Knowledge Management Manager – P4  

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, a fair chance

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does ? in programs, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life ? in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions ? her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens ? addressing inequity ? not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

Strategic office context:

Supply Division (SD) aims to serve the evolving supply needs of children and families, with a priority to ensure equitable access to quality-assured, affordable and fit-for purpose supplies and services.

This position manages the Knowledge Management and Country Support Unit, which is part of the Strategy, Partnerships and Knowledge Management Centre (SPKC) in SD.

The centre is responsible for strategic planning and reporting, change management support, private sector partnerships, knowledge management and country support in support of SD and the broader Supply Community.

How can you make a difference?

The Knowledge Management Manager (Country Support) shapes, supports and oversees the capture, organization, exchange and application of supply chain knowledge to equip the Supply Community (in COs, ROs and SD) to achieve supply objectives. The incumbent provides strategic guidance and support to the Supply Community, promotes supply chain good practices and adoption of global supply strategies, and fosters an active, engaged Supply Community.

The incumbent works closely with the Chief of SPKC, the Deputy Director Supply Chain, the Supply Community Manager, the Learning and Development Manager, the Internal Communication specialist, Knowledge Management focal points and all relevant business owners.

The Knowledge Manager reports to the Chief of SPKC, with matrix reporting to the Deputy Director Supply Chain.

You will be accountable for: 

Driving best-in-class Knowledge Management (KM) for the supply function (KM refers to the capture, organization, sharing, and use of knowledge for improved organizational performance, and in this document, it applies specifically to the management of supply chain knowledge):

• Leads the development and spearheads the implementation of a KM strategy and framework for the supply function
• Assesses KM approaches used outside SD across UNICEF and where relevant adapts them in the supply function; establishes a common understanding and focus for KM
• Systematically seeks feedback from and provides guidance to the network of KM focal points on methodologies, tools, products to be used for KM.
• Conceives and manages relevant incentives and recognition programmes to encourage sharing of experiences and good practices, and promotes KM and the use of common/standard approaches
• Provides guidance to help KM focal points shape their planned KM initiatives. Identifies, tests and measures success of new and/or innovative ways of knowledge sharing
• Provides capacity building on effective and emerging knowledge capture and knowledge-sharing approaches, and coaching and guidance to teams who need to roll-out or implement KM approaches
• Supports knowledge networking and ?learning by doing’ in order to help staff to either learn from their experience and improve during a project or to seek just-in-time support through formal and informal communities

Directing the establishment of an optimal infrastructure for knowledge sharing to facilitate collaboration, document and information management.

• Guides and oversees the continuous evolution of the SD intranet and other elements of the Division’s Digital Workplace
• Advises on document and information management recommended practices and liaises with relevant NYHQ counterparts on enterprise content management.

Providing strategic guidance and support to the Supply Community (in SD, ROs and COs):

• Identifies business critical supply chain knowledge that needs to be made available to the supply community and other audiences across UNICEF, including good practices and lessons learned, and ensures systematic sharing across the community and towards targeted audiences.
• In collaboration with other centers, reviews, analyzes and facilitates the updating of supply related business processes, guidance, manuals and tools.
• Provides guidance on strategic and transactional areas of supply chain management.
• Recommends specific trainings needed for all actors involved in supply and supports the development of and delivery of CO focused trainings where relevant.
• Facilitates and supports the development and implementation of integrated, end-to-end business intelligence for supply in COs. 
• Reviews RO peer reviews, making relevant recommendations for action by SD to address systemic weaknesses.
• Review CO’s audit findings and peer reviews in collaboration with the RSAs and normative centres, prepare analysis of the findings and assess the supply capacity needs for COs, and propose ways of support where issues are identified. Support the development and implementation of a supply self- assessment tool to assist the COs to continuously monitor and improve their supply function.
• Together with other centers, develop and strengthen the Supply Community network.
• Manages and organizes the Global Supply Meeting.

Guiding and overseeing the country support helpdesk function

• Whilst respecting the role of the regional supply teams as the first providers of technical assistance to COs, on an exceptional basis addresses specific CO requirements, through response to supply related queries, where these are escalated by helpdesk colleagues
• Identifies the means to address the knowledge gaps identified through the queries received through the helpdesk, such as training and other learning interventions
• Guides colleagues in developing and maintaining training for the Supply Community in the use of Vision
• Explores options to optimize the technology / platform used for the helpdesk

Fostering and supporting an effective working relationship between the Division and Regional Supply Advisors (RSAs)

• Advises and supports the Deputy Director Supply Chain – and the Chiefof SPKC ? in managing the strategic dialogue and relationship with RSAs.
• Manages and supports all relevant meetings and engagements with the RSAs, to include regular SD-RSA calls; the annual SD-RSA Collaboration Week and RSA sessions with the SD Management Team.

Representing the Supply Community perspective ? especially of COs ? in SD, notably through participation in committees and working groups such as the Project Review Board and the Learning Governance Board.

Management of the KM and Country Support unit in SPKC

• Guides and supports the unit to optimize results, ensuring the motivation and wellbeing of team members
• Establishes work plans and priorities of the unit, monitors achievements, and evaluates performance of staff
• Fosters synergies between the unit and other units in the centre
• Cultivates strong working relationships and collaboration between the unit and all relevant teams in the supply function

Any other duties or assignments as requested by the supervisor.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have?

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master’s Degree) in Public Administration, Business Administration or Management, International Relations, or related field is required.

Or;

A first University Degree in a relevant field combined with 2 additional year of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced University Degree.

Work Experience

• Minimum eight (8) years of progressively responsible professional experience in either public and/or private sector in a managerial capacity is required.
• Knowledge of, and experience in, supply chains is required.
• A strong understanding of KM concepts and approaches, and experience in implementing these in an organization, is a significant asset.
• Experience of working in the development sector at country level is likewise a significant asset.
• Experience working in a multi-cultural environment and/or developing country context is an asset.

Technical skills:

• Excellent interpersonal, training and coaching skills with strong service orientation
• Ability to work under pressure
• Ability to plan, set and adjust priorities
• Computer skills, including internet navigation and various office applications is required.

Languages

Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate?

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter:

The core competencies required for this post are:

• Builds and maintains partnerships
• Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness
• Drive to achieve results for impact
• Innovates and embraces change
• Thinks and acts strategically
• Manages ambiguity and complexity
• Works collaboratively with others
• Nurtures, leads and manages people

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework here.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.  

Remarks:

UNICEF only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at:

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments are also subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. 

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