Knowledge Management Advisor

JSI is a US-based public health nonprofit organization dedicated to providing high-quality technical and managerial assistance programs throughout the world. In Ethiopia, JSI has been working to improve health outcomes for more than 25 years, implementing more than 60 projects and working in every region. JSI has historically managed a large portfolio of projects focusing on the quality, and equity in access of, RMNCAH services, primary health care (PHC) including community health program, digital health, health information systems (HIS), supply chain management, public health emergency responses, and social and behavior change. 

USAID Quality Healthcare Activity (QHA) aims at improving health outcomes through improved readiness of health facilities to deliver quality reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health (RMNCAH) services, increased management and accountability for quality service delivery, and restoration of services in health facilities in conflict-affected areas. QHA's strategies and implementation approaches will help Ethiopia's government build responsive, resilient, and sustainable public and private healthcare systems. QHA will cover urban and peri-urban primary health care units (PHCU) and referral health facilities in select regions and woredas. The Activity, through funding support from USAID, will be implemented by JSI in collaboration with the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI), MSI Reproductive Choices (MSI), Project HOPE, and Network of Ethiopian Women's Associations (NEWA) for five years (May 01, 2023 - April 30, 2028).

Role Summary

JSI is looking for an experienced Knowledge Management Advisor to join a dynamic team in executing collaborating, learning, and adapting (CLA) and knowledge management endeavors for its QHA Activity. The KM Advisor works closely with Activity teams in the field, backstopping teams in the home office, and partners. The role requires the application of continuous program learning that impacts programming and policy. The KM Advisor will lead the development and sharing of learning/knowledge management products, tools, and play an active role in generating, capturing and disseminating Activity information and data. The Advisor will facilitate learning activities and transferring responsibilities (pertaining to the program learning) to the government as a major working partner will be the priority. Working closely with the MEL unit, the KM Advisor will ensure the ‘owning’ of KM by program staff, and will closely support government, partner, and other stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, budget, and implement a KM strategy for QHA based on audit findings with specific objectives and a M&E plan.
•   Create opportunities to generate knowledge, and capture and synthesize all information through knowledge management tools while establishing a systematic approach to ensure consistency.
•   Create user-friendly knowledge generation, capture, and sharing mechanisms.
•    Create, coach, and capacitate knowledge ‘champions’ at the regional level and feedback loops at numerous forums and platforms, and at various levels of program implementation.
• Share lessons and documentations from implementation at public sector forums including woreda-based planning sessions, TOC meetings—ensuring that learnings are acted upon at all levels of the health system.
• Support research that can impact policy and advocacy at various levels of the health system.
• Support the MEL unit and other project staff in the development, adaptation, and implementation of knowledge management and learning indicators.
• Ensure knowledge management systems apply the collaborating, learning, and adapting (CLA) approach.
• Closely work with QHA staff and consortium members to design and organize training on knowledge management implementation, including virtual space utilization and experience sharing practices
• Manage the full production cycle for KM products (print, digital, and audio/visual), including copyediting, layout/design, printing, and strategic dissemination.
• Develop systems and processes which assist QHA staff to easily access and use data, learning, knowledge (internal and external) and evidence of impact to improve existing practices and to inform decision making, planning, Activity wide activities.

•  Ensure the quality assurance of content disseminated through all knowledge management platforms, in close collaboration with technical staff. Lead in organizing experience sharing and acquiring knowledge from Activity staff and consortium partners in advancing the Activity’s knowledge and learning processes and increase collaboration among the partners.
•   Provide support and technical assistance to project staff on data visualization and utilization.

• Document and disseminate the Activity’s innovative and sucessful experiences and achievements, including publications and best practices generated through knowledge management system to relevant stakeholders of the Activity.

• Collaborate on the development of content communication/branding material

• Liaise with relevant public-sector entities (representation, training, coaching, collaboration, and other support).
• Initiate or accompany field visits to intervention areas to collect quality success stories, case studies, photos, quotes, and materials that showcase achievements and/or lessons.
•  Provide support to staff to ensure that standards and requirements by donor and implementing organizations are adhered to.
•   Perform other duties as assigned by immediate supervisor.

•  Advanced degree in communications, journalism, international affairs, public health, or related field or equivalent professional experience.
• Knowledge and experience in different data base and statistical packages (DHIS2, SPSS, STATA, Epi Info, Microsoft office applications).
• Experience cultivating relationships and collaborating with a variety of Ethiopian stakeholders including government ministries and officials, NGOs, donors, the private sector, and community-based institutions.
•  Demonstrated commitment to creating a learning environment in an Activity including experiences leading knowledge management practices
• Liaising and coordinating with various stakeholders and external providers.
• Event organization and management including developing event concepts.

•  Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and experience working collaboratively with teams from diverse backgrounds.
•  Strong presentation, reporting, and communication skills.
•  Ability to work effectively under pressure.
•  Spoken and written fluency in English and Amharic.
•   Data visualization experience.
•   Dedicated, reliable team player and highly adaptive, accommodative and have intercultural sensitivity and ability to handle pressure and discourse in professional setting.
•  Willing and able to travel time to support field teams as security permits.
•  Good diplomatic and intercultural skills and a sound awareness and sensitivity to the gender issues.
•  Strong analytical, research and documentation skills.
• Previous experience working for USAID or a USAID-funded project is a plus.
• Speaking of more than one local language is a plus.