Job: Programme Officer, Networking and Knowledge Management

Location: Geneva 
Deadline: Thursday, 14 November 2013 

Description

UNOPS mission is to expand the capacity of the UN system and its partners to implement peacebuilding, humanitarian and development operations that matter for people in need. Working in some of the world's most challenging environments, our vision is to always satisfy partners with management services that meet world-class standards of quality, speed and cost effectiveness.

UNOPS provides services in sustainable infrastructure, sustainable procurement and sustainable project management, with projects ranging from building schools, roads, bridges and hospitals to procuring goods and services and training local personnel.

By assisting UN organizations, international financial institutions, governments and other development partners, UNOPS makes significant, tangible contributions to results on the ground.

We employ more than 6,000 personnel annually and on behalf of our partners create thousands more work opportunities in local communities. Through our headquarters in Copenhagen, Denmark and a network of regional and country offices, we oversee activities in more than 80 countries.

The Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council (WSSCC) is a global multi-stakeholder partnership organization that works to improve the lives of poor people. The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is the legal and administrative host of WSSCC. Founded in 1990, WSSCC's mission is to ensure sustainable sanitation, better hygiene and safe drinking water for all people, especially the poorest and most marginalized members of society in developing countries. In order to achieve its mission, WSSCC manages the Global Sanitation Fund (GSF),facilitates sector coordination at national, regional and global levels, supports professional development, and advocates on behalf of the 2.5 billion people without a clean, safe toilet to use. More information on WSSCC can be found at: www.wsscc.org .

The purpose of this post is to support WSSCC's learning agenda, by developing and implementing learning strategies and systems that integrate existing learning, planning, monitoring, evaluation and reporting systems for internal processes and interfaces with membership oriented sector-wide learning themes to which WSSCC is committed as part of its MTSP 2012-2016. The incumbent will be supervised by the Programme Manager, Networking and Knowledge Management (NKM), but will be expected to work with the other WSSCC departments in order to carry out the various tasks related to the purpose. The incumbent will also be expected to create linkages with knowledge institutions as well as other UN and WASH sector agencies. The position will entail occasional travel.

General direction on the tasks and area of responsibility is provided by the immediate supervisor. The incumbent exercises initiative to translate this guidance into the specific activities required to perform assigned duties. Detailed work plans are generated by the incumbent, based on his/her judgment of priorities, in consultation with the supervisor and in collaboration with other colleagues within WSSCC.

The incumbent's work is reviewed in discussion with the supervisor and appropriate in-house staff, in briefings and de-briefings around duty travel, by occasional progress reviews based on planned activities, by reports of activities, and by assessment of progress and impact based on reports. Results are reviewed for attainment of objectives.

UNOPS is committed to achieving a truly diverse workforce.

Functional Responsibilities

1. Knowledge Management and learning strategies

• Manage the development and implementation of a WSSCC learning strategy that integrates existing learning, planning, monitoring, evaluation and reporting systems for internal processes and interfaces with membership oriented sector-wide learning themes to which WSSCC is committed as part of its Mid Term Strategic Plan 2012-2016.

• In accordance with the learning strategy and branding exercise, update and oversee implementation of the knowledge management strategy to promote, capture and share between WSSCC country programme portfolios, results, lessons learned and best practices.

• Liaise with internal units and external professionals and institutions, UN system agencies in support of knowledge sharing and management and enhance linkages with internal and external sources of knowledge in coordination with WSSCC learning priority themes.

Technical support to strengthen the implementation of WSSCC knowledge management and learning strategy:

• Manage staff and consultant contributions related to strengthening uptake and use of new and existing knowledge, through improved communication, dissemination, monitoring, evaluation and learning processes.

• Work collaboratively with Advocacy & Communications and Global Sanitation Fund departments Quality Control procedures for knowledge products and implementation of testing in targeted countries.

• Coordinate and provide technical support and advisory services for the development of training material and induction packages for the Global Sanitation Fund.

