This post is part of the newly established Programme Department’s Research and Knowledge Management Team, where work has started to coordinate research across the organization and to deliver high quality research and to develop and implement a Global Research and Knowledge Management Strategy. The post supports Plan’s strategy by working to ensure the organisation is consistent in its information sharing and evidenced based learning. The knowledge management and learning officer, in consultation with the Head of Research, plans and undertakes knowledge management initiatives needed in support of effective knowledge use and organisational learning in Plan.
Dimensions of Role:
The knowledge management and learning officer will deliver guidance and support to the 50 Programme Countries (COs), 4 Regional Offices (ROs) and 20 National Offices (NOs), as well as external consultants who may be appointed from time to time on knowledge management generally and information sharing and learning specifically .
The role has no line-management authority, but is expected to work effectively with a wide network of global colleagues, both internal and external and manage commissioned work as directed by the Head of Research, thus achieving results through working with others.
Typical Responsibilities - Key End Results of Position:
A new and invigorated research and knowledge management strategy is delivered across Plan to further the One Plan Strategy objectives at international, country and regional level to achieve information sharing and learning across the organisation
- Representing and articulating the research and knowledge management strategy both internally and externally
- Consulting and advising colleagues in ROs, Cos, NOs and PUs in order to support and encourage effective knowledge use and organisational learning in Plan
The research and knowledge management strategy is supported with tools for implementation; for example, Sharepoint and other information sharing and learning processes, in order to ensure efficiency and user-friendliness
- Coordinating and strengthening the network of assigned programme information contributors.
- Developing training materials and conducting training, in cooperation with People and Culture to enhance the accessibility and sharing of programme information on the intranet (SharePoint) across the organisation.
- Supporting cost-effective and user-friendly access to programme information resources across Plan.
- Strengthening business processes to facilitate the systematic sharing and learning from up-to-date information on the intranet, as well as its use.
- Updating, improving and monitoring programme information databases and file management systems.
- Monitoring and reporting on the use and quality of programme information through, for instance, the quarterly newsletter and urchin analysis.
- Managing Programme area on Planet and the Programme Library.
User Support provided to Programmes Department Resource site administrators
- Providing timely technical assistance to the Departments and Plan’s Technical Network sites by meeting requests for assistance.
- Developing, updating and conducting training on how to maintain technical network sites on Planet.
Quality, ongoing networks are established internally and externally to achieve continuous innovation and new learning to establish Plan as an organisation with a strong and credible knowledge management focus
- Establishing linkages with organisations, institutes, universities on knowledge management issues.
- Establishing and maintaining a productive knowledge management network of staff across Plan at all levels to ensure implementation of the knowledge management strategy.
- Organising internal and external workshops and information sharing fora to discuss substantive and process issues to support the knowledge management strategy.
Dealing with Problems:
- Innovating and generating ideas and sees them through to fruition.
- Handling multiple priorities such as queries from 50 Programme Countries, 4 Regional Offices and 20 National Offices, as well as external consultants who may be appointed from time to time; representing Plan at conferences, attending meetings and teleconferences.
- Articulating and disseminating good knowledge management practice across Plan and externally to identified target audiences.
- Promoting learning throughout Plan by targeted communication of research, documentation and other knowledge in collaboration with the Research Co-ordinators and programme department staff.
- Adapting to changing work plans and strategies according to circumstances.
- Achieving results through working with others from a distance.
Communications and Working Relationships:
Internal
- Reporting to the Head of Research and working closely with the Research and Knowledge Management Team, this post will liaise closely with research and knowledge management co-ordinators in the 50 Country Offices; the four Regional Heads for MER and knowledge management co-ordinators; research and knowledge management co-ordinators in the 20 National Offices.
- Collaborate with the Policy, Advocacy and Campaigns Department, the Programming and Effectiveness Department and the Disaster Risk Reduction Team on the needs for information sharing and learning and to feed lessons learned from internal or external sources into improved practices.
- Work in collaboration with the ICT department to support the improvement of technological tools for knowledge management
- Work in collaboration with the Communications department toalign strategies and presentation of information and training.
- Work in close collaboration with the Programme Effectiveness Team to manage the overlap between learning in the context of knowledge management and the Plan Academy initiative.
External
- Liaise and network with external consultants and researchers and knowledge management officers from partner institutions outside of Plan
- Attend forums and conferences to present and represent Plan’s achievements in knowledge management.
- Liaise and network with key institutes and universities.
Knowledge, Skills, and Behaviors Required to Achieve Role’s Objectives:
Knowledge:
- Degree level or equivalent understanding of information sciences or an international development related subject demonstrating ability to think analytically
- An appreciation of issues and key information sources associated with International development.
- Knowledge of best practice in using intranet and internet sites to share data
- Understanding and commitment to the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
- Fluent in English; French a/o Spanish an advantage
Skills:
- Excellent analytical, conceptual and strategic thinking.
- Excellent writing skills.
- Articulation and training skills to nurture and support capacity building on knowledge management.
- Ability to deliver tight deadlines.
- Excellent computer skills: proficient in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and working knowledge of Sharepoint.
- Good project management skills and being able to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
Behaviour:
- Excellent interpersonal skills, working with people from different cultures and in different time zones, with integrity and honesty.
- Innovative, proactive and diligent.
- Highly motivated self-starter and an enthusiastic team player.
- An understanding and commitment to the aims and values of Plan in order to ensure that Plan delivers greater value to children through research.
- Ability to work within a multi-cultural environment and find creative solutions for successful regional and national knowledge management initiatives to promote learning and information sharing across the organisation
- Constructive flexibility
Physical Environment and Demands:
This is an office based role in Plan’s International Headquarters in Woking, with some international travel for meetings, networking and training.
Type of Role: Permanent
Reports to: Head of Research
Grade: 3
Salary: £30,000 - £35,000 per annum
Closing Date: Friday 20th April 2012
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