Position Title: Knowledge Management and Communications Officer

Location: Harare

Supervisor: Chief of Party

Project Summary

The 5-year USAID-funded Improving MNCH services project’s goal is to Improve maternal, neonatal, and child health (MNCH) outcomes through increasing access to quality MNCH services and strengthening health services in five targeted provinces in Zimbabwe (Manicaland, Masvingo, Matabeleland South, Midlands, and Mashonaland West). This project will provide Technical Assistance (TA) to strengthen the technical capacity of MOHCC at the national, provincial, and district levels to scale up high-impact MNCH Interventions; enhance planning, distribution, and retention of MNCH health workforce in implementation areas; reinforce planning, management, and coordination of essential commodities and equipment procurement.

Position Summary

The Knowledge Management and Communications Officer, under the supervision and technical oversight of the Chief of Party, is responsible for the implementation of knowledge management and communication activities, driving FHI 360’s knowledge management strategy with an emphasis on generating new knowledge based on existing activities under the MNCH project, capturing, storing and sharing the knowledge internally and externally to advance organizational performance and FHI 360’s impact to its beneficiaries. The KMCO will work with project staff, USAID, the Ministry of Health and Child Care, and local implementing partners to ensure that knowledge management and communications activities are appropriate and meet the donor and project’s needs.

Duties and Responsibilities

​Knowledge Management

  • Develops and implements a knowledge management strategy to improve organizational effectiveness and efficiency working together with the Senior Management Team and project staff.

  • Ensures project staff are capitated on capturing, storing, synthesis, accessing, sharing, and disseminating of knowledge including making maximum use of internal resources such as Connect, Vine, SharePoint, and other platforms.

  • Ensures that FHI 360’s various knowledge management (KM) platforms are updated, involving support to project teams in updating SharePoint, Vine, uploading deliverables to the USG clearing house, working with the RO and Corporate Communications to keep Connect (the intranet) and the website updated. It also involves maintaining an effective electronic filing and retrieval systems for CO documents and correspondence.

  • Develops, curates, and implements systems to disseminate knowledge products (abstracts, briefs, manuscripts) on project lessons learnt, best practices, success stories, innovations etc in collaboration with project staff and stakeholders. Promoting a knowledge-sharing culture.

  • Plans, manages, facilitates, and creates curriculum for knowledge and project quality sharing events and outreach including seminars/webinars, workshops, conferences, trainings, and peer learning sessions.

  • Enables more streamlined information flow and creates the conditions for knowledge to flow internally between staff and externally to key stakeholders.

  • Actively involved in project learning forums working together with MEL Advisor and arranging webinars or other platforms for knowledge sharing among key stakeholders.

  • Collaborate with FHI 360 HQ, Regional, USAID, MOHCC, and other key stakeholders on learning and organizational knowledge development and sharing projects.

  • Actively seeks collaboration opportunities by communicating regularly with in-country partners to develop new project ideas, utilize research results, and scale up promising programs.

  • Monitors the use of knowledge/learning and its application.

  • Actively involved in the publication of lessons learnt, best practices, and other knowledge generated from project implementation.

  • Develops and supports communities of practice to advance FHI 360 technical leadership, knowledge generation and sharing, and other strategic and operational objectives.

  • Actively support the project MEL team.

    Communications

    • Handles strategic communication for the country office (internal and external) to promote visibility of the country office achievements and effective stakeholder engagement as well as adherence to project marking and branding plan.

    • This includes the following:Prepares a variety of promotional and informational materials including articles, bulletins, websites, pamphlets, and other related media material.

    • Facilitates publication of a periodic CO newsletter, updates to brochures, and creation of other communications products to document the work that FHI 360 does in Zimbabwe and the ensuring results.

    • Assists the CR and Project Leads with both internal and external communications, for effective staff, partner, and client relationship management; for instance, drafting approval requests for the donor, crafting emails to staff on strategic matters, reviewing MOUs, etc.

