Title	Digital Communication & Knowledge Management Specialist (can be based in Kampala, Kuala Lumpur or Bangkok)
Job ID	28662
Practice Area - Job Family	Poverty Reduction
Vacancy End Date	(Midnight New York, USA) 03/03/2020
Duty Station	Kampala, Kuala Lumpur or Bangkok
Education & Work Experience	G-Bachelor's Level Degree - 9 year(s) experience, I-Master's Level Degree - 7 year(s) experience
Languages	Required: English Desired: French
Grade	P4
Vacancy Type	FTA International
Posting Type	External
Contract Duration	1 Year with possibility for extension

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The UN Capital Development Fund makes public and private finance work for the poor in the world’s 47 least developed countries. With its capital mandate and instruments, UNCDF offers “last mile” finance models that unlock public and private resources, especially at the domestic level, to reduce poverty and support local economic development. UNCDF’s financing models work through two channels: financial inclusion that expands the opportunities for individuals, households, and small businesses to participate in the local economy, providing them with the tools they need to climb out of poverty and manage their financial lives; and by showing how localized investments — through fiscal decentralization, innovative municipal finance, and structured project finance — can drive public and private funding that underpins local economic expansion and sustainable development.

By strengthening how finance works for poor people at the household, small enterprise, and local infrastructure levels, UNCDF contributes to SDG 1 on eradicating poverty with a focus on reaching the last mile and addressing exclusion and inequalities of access. At the same time, UNCDF deploys its capital finance mandate in line with SDG 17 on the means of implementation, to unlock public and private finance for the poor at the local level. By identifying those market segments where innovative financing models can have transformational impact in helping to reach the last mile, UNCDF contributes to a number of different SDGs and currently to 28 of 169 targets.

Since 2008, UNCDF has been supporting digital finance with significant success which has led UNCDF to make digital finance the largest part of its inclusive finance portfolio. UNCDF is also host to the Secretariat of the Better than Cash Alliance (BTCA), a partnership of governments, companies, and international organizations that accelerates the transition from cash to digital payments in order to reduce poverty and drive inclusive growth. UNCDF also serves as the secretariat for the UN Secretary-General’s Task Force on Digital Financing of the SDGs, which will consider the next wave of digitalization of finance and how the systemic changes to the financial ecosystem due to digital technologies will impact financing for the SDGs. For several years UNCDF’s work in digital finance has led it to support new digital solutions linked to finance, to further drive financial inclusion and to achieve the SDGs. This includes projects linked to on an off-grid energy, agriculture, employment, health and transport.

With 60 professionals with strong digital finance experience across the globe and with close to several hundred projects in digital completed or on-going, UNCDF is one of the leading development agencies in digital finance with a mission and expertise to reach the poorest and most vulnerable populations in some of the world’s most difficult markets. UNCDF’s digital team and resources are currently spread across several programmes and UNCDF is in the process of consolidating its financial and technical resources to create a comprehensive team of experts in various domains to drive its new strategy “Leaving no one behind in the digital era”.

Position Context:

For robust implementation of its digital strategy, UNCDF Financial Inclusion Practice Area aims to have a Strategy Support Unit that includes three (3) inter-connected functions (Programme Management; Results Measurement; Knowledge Management) that have direct linkages to each other’s work, to ensure coordination and efficient feedback loops while creating a virtuous circle for strategy implementation. Close collaboration among the three inter-connected functions is required to capture the results for FIPA’s DFS market development approach, generating knowledge that informs external audiences and improves programming processes.The Global Digital Programme Manager P-5 is responsible to drive the consolidation of all various FIPA programs under one Digital Finance strategy, with support from these functions and UNCDF regional/country specialists and thematic technical specialists/leads.

UNCDF is looking to hire a dynamic leader for the Digital Communications & Knowledge Management Specialist P4 (DCKM), based in either Kampala, Kuala Lumpur or Bangkok. This role will work under the overall guidance of the Deputy Director FIPA, P5 New York USA ad with matrix reporting line to the UNCDF Global Digital Programme Manager, P5, based in KL, Malaysia.

The Digital Communications and Knowledge Management Specialist ensures effective communication of the results of the implementation of UNCDF’s digital strategy. The DCKM will also have the primary responsibility for developing and harmonizing our branding for the new digital strategy, curating and overseeing knowledge generated at the country and regional levels and ensuring that knowledge generated is accurate, reliable, relevant and fulfils UNCDF’s need to understand how the markets are moving towards digital inclusion of all.

