The East African Health Research Commission (EAHRC) is a semi-autonomous institution of the East African Community (EAC). EAC is an East African regional intergovernmental organisation. The 5th Extra-Ordinary Summit of the EAC Heads of State held on 18th June 2007 in Kampala, Uganda established the EAHRC as a mechanism for making available to the community, advice upon all matters of health, health-related research and findings necessary for knowledge generation, technological development, policy formulation, practice and related matters.

The Vision of EAHRC is: A healthy and prosperous community built on evidence- driven policy and practice, which emanate from high quality research.

The Mission of EAHRC is: To improve health and well-being of the citizens of the Community by generating, accessing, capturing, assessing, synthesizing, sharing, disseminating, and utilizing health research and findings, as well as technological development that are suitable and relevant to the Community and its people.

The overall objective of the Commission is: To promote, facilitate, and coordinate the conduct and application of health research for the improvement of health and for the well-being of the people of East Africa.

The Commission is recruiting staff to serve at its Secretariat. This is an exciting opportunity for highly motivated and result-driven professionals who are citizens of East African Community Partner States (Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda) to apply for the following position tenable at the EAHRC Secretariat.

Reference Number: REF: EAHRC/2017-18/001
Department: EAHRC Department of Knowledge Management
Current Scale/Grade: P3
Job reports to: Deputy Executive Secretary – Research
Duty Station: Bujumbura, Burundi

Position Summary (Main role and purpose of the job
This position is responsible for establishing mechanisms for generating, capturing, synthesising, assessing, sharing, disseminating, accessing and utilising knowledge to solve health challenges and support the development aspirations of the Community. The position requires frequent communication and interaction with all stakeholders and partners involved and/or supporting knowledge management within EAC Partner States and internationally such as government policy makers, health managers, health workers, health researchers, health research Institutions, health related professional associations, development partners, other stakeholders and the public in general.

Duties and Responsibilities
The Principal Health Officer KM will deliver the following duties and responsibilities in a manner that is consistent and cognizant of the EAHRC philosophy:
o Liaise with the management of the EAHRC
o Work under the supervision of the Deputy Executive Secretary (Research) to provide technical expertise on Knowledge Management.
o Facilitate the creation of health research databases to strengthen health policy and practice.
o Promote the application of knowledge from research to strengthen regional health policy formulation and practice.
o Facilitate the development of regional health policies and their implementation.
o Facilitate and promote the synthesis, interpretation, and utilization of health research findings.
o Facilitate the exchange and dissemination of health research information through conferences, workshops, publications and other fora.
o Promote community outreach activities in implementation of research findings.
o Establish and maintain a harmonized network of morbidity and mortality registries for all diseases, illnesses and conditions which may occur at community, health facility, district, national, and regional levels within Partner States.
o Establish and maintain health research archives, e-library, registries, databases, etc. that will be utilised by the Community.
o Oversee the proper and effective functioning of the ICT infrastructure, the journal (EAHRJ), the East African Open Science Cloud, the EA health information Web portal, the East African Health and Scientific Conference & International Health Exhibition and Trade Fair and other conferences
o Initiate budget proposals for the KM Department;
o Prepare progress reports and follow up on the implementation of Commission, Sectoral Council on Health and Council decisions by the department;
o Promote a positive corporate culture and image of the Commission.
o Perform any other relevant duties and responsibilities as may be assigned by the Deputy Executive Secretary (Research) from time to time.

Minimum Job Requirements
ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:
o Master’s degree in Health Sciences ;
o A post graduate qualification in knowledge and health information system management;
o Relevant working experience of at least ten (10) years in knowledge and health information system management or related fields with five (5) of which must at senior level;
o Must have published at least two (2) articles in international peer review journals, with at least one (1) article as the first or lead author

Skills and competencies
o Demonstrated knowledge of and competency in knowledge and health information system management;
o Ability to develop integrated results oriented annual work plans and other organization-wide activities (setting objectives, developing strategies, budgeting, developing policies and procedures, and organizing the functions necessary to accomplish the activities);
o Should have extensive and demonstrable knowledge of health research and the translation of results of health research into health policy and practice;
o Proficiency in computer office applications and automated statistical analytical tools and/or related packages;
o Excellent communication and interpersonal skills;
o Should be fluent in the English language;
o Working knowledge of French and or Kiswahili will be an added advantage;
o Excellent communication and report writing skills;
o Ability to work as a team leader and to motivate others;
o Ability to work under pressure and to deliver on the set deadlines

Eligibility for application
Applicants from all six Partner States are eligible to apply for this position at the East African Health Research Commission.

Terms and conditions of service
The above position is tenable for a contract period of five (5) years, and may be renewed once.

Fringe benefits
This post offers attractive fringe benefits including housing allowance, transport allowance, education allowance, a medical scheme, and insurance cover.

Equal Opportunity
The EAHRC is an equal opportunity employer. Female candidates are particularly encouraged to apply. EAHRC will only respond to those candidates who strictly meet the set requirements.