Knowledge Management Specialist - P3

Organizational Setting

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) is an international financial institution and a specialized United Nations agency dedicated to eradicating rural poverty and hunger. It does so by investing in rural people. IFAD finances programmes and projects that increase agricultural productivity and raise rural incomes, and advocates at the local, national and international level for policies that contribute to rural transformation.

The Office of Development Effectiveness (ODE) ensures that IFAD's supported projects are set to achieve their maximum impact and serve as a learning opportunity for future ones. Specifically, ODE is responsible for managing, measuring, and facilitating the effectiveness of IFAD operations, including adequately incorporating knowledge into operations. Through the systematic integration of research findings, lessons learned, innovations and best practices into IFAD's project design, implementation, and self-evaluation processes, the effectiveness and impact of IFAD-supported initiatives are enhanced. ODE contributes to three key corporate objectives:


• Enhancing accountability and transparency of operations.


• Driving operational effectiveness and efficiency.


• Supporting the strategic prioritization and allocation of resources.

ODE is led by a Managing Director and is comprised on four units: Operational Policy Unit (OPU); SECAP, Mainstreaming and Quality Assurance Unit (QAS); Results, Resources and Systems Unit (RRS); and Impact Assessment, Knowledge Management, and Innovation Unit (IKI).

The Impact Assessment, Knowledge Management, and Innovation Unit (IKI) focuses on impact evaluation, knowledge management and innovation to improve the effectiveness and impact of IFAD operations. Specifically,


• The impact assessment function generates knowledge by systematically assessing the impact of IFAD investments and transmitting that knowledge internally within IFAD and to the outside world. The generated knowledge is also used to develop IFAD's strategies and support effective development.


• The knowledge management function focuses on capturing, synthesizing, and sharing knowledge generated from IFAD-funded projects and initiatives, facilitating organizational learning and capacity-building.


• The innovation function explores and promotes innovative approaches and solutions to address development challenges, driving organizational agility and adaptability.


• The 50x2030 Initiative, supporting evidence-based decision-making and policy formulation in agriculture and rural development, has also been placed in IKI given the level of complementarity with the impact assessment function.


Job Role

The Knowledge Management (KM) Specialist works with thematic Technical Specialists (both in HQ and in the field) to coordinate the integration/cohesion of the division's generation, sharing and application of knowledge in support of operations. At this level KM Specialists independently analyse technical and policy problems of concern to IFAD, intergovernmental bodies, and national authorities and provide substantive technical input to the development of policies, technical strategies and proposals. The incumbent forms part of the corporate Knowledge Management (KM) team that has been established to ensure harmonization of KM across the department and IFAD overall. The incumbent maintains an overview of corporate KM priorities, directions, activities and ensures linkages within and across relevant IFAD divisions and departments. The KM Specialist is also a member of the existing interdivisional KM Coordination Group.

The Knowledge Management (KM) Specialist collaborates with ODE's thematic Technical Specialists to ensure the collection and dissemination and adaptation of emerging good practices.


Key Functions and Results

1. KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT STRATEGY, PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION: The Knowledge Management Specialist is responsible for facilitating the curation of knowledge and evidence within IFAD by coordinating the divisional contributions to the development, implementation and monitoring of corporate KM strategy and implementation plans. The incumbent facilitates and ensures a high degree of inter-connectedness across knowledge brokering and knowledge management activities of the technical advisers at HQ and in the regions. As part of the corporate KM team the incumbent: builds capacity in KM skills and competencies; provides advice and support to networks and communities (including the KM community of practice); facilitates compliance with guidelines for KM; provides best practice KM approaches and tools; supports staff with KM responsibilities, and provides support, guidance and advice to SSTC and Knowledge Hubs, and to country programs as required. The incumbent contributes to the inter-divisional KM Coordination Group, which serves as a technical group to promote greater organizational cohesion and collaboration on KM. Activities include, but are not limited to the following:


• Champion learning and knowledge and evidence curation from inside and outside the organization so that external knowledge and IFAD's evidence-based knowledge, know-how, lessons learned, and organizational experience can efficiently support quality operations, and influence discourse and practice in inclusive and sustainable rural transformation globally.


• Develop a knowledge and evidence curation strategy and implement it in accordance to IFAD's KM strategy and Action Plan.


• Advise and coordinate on the preparation and dissemination of knowledge products and learning events.


• Support the generation of evidence-based knowledge products in the relevant thematic areas emerging from IFAD's project activities with colleagues in HQ and country programmes.


• Enable good knowledge management and knowledge dissemination practices, coordinate collective and systematic processes for sharing knowledge in IFAD, and with external partners as appropriate.


• Develop new knowledge tools that are informed by learning from the field.


• Participate in IFAD-wide thematic discussions and working groups and develop appropriate technical and operational approaches of relevance to IFAD strategies and programmes.


