Project Specialist, Learning and Innovation, UNDP Kazakhstan

• Contribute to the formulation of the Hub’s learning strategy in line with the UNDP learning and innovation framework and follow design thinking principles for effective coordination and implementation the annual work plans of the Hub;
• Research learning best practices, innovative learning approaches and new learning solutions and technologies to increase the impact of learning activities;
• Design learning activities with innovative methods responding to the demands of the participating countries of the Hub and as well as analyze and reporting their impact;
• Undertake appropriate measures to identify the needs of learning activities for civil servants of the Hub’s participating countries and before conducting learning activities; 
• Identify platforms and mechanisms fostering innovative learning for international partnerships and sustainable learning development within the Hub’s participating countries;  
• Establish, coordinate and maintain networks with leading educational institutions in the region and around the world to foster innovative learning in the field of civil service and continuous improvement to enhance programme delivery;  
• Coordinate the development, design, testing and set-up of online learning content, training materials, eLearning courses, communities and other technology-based learning tools and their subsequent administration;  
• Organize and oversee the implementation of learning activities and programmes, as well as provide consultation to the Hub’s team and UNDP CO ensuring effective integration of emerging lessons learned and civil service needs in the Hub's activities; 
• Provide technical and operational inputs to the Hub staff in planning, development and implementation of learning programs and innovative activities, and facilitate the effective delivery of the outputs; 
• Provide advisory support services on strategic learning and innovation directions to the Chairman of the Steering Committee of the Hub and UNDP CO. 

• Develop and manage learning activities/programmes conducted jointly with the Hub’s participating countries, based on their demands and available resources;
• Ensure the application of innovative and user-friendly learning approaches and methodologies (e.g., study visits, labs, short/long duration courses, webinars, face-to-face and online learning activities, and blended learning programmes);  
• Manage onboarding, professional development and career transition programmes for Hub’s participating countries delivered online or onsite;
• Provide consultation, learning resources, including Hub’s forthcoming activities for the participating countries to develop their capacities and experience sharing as well as to make learning modules and other activities that can be used for learning purposes and provide feedback on their effectiveness;    
• Consolidate and analyze learning and innovation initiatives aimed at civil service development in the ECIS region and beyond and ensure synergy with the project’s pillars and with the overall strategy of UNDP RBEC (Regional Office).  

• Ensure implementation and delivery of learning and innovation activities in due time and proper quality, meeting the overall Hub's strategy and annual work plan of the Hub; 
• Effectively networks with partners seizing opportunities to explore their innovative approaches to leverage civil servants’ capacities; 
• Analyze tools to effectively evaluate and follow-up learning activities conducted by the Hub; 
• Plan, carry out and compile evaluations and statistics to report of innovative learning programmes and activities and recommend actions and adjustments to increase impact; 
• Forecast, monitor, and produce reports on the learning funds, project budgets and expenditures;
• Ensure continuous enhancement of the Hub’s learning approaches through post-learning evaluations and lessons learned, which allow to analyze the contribution of innovation and specific learning activities to institutional development;
• Perform other tasks that may be needed to ensure effective implementation of the capacity development and learning strategy of the Hub and UNDP CO. 

• Promoting ethics and integrity, creating organizational precedents; 
• Building staff competence, creating an environment of creativity and innovation; 
• Building and promoting effective teams; 
• Creating and promoting enabling environment for open communication; 
• Sharing knowledge across the organization and building a culture of knowledge sharing and learning; 
• Fair and transparent decision making; calculated risk-taking; 
• Initiative-taking, self-development.

CORPORATE COMPETENCIES

• Demonstrates integrity by modelling in the UN's values and ethical standards (human rights, peace, understanding between people and nations, tolerance, integrity, respect, results orientation, UNDP core ethics, impartiality); 
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
• Displays strong cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

• Ability to establish good working relationships with international and national authorities;
• Ability to make new and useful ideas work; 
• Demonstrates good oral and written communication skills; 
• In-depth knowledge and solid theoretical knowledge of the subject-matter and good practical experience in the relevant area; 
• Keeps abreast of new developments in area of professional discipline and job knowledge and seeks to develop him/herself professionally.

• Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; 
• Identifies priority activities, assignments, innovative learning methods; adjusts priorities as required; 
• Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; 
• Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; 
• Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary.

• Promotes knowledge management and learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example; 
• Demonstrates skills and ability to coordinate and manage the work of others, work to tight deadlines;
• Displays understanding of the relevant contemporary ICT tools and continuously act towards personal capacity building.

• Identifies and builds partnerships; as well as effective networks seizing opportunities to build strategic learning Alliances relevant to the strategy of the Hub and UNDP's mandate/strategic agenda;  
• Identifies needs and interventions for learning and capacity building of counterparts, clients and potential partners.

• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities; 
• Demonstrates strong administrative skills and result oriented approach to work; 
• Ability to monitor progress against milestones and deadlines; 
• Ability to handle effectively multiple tasks without compromising quality, team spirit and positive working relationships; 
• Proven networking, team-building, organizational and communication skills.

• Provide on-time and quality performance of the requirements under ToR;
• Develop and test new concepts, innovative tools and resources in learning;
• Provide absolute fulfillment of the requirements stated in the Service Contract;
• Provide all the materials of accomplished work for Project Management Committee (addressed to Project Manager) for comments and agreements.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Education, International affairs, Social Sciences, Management or a related field.

• At least 5 years of work experience at international levels in designing, managing, and implementing learning programmes; 
• Proven track record of building networks and partnerships among training institutions, government and academia clients; 
• Experience in developing projects to improve service delivery outcomes; 
• Proven communication and advocacy skills, and ability to work in an environment requiring liaison and collaboration with multiple actors including government representatives, donors and other stakeholders; 
• Ability to work to tight deadlines and to handle multiple simultaneous project components; 
• Good computer skills (especially Microsoft office applications) and ability to use information technology as a tool and resource;
• Practical experience in capacity development of UNDP system.

• Fluency in English, Kazakh and Russian.

Important applicant information

All posts in the SC categories are subject to local recruitment.

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