The Regional Office for Africa (RAF) is responsible for leading FAO’s response to regional priorities for food security, agriculture and rural development through the identification, planning and implementation of FAO’s priority activities in the region. It ensures a multidisciplinary approach to programmes, identifies priority areas of action for the Organization in the region and, in collaboration with Divisions/Offices/Centres at headquarters, develops, promotes and oversees FAO’s strategic response to regional priorities. RAF also advises on the incorporation of regional priorities into the Organization’s Programme of Work and Budget and implements approved programmes and projects in the region, monitors the level of programme implementation and draws attention to problems and deficiencies. RAF develops and maintains relations with region-wide institutions including the Regional Economic Integration Organizations (REIOs). The Regional Office supports regional policy dialogue on food security, agriculture and rural development issues, facilitates the emergence of regional partnerships and supports capacity development and resource mobilization for food security, agriculture and rural development in the region.

The post is located in the Regional Office for Africa in Accra, Ghana.

Reporting Lines

The Knowledge Management Officer reports to the Communication Officer, RAF under the general guidance of the Assistant Director-General/Regional Representative for Africa and the Deputy Regional Representative for Africa.

Technical Focus

Knowledge and information management.

Key Results

Contribute to the development and strengthening of the knowledge management’s activities in the Organization.

Key Functions

• Contributes towards the design, planning and organization of knowledge management as well as knowledge sharing activities.
• Contributes towards and implement strategies for engagement with external partner organizations and relevant FAO technical units, with the objective of establishing functional collaboration mechanisms for the joint development and dissemination of knowledge and information products, as well as capacity development activities.
• Reviews technical lessons learned through the provision of methodological guidance and/or facilitation of multi-stakeholder workshops with technical units, Decentralized Offices and partner organizations.
• Develops and prepares relevant documentation as well as training materials.
• Supports the preparation and organization of meetings, seminars and workshops, attends coordination meetings and represents FAO in knowledge and information management activity work groups.
• Drafts plans, policies and procedures for the design, implementation and maintenance of knowledge management as well as capacity development activities, procedures and systems.

Specific Functions

• Develops and implements an annual knowledge management plan for the region, taking into account existing practices, challenges and opportunities. The plan should aim to systemically capture knowledge, best practices and outcomes or results from projects in the region, to be shared with relevant audiences.
• Supports the establishment of a regional publications editorial committee and provides technical guidance related to publishing and knowledge management to the committee.
• Acts as focal point in the region for the Publications Workflow System (PWS), ensuring that all products originating from the region are compliant with FAO’s publishing rules and standards.
• Manages the planning and production of publications and knowledge products originating from RAF, ensuring planned products are submitted in a timely manner to the biannual FAO publishing plan, that all products meet FAO’s rules and standards, and that products are disseminated to target audiences using an array of channels and tools.
• Keeps the RAF website up to date, including the Regional Technical Platform, using the SiteFinity content management system.
• Supports RAF in preparing documents for the FAO Regional Conference for Africa and other major meetings.
• Performs other duties as required.

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CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in public relations, communication, social science, journalism, political science, knowledge management, publishing or a related field.
• Five years of relevant experience in communications, knowledge management, publishing and/or outreach in international organizations, or in private enterprises including experience in developing countries.
• Working knowledge (full proficiency – level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency – level B) of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).

Competencies

• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions, is desirable.
• Extent and relevance of experience in knowledge management and communications.
• Extent and relevance of experience in supporting large-scale conferences or meetings
• Understanding of FAO policies and programmes is considered a strong asset.
• Knowledge of web content management systems, particularly SiteFinity is desirable.
• Intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency – level B) of French would be considered an advantage.