the WHO SEAR and with the national authorities in the Member States performing the role of WHO SEARO Knowledge Management Focal Point.
a) Position IMD as the Focal Point for Information Management, Dissemination and Knowledge Sharing activities both within the WHO SEAR and at the Member States by providing leadership and support.
b) Streamline Information Management, Dissemination and Knowledge Sharing strategies at the WHO SEAR and Member States and coordinate activities to achieve synchronized and effective results.

4. Create comprehensive platforms for information management, dissemination and knowledge sharing activities within the organization and in Member States by integrating specialities.
a) Dialogue with technical units and their counterparts at the WHO SEAR and Member States and identify areas where information management, dissemination and knowledge sharing methods can be applied
b) Develop appropriate information management, dissemination and knowledge sharing platforms for priority technical areas in collaboration with specialists and advisers at the technical units.

5. Create partnerships within the WHO and with regional counterparts and provide advice on policy and strategic issues regarding information management, dissemination and knowledge sharing.
a) Formulate appropriate IM and KS strategies within the framework of the WHO Information Management, Dissemination and Knowledge Sharing objectives in consultation with technical units.
b) Create partnerships and alliances with counterparts and existing IM and KS infrastructure in the Member States and formulate applicable regional IM and KS policy and strategies.

6. Create team environment by providing innovation, motivation and effective management skills and support team members to excel in information management, dissemination and knowledge sharing activities, ensuring coordination and synergy.
a) Advocate benefits of incorporating Information Management, Dissemination and Knowledge Sharing strategies to programs and activities and motivate the team by demonstrating success stories within the UN system and at the Member States.
b) Introduce and promote use of information management, dissemination and knowledge sharing methods and tools appropriate for the objectives of program areas at the SEARO and in conformance with socio-cultural backdrop at the Member States.

7. Formulate and update policy and strategy of Health Literature, Library and Information Services (HELLIS) Network in the region and coordinate and evaluate HELLIS Network activities.

8. Monitor, evaluate and analyze progress of information management, dissemination and knowledge sharing activities and align the policy and strategy within the WHO and at the Member States as needed.

9. Perform any other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education:
Essential: Advanced university degree in Library and/or information sciences supplemented by a degree in information technology or equivalent.

Desirable: Specialization/Certificate/Training in health sciences librarianship.

Skills:
Functional Skills and Knowledge: Comprehensive knowledge of WHO policies, mission and goals. Extensive theoretical knowledge and practical experience in the area of information management, dissemination and knowledge sharing. Proven innovative and leadership abilities in the area of information management, dissemination and knowledge sharing. Ability to establish and maintain excellent relations with officials at various programme areas. Demonstrated ability to coordinate and motivate staff of various backgrounds. Good ability to foster interpersonal relationship.

Competencies:
1. Producing Results
2. Building and Promoting Partnerships Across the Organization and Beyond.
3. Communicating in Credible and Effective Way
4. Fostering Integration and Teamwork
5. Creating an Empowering and Motivating Environment

Experience:
Essential: At least ten years of professional experience with increasing responsibility in information management, dissemination and knowledge sharing and/or a relevant substantive field which may include five years at the international level. The work requires thorough knowledge of the work of the Organization and experience in the information management, dissemination and knowledge sharing programmes.
Knowledge of automated information management systems, repository systems, e-publishing systems and knowledge management tools as applied to knowledge and information centres, libraries and information networks.

Desirable: Experience in supervising departmental information centres and/or knowledge management institutions in developing countries and also in WHO or other UN agencies.

Annual salary:
(Net of tax)
US$ 80,629 at single rate
US$ 86,791 with primary dependants

Post Adjustment:
41.4 % 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.
A written test and interviews may be used as a form of screening

Online applications are strongly encouraged to enable WHO to store your profile in a permanent database. Please visit WHO’s e-Recruitment website at: www.who.int/employment . The system provides instructions for online application procedures.

All applicants are encouraged to apply online as soon as possible after the vacancy has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the vacancy announcement.
WHO is committed to workforce diversity.

Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and Manual. Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.

WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.

Closing Date: Wednesday, 18 January 2012