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Admin and Knowledge Management

Nuwara Eliya

  • Organization: UNDP - United Nations Development Programme
  • Location: Nuwara Eliya
  • Grade: Volunteer - National Specialist - Locally recruited Volunteer
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Operations and Administrations
    • Education, Learning and Training
    • Environment&Disaster Reduction
    • ADMIN AND KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT OFFICER
  • Closing Date: Closed

Background

Walapane is situated in the Nuwaraliya district of Central Province. Walapane is located on mid country of the island and is adjacent to the administrative capital, Nuwaraeliya. The climate in Walapane is cool, it has a subtropical highland climate and the temperature ranges from 24 °C to 16 °C throughout the year.

Sri Lanka became a member of the United Nations on 14 December 1955.

Organizational Context & Project Description:

UNDP is the UN’s global development network, advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. We are on the ground in 166 countries, working with them on their own solutions to global and national development challenges.

UNDP - Sri Lanka, World Food Programme - Sri Lanka, and Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment agreed to jointly implement the remaining activities of “Addressing Climate Change Impacts on Marginalized Agricultural Communities Living in the Mahaweli River Basin of Sri Lanka” (C-CAP II) Project funded by the Adaptation Fund from October 2017 to January 2019.

The overall objective of the project is to secure community livelihoods and food security against climate change-induced rainfall variability leading to longer droughts and more intense rainfall. To directly address these climate-induced impacts, the project proposes to; 1. Develop household food security and build resilient livelihoods for rain-fed farming households; 2. Build institutional capacity in village, local, regional service delivery to reduce risks associated with climate-induced rainfall variability in Medirigiriya, Lankapura and Walapane Divisional Secretariat Divisions (DSDs) in Polonnaruwa and Nuwara Eliya districts. The project will deliver tangible impacts on the ground that include increased local availability of food, livelihoods that can withstand current climate shocks, more information on risks and adaptive strategies, better connectivity to early warning and risk forecasting and, importantly, an efficient and informed agriculture extension service. The project outcomes and outputs are designed to address specific vulnerabilities faced by rain-dependent farmers; strategies to overcome dry season food and income security; introduction of diversified income sources to broad-base risk, improved water storage and irrigation to overcome uncertainty of rainfall, improved soil quality and fertility for increased production, and timely, quality agriculture advice and extension.

At present UNDP deployed two field consultants in Walapane and Madirigiriya DS Divisions in order to coordinate field activities pertaining to the project. The project is expected to generate knowledge and series of scientific data which needs to be captured, store and analyze for effective knowledge management of the project. Since the project at its last year of implementation, knowledge management found to be critical in terms of creation of new knowledge, capturing best practices, sharing lessons learned and raising the visibility of the project etc.

Duties and Responsibilities

Task descriptions

Under the direct supervision of Technical Coordinator of C-CAP II Project, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

  • Planning, design and implementation of the learning and Knowledge Sharing aspect of the Project.
  • Creating project workspaces for documents and database management
  • Capture the activities dedicated to best practices and lessons learned, and raising the visibility of the project – both internally and externally.
  • To disseminate project results within and beyond the project intervention zone through existing information sharing networks and forums at the district and sub district levels.
  • Closely work with the Divisional Consultant of UNDP and Divisional staff of Ministry of Mahawali Development and Environment based at the respective DS Offices.
  • Work proactively with external project partners, UNDP consultants/agencies to identify opportunities for capturing and sharing knowledge, and disseminating information about progress and results.
  • Identify media stories, edit and writes stories/case studies.
  • Facilitate production of video documentary as necessary for capturing project results
  • Ensure that the project web page is updated and maintain regularly.
  • Introduce effective document management system and maintain the project documents and files.
  • Support the field team on logistic requirements to deliver project activities such as trainings and workshops
  • Support the field team on documentation, minutes and report compilation. 
  • Assist in any other project tasks assigned by the Technical Coordinator for the operation of the C-CAP II project.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required to:

  • 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;
  • Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities;
  • 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.

Results/Expected Outputs

  • Minimum 10 stories/case studies developed
  • Well-maintained documentation system established at the field office.
  • Administrative and logistical support adequately provided to the project team
  • Project database and website updated and maintained
  • Good relationship established with project stakeholders, including the government counterparts, consultants, and the project team
  • The development of capacity through coaching, mentoring and formal on-the-job training, when working with (including supervising) national staff or (non-) governmental counterparts, including Implementing Partners (IPs);
  • 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

Competencies

  • Integrity and professionalism: demonstrated expertise in area of specialty and ability to apply good judgment; high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures in a politically sensitive environment, while exercising discretion, impartiality and neutrality; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented.
  • Accountability: mature and responsible; ability to operate in compliance with organizational rules and regulations.
  • 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
  • Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity and gender;
  • 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; ability to maintain composure and remain helpful towards the staff, but objective, without showing personal interest; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups;
  • Flexibility, adaptability, and ability and willingness to operate independently in austere, remote and potentially hazardous environments for protracted periods, involving physical hardship and little comfort, and including possible extensive travel within the area of operations; willingness to transfer to other duty stations within area of operations as may be necessary;
  • Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards the UN core values.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:   Bachelor's degree

Type of degree:  Journalism, communication, ICT or related area of experience

Experience

Required Experience: 2 years of prior work experience

Experience Description: Experience with editing and writing stories and case studies, database management, performing administrative tasks and familiarity with financial procedures is desirable

Language Skills: Strong spoken and written English skills is essential; Sinhala and/or Tamil will be an advantage.

Areas of Expertise: Communication, mass media and art  

Disclaimer

Conditions of Service: A 6-month contract; with subsequent contract extensions subject to availability of funding, operational necessity and satisfactory performance.

Travel to duty station (if applicable) and a Settling-In-Grant will be provided in the event duty station is not within commuting distance from the place of recruitment. A Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) of Rs 73,666 is provided monthly to cover housing, utilities and normal cost of living expenses. Life, health and permanent disability insurance are included (health insurance for up to 3 dependents), as well as final repatriation (if applicable) and a resettlement allowance for satisfactory service.

Disclaimer

The United Nations Volunteers programme (UNV) is an equal opportunity programme which welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. 

This vacancy is now closed.
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