• Liaise with relevant organizational units to enable systematic processes for sharing technical evidence-based knowledge and knowledge products (including KM fora and events) and facilitate access to thematic knowledge for the production of flagship publications.


• Liaise with the Communications Division (COM) to ensure that internet pages are up to date and that podcasts, web stories and blogs are developed regularly and strategically to maintain momentum around key thematic issues.


• Contribute to IFAD's representation and communication on evidence-based knowledge in selected global engagement events.


• Update/consolidate/propose the types of knowledge products produced and prepare guidelines on publication requirements, including quality control.


• Contribute to the knowledge and evidence curation activities within ODE such as impact evaluation or impact assessment, systematic reviews, evidence gap maps, empirical, and analytical programmes.


• Contribute to resource mobilization efforts and outreach activities, including through the development of dedicated evidence-based knowledge and advocacy products and or events.

2. TECHNICAL ADVICE: The Knowledge Management Specialist is a trusted advisor to the concerned staff and coordinates the office's efforts to identify, share and scale up innovative, responsive and relevant evidence-based knowledge products and services within the office. Accountabilities include:


• Support technical staff in their knowledge and evidence curation duties as required; in particular provide on-demand technical advice on KM strategy and planning on their initiatives at regional, country and project levels, including inputs on KM components in COSO Ps and projects.


• Encourage sharing of lessons and experience from knowledge and evidence curation across countries and regions, and the sharing of lessons and experience gained from loan and grant projects.


• Facilitate the advancement of communities of practice and networks across the organization.


• Support the development of practical and relevant training courses on KM for delivery through the Operations Academy and other channels.

3. GRANTS COORDINATION: In close collaboration with the concerned colleagues, the Knowledge Management Specialist supports in prioritizing grant concept notes and ensuring that they are developed based on sound evidence base to be submitted to the OSC and in ensuring alignment with corporate guidance and compliance with the grant policy. The incumbent leads the knowledge sharing and management agenda of the office grants portfolio and advises the Grant Sponsors on KM planning in grant designs, and on how to systematically generate, curate, and disseminate knowledge and innovations emerging from grant portfolio and relevant supplementary-funded initiatives. The incumbent reviews grant-related documents and Grant Status Reports and provides technical comments as required. In addition, the incumbent leads on the grant portfolio review process and on the organization of corporate stocktaking and other learning events.

4. MONITORING & EVALUATION AND REPORTING: The Knowledge Management Specialist is responsible for corporate-level monitoring of and reporting on KM implementation, including preparation of annual progress reports to management. The incumbent contributes to preparation of an annual review of IFAD KM activities, products and outreach, with recommendations on priorities for knowledge and evidence curation, development, and resource use. The incumbent also contributes to bridging the monitoring and evaluation of programs/projects with related knowledge management and communication activities in order to enhance the quality of the reporting at all levels (office, corporate, partners, donors). In addition, the incumbent ensures effective monitoring of and reporting on KM in the office. The Knowledge Management specialists leads on coordinating inputs on key thematic areas in the IFAD Annual Report and in corporate reporting exercises of the office.

5. MANAGERIAL FUNCTIONS: The KM Specialist is accountable for integrity, transparency, and equity in the management of IFAD resources. This includes:


• People Management and evaluation of performance of consultants and staff under their purview.


• Resource Management by providing technical expertise for programme development, knowledge and evidence curation by ensuring that knowledge and evidence content within specialty/thematic area is continuously curated and updated and available through the intranet


• Best practices are continuously identified, documented and made available to clients and peers through the inter-/intra-net.


• Appropriate and up-to-date information and learning tools are available.


• Manages subscriptions to appropriate division specific knowledge management tools (i. e. CANVA, Survey Monkey, Mentimeter, etc).


Key Performance Indicators

Assignments require the provision of seasoned technical expertise and input for programs, projects and initiatives related to KM and evidence or with KM and evidence components as well as in knowledge and evidence sharing with peers and counterparts. The work goes beyond technical analysis and synthesis to include substantive inputs to project methodology and design of projects, knowledge sharing among peers and counterparts to enhance cooperation, complementarity and synergy and monitoring and evaluation to measure and report on lessons learned and best practices. The work is considered moderately complex requiring in-depth technical analysis and reporting. Typically operating as a technical specialist at the country or regional levels, the KM Specialist's work may be reviewed for technical accuracy, but more typically is reviewed for achieving the established work plan.


Working Relationships

The work relationships of KM Specialists at this level are primarily for the exchange of information regarding development projects. Information-gathering and exchange in support of studies and thematic assignments may also include identifying reliable sources and establishing guidelines for obtaining information on national and sub-regional; conditions and to convey methodological approaches and operational experience for implementation of activities undertaken on behalf of the Fund.

