UNV Jobs - 50209- Pacific Parliamentary Knowledge Platform Officer -

Pacific Parliamentary Knowledge Platform Officer -(Open to Local Fiji Nationals Only)

Advertised on behalf of

UNV

Location :

Suva, FIJI

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

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

Post Level :

National Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

Three Months

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

UNDP Fiji MCO, in collaboration with the Pacific Parliaments of Kiribati, Marshall Islands (RMI) and Tuvalu intends to establish a Pacific Parliamentary Knowledge Network (PPKN), with 1) a Network Secretariat to be based either in Fiji or in one of the three island nations, and 2) an online platform (developed by UNDP AGORA) which will serve as the main hub for online knowledge exchange and networking between the parliaments and intended audiences.

The online platform will be the PPKN main visible hub; a true *one-stop shop* for parliamentary staff, MPs, citizens, parliamentary development practitioners, researchers, and civil society representatives. It shall offer sections such as 1) Resources & knowledge materials, including a virtual library offering handbooks, guidelines, reports, documents in English and French and other native Pacific languages; 2) Social networking spaces, for hosting online groups and communities around parliamentary development issue areas: gender, climate change, anti-corruption and more; 3) Interactive learning (incl. e-learning courses); and 4) News, Blogs & Social Media sections, where especially Blogs can be used for sharing local citizens, practitioner, civil society representatives’ stories.

UNDP AGORA: The online platform shall be developed, hosted and maintained by the UNDP AGORA team based in Brussels. Based on requirements from the Pacific Parliaments, the AGORA team will establish.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Democratic Governance Programme Analyst based in the UNDP Fiji MCO the UN Volunteer will have a dual responsibility of providing 1) knowledge management and secretariat toward the implementation of the Kiribati, Tuvalu and RMI Parliament Support Upscaling Projects; and 2) Serving as online platform focal point. Specifically to he/she shall:

Maintain the network secretariat role and oversee all knowledge networking activities, both online (mostly via the online platform) and face-to-face through regional meetings, workshops and trainings;
Provide the UNDP Governance Analyst with assistance and daily support in global/ regional/local outreach;
Ensure regional / international relations are manage appropriately in relation to the Parliamentary Knowledge Platform; and
Provide ongoing administrative and resource mobilisation support toward the Knowledge Platform.

As the Platform Focal Point, the UN Volunteer will be responsible (in liaison with the UNDP AGORA team) for:

Engaging and consulting with the Pacific Parliaments, and solicit / record / document:
Online platform requirements (including functional, non-functional), and knowledge networking needs (e.g. areas of exchange, topics, themes);
Ensuring that E-learning requirements, including related to the design, topics, themes of modules and courses are adequately considered in the design phase of the Platform;
As part of the Platform requests and design, also be able to identify training needs among parliamentary staff and platform users, and formulate proposals for training activities, including the design, provision of training to online platform users;
The moderation / management of user-generated content (e.g. blogs, comments, uploads etc) onto the online platform;
The moderation / management of social media channels, linked to the online platform.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to:

Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark IVD);
Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country;
Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities;
Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.;
Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers;
Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

Competencies

Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Shares knowledge and experience;
Actively works towards continuing personal learning, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills;
Ability to perform a variety of specialized tasks related to Results Management, including 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;
Focuses on result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure;
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.

Required Skills and Experience

Qualification:

Educational background in communications, ICT, public administration, law, international relations, or related discipline.

Experience:

Minimum of two years of relevant work experience;
Excellent knowledge of the Pacific region;
Some experience of working with national parliaments is desirable but not required;
Strong knowledge and understanding of online platforms;
Relevant work experience and knowledge of Pacific Island cultures, formal and informal governance systems.

Language requirements

Fluency of English language is required.