UNDP Jobs - 50132- Knowledge Management Consultant

Knowledge Management Consultant – UNCDF Uganda

Location :

Kampala, UGANDA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

31-Oct-2014

Application Deadline :

10-Oct-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

12 Months

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

16 Months

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

UNCDF is the UN’s capital investment agency for the world’s least developed countries. It creates new opportunities for poor people and their communities by increasing access to microfinance and investment capital. UNCDF focuses on Africa and the poorest countries of Asia and the Pacific, with a special commitment to countries emerging from conflict or crisis. It provides seed capital – grants and loans – and technical support to help microfinance institutions reach more poor households and small businesses, and local governments finance the capital investments – water systems, feeder roads, schools, irrigation schemes – that will improve poor peoples’ lives.

UNCDF works to enlarge peoples’ choices: it believes that poor people and communities should take decisions about their own development. Its programmes help to empower women – over 50% of the clients of UNCDF-supported microfinance institutions are women – and its expertise in microfinance and local development is shaping new responses to food insecurity, climate change and other challenges. UNCDF works in challenging environments – remote rural areas, countries emerging from conflict – and paves the way for others to follow. Its programmes are designed to catalyze larger investment flows from the private sector, development partners and national governments, for significant impact on the Millennium Development Goals, especially Goal 1: Eradicate Extreme Poverty and Hunger, Goal 3: Promote Gender Equality and Empower Women, and Goal 7: Ensure Environmental Sustainability.

Established by the General Assembly in 1966 and with headquarters in New York, UNCDF is an autonomous UN organization affiliated with UNDP.

UNCDF launched Mobile Money for the Poor (MM4P) in 2012 with support from the Swedish International Development Agency (Sida) and the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) to promote branchless and mobile financial services in several focus countries in Africa and Asia.

MM4P is interested in seeing Uganda become a leading digital financial services (DFS) market, including mobile phone and other means of branchless banking. While Uganda is advancing in this area it still lags behind its East African neighbours.

In partnership and with financing from the BMGF MM4P will be implementing an “ecosystem support strategy” to hasten the scalability of branchless and mobile financial services, particularly in rural areas. This includes a high level of training, technical assistance and grants to Financial Service Providers (FSPs), agent networks and the government of Uganda.

MM4P requires a Knowledge Management Associate to establish and consolidate its presence in Uganda.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Knowledge Management Associate will provide support to MM4P’s communications and sharing strategy in Uganda. Focusing on achievement of the following results:

Support MM4P Uganda Conferences, Workshops and Information Exchanges:

Contribute to brainstorming on creating participatory, knowledge enhancing workshops and events;
Support the MM4P team on coordination, organizational details and procurement issues related to events;
Manage guest lists, invitations, organize the creation of information packages, letters of invitation relevant to upcoming events, work with the relevant operations staff;
Assist with on-site advance preparations for events;
With team members, assist in contracting speakers or facilitators, as necessary;
Ensure that all materials and presentations are available on time, shared with participants and accessible (including on the UNCDF website);
Assist in the drafting of conference / workshop proceedings, lessons learned reports, preparation of project accomplishment reports and other knowledge products;
Develop action item follow up list from conferences and workshop to ensure that expected results are met;
Develop survey and feedback tools for workshops and events, analyse and provide feedback to teams;
With team input, ensure that regional and international events are included in the MM4P calendar.

Contribute to knowledge building and knowledge sharing:

Contribute to the creation of different knowledge products, drawing on best practices, currently used formats and UNCDF’s knowledge management policies;
Work with the MM4P team to develop a research agenda and plan for Uganda;
Ensure the inclusion of gender issues and gender disaggregated data and/or analysis in the programme research agenda;
With the MM4P team assistance and in accordance with the plan, draft knowledge products on key topics related to the programme activities;
Oversee the publications process for Uganda, working with the MM4P team, relevant operations units, authors, editors and vendors to fulfil knowledge generation targets;
Extract key findings from knowledge products and draft shorter versions for blogs and press quotes/releases that can support the communications and advocacy agenda;
With UNCDF Communications Team, establish marketing and distribution strategy for research products and oversee activities.

Manage communications and marketing for MM4P Uganda:

Develop a communications and marketing strategy for the MM4P Uganda in coordination with the UNCDF Communications Team, identifying communications channels and distribution methods;
Ensure that branding of each of MM4P Uganda event is consistent with UNCDF branding guidelines and each programme funders’ requirements;
Manage the writing, development, design, production and dissemination of diverse publications and news releases through print and video, focusing on achievement of the programme’s results;
Prepare and disseminate appropriate press releases and other notifications for programme activities and when the need arises, ensure visibility for the programme funders;
With the UNCDF Communications Team, update UNCDF website contents for MM4P Uganda so that they are current, relevant and reflect MM4P priorities.

Contribute to knowledge building, networking and knowledge sharing:

Develop strategy for increasing networking and cross-learning among MM4P programme partners in Uganda;
Identify opportunities for scholarship or sponsorships for MM4P’s partners, help match events and partners, organize logistics and registration with partners;
Oversee UNCDF funded scholarships and/or travel support for learning events with relevant programme assistants, draft MOUs and monitor follow up required in MOUs;
Contribute to UNCDF’s social media platforms including : keeping content up to date, uploading new materials (knowledge products, press releases) and tracking site usage and views or hits;
Motivate and monitor programme team members to contribute to blogs and other social media;
Monitor and respond to website contributions and feedback related to MM4P;
Provide quarterly report to MM4P on research and learning activities for their quarterly reporting to funders;
Monitor website indicators with support of UNCDF Communications team;
Assist the MM4P team in developing and maintaining list serves and contact databases for partners and other stakeholders;
Liaise with CGAP, Making Finance work for Africa, UNDP regional offices and development partners for information sharing.

