Senior Knowledge Management Officer, Washington (GG) World Bank Closing date: Tuesday, 17 March 2015 (added 25 February)

Closing date: Tuesday, 17 March 2015

Background / General description

The Independent Evaluation Group (IEG) is responsible evaluating the activities of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and International Development Association (the World Bank), the work of International Finance Corporation (IFC) in private sector development, and Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency's (MIGA) guarantee projects and services. The Director-General of IEG reports directly to the World Bank Group's Board of Directors. The goals of evaluation are to provide an objective assessment of the results of the Bank Group's work and to identify and disseminate lessons learned from experience.

The sixth of the six mandates for the Director General of the Independent Evaluation Group clearly sets out the expectation for IEG to be 'encouraging and assisting developing member countries to build effective monitoring and evaluation associations, capacities and systems'. This mandate has enabled IEG to be a pioneer in evaluation capacity development since the 1990s. A key component of IEG's workstream in this area is developing and implementing the Centers for Learning on Evaluation and Results (CLEAR) initiative, a global partnership program established at IEG in 2010 and due to run through 2018 in its current form. The program is a collaborative effort to create replicable and inspiring examples of successful interventions in developing monitoring and evaluation (M&E) capacity, thereby contributing concretely to stronger M&E systems and capacities in countries around the world. It brings together selected and highly recognized academic institutions with other organizations such as foundations and multilateral and bilateral organizations in a global knowledge and M&E capacity development delivery partnership.

The Program's goal is to be achieved by simultaneously:stimulating demand for M&E capacity, through outreach and awareness building; developing and delivering innovative, responsive, contextually relevant, and cost-effective services; and learning from, documenting, and sharing experiences and knowledge gained from the development and delivery process. The Program's major benefit is expected to be building the capacity to build M&E capacity.

The program is housed in IEG's Communication, Knowledge, Learning, IT, and Strategy Department (IEGCS), which is responsible, among other things, for leading IEG's approach to knowledge-sharing and learning from evaluations and increasing the impact of IEG through communication and knowledge activities in the Bank Group and the development community.

Note: If the selected candidate is a current Bank Group staff member with a Regular or Open-Ended appointment, s/he will retain his/her Regular or Open-Ended appointment. All others will be offered a 3 year term appointment.

Duties and Accountabilities: The Senior KM Officer will lead the development and implementation of CLEAR's global Knowledge, Learning and Innovation (KLI) strategy within the context of CLEAR's overall program strategy and in collaboration with CLEAR Centers and donor partners.

The specific duties and accountabilities of the Senior KM Officer focus on five key areas:

Building and Sustaining a lively community of practice amongst leaders and staff in CLEAR Centers and the global CLEAR team, focused on knowledge, learning and innovation;
KM/Learning/Innovation governance and management;
KM/Learning/Innovation products, content, and learning;
KM/Learning/Innovation technology and standards; and
monitoring and evaluation of KM.

These areas of duties and accountabilities are defined below.

Building and sustaining a lively community of practice

Develop and deliver a user-centric and ongoing engagement program, set to make participating in and contributing to the community of practice attractive and desirable;
Apply best practice in community building to the outreach and engagement activities, working both one on one, in small groups and across the larger CLEAR network;
Focus the community on learning from innovation, managing their knowledge, and understanding the value for the overall business from knowledge shared.

KLI governance and management

In consultation and collaboration with CLEAR Centers, define a medium-term business-driven KM and learning strategy focused on meeting internal and external needs and with an eye for innovation and driving a CLEAR - wide knowledge-generation and - sharing culture
Working closely with the CLEAR centers, get buy-in for the KM and learning strategy and develop specific annual workprograms and implementation accountabilities and procedures
Develop, manage, and track the budget associated with the KM/learning workprogram, making sure that the funds are used cost-effectively
Develop processes for reviewing strategy and keeping an eye on its relevance on an ongoing basis
Develop metrics, tools, and processes for monitoring and evaluating the KM/learning strategy that is consistent with the overall program strategy and performance management systems and criteria
Develop communications for the knowledge/learning agenda

KLI products, content, and learning

Based on the strategy, develop a workprogram in collaboration with the CLEAR Centers that encompasses a balanced, coherent, and relevant mix of knowledge and learning focusing on a variety of topics and mix of modalities, including, for example:
The 'how' of and good practices in building evaluation capacity
The specific methods and approaches in monitoring and evaluation
The institutional factors affecting the development and implementation of M&E
Use of technology in monitoring and evaluation
Develop and manage the work program in close coordination with the CLEAR Centers and the IEG team working on CLEAR for timely implementation
Implement quality standards and quality assurance procedures for the development and implementation of the products/learning programs.
Work closely with the CLEAR centers on a dissemination and communications plan and processes for the knowledge products/learning programs

KLI technology and standards

Incorporate good practice technology standards and tools in the KM/learning strategy
Ensure that the good practice standards and tools are used regularly and become adopted and incorporated into CLEAR's KM/learning culture
Maintain and continuously upgrade CLEAR's website, iCLEAR (a knowledge-sharing space) and other collaboration/knowledge-sharing tools/processes

Monitoring and Evaluation

Monitor and evaluate the KM/learning/innovation program based on a set of agreed-upon indicators within the overall performance management and results framework for CLEAR
Present and use monitoring information on a quarterly basis for refining implementation to maximize effectiveness
Incorporate knowledge/learning/innovation from the data into forward planning/adjustments to the workprogram

Selection Criteria

The successful candidate will possess the following qualifications and experience:

