UNV Jobs - 60159- Learning and Knowledge Management Officer

Learning and Knowledge Management Officer

Advertised on behalf of

UNV

Location :

Erbil, IRAQ

Type of Contract :

UNV

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

14-Oct-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

UNV

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 project “Youth Opportunities: UNV Capacity Development and Support to the Kurdistan Regional Government through Volunteering” was endorsed by the Ministry of Planning of the Kurdistan Region. The objectives of the project are the following: (a) to develop the capacity of selected young people between 22 and 29 years old, through participatory approaches and in this manner provide an opportunity for young people in Kurdistan to become champions for the work of the United Nations in their communities, and get actively involved in the realization of Kurdish regional development goals; (b) to reinforce KRG project implementation capacity, specifically through the injection of a robust local knowledge base. This will be achieved through the addition National UN Youth Volunteers to existing UN projects in selected fields of programme management, as well as thematic areas prioritized by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).

The project encompasses a strong learning component throughout the assignment cycle of the National UN Youth Volunteers. The primary purpose of the project being to provide capacity development to a generation of youth, the learning component of the project is absolutely critical, and this will be pursued through a number of training cources and various learning opportunities.

Host Agency/Host Institute: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Iraq

With the support of Kurdistan’s Ministry of Planning, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Iraq opens opportunities for youth to champion the United Nations in their communities, and become actively involved in the realization of the KR-I’s development agenda and Vision 2020.

The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme is the UN organization that contributes to peace and development through volunteerism worldwide. UNV contributes to peace and development by advocating for recognition of volunteers, working with partners to integrate volunteerism into development programming, and mobilizing an increasing number and diversity of volunteers, including experienced UN Volunteers, throughout the world. UNV embraces volunteerism as universal and inclusive, and recognizes volunteerism in its diversity as well as the values that sustain it: free will, commitment, engagement and solidarity.

The project “Youth Opportunities: UNV Capacity Development and Support to the Kurdistan Regional Government through Volunteering” is coordinated by UNDP with the support of UNV. The Learning and Knowledge Management Officer will be placed in UNDP and will report to the Project Coordinator.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Project Coordinator, the UN Youth Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

Advance and develop the learning component of the project;
Coordinate with current and potential partners to initiatie and organize new training cources;
Follow up with the assigned National UN Volunteers in different UN agencies on their progress and support them;
Organize regular feedback meetings with volunteers and mentors and follow their progress against the agreed upon working plan for their assignments;
Support the Project Coordinator with technical aspects of the recruitment process of National UN Volunteers;
Draft minutes from meetings and prepare summaries of programme activities;
Support in collection and reporting of results againt the M&E plan;
Any other related tasks as may be required.

Furthermore, the UN Youth Volunteer is encouraged to:

Strengthen the knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and taking active part in UNV events;
Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the 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 volunteering experiences and submit them to the team at UNV HQ for consideration (beyond other communications responsibilities), and input to the UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.;
Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Youth 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.

Competencies

Learning and development are a central part of the UN Youth Volunteer’s assignment and take place before, during and after his or her assignment in the field. Ideally, offering diverse opportunities for learning and development aim to strengthen the volunteer’s skills and competences, improve the quality of the assignment and keep the volunteer’s motivation high.

Learning elements for the UN Youth Volunteer include the development of:

Professional skills: including specific competencies and reflection on assignment-related abilities; and on-the-job skills such as time management, problem solving, team building; and career preparedness such as interview skills, CV preparation, job searching;
Inter-personal skills: including communication and listening skills; multi-cultural awareness and cultural competency; and conflict and stress management;
Volunteering-related skills: including leadership; civic responsibility; and engagement and active participation.

Beyond the learning opportunities provided by UNV, host agencies are expected to support knowledge and capacity development in the technical areas that are relevant to the UN Youth Volunteer’s assignment. Host agencies are also expected to provide, at their expense, UN Youth Volunteers with equal opportunity to participate in training courses and workshops offered to the host agency’s personnel.

Required Skills and Experience

Academic degree (BA or higher) in Education Science, Human Resources or another related field;
Demonstrated interest and up to two years of experience in the area of Youth work;
Previous experience in voluntary service;
Experience in working with volunteers or civil society organizations an asset, as well as experience of another culture (i.e. studies, volunteer work, internship);
Experienced user of MS Office applications;
Fluency in spoken and written Kurdish and English is required, and knowledge of Arabic is an asset;
Good interpersonal, networking and communication skills;
Willingness to contribute and work as part of a team;
Flexible and open to learning and new experiences;
Respect for diversity and adaptability to other cultures, environments and living conditions;
Motivated to contribute towards peace and development and to serve others;
Have affinity with or interest in humanitarian relief, post-conflict situations, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN system.

Note:

UN Youth Volunteers must be between 22 and 29 years for the whole duration of their assignment;
This position will be subject to approval by the Erbil Governor/Deputy Governor (counterpart/head of steering committee) and Minister of Planning (funder of the project);
United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme which welcomes applications from qualified professionals and is committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender and culture.

Instruction for submission of applications: Please fill out a P-11 form posted on http://www.iq.undp.org/content/iraq/en/home/operations/jobs.html and apply online job. Please note that no other type of application form, including CVs, will be considered for such positions, other than the one found at the link specified above.