    • Drafts documents, presentations, aggregate project profiles, policies and terms of reference and such documents on behalf of the CO.

    • Provides publicity and supports event planning for special and high-level events.

    • Researches, writes, and edits a broad range of communications that promote the activities of the organization.

    • Develops and implements communications and public relations strategies to promote andpublicize a variety of departmental projects, services, and programs.

    • Provides consultative review and editing to internal customer’s communications to ensureaccuracy and clarity of message and tone.

    • Applies understanding of business/organizational operations to improve material’s depth and relevance to target audience.

    • Participates in design and development of communications materials that are responsive to the needs of the company’s domestic and international staff.

    • May provide leadership for content development with company intranet.

    • Any other duties as assigned by supervisor.

      Desired Knowledge and Skills:

      • Considerable experience in working in public health/international development programs funded by US government or other international donors, with progressive responsibility over time.

      • Ability to analyze and interpret issues, propose, and implement solutions relying on knowledge of professional standards, principles, and sound judgement.

      • Ability to conduct qualitative and quantitative research including the development of manuscripts, abstracts, and posters.

      • Experience in monitoring and evaluation is desirable.

      • Strong organizational, and communication skills and attention to detail.

      • Demonstrated management, supervision, networking, and leadership skills working with large, complex programs.

      • Strong knowledge of strategic planning, administrative, and knowledge management systems.

      • Ability to work well with others and to develop and maintain compatibility among project staff.

      • Strong interpersonal and negotiation skills, including expertise in building effective relationships with key internal and external stakeholders.

      • Demonstrated success in multicultural environments is required.

      • Ability to manage tight deadlines and deliver high volumes of work with minimal supervision.

      • SharePoint, Vine, DEC, Connect knowledge and/or experience an asset.

      • Ability to build strong relationships across a diverse group of stakeholders and users.

      • Understanding of online communities and engagement techniques.

        Minimum Required Qualifications:

        • Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (Development studies, information systems, public health, social sciences or other relevant field, knowledge management). Master’s degree is an added advantage.

        • Knowledge management certification and experience preferred.

        • A minimum of six years of relevant experience with project/program management principles and practices as well as applicable rules, regulations, and policies associated with international development and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

        • Familiarity with donor-funded, INGO/NGO-led international development programs in Zimbabwe.

        • Well-developed written and oral communication skills, including fluency in English.

        • Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications such as MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

        • Ability to travel to implementation districts approximately 25% of the time.

          This job posting summarizes the main duties of the job. It neither prescribes nor restricts the exact tasks that may be assigned to carry out these duties. This document should not be construed in any way to represent a contract of employment. Management reserves the right to review and revise this document at any time.

          FHI 360 is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer whereby we do not engage in practices that discriminate against any person employed or seeking employment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law.

          Our values and commitments to safeguarding: FHI 360 is committed to preventing any type of abuse, exploitation and harassment in our work environments and programs, including sexual abuse, exploitation and harassment. FHI 360 takes steps to safeguard the welfare of everyone who engages with our organization and programs and requires that all personnel, including staff members and volunteers, share this commitment and sign our code of conduct. All offers of employment will be subject to appropriate screening checks, including reference, criminal record and terrorism finance checks. FHI 360 also participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme (MDS), facilitated by the Steering Committee for Humanitarian Response. In line with the MDS, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any substantiated findings of sexual abuse, exploitation and/or harassment during the applicant’s tenure with previous employers. By applying, job applicants confirm their understanding of these recruitment procedures and consent to these screening checks.

          FHI 360 will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws.

          FHI 360 will never ask you for your career site username or password, and we will never request money, goods or services during the application, recruitment or employment process. If you have questions or concerns about correspondence from us, please email CareerCenterSupport@fhi360.org.

          FHI 360 fosters the strength and health of its workforce through a competitive benefits package, professional development and policies and programs that support a healthy work/life balance. Join our global workforce to make a positive difference for others — and yourself.

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