UN WOMEN Jobs - 4151- Knowledge Management Specialist (Re-advertised)

Knowledge Management Specialist (Re-advertised)

Advertised on behalf of

UN WOMEN

Location :

New York, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Type of Contract :

200 Series

Starting Date :

01-Jun-2008

Application Deadline :

10-Aug-08 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

L-4

Duration of Initial Contract :

1 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

In line with the catalytic programming function outlined in the UNIFEM mandate, its Strategic Plan 2008-2011 highlights the importance of strengthened capacities for knowledge management, i.e., to generate, document, share and apply knowledge for making change happen for gender equality and women's empowerment. UNIFEM's corporate commitment to knowledge management is essential to enhancing the organization's development effectiveness and in fostering improved collaboration across the UN system. It is crucial to the effective implementation of the following management results established in UNIFEM's Strategic Plan for 2008-2011: 1.2 Specific UNIFEM experiences in capacity development are systematized into explicit and accessible sets of approaches, including in relation to South-South exchange; 1.5 UNIFEM makes available adequate documentation and evaluation to stimulate interest in scaling up or replicating the catalytic initiatives on gender equality and the human rights of women that it spearheads or supports; and 3.1 Culture and capacity for achieving and reporting on results and high rates of delivery are embedded in UNIFEM practices.

UNIFEM is seeking for a Knowledge Management (KM) Specialist who will take a lead role in the strengthening the organization's KM function, under the guidance and supervision of the Policy Advisor for Institutional Development. The KM Specialist is responsible for managing relations with both internal and external clients and stakeholders on UNIFEM's KM function. The KM Specialist works in close collaboration with field offices, the Organizational and Business Development Team, the Thematic and Geographic sections and the Evaluation Unit to ensure that the knowledge generated from UNIFEM's programming, monitoring and evaluation functions is disseminated, used for institutional learning, shared with partners and implemented across the organization, as specifically defined in the duties and responsibilities listed below.

Duties and Responsibilities

Develop a corporate KM strategy in the context of the Strategic Plan, particularly in relation to the management results indicated above, and taking into account internal and external demand for knowledge on gender equality and women's empowerment;
Manage the implementation of the corporate KM Strategy, track progress made, raise issues and make recommendations to address those issues;
Ensure that KM is strategically linked to key processes, e.g., programming, monitoring, reporting, evaluation and institutional development. Participate in the Programme Working Group to ensure that KM is linked to new policies governing such processes
Promote synergies between KM and communications across the organization through collaboration with key external as well as internal partners including OBDT;
Ensure that KM approaches balance supply and demand considerations and are consistently integrated, aligned, coordinated and mainstreamed into the work of headquarters and sub-regional offices with partners;
Address impediments to sharing information and the flow of knowledge, facilitate demand and supply of knowledge; develop an incentive structure\system for knowledge for knowledge seeking and provision enshrined in accountability frameworks, including performance appraisal;
Liaise with the Evaluation Unit on the dissemination and use of evaluation results. including the transformation of lessons learned into knowledge products on gender equality and women's empowerment, ensuring that KM systems benefit from the evaluation function.
Liaise with the Operations and Business Development Team (OBDT) in ensuring that KM supports UNIFEM's strategy for the development of staff capacities at HQ and the field. Assess opportunities and make recommendations for linking KM and staff development.
Liaise with relevant thematic advisors, geographic sections and field offices in developing knowledge products and in organizing learning platforms to promote the internal and external sharing of knowledge on gender equality and women's empowerment;
Represent UNIFEM in key policy and management for and external groups related to KM, including the UNDG Working Group on Knowledge Management.
Promote and support UN system-wide KM efforts in the context of the "One UN".

Competencies

Technical Expertise

Substantive knowledge of issues on gender equality and women’s empowerment
In-depth substantive knowledge of KM and development policy issues.
Promotes KM and a learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example.
Ability to link KM to key processes including programming, results-based management, monitoring, reporting and evaluation
Seeks and applies knowledge, information, and best practices from within and outside of UNIFEM.

Management and Leadership

Ability to manage for results: translate strategy into achievable plans, with established priorities, monitors them, making periodic adjustments as required.
Ability to effectively represent UNIFEM in, and contribute to inter-agency KM initiatives.
Builds strong relationships with, and focuses on results for clients and partners. Responds positively to feedback.
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.
Ability to lead effectively; mentoring skills.
Strong management experience in a global multicultural setting respecting gender equality and an ability to contribute to team work.

Networking and Partnering

Outstanding networking, team-building, organizational and communication skills.
Capacity to work with diverse partners including governments, donors and civil society.
Ability to support resource mobilization for UNIFEM’s KM strategy

Required Skills and Experience

Masters degree in International Development, Management or other relevant field.
Minimum of 7 years of relevant national/international working experience with increasing managerial responsibilities in international development, management and/or related fields.
Experience working in the field of KM, Familiarity with different KM approaches including the development of practice communities and use of ICT/web-based systems
Experience in evaluation and results-based management preferred.
Senior-level working experience in a governmental, multilateral or civil society organization in a developed or developing country highly desirable.
Fluency in English is required. Working knowledge of another UN language would be an asset