Knowledge Management Specialist

Position description

UNOPS supports the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to serve people in need by expanding the ability of the United Nations, governments and other partners to manage projects, infrastructure and procurement in a sustainable and efficient manner.

Working in some of the world’s most challenging environments, our vision is to advance sustainable implementation practices, always satisfying or surpassing our partners’ expectations.

With over 7,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, wherever they need it.

A flexible structure and global reach means that we can quickly respond to our partners’ needs, while offering the benefits of economies of scale.

Background information – Infrastructure and Project Management Group (IPMG)

UNOPS strategic focus places increased emphasis on national capacity development and sustainable approaches to project management, procurement and infrastructure services. A key objective is to be recognized as an organization that delivers world-class infrastructure and project management, which is both economically and socially sustainable, even in the most challenging environments. To achieve this goal, UNOPS has established the Infrastructure and Project Management Group (IPMG).

Within UNOPS, it is IPMG’s objective to serve the organization’s personnel and partners by broadening their infrastructure and project management capabilities, while disseminating best practices in both of these areas. Through this work, the group helps facilitate the successful delivery of programs and projects around the world.

To achieve its objectives, IPMG has established three interrelated and interdependent technical streams, namely, Strategic Initiatives, Standards, and Engagement Assurance, that are supported by the Portfolio Support team.

The Strategic Initiatives (SI) team works to develop methodologies and tools to improve development outcomes as well as assist in the positioning of UNOPS at the highest levels in related fields, including various global agenda focus areas, such as resilience and sustainability.

In addition, SI hosts the Secretariat for UNOPS Mission Hubs, in which knowledge management plays an important role.

Background Information – Job specific

Since its 2018-2021 Strategic Plan, UNOPS has made knowledge management one of its key priorities and has displayed an ambition to focus knowledge management on efforts to harness expertise for integrated service offerings and specialized solutions.

The current focus of knowledge management at UNOPS is to support strategic direction setting in alignment with UN system priorities as well as internal operations.

Functional Responsibilities

Under the guidance and supervision of the Head of Strategic Initiatives, IPMG, the Knowledge Management Specialist will coordinate organizational knowledge management initiatives and will be responsible for the timely implementation of relevant action plans.

A key work package will be the coordination of the UNOPS Mission Hubs Secretariat. The Mission Hubs cover a number of thematic areas ranging from quality healthcare to a just digital transformation. The Mission Hubs support UNOPS efforts to accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and contribute to the implementation of UNOPS Strategic Plan 2022-2025. Through the Mission Hubs Secretariat, the Knowledge Management Specialist will deliver knowledge management approaches and implementation to support the achievement of Mission Hub work plans. Work in the Mission Hubs will involve close collaboration with global senior leadership as well as colleagues across Headquarters (HQ) and the field.

Additional work packages may include collaboration with internal transformation initiatives including the Process Innovation and Digitalization Programme (PID Programme), the rethinking of Portfolio, Programme and Project Management (P3M) and Evaluation, Insights and Learning (EIL). The Knowledge Management Specialist will provide advice and implementation support for knowledge management projects within these initiatives.

The Knowledge Management Specialist will also supervise the Knowledge Management Analyst, working closely together to implement the Knowledge Management team’s action plan.

The specific tasks include:

Strategy development/implementation and action planning

• Implement knowledge management strategies for initiatives such as the Mission Hubs
• Develop and coordinate the implementation of knowledge management work packages and work plan as required within initiatives and offices;
• Conceptualize and coordinate the development, review and roll-out of knowledge management tools and products; this may involve coordination of small value procurement activities, and consultation with both HQ and the field;
• Develop and partner with diverse stakeholders for knowledge sharing;
• Facilitate exercises on a corporate skills mapping initiative to enable knowledge networks, in collaboration with PCG;
• Support UNOPS initiatives such as the PID Programme, P3M and EIL as required.

Coordination of KM activities

• Service as the KM focal point for the organization;
• Ensure that KM considerations are embedded in initiatives across UNOPS as relevant;
• Provide knowledge management support in organization-wide initiatives with knowledge management components such as the Mission Hubs;
• Organise and participate in global dialogues regarding effective knowledge sharing and facilitate country and regional-level participation and inputs in these discussions;
• Cultivate strong communities of practice for effective knowledge sharing;
• Facilitate cross-project learning and best practice transfer through documentation and dissemination /sharing of lessons learned;
• Provide guidance and orientation to UNOPS personnel on Knowledge Management systems and resources in HQ and field offices;
• Keep informed of best practices in knowledge management and ensure these practices are adopted by UNOPS;
• Coordinate, review and/or prepare KM related contents, communication and reports;
• Provide research and data collection on knowledge management upon request;

People management

• Supervise the Knowledge Management Analyst, providing regular support and feedback

Monitoring and Progress Controls

• Setting standards, personal and development objectives in Performance Evaluation Review;
• Ongoing assessment of task completion, which meets quality expectations;
• Successfully meeting deadlines based on workplan;
• Completing progress reports as requested.

Competencies
Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization.

Qualifications

Education

• Candidates must hold a Master’s Degree in relevant discipline.
• A first-level University degree or Bachelor’s or equivalent in a related field of study with 2 additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of Master’s Degree requirement.

Experience

• A minimum 5 years of progressive professional experience in knowledge management and/or communication, and coordination of large initiatives involving multiple stakeholders is required;
• Experience in the development and implementation of knowledge management approaches and/or products is required;
• Experience in people management will be considered an asset;
• Experience in managing senior stakeholders will be considered an asset;
• Technical proficiency in project management will be considered an asset;
• Previous working experience in developing countries in an international environment will be considered an asset;
• Considering the short duration of the position, UNOPS experience will be considered when reviewing the applications.

Languages

• Fluency in English required;
• Fluency in French and/or Spanish is considered a valuable asset.

Application instructions

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