Advisor II – Communication and Knowledge Management

About CRS

Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. CRS works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. CRS’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance and peacebuilding.

Background

The CORE Group Polio Project (CGPP), a USAID funded polio eradication project, conducts community-based activities designed to strengthen supplemental polio immunization, routine polio immunization, and surveillance of acute flaccid paralysis, COVID-19, and priority zoonotic diseases in nine countries: Ethiopia, India, South Sudan, Nigeria, Kenya, Somalia, Uganda, Angola, and Niger. The project operates through the CORE Group Secretariat model, which coordinates a group of international NGOs in each focal country. Activities are implemented by individual US-based PVOs and local partners and overseen at the country-level by national secretariats. The project operates through more than 20,000 community volunteers who act as community mobilizers and promote childhood immunization, provide health education, and are active members of the community-based surveillance system. CGPP has pioneered several key polio eradication strategies including independent campaign monitoring, cross border collaboration, and the inclusion of civil society in polio eradication.

Job Summary

The Communications and Knowledge Management Advisor will work closely with the Global Project Director and Sr. Technical Advisor to ensure high quality documentation and dissemination of the project’s results and lessons. S/he will take primary responsibility for reports, documentation, publications, and presentations and will provide communications and knowledge management support to CGPP Secretariat field staff. S/he will establish and lead efforts for learning and sharing between countries.

Roles and Key Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain a collaborative digital community of practice for the project to facilitate cross country sharing of reports, lessons learned, tools, key strategies, and challenges. Promote sharing and learning opportunities within the project and across countries.
• Support the preparation, collation, editorial review, copy editing, and dissemination of all project produced documents including annual/semi-annual/quarterly reports, journal manuscripts, presentations, success stories, conference abstracts and presentations, communication materials, country newsletters, webinars, case studies, and other pertinent work products.
• Develop a CGPP Global Communications and Knowledge Management Strategy for the CGPP team including a dissemination strategy, communications guidance, and relevant reporting formats.
• Develop standard reporting formats for reports, publications, presentations, and other work formats and guide the CGPP team in maintaining these in all project materials.
• Build the capacity of CGPP Secretariat teams and partner staff and provide support in the areas of knowledge management and communications.
• Promote CGPP’s work using appropriate social media platforms and website content updates. Work closely with CORE Inc to manage the content on the CORE Polio website and ensure that reports, documents, photos, country descriptions, published manuscripts and other key documents are kept up to date. Work with CORE Inc, Secretariat Directors, and senior management to understand website and social media needs.
• Develop approaches to build knowledge sharing, facilitate project learning opportunities, team building and skill building workshops.
• Support CGPP presence at international forums including supporting the preparation of presentations, posters, and communication materials for conferences and meetings.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in public health, communication, or related field required.
• Five years related experience with at least two years international experience in public health and development communications and/or knowledge management. Additional relevant education may substitute for some experience.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office tools
• Working knowledge of SharePoint

Required Languages – Professional fluency in English required; proficiency in a second language preferred. French and/or Portuguese a plus.

Travel– up to 20%.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in public health with experience in immunization or child survival
• Experience with producing reports, manuscripts, and presentations for academic and professional audiences
• Experience and skills with development and management of web content and professional social media accounts including the utilization of graphics, photographs, and other interactive features.

Key Working Relationships:

Internal: Core Group Polio Project (CGPP) STA, Global Grants unit, technical staff in the Program Impact Quality Assurance department, OverOps Knowledge Management and Learning team, other colleagues across CRS headquarters departments.

External: CGPP leadership, consortium and partners, USAID

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrated understanding of knowledge management and learning concepts and how to utilize them to improve programmatic outcomes and efficiency
• Strong organizational and analytical skills and experience with knowledge management systems.
• Strong writing skills, ability to write clearly and succinctly (including commenting and editing writing of non-native English speakers)
• Strong communication skills (Email and collaboration platforms) in a remote work environment and ability to get things done in a matrix environment
• Ability to work with a diverse team, donors, and stakeholders in a variety of cultural settings
• Ability to think analytically and act methodically

Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff)

These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.

• Integrity
• Continuous Improvement & Innovation
• Builds Relationships
• Develops Talent
• Strategic Mindset
• Accountability & Stewardship

What we offer

CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, life insurance, vision, generous retirement savings plan and the opportunity to work in a collaborative, mission-driven culture that is committed to improving the lives of the poor throughout the world.

***Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. We welcome as a part of our staff people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need.

Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.

Note: All positions requiring residence or frequent travel outside their home country must undergo and clear a pre-employment medical examination.

CRS’ talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to safeguarding the rights and dignity of all people – especially children and vulnerable adults – to live free from abuse and harm.

EOE/M/F/D/V – CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. (For all US and International positions)