UNDP Jobs - 46373- Policy Specialist, Knowledge Management and Commun

Policy Specialist, Knowledge Management and Communication

Location :

New York, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

03-Jun-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

P-4

Duration of Initial Contract :

one year

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

The Development Operations Coordination Office (DOCO) brings together the UN development system to promote change and innovation to deliver together on sustainable development. DOCO works under the leadership of the UNDG Chair and guidance of the UNDG. The team provides field evidence to inform policy, facilitates the achievement of shared results, and promotes excellence in UN leadership and coordination. The core objective is a relevant and impactful UN contribution to development.

DOCO works in close collaboration with the development, peacebuilding, humanitarian, human rights and administration arms of the UN and its partners, to ensure teamed-up efforts and results through the following:

Provide ideas, analysis and advocacy on the UN’s common normative and operational agenda, including on integrated development policy;
Develop and quality assure UNDG programme and operations methodology and instruments to facilitate the UN working together for development;
Support UN development system coordination mechanisms at country and regional levels, including for Delivering as One;
Support field practices on UN coordination and coherence, that result in improved efficiencies and impact;
Support the UNDG Chair, regional UNDG Chairs, ASG Advisory Group and the UN Resident Coordinators in the discharge of their leadership and coordination responsibilities;
Manage and facilitate inter-agency networks of expertise and knowledge sharing.

Under the overall guidance of the Team Leader, Knowledge Management, the Policy Specialist is responsible for technical assistance and support to the UNDG Communicating as One pillar and working mechanism, day-to-day management of the Coordination Practice Network facilitation of knowledge-sharing, and documentation of practice and results of the UN working together in development.

Duties and Responsibilities

Policy coordination and technical support to Communicating as One:

As the primary function of the post, provide the leadership required and technical support on joint communication to the UNDG task team on Communicating as One. Support UNDG working mechanisms in drafting and finalizing policies, technical documents, guidance and protocols;
Provide policy inputs and technical guidance;
Develop briefing papers and discussion points for consideration by UNDG working mechanisms; ensure appropriate linkages between joint communication work and other working mechanisms;
Under the guidance of the Team Leader, provide technical advice and support in responding to requests for substantive guidance and interpretations on joint communication;
Facilitate documentation and sharing of good examples of joint communication work and application of the UNDG Communicating as One guidelines;
Monitor and analyze the implementation of UNDG Communicating as One guidance and joint communication work to report on progress achieved, identify trends and make suggestions for further strengthening.

Analyses and documentation of UN coordination:

Under the guidance of the Team Leader, and in close coordination with the M&E Specialist and Policy Advisor to the Director, develop analyses utilizing DOCO sources such as the RCAR, on the results being achieved by the UNDG/UNCTs in UN coordination;
Develop and manage the methodology for documenting case studies of good practices and lessons learned in UN coordination work. Develop and maintain knowledge portal for the case studies, and lead dissemination to interested stakeholders;
Under the guidance of the Team Leader in close coordination with the M&E specialist, develop guidance and approaches for the identification of case studies, how they are documented, including quality assurance and review;
Support the development of case studies of good practices and lessons learned in UN coordination work as a means to explain how coordination has been implemented effectively at country level and highlight lessons learned, as well as highlighting the contribution of effective coordination work to development results, especially in Delivering as One contexts;
Provide advice and support on the presentation and dissemination of case studies and other knowledge products.
Provide support and advice on other knowledge management related issues as needed.

Management of the Coordination Practice Network:

Under the guidance of the Team Leader plan and manage the development and operation of the UN Coordination Practice Network as an inter-agency network of UN staff with the aim of enabling real time information, knowledge and experience sharing on coordination issues;
Ensure day to day management of technical platform including facilitating technical support to users of the platform and training for users, user registration etc.;
Facilitate network interactions though organization of e-discussions; coordination and stimulating response to e-queries; using network as means for dissemination of key announcements; in order to facilitate effective use of the network for knowledge exchange;
Promote and encourage use of the network with UN coordination staff in Countries, Regions and HQ including in DOCO;
Preparation of knowledge products from the network including e-discussion summaries, summary responses to e-queries, maintenance of discussion archives, production of newsletters and extraction of relevant documents and experiences as inputs to development of guidance, meetings, trainings and other relevant uses.

Impact of Results

The Policy Specialist on Knowledge Management and Communication will ensure the effective support to the UNDG and UNCTs on Communicating as One, thereby ensuring that development results are effectively communicated jointly by the UN in country to demonstrate development impact and the UNCT relevance in the countries supported. Additionally, the support of the knowledge network on coordination will ensure that relevant knowledge is captured and shared for use in capacity building, policy making and decision making, and thus a more effective UNCT in country will be enabled, and inputs to the UNDG policy making can be informed by country experiences and issues. And provision of analyses of UNCT coordination activities, as well as documentation of good practices, will inform UNDG policy as well as strengthen UNCT implementation of good practices.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
Advocates and promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of the UN;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Treats all people fairly without favoritism;
Demonstrates and promotes the values of the UN in actions and decisions and acts in accordance with the standard of conduct for international civil servants;
Shows willingness to work without bias with all persons regardless of gender, nationality, religion or culture;
Contributes effectively to team-based activities, working collaboratively and sharing information openly; works effectively with colleagues inside the UN as well as its partners and other stakeholders to pursue common goals;
Facilitates and encourages open communication in the team, communicating effectively;
Remains calm, composed and patient when facing conflict, manages conflict productively, focusing on mutually acceptable solutions;
Takes initiative and seeks opportunities to initiate action;
Actively produces and disseminates new knowledge;
Creates/contributes to mechanisms to collect and share knowledge;
Actively seeks learning opportunities;
Demonstrates commitment to ongoing professional development;
Proposes innovative ideas and new solutions to work.

Functional Competencies:

Demonstrated ability to support and maintain inter-agency networks and partnerships;
Good technical knowledge of communication and advocacy techniques and approaches especially in UN context;
Strong skills in networking, knowledge sharing, collaboration and facilitation work online and face to face;
Excellent technical writing and editing skills;
Experience in production, development and dissemination of knowledge/communication product;
Good familiarity with using social media, web and other online tools for collaboration, knowledge sharing and communication;
Excellent presentation skills;
Good knowledge of UN reform;
Proven ability to coordinate and support formulation and development of policies, procedures and guidance
Anticipates clients’ needs;
Demonstrates understanding of clients’ perspectives; solicits feedback on service provision and quality
Keeps abreast of new developments in areas of focus.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Advanced university degree (Masters) in information, communications, public relations or similar field is required.

Experience:

A combination of at least 7 years relevant experience in communication and advocacy, knowledge management, and/or publication, some of which should be with developing countries and within the UN system, Agencies, Funds or Programmes;
Experience in UN inter-agency collaboration and Resident Coordinator System issues is a strong asset;
Experience and a good knowledge of the UN system policies, practices and procedures are desirable.

Language:

Fluency in oral and written English is required;
Proficiency in another UN working language is desirable.