Job: KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT AND RESEARCH COORDINATOR - SUPPORT TO SUSTAINABLE AND INCLUSIVE PLANNING (SSIP) (ONLY BANGLADSHI NATIONALS ARE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY)

Location : Dhaka, BANGLADESH

Application Deadline : 17-Nov-13

Type of Contract : Service Contract

Post Level : SB-4

Languages Required : English

Starting Date : (date when the selected candidate is expected to start) 01-Jan-2014

Duration of Initial Contract : Initially One year with possibility of extension

Background

UNDP Bangladesh is supporting the government's MDG-related efforts through its project titled ‘Support to Sustainable and Inclusive Planning (SSIP) Project' implemented by the General Economics Division (GED), Planning Commission. The objective of this project is to strengthen policy and technical capacity, particularly in the General Economics Division (within the MoP), but also within other relevant central government agencies - the Ministry of Finance, Bangladesh Bank and the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics.

This is first, to design and implement pro-poor economic policies; secondly, to strengthen capacity for sustainable and inclusive planning; and thirdly, to monitor the MDGs and develop the post 2015 framework The intervention builds on and enhances the Poverty Reduction and MDG Monitoring and the Poverty, Environment and Climate Mainstreaming (PECM) projects. It has three main components:

(1) Economic policy support;

(2) Inclusive and environmentally sustainable planning and

(3) MDG M&E and post 2015 agenda framework.

Through these efforts, the project seeks to secure more pro-poor, inclusive and environmentally sustainable development

This post, working out of the PPEPU, will oversee the commissioning of research, managing its development and the dissemination/ sharing of key findings. Working closely with the technical and established GED staffs, he/ she will serve a facilitation role to ensure linkages with policy circles and the sharing of information and project facilities is achieved across GoB partners and agencies. In turn, there will be some need to liaise with the Communications Specialist within the MMU team in securing media exposure. This post serves a key role in supporting the work of the Core Macroeconomic Policy Team (CMPT) and the Advisory Committee (Panel of Exports).

A key role will be promoting linkages between the major actors in economic policymaking and ensuring effective policy synergies. This requires both technical awareness and a set of diplomatic and coordination skills. This post will also require a focus on the transfer of knowledge to Government Officials throughout the project. The applicants will be expected to be at least conversant with economic policymaking issues (especially macroeconomics) and have broader KM and research project skills. These should include knowledge sharing and publications experience. A key role will be the development of a working paper and policy briefing series.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Project Manager the incumbent shall carry out the duties given below to achieve the mission:

• Commission and oversee external research on economic policies, poverty and other development issues
• Lead the research and development of corporate knowledge management tools
• Advise the project team on appropriate content management strategies and systems
• Replicate good practice and proven solutions across different team workspaces
• Develop and maintain standardized templates and processes in order to capture and store lessons learnt and other key areas of knowledge from the project
• With the assistance of the Assistant Coordinator, undertake outreach within the project team to assist them with the use of knowledge management strategies and systems
• Support the Core Macroeconomic Policy Team (CMPT) and AC (Panel of Experts), organizing and acting as Secretariat to the 2 bodies;
• Maintain and promote the working paper series (to be published by the AC)
• Ensure dissemination and sharing of results and publication (including electronic Media)
• Coordinate the work of the CMPT and the AC (Panel of Experts) as required
• Supervise the Assistant Coordinator in completing knowledge management and research tasks.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN's values and ethical standards (human rights, peace, understanding between peoples and nations, tolerance, integrity, respect, results orientation (UNDP core ethics) impartiality
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability

Functional Competencies: Development and Operational Effectiveness

• Strong analytical skills
• Strong customer-service skills with demonstrated ability to effectively interact with technical and non-technical end users in a pleasant, cooperative, and helpful manner.
• Demonstrated ability to solve problems and work independently.
• Ability to read, analyze, interpret and apply general technical instructions and procedures

Leadership and Self-Management

• Focuses on result for the client and responds positively to feedback
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
• Remains calm, in control and good humoured even under pressure

Knowledge Management and Learning

• Shares knowledge and experience
• Seeks and applies knowledge, information, and best practices from within and outside UNDP
• Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more practice areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills

Required Skills and Experience

Education

• Master's degree in economics, international relations, public administration or a related field; knowledge of macroeconomics and development economics is preferred.

Experience

• A minimum of 3 years work experience in research management and/ or academics.
• Knowledge of GoB national planning programmes and MDG related interventions;
• Working knowledge of macroeconomics / development economics
• Awareness of GoB government machinery;
• Awareness of policy circles in Bangladesh and/ or experience of the economics research community.

Language Requirements

• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, in English and Bangla

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.

More Info and Application