Knowledge Management Officer

Knowledge Management Officer

Assignment country: Nepal
Expected start date: 01/03/2024
Sustainable Development Goal: 3. Good health and well-being
Volunteer category: International UN Volunteer Specialist
Host entity: UNICEF
Type: Onsite
Duration: 12 months (with possibility of extension)
Number of assignments: 1
Duty stations: Kathmandu

Details

Mission and objectives

UNICEF promotes the rights and wellbeing of every child, in everything we do. Together with our partners, we work in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special efforts on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere.

In all of its work, UNICEF takes a life-cycle based approach, recognizing the particular importance of early childhood development and adolescence. UNICEF programmes focus on the most disadvantaged children, including those living in fragile contexts, those with disabilities, those who are affected by rapid urbanization and those affected by environmental degradation.

UNICEF was created with a distinct purpose in mind: to work with others to overcome the obstacles that poverty, violence, disease, and discrimination place in a child’s path. We advocate for measures to give children the best start in life, because proper care at the youngest age forms the strongest foundation for a person’s future.

We promote girls’ education – ensuring that they complete primary education as a minimum – because it benefits all children, both girls and boys. Girls who are educated grow up to become better thinkers, better citizens, and better parents to their own children. We act so that all children are immunized against common childhood diseases, and are well nourished: no child should suffer or die from a preventable illness. We work to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS among young people because it is right to keep them from harm and enable them to protect others. We help children and families affected by HIV/AIDS to live their lives with dignity.

We are UNICEF, the United Nations Children’s Fund.

Context

For over 70 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children survival, protection and development. The UNICEF South Asia Regional Office (ROSA) provides oversight and technical assistance to 8 countries (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka). The region is complex and heterogeneous, comprising low-income and middle-high income countries experiencing rapid urbanization, significant environmental challenges due to climate change and recurrent humanitarian crises. Despite significant progress to fulfil their rights to survival, development, and protection, children and adolescents continue to face multiple deprivations and undergo inadequate social and gender norms, negatively impacting on their basic rights and full development. The COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated these deprivations combined with an increased resurgence of traditional harmful practices, values and beliefs.

The ROSA Social and Behaviour Change (SBC) section provides guidance and technical support to countries both in development and emergency contexts, where knowledge, attitudes, practices, and social norms play a key role in adoption by families and communities of life-saving and protective behaviours.

This UNV assignment is part of the ROSA SBC section to support with Knowledge Management. This position will support ROSA SBC’s focus to ensure greater understanding, participation, and meaningful engagement with our country offices (and the external partners) and will ensure timely update of our Knowledge Management Hub, as well as the dissemination and sharing of the various knowledge products in the region to support capacity building, support the SBC team with relevant data needs, and support increasing SBC visibility.

Task description

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the SBC Regional Advisor or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UN Volunteer will:

• Manage the SAR-SBC hub: ensuring timely updates of information, resources, products, and technology, to ensure value-added knowledge sharing across the region, externally and globally; ensure that insights from evidence and programming are available to the stakeholders for informing programmatic decisions.
• Develop content while seeking inputs from teams and support/work with the team members where needed (with content development, reviews, navigating the KM hub, and best practices to follow) to ensure a collaborative process.
• Develop knowledge management strategies, products and methodologies for SBC’s visibility in South Asia.
• Assist and provide advice to the SBC ROSA team in the preparation of concept notes, knowledge products, and strategies for dissemination and monitoring and evaluation.
• Support with building capacity across the region on Knowledge Management: plan regular training/catch-up sessions/information bulletins for knowledge management focal points on tips for storing, sharing, promoting and managing information.
• Liaise with the working groups/focal points across the region/globe on learning, data management, and communications to enhance the visibility of SBC work on external platforms and encourage learning and co-creation on internal platforms.
• Work with regional/country communications focal points to enhance the visibility of SBC knowledge products.
• Proofread all knowledge products to ensure they align with UNICEF’s style book, branding guidelines and policies.
• Keep the SBC section at ROSA updated on the latest developments in the KM component and on the SAR-SBC hub.
• Develop best practices and case studies for ensuring quality continuity of the KM hub.
• Support with the digitisation of the offline resources.
• Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.

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 International Volunteer Day);

• Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country;
• Provide annual and end of assignment self- reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities.
• 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.

As an active UNICEF ROSA team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high quality support rendered to UNICEF ROSA and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including:

• Efficient quality coordination and reporting mechanisms are developed and rolled out to provide the “Scaling-up Internet of Good Things for Social and Behaviour Change in Eastern and Southern Africa and South Asia” cross-regional initiative to the optimum operational modalities to achieve its targets.
  – Tools/mechanisms are developed in coordination with participating countries to allow optimum monitoring of countries’ plans.
  –  Target: 1) Monthly catch-up with participating countries; 2) Monthly progress report
  – Tools/mechanisms are developed in coordination with HQ and the two participating regional offices to allow optimum coordination.
  – Target: 1) Minutes of the monthly catch-up organized with HQ and ESA regional office; 2) Follow up action points monitored with concerned stakeholders
  – Knowledge products are generated and disseminated.
  – Target: 1) At least 2 webinars organized to share good practices; 2) A compilation of good practices and lessons learnt is developed; 3) Contribution to the monthly meeting on U-Report and IoGT updates
  – Timely and Quality Reporting.
  – Target: 100% of the reporting requirements are met
• Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment.