A Master's degree in KM or related discipline. A minimum of 10 years of professional experience in knowledge, learning and innovation management.
Demonstrated successful experience in setting up and sustaining strong communities of practice, ideally comprised out of independent stakeholders; demonstrated competencies in garnering the cooperation and support of a number of diverse stakeholders across different organizations to create a collaborative environment
Experience with designing and implementing programs that foster good knowledge management, sustained learning and game-changing innovations.
Excellence in project and/or program management, leading teams, and managing budgets. Must be able to multi-task and solve problems on an ongoing basis
Strong interpersonal skills and credible as a champion for good knowledge management, innovation and learning. Must be a team player and lead by example by sharing knowledge and openly and willingly, while encouraging all CLEAR stakeholders to do so as well
Experience with IT tools and platforms to support knowledge, learning and innovation challenges (e.g., websites, knowledge sharing platforms) - in particular with regard to project management, business requirements definition and/or usability assessments
Excellent interpersonal, communication, presentation, and facilitation skills. Specific experience in operating, engaging and communicating with teams working simultaneously in different locations.
Fluency in French and/or Spanish a plus.

Required Competencies

Communities of Practice

Leads in defining the strategic context for the communities in which they participate, ensuring the community is demand driven and fits with the strategy and business objectives of the Department and WBG.
Drives the development of the community mission, purpose, goals, norms and values.
Establishes and promotes community governance and rules of engagement, including those regarding trust, respect, and a candid exchange of ideas.
Leads efforts to market the role, activity, and content of the community with peers across WBG.

Plus

Manages a small team to deliver the required work program;
Acts as an advisor within the organization for establishing and managing communities of practice;
Coordinates satisfactory resolution of issues with senior management and oversight units.

Systematic Content Management

Leads the development, implementation, and maintenance of the Department's content management framework:

assess available content , gaps and demand for new content;
define and design content management framework and infrastructure., prioritization of content, governance model, system specifications, taxonomies, metadata & tagging, and editorial process;
implement the production and dissemination plan;
optimize content performance; and
report on usage and uptake.

Ensures the Department's content management efforts are aligned with WBG approaches to systematic content management. Reports to Management on dissemination and uptake of knowledge product types. Scans the external environment for latest techniques for successful content management, evaluates such techniques, applies them as appropriate across the Department, and influences colleagues in WBG to do the same.

Plus

Manages a small team to deliver the required work program;
Acts as a consultant and advisor within the organization for content management;
Coordinates satisfactory resolution of issues with senior management and oversight units.

Knowledge Exchange

Ensures that the Department's knowledge exchange activities are prioritized appropriately and reflect the Department's strategy and business objectives.
Seeks opportunities to co-develop and co-deliver knowledge exchange activities jointly with internal and /or external clients or stakeholders.
Initiates and leads efforts to strengthen knowledge flow among and across regions, sectors, project teams, WBG organizations and external stakeholders.
Facilitates successful knowledge exchange activities among internal and/or external clients and stakeholders.

Plus

Manages a small team to deliver the required work program;
Acts as advisor within the organization for knowledge exchange;
Coordinates satisfactory resolution of issues with senior management and oversight units.

Research & Analysis to Support KM Activities

Establishes framework for (scope, governance, resources) for the research and analysis function within the Department. Initiates and oversees complex research projects on behalf of Department, including analyzing trends related to lessons learned from internal and external sources.
Ensures that the Department's research and analysis activities are prioritized appropriately reflecting the Department's strategy and business objectives.
Ensures that, when appropriate, Department leadership takes action on the analysis (i.e., endorses a modification to a project, procedure or process to address issues raised in the analysis).
Ensures the quality of all research and analysis done by the Department.
Translates analysis into practical action to inform decision making by Department leadership.

Plus

Manages a small team to deliver the required work program;
Acts as advisor within the organization for research & analysis on KM activities;
Coordinates satisfactory resolution of issues with senior management and oersight units.

Lead and Innovate

Encourages and works with others to identify, incubate and implement relevant solutions.
Identifies opportunities in changing circumstances and energizes others to continuously improve, using intentional strategies to boost morale, team spirit, and productivity in context of WBG's values and mission.
Helps others to understand problems, client needs and the underlying context.

Deliver Results for Clients

Develops and implements solutions that show understanding of how clients and/or own work achieves results that are financially, environmentally and socially sustainable.
Shares new insights based on in-depth understanding of the client and recommends solutions for current and future needs of clients.
Holds self and team accountable for risk management and outcomes.

Collaborate Within Teams and Across Boundaries

Collaborates across organizational boundaries, internally and externally with a sense of mutuality and respect.
Consistently engages others in open dialogue, brings out any conflicting viewpoints and incorporates viewpoints into solutions, giving credit where credit is due.
Leverages expertise of all team members to ensure successful outcomes.
Makes choices and sets priorities with a WBG corporate perspective in mind.

Create, Apply and Share Knowledge

Ensures systematic sharing of good practice and learning from lessons from across WBG, clients, and partners.
Is known across WBG in their subject area and is sought out by WBG colleagues to advise, peer review, or contribute to knowledge products of others.
Seeks mentoring opportunities with more experienced staff to deepen or strengthen their professional knowledge and mentors junior staff.
Builds networks across the WBG and as part of external professional groups/networks.

Make Smart Decisions

Applies critical thinking and seeks inputs and experience from others to recommend a course of action consistent with the WBG's strategy.
Evaluates risk and anticipates the short and long term implications of decisions.
Commits to a decision and takes action once a decision has been reached.

More jobs tagged:

Capacity development;

Communities of Practice;

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Editor;

Effectiveness;

Good Practices;

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Knowledge Management;

Knowledge Products;

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