• Provide strategic support for WSSCC website redesign and maintenance in close collaboration with Advocacy & Communications department and the Networking and knowledge Management Team.

• Provide technical and logistical guidance and support for the preparation and implementation of learning systems, and knowledge management projects of priority countries.

• Prepare bi-annual reports on learning systems including the Community of Practice performance in terms of feedback on uptake and use for Steering Committee papers, donor reports and internal analysis.

2. Coordination, Partnerships and Management Coordinate the activities included in the Outcome Area for Equity, Involvement and Knowledge. These coordination duties include the following responsibilities:

• Establish and manage strategic partnerships with regards to the programme activities that support strengthened learning, involvement and promotion of the principles of equity and inclusion.

• Liaise with other international agencies and institutes, and donors, as required and share insights on the changing knowledge landscape with the Programme Manager of NKM on a regular basis.

• Contribute to the implementation of the membership strategy where relevant.

• Support and promote innovative measures at the country and global level to strengthen the knowledge management and learning agenda.

3. Other support

• Assist the programme manager to manage the routine programme activities, such as programme documentation, communications, progress reporting, work planning, Terms of Reference preparation, outreach activities, event organization, liaison with donors, implementing partners, etc.

4.Perform related tasks as directed by Supervisor and WSSCC Management. IMPACT OF RESULTS:

This post contributes most directly to WSSCC Medium Term Strategic Plan 2012-2016 (MTSP), Outcome 4 (Knowledge and Skills), but supports all other outcomes.

Specifically, it contributes to the following outputs:

WSSCC Output 4(a): WSSCC's members contribute to, and benefit from, a growing body of skills and knowledge about sanitation and hygiene.

WSSCC Output 4(b): A Community of Practice on sanitation and hygiene, integrated with WSSCC's membership, and drawing on knowledge and experience generated by members and the GSF, contributes to learning on priority questions and disseminates innovative and successful ideas.

WSSCC Output 2(c): WSSCC's networking, knowledge management and advocacy contributes positively to reaching poor and marginalised groups.

While the current MTSP is a time-bound document, the outcomes and outputs outlined as part of this position are in work areas that are longstanding components of WSSCC's strategies and work plans and it is foreseen they will be continued in similar fashion in any following strategic plans of the organisation.

Competencies

Functional skills and knowledge include:

• Ability to think strategically is results-oriented and work independently to a high quality standard.

• Proven analytical skills and the ability to manage and monitor various projects simultaneously.

• Excellent writing and communications skills.

• Knowledge and practical and conceptual understanding of the key issues in water and sanitation sector.

Corporate competencies include:

• Creativity and innovation

• Change orientation

• Initiative

• Ability to learn

• Ability to analyse

• Organizing and quality orientation

• Strategic orientation

• Result orientation

• Communication skills

• Networking skills

• Teamwork skills

• Client Focus

Lives and breathes the UNOPS values

Education

Advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent) in international relations, business administration, and public health or development studies is required.

A combination of a Bachelors degree plus training, professional qualifications and extensive experience may be accepted as equivalent.

Experience

Five (or, for a Bachelor's relevant Degree, seven) years of experience in international development issues, of which a minimum of two years' work in WASH is required, and a minimum of two years' work in International Organizations is required.

Previous experience in Knowledge Management in either the WASH sector or other development themes is desirable.

Languages

Fluent written and spoken English required.

Working knowledge of French desirable.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: Fixed Term contract

Contract level: ICS-10/P3

Contract duration: One year, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and funding availability.

For more details about United Nations staff contracts, please follow this link: http://www.unops.org/english/whoweneed/contract-types/Pages/United-Nations-staff-contracts.aspx

Additional Considerations

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time (CET)
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• For staff positions UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns. Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

CANDIDATES ARE STRONGLY RECOMMENDED TO ATTACH A 1 PAGE COVER LETTER TO THEIR APPLICATIONS.

More Info and Application