UNDP Jobs - 16855- Knowledge Management Research Analyst

Knowledge Management Research Analyst

Location :

Cairo, EGYPT

Type of Contract :

Service Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

02-Jun-10 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

SB-3

Duration of Initial Contract :

One Year

Languages Required :

Arabic 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 Arab states Regional Center in Cairo (RCC) supports 18 Country Offices and their national partners by sharing knowledge, building capacity and forging partnerships in key priority areas of inclusive growth, MDGs and Poverty Reduction, Democratic Governance, Crisis Prevention and Recovery and Environment and Sustainable Development while adopting Gender, Capacity Development and Knowledge management as key drivers mainstreamed in the work of its programmes and policy work. The RCC provides policy advice, technical support and knowledge management to its main clients being UNDP country offices in the region and through them to their national counterparts and partners. The overriding goal of the center is to support Sustainable Human Development and the realization of the Millennium Development Goals in the region.

The long-term goal of Knowledge Management (KM) in UNDP is to position UNDP as a World Class Knowledge Organization linking local experiences to global policies. UNDP aspires to be on the cutting edge of policy analysis and knowledge sharing. The variety of solutions emanating from the diversity of country typologies is a wealth of knowledge that the organization as a whole needs to tap into. Linking UNDP experiences with external knowledge resources would not only save dwindling financial resources, but would also empower existing capacity of staff to handle not only the needed programme management responsibilities, but also provide policy advisory services backed by 155 offices and thousands of on the ground projects. Knowledge accumulated by UNDP in the Arab States region has not been adequately captured and factored into regional or global policies, guidance and programmes resulting in utilizing other experiences without contextualizing it to the specificities of the region. More development analysis, capacity development, training, content management, generating and sharing of knowledge pertinent to the region is needed within the region and through south-south cooperation to ensure the flow of capacity based on evidence-based knowledge.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Research Analyst will work as part of the RCC and under the direct supervision of the Knowledge Management Team Leader. As an integral part of the team, the Research Analyst will coordinate and liaise with other staff members and with Policy Advisors in carrying out the research functions. Specific activities include:

1. Knowledge Management for the RCC and Country Offices in the region

Support country offices (COs) in Knowledge Management (KM) activities through enhancing the system of focal points, KM champions and the ability of COs teams to access internal knowledge and experts using the state-of-the-art Teamworks; advise on the application of knowledge and expertise; provide hands-on guidance on KM tools; and identify COs’ KM needs and provide useful solutions and tools;
Assist COs design and monitor their knowledge management action plans emanating from their identified CO needs in the different priority areas, UNDAF processes and MDG scale-up initiatives.
Conduct research on the role of Knowledge Management for development and provide assistance, help, pointers and guidance to other research staff at the RCC to enhance integrating knowledge sharing in their work and policy services.
Consolidate and update, working with other teams, a list of think tanks and centers of excellence in the main priority areas of the RCC and its practices;
Enhance linkages with internal and external sources of knowledge in coordination with the Global Knowledge Management activities and other regional centers and focus areas;
Provide ad hoc support to Policy Advisors on internal knowledge sharing meetings, performance metrics and other events/activities.
Ensure momentum and support in the building, promotion and facilitation of Communities of Practice (CoP) on Knowledge Management by facilitating flow of information; up keeping of members’ lists and profiles; ensuring gender mainstreaming and updating corresponding websites; capturing and disseminating knowledge and success stories shared by CoPs through appropriate tools. Coordinate with other teams to ensure inclusion of KM in other priority areas’ COPs.

2. Support to the Mutual Support Initiative for Exchange of Expertise within Arab states country Offices

Up-keeping and follow up with COs on the launch of the Mutual support Initiative by encouraging KM focal points to communicate the benefits of the MSI, keep a list of missions, individuals undertaking them, costs and budgets used, and documentations generated such as TORs, Back-to-Office Reports, Mission Reports, Evaluation Reports, Learning Incentives, and encourage story telling of successful missions on staff blogs.
Conduct mapping of expertise using Teamworks as a tool while encouraging staff to update their profiles to benefit from this initiative and other KM awards systems to be put in place

3. Support to the Quality Assurance Process of the RCC and Provide Synthesis of the work of the Center.

Support the content Manager in the preparation of the quarterly Digest by compiling information and preparing short articles of interest to COs in the region.
Upload Regional work, not owned by an individual onto Teamworks and ensure that Teamworks Service space of the RCC is maintained with up-to-date pertinent uploads and liaise with other individuals responsible for the RBAS, RDT, and COD spaces.

4. Other tasks

Keep abreast of development issues and trends at both country and regional levels in the Arab States region.
Assist the KMTL in preparing training and outreach material on Knowledge Management.
Undertake other tasks as assigned.
Some travel within Egypt and outside Egypt might be expected.

Competencies

Strong analytical skills, objectivity and independence.
Experience in research and report writing.
Client and service oriented.
Demonstrated ability to adapt quickly to new working environments.
Proven ability to work proactively, independently and as part of a multi-sectoral cross cultural team. T
To work under high pressure.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

A post Graduate university degree in one of the following areas: Knowledge Management, Communications, Social and economic development; gender studies; political sciences or international relations.

Working Experience:

Three to five years of work experience in a related development field with a focus on analytical research is required. Knowledge on women’s issues in general, and gender priorities in the region is an asset.

Languages:

Full fluency in English and Arabic with excellent writing skills. Knowledge of French is an asset.

Computer skills:

Excellent computer skills and experience using the Internet and web based applications. Advanced knowledge of excel or other statistical software.