The DCKM Specialist will also provide support to the technical specialists and KM focal points at the country/regional levels to help them develop meaningful communication annual plans and make sure their digital knowledge products are linked to the learning agenda of the “Leaving no one behind in the digital era” strategy. The DCKM Specialist will work in close collaboration with the Partnerships, Policy and Communications Unit (PPCU) in New York, especially with the Communications Specialist. She/he will also liaise with the Regional and Country Offices ensuring programmatic results and knowledge generated is accurately shared with our corporate partners. In close collaboration with the FIPA Digital Team, , UNCDF Directorate and the PPCU the incumbent will also support the development and implementation of UNCDF strategy for partnering with UN Agencies around UNDAF, the Post 2030 Agenda and other potential joint programming opportunities at HQs and at the global, regional and country office levels.

Within the context of UNCDF programme activities, the staff member is ultimately accountable for achieving the key results summarized above. These results in turn provide senior management with critical inputs in making decisions in regards to the overall communication strategy of our results to our partners.

IMPORTANT: The position may be located in either of three UNCDF regional locations - 1) Bangkok, Thailand 2) Kampala, Uganda or 3) Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Applicants interested in any of the three locations are welcome to apply. Please clearly indicate your location preference(s) in your motivation/cover letter as part of your online application.

The organization will make the final decision on position location, as the recruitment process is finalized.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of key functions:

• Provide leadership necessary for the formulation, development and implementation of a global digital research and knowledge management strategy linked to our global learning agenda supporting positioning of UNCDF’s as a leader in the digital economies space;
• Provide leadership for the development and implementation of the communications and marketing plan for the new strategy;
• Manage the research and knowledge process and production of the digital strategy thought leadership including needs assessment, commission, review, design and publication
• Integrate knowledge sharing into all aspects of the strategy and foster lateral learning between country, regional offices and implementing partners;

Provide leadership necessary for the formulation, development and implementation of a digital global research and knowledge management strategy linked to our global learning agenda supporting positioning of UNCDF’s as a leader in the digital economies space:

• Assess digital innovations trends as well as research and knowledge needs to develop a strategy for research and knowledge projects to position the UNCDF as a thought leader on digital innovations to drive inclusive growth and country and regional offices
• Work with the Data, Results and Learning Specialist, the country and regional managers, to develop a knowledge management strategy in line with the Theory of Change at the country level;
• Work with the Data, Results and Learning Specialist, to manage the production and dissemination of the UNCDF Annual Digital Inclusion Report;
• Ensure the inclusion of key customer segments, gender issues and sex and age disaggregated data and/or analysis in the digital knowledge management strategy;
• Build effective and efficient research partnerships with think tanks, academia, members and other stakeholders to expand acceptance by governments, development agencies, INGOs and private sector that digital-payment solutions are preferable to cash.

Outcome: Position UNCDF as a thought leader in digital innovations

Provide leadership for the development and implementation of the communications and marketing plan for the new strategy:

• Develop a communications and marketing strategy at the global, regional and country levels in line with our research agenda and in line with our resource mobilization efforts
• Monitor the implementation of the communication and marketing strategy at the regional and country levels
• Ensure that branding for the digital strategy is consistent with UNCDF branding guidelines and funders’ requirements
• Ensure consistency of application of branding in all our digital knowledge products at the global, country and regional levels
• Provide training on digital knowledge products and knowledge sharing at the regional and country level;
• Manage the dissemination process of diverse publications and news releases through print and video, focusing on achievement of the programmes’ results;
• Oversee digital knowledge management officers at global, regional and country levels to prepare and disseminate appropriate press releases, blogs etc. of key digital knowledge products at the country level
• Manage all social media channels and activities; keeping content up to date, uploading new materials (knowledge products, press releases) and tracking site usage and views or hits
• Curate the content of the UNCDF website and ensure the knowledge products are relevant to our work in digital finance and economy and up to date;
• Monitor website indicators with support of UNCDF Communications team;
• Identify key events where the results of our programmes can be disseminated on an annual basis at the global level to raise UNCDF’s visibility with other development partners and funders;
• Provide quarterly report to the FIPA Management on research and learning activities for their quarterly reporting to funders;
• Liaise with CGAP, Making Finance work for Africa, GSMA, UNDP regional and country offices and development partners for information sharing.