Corporate support and professional development:

Support the use and implementation of MM4P knowledge sharing tools and services, monitoring and evaluating their success; strengthen knowledge sharing processes between the global/regional programmes and country programmes;
Upload generated documents and tools to the UNCDF intranet;
Provide training on knowledge products and knowledge sharing tools to the programme team;
Stay current on learning courses – including mandatory UNDP courses related to Atlas, internal processes and values;
Participate in professional training and capacity development activities, particularly in events related to the programmes’ outputs so as to develop capacity and knowledge in these areas;
As part of a resource mobilization effort, conduct literature review and draft report on Youth Economic & Employment Opportunities in Uganda.

Deliverables/Outputs:

Include Uganda partners in LinkedIn and in email list;
Disseminate information to all stakeholders;
Bring partners into the off-site “helpline”;
Organize annual event for DFS partners;
Training of stakeholders on developing strategic plans;
Conduct a workshop on strategy for BB and MFS;
Organize at least one additional public workshop in 2014 according to the needs of the sector;
Organize at least one public workshop in 2015 according to the needs of the sector;
Organize at least one public workshop in 2016 according to the needs of the sector;
Organize C-level dialogues (CEO level – along with BoU);
Organize bi-monthly informal information exchange meetings;
Write and disseminate a briefing note on agent network diagnosis;
Write and disseminate a briefing note on product development diagnosis;
Write and disseminate briefing notes on various DFS topics/themes (1 per quarter);
Write and disseminate semi-annual market monitor;
Uganda Youth Economic & Employment Opportunities Review and Report.

Competencies

Knowledge Management and Learning:

Fully proficient computer skills and use of relevant software and other applications; web design and/or maintenance;
Actively works towards continuing personal learning, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills;
Ability to manage events, oversee contributions of other actors.

Development and Operational Effectiveness:

Familiarity with UNDP and UN system and/or the donor community;
Ability to organize and perform a variety of specialized tasks simultaneously related to Results Management, including administrative support to design, planning and implementation of programme, managing data, reporting;
Ability to provide input to business processes re-engineering, implementation of new system, including new IT based systems.

Leadership and Self-Management:

Focuses on result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Leads team creatively and effectively;
Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure;
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
Interacts with others in a professional, respectful, and friendly manner;
Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors;
Communicates clearly and convincingly.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Secondary Education, preferably with specialized certification in communications, management, marketing, or related disciplines.
University Degree in communications, journalism, marketing, social sciences, or related discipline would be desirable, but it is not a requirement.

Experience:

At least 6 years of progressively responsible experience in communication, development; or other relevant field is required at the national or international level;
Experience in conducting and overseeing field research related to financial inclusion, economic development or other issues pertaining to the millennium development goals (MDGs);
Experience in overseeing document and report production, print and electronic publishing;
Exposure to financial services industry, the donor community or the development field;
Experience working with international organizations, developing country governments, donor agencies, and/or NGOs and other civil society groups engaged in diverse sectors of international development;
Preferably experience in branding, communications and experience in media relations, graphic design and video production;
Experience overseeing and conducting research and managing research projects.

Language requirements:

Fluency in English.

Timeline:

12 Months.

Locations(s):

Kampala, Uganda.

Travel costs and Daily Supplemental Allowance (DSA):

The consultant should include all costs related to their transportation and stay in Kampala in a lump sum.
Travel costs and DSA for locations other than Kampala will be paid by UNCDF in accordance with UNCDF policies.

Application:

Applications close on 10 October 2014. Applications will be rated on both technical and financial submissions.

The best proposal that will be awarded the contract shall be selected through the following method. Highest rated proposal using the combined scoring method, which assigns the weight distribution between the technical and financial proposals as set out in the RFP. The weight distribution shall be 70% technical and 30% financial.

All applications must contain the following information:

Cover letter with a summary statement of competencies in relation to the TOR;
Earliest availability and proposed schedule for consultancy;
Curriculum Vitae;
Completed P11 Personal History Form with names and current contacts of 3 referees (available from http://sas.undp.org/documents/p11_personal_history_form.doc).

Financial proposal for the full months assignment outlining:

Total professional fee (including professional fees, per diems in Kampala (if applicable);
Other professional expenses (such as insurance, taxes, etc.);
Duty travel (return ticket from country of origin to Kampala.

(The letter template is available at http://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_file.cfm?doc_id=29916)

Both individual consultants and individual employed by a company or institution are welcome to apply.

Any individual employed by a company or institution who would like to submit an offer in response to a Procurement Notice for IC must do so in their individual capacity (providing a CV so that their qualifications may be judged accordingly). Please not that in such case the company institution will be asked to issue an [i]RLA. Women candidates or women-owned businesses are strongly encouraged to apply.

Reimbursable Loan Agreement (RLA): A legal instrument between UNCDF and a Company/institution, according to which, the latter makes available the services of an individual delivering time-bound and quantifiable outputs that are directly linked to payments. An RLA is governed by the provisions of this policy.