The work relationships of the KM Specialist include key stakeholders and partners across IFAD at all levels, and from field to headquarters, more specifically:


• Facilitates knowledge and evidence flows/linkages across the departments in collaboration with other KM Officers


• Build awareness and provide leadership and support among internal stakeholders about IFAD's experience and approaches to curating knowledge and evidence


• Manage relations with other relevant organizations to strengthen collaboration and develop synergies around knowledge management


• Contribute to the strategic and operational directions of KM in IFAD

Contacts are with colleagues within IKI and ODE. Other counterparts within other United Nations organizations and IFI having impact evaluation or impact assessment, systematic reviews, evidence gap maps, empirical, and analytical programmes. Contact with data collection firms and with country statistical offices are of key importance. External work relationships for Technical Specialists at this level normally require maintaining and managing professional relationships with the relevant external stakeholders and representing IFAD at conferences and international fora as required.


Job Profile Requirements

Organizational Competencies:

Level 1:


• Building relationships and partnerships - Builds and maintains effective working relationships


• Communicating and negotiating - Communicates effectively; creates understanding between self and others


• Demonstrating leadership - Personal leadership and attitude to change


• Focusing on clients - Focuses on clients


• Learning, sharing knowledge and innovating - Continuously seeks to learn, shares knowledge & innovates


• Managing time, resources and information - Manages own time, information and resources effectively


• Problem-solving and decision-making - Demonstrates sound problem-solving and decision-making ability


• Strategic thinking and organizational development - Personal influence


• Team working - Contributes effectively to the team

Education:


• Level - Advanced university degree ( Master's or equivalent) from an accredited institution in a technically relevant area. A PhD degree would be an asset.


• Areas - Agricultural economics, Resource economics, Economics or related fields (such as, but not limited to, Development economics, Statistics, or Applied mathematics).


• Degree must be an accredited institution listed on

Experience:


• At least five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience is required.


• Two (2) years in a multi-cultural organization or national organization providing support on a global scope.


• Experience in and demonstrated understanding of development initiatives in the field of specialization is highly desirable. Experience in fieldwork and international policy frameworks related to global environment, natural resource management and rural development is an asset.

Languages:


• Required English (4 - Excellent)


• Desirable: French, Spanish, or Arabic (3 - Good)

Skills:


• Advocacy: Ability to leverage IFAD knowledge and/or communication materials to maintain and promote constructive dialogue around IFAD`s vision and strategic priorities to external actors


• Verbal communication: Ability to use verbal communication as a main tool in profession; clear, succinct and convincing verbal communication; highly professional, balanced and diplomatic language


• Written communication: Ability to use written communication as a main tool in profession, including for speech writing; clear, succinct and convincing written communication; highly professional, balanced and diplomatic language


• Risk management (e. g. reputational): Identification and assessment of potential liabilities and risks in IFAD's activities, particularly vis-à-vis third parties; ability to handle risks via contingency and mitigation strategies


• Stakeholder management: Strong alignment capabilities and consultation skills, building on effective interactions and relationships with different stakeholders (e. g. for the co-creation of communication material with member states) and ability to build and maintain a strong network (e. g. with journalists, media outlets, etc. )


• Strategy implementation: Ability to lead and manage the development and implementation of medium to longer-term strategies for IFAD / for respective divisions


• Confidentiality & Discretion: Establishes self and division as trusted advisor to internal stakeholders by maintaining high level of discretion and confidentiality in assignments; demonstrates sound judgement when dealing with sensitive and/or confidential matters; drives good governance and is a " Culture Carrier" demonstrating IFAD institutional conscience through his/her work.


• Specialized communication skills: Ability to negotiate on behalf of IFAD and drive for creative and pragmatic solutions in complex negotiations with key partners, both public and private sector


• Social & Environmental Safeguards: Know-how in Social & Environmental complianc as specified in the IFAD's Social, Environmental and Climate Assessment Procedures (SECAP)


• Cross-cutting themes - Environment & climate change: Expertise specific to the environment and climate change cross-cutting theme (e. g. climate and environmental policy, biodiversity, agroecology)


• Cross-cutting themes - Gender and social inclusion: Expertise specific to gender and social inclusion cross-cutting theme (e. g. youth, targeting strategies)


• Cross-cutting themes - Nutrition: Expertise specific to nutrition cross-cutting theme (e. g. food systems)


• Knowledge and Grant Management: Technical expertise in implementing and reinforcing knowledge management and grant operations principles and practices in core work streams through a combination of processes, tools and incentives, including improved visibility, relevance and accessibility of knowledge products for external audiences and in operations.


Other Information

FAD staff members are international civil servants subject to the authority of the President of IFAD. In accordance with IFAD's Human Resources Policy, the President can decide to assign them to any of the activities of the Fund. All International Professional staff members are required to be geographically mobile and positions in the professional category are subject to changes in location at any time in line with strategic priorities and reform initiatives in IFAD.

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