A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed

Eligibility criteria
Age: 27 – 80
Nationality: Candidate must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment.

Requirements
Required experience

3 years of experience in of progressively responsible professional work experience at the national and/or international level in the curation, management, promotion and creation of knowledge products, for both internal and external audiences. Knowledge of UNICEF tools and technology. Experience coordinating with country offices, external partners etc. Experience with UNICEF in South Asia is an asset, as is experience working in the UN or other international development organization;

• Oral and written skills (excellent); excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills;
• Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing;
• Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development;
• Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel;
• Analytical, negotiating, communication and advocacy skills;
• Experience of managing multi-faceted projects operating between several level of implementation (Global, regional, country level), preparing and managing project timelines and plans.
• Experience of strategic planning and monitoring financial resources;
• Ability to demonstrate drive, initiative and be pro-active. Demonstrate strong attention to detail and to problem solve;
• Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment;
• Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines;
• Sound security awareness.
• Have affinity with or interest in promoting children’ rights to survival, protection and development, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System. Working knowledge of other languages in the region is an advantage;

Area(s) of expertise: Social work, Administration, Development programmes
Driving license: –
Languages: English, Level: Fluent, Required
Required education level: Bachelor degree or equivalent in a relevant area, e.g. Social Sciences, Behavioural Science, Public Administration, Development Planning and Management, Business Administration.

Competencies and values

Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNICEF; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNICEF procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with good judgement with clients; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities & ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately & confidentially; responsive and client-oriented;

Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNICEF in daily activities and while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority;

Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity & respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality & age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women & men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues;

Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment.

Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities;

Communication: proven interpersonal skills; excellent spoken and written communication including ability to prepare clear and concise reports/case studies and other KM products; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff, military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information & knowledge to a wide range of different target groups;

Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary;

Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNICEF’s mission & vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

Accountability: mature and responsible; ability to operate in compliance with organizational rules & regulations.

Other information
Living conditions and remarks

The post is based in Kathmandu, Nepal. Most of the assignment will be done from Kathmandu with potentially missions to select countries in South Asia.

The Kingdom of Nepal is nestled in South Asia between India and the Tibetan region of China. Its stunning views of the Himalayan range attract people from around the world, particularly to locally called “Sagarmantha” or Mount Everest. Nepal can be divided into four distinct regions. From north to south they are: (a) the Himalayan range with an altitude of over 5,000 m including Mount Everest (Sagarmatha in Nepali), 8,848 m; (b) the hills at an altitude of 500 to 5,000 mt. with long terraced slopes leading to fertile valleys such as Kathmandu and Pokhara; (c) the Inner Terrai with its low river valleys; and (d) the fertile Outer Terai between 180 and 350m. The Himalayan range accounts for a third of the total land area whereas the Hills and the Terai occupy roughly 45 per cent and 20 per cent, respectively.

Nepal moved from a monarchy to a parliamentary democracy in 1951. The country was strife with civil war in the 1990s and early 2000s and ultimately replaced the world’s last Hindu monarchy with a secular government in 2008. The 2018 new constitution shifted powers from the centralized parliament in Kathmandu to its seven provinces as the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal. The Nepalese people, also referred Nepali, are a diverse mix of over 125 ethnic groups with almost as many languages between them. They are deeply spiritual, and the practices of Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Christianity and other indigenous and folk religions have left their mark on their customs and festivals.

Nepal has four distinct seasons that vary according to its region. Spring is warm with rain showers and temperatures around 22°C, lasting from March to May. Summer is the monsoon season and lasts from June to August/September, with temperatures in the low 30’s°C in the day and about 20°C at night. Rain is rare and scattered outside of this season. Autumn is the season that attracts most tourists interested in trekking. September to November is cool with clear skies with average daily temperatures of 25°C and cool nights as low as 10°C. The winter months of December to February get cold and may have sub-zero °C temperatures; although maximum temperatures can rise to 20°C. The climate in Kathmandu is agreeable and people eat outside most of the year.

Nepal, including Kathmandu is generally safe, including for families and solo female travelers. Crime is low; however petty-theft is a risk like anywhere. The Nepalese are known for being friendly and helpful towards foreign travelers. While it is generally fine to walk at night, be aware of your surroundings and exercise caution when doing so, especially in urban areas.

Inclusivity statement

United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

Reasonable accommodation

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for UN Volunteers with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process and afterwards in your assignment.

Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements

In addition to duty station-specific vaccine requirements, appointments are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the appointment. It does not apply to UN Volunteers who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their contracts.

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