Planning and Knowledge Management Officer

Contract

This is a UNV National Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as National UN Volunteer. It is normally only for nationals. More about UNV National Specialist contracts.

The Planning and Knowledge Management Officer will be stationed in and work for Planning and Monitoring (PM) Section in UNICEF Nepal Country Office (NCO). NCO is implementing the 2023-2027 country programme in collaboration with the Government of Nepal. NCO operates through its country office in Kathmandu and four field offices covering four focus provinces – Sudurpaschim, Karnali, Lumbini and Madhesh. With more than 150 staff members and about 90 UNVs and consultants, UNICEF has the largest field presence among all UN agencies in Nepal. Travel to provinces and municipalities is one of the primary modalities through which NCO provides technical support to partners, monitors implementation of programmes supported by UNICEF and engages with the community and other stakeholders. NCO staff also undertake need-based international travel to participate in regional and global events, workshops and meetings etc. Since mid-2023, NCO has made a concentrated effort to make the travel planning more efficient and effective by taking a structured approach to periodic travel planning, find opportunities for synergy – logistically as well as programmatically – and make judicious use of the limited resources.

The Planning and Knowledge Management Officer is expected to fulfill a dual role in supporting UNICEF country programme. S/he will support NCO’s travel planning, monitoring and reporting working in close collaboration with the travel unit in the office. Additionally, s/he will be responsible for ensuring linkages between the various tools/platforms being used in the office for this. The Planning and Knowledge Management Officer will also assist with documentation and effective knowledge management of workstreams related to the PM section.

With the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Chief, Planning and Monitoring or his designated mandated representative(s), the UNV Planning and Knowledge Management Officer will undertake the following tasks: 1. Support operationalization of the Nepal Country Office travel plan a. In collaboration with the travel unit of Operations Section ensure timely initiation of the travel planning process using the standardized template; b. Support receipt of timely inputs for travel plan with the required details; c. Review the travel plan to identify missing information, duplication, inaccurate details; d. Analyse the travel plan to find opportunities for convergence, joint visits, over and under coverage/representation etc. and flag it for the senior management to inform the approval process; e. Monitor the implementation of the travel plan and prepare periodic reports on variance, and expenditure etc.; and f. Support the Monitoring Officer and HACT/Partnership Officer in ensuring the linkage of travel plan with Field Monitoring Module (FMM) and Programmatic Visits (PVs).

2. Support Knowledge Management function of PM section a. Cull out the programme monitoring plan from the broader travel plan and support to put together monitoring plan organised by programme sections and field offices; b. Contribute to preparation of fact sheets, thematic/geographic profiles, briefing notes, PowerPoint presentations, infographics and other need-based knowledge products; c. Organize, update and manage the PM section documents including its SharePoint site to make information easily available and accessible to all colleagues; d. Support documentation of the key meetings/events organized by the PM section and capture the key discussions in a format/template that can be disseminated/published.

 Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor. Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:  Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day);  Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country;  Provide annual and end of assignment self-reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities.  Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.;  Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers;  Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

As an active UNICEF team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to UNICEF and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including:  Generate periodic analytical reports on travel planning in NCO with actionable recommendations for the senior management  Contribute to a range of knowledge products developed/updated by the PM section  Support in capturing, organizing and disseminating knowledge within the PM section and its extended network within the office  Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment  A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed

Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNICEF; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNICEF procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented;

Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNICEF in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority.

Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues;

Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment.

Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities;

Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups;

Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary;

Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNICEF’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

data collection, management and analysis; working with structured and unstructured information; preparing concise reports for use by senior management.

Technical knowledge and skill:

Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills.  Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing;  Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of professional staff;  Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel;  Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (SharePoint, Excel, Word, PowerPoint etc.); familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment;  Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines;  Have affinity with or interest in UNICEF core value (care, respect, integrity, trust, and accountability) volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.

Planning and Knowledge Management Officer will be based in Kathmandu. This is an office-based position and no travel is envisaged. As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials. National UN Volunteers are part of the malicious insurance plan.