Outcome: Efficient, reliable and proactive dissemination and sharing of knowledge focused on the digital strategy and achievement of communications annual work plans

Manage the research and knowledge process and production of the digital strategy including needs assessment, commission, review, design and publication:

• Prepare annual research and knowledge work plans in support of the digital strategy with targets and budgets for management approval
• Develop standard templates, procedures and processes to ensure the digital strategy is achieved;
• Develop terms of reference, organize, coordinate, supervise and administer the resources of the Knowledge and Research of the digital strategy in order to ensure timely and effective delivery of research and knowledge products;
• Collaborate with the Management team to ensure the knowledge products are relevant to a range of stakeholders (including for example policy makers and bloggers) and are easily accessible in terms of language, style and medium
• Build a cadre of excellent researchers and writers for the digital strategy;
• Create and manage the Digital ExCom and Editorial and Publications Committee (EPC).

Outcome: Efficient, reliable and proactive management of knowledge generation in support of the digital strategy

Integrate knowledge sharing into all aspects of the digital strategy and foster lateral learning between country, regional offices and implementing partners:

• Work with the Management team to design and implement a peer learning agenda and a knowledge sharing strategy across countries and regions;
• Build knowledge generation into all aspects of the digital strategy and related country programmes;
• Lead development and implementation of strategy for increasing networking and lateral learning at the global, regional and country levels;
• Manage internal and external learning events relevant to the digital strategy (i.e. team meetings, retreats, partner meetings etc);
• Identify opportunities for scholarship or sponsorships for the digital strategy’s partners, help match events and partners, organize logistics and registration with partners;
• Oversee UNCDF funded scholarships and/or travel support for learning events with relevant programme assistants, draft MOUs and monitor follow up required in MOUs;
• Assist country and regional offices in developing and maintaining list serves and contact databases for partners and other stakeholders.

Outcome: Improved lateral-learning and networking within UNCDF, between UNCDF and its partners in the digital strategy, and between UNCDF partners

Impact of Results:

• Global positioning and recognition of UNCDF as a leading practitioner on innovative digital solutions delivery.
• Efficient, reliable and proactive management of knowledge generation related to digital solutions and sharing activities and achievement of communications annual work plans.
• Timely and smooth procurement and delivery of all inputs for relevant and quality knowledge products.
• Strong coordination among the global digital strategy’s research agenda and synergies with regional and country digital programmes.
• Improved lateral-learning and networking within UNCDF, between UNCDF and its partners, and between UNCDF partners.

Competencies

Core Compentencies

• Innovation: Ability to make new and useful ideas work;
• Leadership: Ability to persuade others to follow;
• People Management: Ability to improve performance and satisfaction;
• Communication: Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform;
• Delivery: Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement.

Technical/ Functional Competencies:

Subject Matter Expertise:

• Possesses expert knowledge of advanced concepts in to digital & financial inclusion, a broad knowledge of related disciplines, as well as an in-depth knowledge of relevant organizational policies and procedures.

Knowledge Management:

• Ability to capture, develop, share and effectively use information and knowledge.

​Project Management:

• Ability to plan, organize, and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals.

Relationship Management:

• Ability to engage and foster strategic partnerships with other parties, Inter-Agency Coordination and forge productive working relationships.

Results Based Programming:

• Assesses project performance to identify success factors and incorporates best practices into project work.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Master’s Degree in economics, finance, public/business administration, communications, social sciences, international relations or related fields. A first/Bachelors degree with two additional years of relevant experience is also acceptable in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Experience:

• Minimum of 7 years of professional experience in progressively responsible positions in digital payments, financial services, financial inclusion or a related fields, outof which preferably at least 2 years work experience would be in private sector (ideally with Mobile service providers, Banks etc.)
• Recognized & published research and publications in the field of Digital Financeis a distinct advantage
• Working knowledge of current developments in digital innovations essential; along with strong knowledge of Digital finance landscape and major actors/stakeholders is preferred.
• Experience in branding, communications and experience in media relations, graphic design and video production; overseeing document and report production, print and electronic publishing is highly preferable.
• Experience in managing high-level events, oversee contributions of other actors, along with formulating high-quality donor proposals, developing proposals, corresponding budgets, and monitoring and evaluation plans is highly preferable.
• Strong technical expertise and working knowledge in policy, legal and regulatory issues related to digital innovations & market development approaches to digital financial services;

Language:

• Fluency in English is required. Professional level fluency in French is highly desirable but not required.

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