Knowledge Management Specialist (Open Externally)

Tiered Approach

In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby:

• Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026.
• Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments
• Tier 2: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers
• Tier 3 or no tier indicated: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates

Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.

Office/Unit/Project Description

The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme contributes to peace and development through volunteerism worldwide. UNV works with partners to integrate qualified, highly motivated and well- supported UN Volunteers into development programming and promote the value and global recognition of volunteerism. The Volunteer Advisory Services Section (VASS) contributes to position UNV as a Knowledge and Policy hub on volunteerism for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), generating knowledge, consolidating evidence and advocating with Member States and the UN system to integrate volunteerism in their policies and plans, as a cross-cutting means of implementation into the 2030 Agenda, in alignment with UNV 2022-2025 Strategic Framework.

Reporting to the Policy Specialist (Evidence), VASS, the Knowledge Management Specialist acoordinates knowledge management strategies in the section and identifies synergies with other UNV sections to enhance access and visibility of UNV work. VASS generates evidence and knowledge to promote and advocate with a broad range of stakeholders for integration of volunteerism in their policies and plans. Within this framework, UNV has a Knowledge Portal on Volunteerism, which is a one- stop platform for knowledge management and dissemination and is managed by VASS and it comprises the following components:

(i) A country profile database of volunteer data

(ii) An evidence library of global publications on themes related to volunteering

(iii) A knowledge exchange, an interactive space for knowledge sharing, discussions, dissemination, and interaction on different volunteering topics.

The Knowledge Management Specialist plays a key role in generating and sharing credible, relevant knowledge, while managing essential platforms that support the implementation of core components. This position is instrumental in identifying and addressing knowledge gaps, capturing insights, and ensuring their meaningful contribution to future initiatives.

Scope of Work

1. Lead Coordination of knowledge management initiatives and advocacy

• Coordinate VASS knowledge management and brokering efforts including liaising with both internal and external stakeholders for content to the Knowledge Portal. Develop a Knowledge Management (KM) Strategy and Work Plan in alignment with the approved knowledge management priorities in close collaboration with VASS relevant units including Regional Offices.
• Substantively engage in the development of a coordinated, and systematic approach to identifying, capturing and promoting key evidence to support advocacy efforts and key initiatives.
• Review current systems, tools and approaches to knowledge management, both internally within UNV and with external partners. Recommend and implement improvements.
• Review systems to measure the uptake and effectiveness of UNV’s knowledge work including portal traffic and optimize their utilization by recommending changes and/or viable alternatives.
• Significantly contribute to outreach and knowledge exchange through the UNV Knowledge Portal and online events, particularly with respect to engaging external partners.
• Work with the Evidence and Integration workstreams to shape the development of innovative graphics and multi-media products that add value to the SWVR report.
• Provide summaries of relevant research and policy findings for publishing on the UNV Knowledge Portal.
• Develop and write the content of key analytical materials including strategic and thematic notes, think pieces, and blogs.

2. Advance development of partnerships, dissemination, and stakeholder engagement

• Identify opportunities for the policy-oriented launch of the SWVR including key research forums (conferences, executive committees, task forces, etc.).
• Contribute as requested, to UNV technical missions, conferences, task forces, and other key knowledge events to communicate research findings, give presentations, expand strategic partnerships, alliances and provoke conversations and debates.
• Engage in online discussions and provide substantive inputs to relevant communities of practice as well coming up with a comprehensive policy dialogue plan for the dissemination of the SWVR research findings and recommendations.
• Prepare speeches, presentations, background technical papers, documentation, and reports, upon request on SWVR.

3. Promote collaboration and facilitate effective knowledge-management systems

• Plan and implement external knowledge brokering and outreach events with key audiences to promote the State of the Worlds Volunteerism Report 2026 and UNV's Global Volunteer Index.
• Provide concrete proposals on how to position the Knowledge Portal through marketing and publicity strategies within the development, policy, and volunteering community and beyond;
• Lead the documentation and dissemination of key information on the SWVR and Volunteer Index development.
• Support research functions in the team (support in data collection, analysis and presentations covering both quantitative and qualitative aspects).
• Offer helpdesk support to the field, provide one-to-one support to UNV´s regional offices and field units to optimize the use of knowledge tools and related processes as needed.
• Provide comments and ensure quality control to knowledge products. Provide guidance on types of knowledge products best suited for each audience.
• Develop a system to track and regularly establish the referencing and citation such as Mendeley, Overton and others.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Institutional Arrangement

She/he organizes innovative ways for engaging external and internal stakeholders in activities and events designed to help gather, generate, and share knowledge on volunteerism. She/ he works closely with UNV´s relevant units and external research stakeholders on knowledge brokering efforts.

Competencies

Core

Achieve Results:

• Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact

Think Innovatively:

• Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems

Learn Continuously:

• Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences

Adapt with Agility:

• Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands

Act with Determination:

• Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results

Engage and Partner:

• Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration

Enable Diversity and Inclusion:

• Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

System Thinking

• Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system.

Knowledge Generation

• Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need.
• Ability to apply existing concepts to new situations, and to develop new concepts to generate workable solutions and new approaches. Knowledge of relevant concepts, conceptual models, and theories that can be useful in addressing new situations.

Communication

• Ability to communicate in a clear, concise, and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience.
• Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media, and other appropriate channels

Digital Awareness and Literacy

• Ability to monitor new and emerging technologies, as well as understand their usage, potential, limitations, impact, and added value.
• Ability to rapidly and readily adopt and use new technologies in professional activities, and to empower others to use them as needed. Knowledge of the usage of digital technologies and emerging trends.

Working with Evidence and Data

• Ability to inspect, cleanse, transform and model data with the goal of discovering useful information, informing conclusions and supporting decision-making.

Marketing research and data analysis

• Ability to create actionable marketing intelligence based on primary and secondary research and data analysis.

Relationship management

• Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understanding.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Information Science, Knowledge Management, research and/or communications are required. OR
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• A research degree (masters or bachelors) is an advantage.

Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years (with master’s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant work experience in research and knowledge management, including demonstrated experience in applying research methodologies is required.

Required skills:

• Research and knowledge management, including demonstrated experience in applying research methodologies.

Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section:

• Experience in development programming on SDGs preferably in a national setting.
• Experience publishing analytical and research papers, think pieces, and blogs.
• Knowledge of and experience in volunteerism with its diverse manifestations, preferably in a development setting.
• Experience in the UN system or other international organizations.

Required Language(s):

• Fluency in English is required.
• Working knowledge of another official UN language, preferably French, Arabic and/or Russian is a strong asset.
• Disclaimer:
• Only short-listed applicants will be contacted.
• The successful candidate will hold a UNDP NPSA contract.
• This vacancy announcement is open to Tier 0, 1 and 2 candidates only.

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.

Right to select multiple candidates

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Use of AI by candidates

Applicants are invited to read UNDP’s guidance for candidates on using AI responsibly in UNDP recruitment and selection

Scam alert

UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.