Mission and objectivesThe United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) works in approximately 170 countries and territories, helping to achieve the eradication of poverty and the reduction of inequality and exclusion. The programme helps countries to develop policies, leadership and partnership skills, institutional capacities, and to build resilience to sustainable development results. UNDP implements several projects in different areas, offering its partners technical, operational and management assistance through access to methodologies, specialized knowledge, specialized advice and technical cooperation through its Global Policy Network.
ContextThe Communication and Knowledge Management Officer-Conserving Biodiversity and Reducing Land Degradation using a Ridge-to-Reef approach, will become a key member of an impactful and results-driven initiative in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, focusing on Communications and Knowledge Management within the thematic areas of Sustainable Land Management (SLM), Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA), Biodiversity Conservation, and Climate Change Adaptation. The Volunteer will work as part of a multi-disciplinary team under the Ridge to Reef Project, contributing technical expertise to advance project objectives. The assignment will be carried out under the overall supervision of the Project Coordinator, with close collaboration with the Monitoring & Evaluation and Community engagement Officers. The primary responsibility will be to capture project progress, successes, and knowledge retention strategies while ensuring effective communication and dissemination of project outcomes. The objective of this role is to strengthen knowledge management systems by capturing and sharing lessons learned, fostering widespread adoption of best practices, and ensuring effective monitoring and evaluation of project results. This will be achieved through the following interrelated outcomes under Component 4: โข Outcome 4.1: Knowledge and experiences are captured, shared, and disseminated to encourage the widespread adoption of gender-responsive CSA, SLM, and biodiversity conservation practices. โข Outcome 4.2: Monitoring and evaluation processes ensure that project implementation, outcomes, and outputs align with outlined goals and objectives. This component focuses on collecting, managing, and disseminating technical and educational knowledge to support the conservation of biodiversity and ecosystem services in vulnerable forested and mountainous landscapes. The project will establish a knowledge management strategy emphasizing the production of knowledge products, communication of key lessons, and promotion of replication and scaling-up of project results.
Task DescriptionWithin the delegated authority and under the overall supervision of the Project Coordinator, the Communications and Knowledge Management Officer will: โข Develop and implement a comprehensive knowledge management strategy, focusing on the production of knowledge products and the dissemination of project lessons. โข Lead the documentation and systemization of project experiences in biodiversity conservation and sustainable land management. โข Organize knowledge-sharing events, including forums, fairs, and community engagement activities. โข Develop thematic reports on best practices in sustainable land management, climate-smart agriculture, and biodiversity conservation. โข Manage and enhance the projectโs social media presence by curating relevant content and engaging stakeholders. โข Produce media products for public awareness, including videos, photo essays, fact sheets, and other outreach materials. Results/Expected Outputs As an integral member of the project team, the Communications and Knowledge Management Officer will contribute to efficient, timely, and high-quality knowledge management and communication activities. Expected outputs include: โข A well-defined project communications and knowledge management strategy. โข Quarterly knowledge forums, exhibitions, and related materials. โข Knowledge products capturing best practices in sustainable land management. โข Outreach materials, including radio segments and documentary features. โข Fact sheets on key species and protected areas. โข Coordination and documentation of an art competition to engage and educate stakeholders. โข Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment. โข 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 and valuesโข Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNDP Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNDP Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented; โข Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues; โข 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. โข 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; โข 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; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups; โข Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary; โข Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNDP Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.
Living conditions and remarksSaint Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) is an enchanting archipelagic state in the Eastern Caribbean, renowned for its breathtaking landscapes and rich biodiversity. Comprising 32 islands and cays, SVG is a paradise for nature enthusiasts and adventurers alike. The main island, Saint Vincent, boasts lush rainforests, scenic waterfalls, and the iconic La Soufriรจre volcano, offering countless opportunities for exploration and recreation. Temperatures range from 75ยฐF to 88ยฐF (24ยฐC to 31ยฐC) year-round, with refreshing sea breezes tempering the tropical warmth. An independent nation and a member of the Commonwealth, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines enjoys a vibrant culture shaped by its African, Indigenous, European, and Caribbean heritage. The country is known for its abundant agriculture, including the cultivation of bananas, breadfruit, and root crops, as well as a thriving fisheries sector. SVG is also a growing destination for ecotourism, with marine sanctuaries, coral reefs, and beautiful beaches dotting the Grenadine islands. The capital, Kingstown, is a bustling city known for its Georgian-style architecture and lively market square. It offers modern amenities such as hospitals, schools, and shopping centres. The city is the islandโs hub for commerce and culture, with historical sites like the Botanical Gardensโthe oldest in the Western Hemisphere. Kingstown's harbor is a key port for cruise ships and inter-island ferries, making it a lively centre for travel and trade. The Royal Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force maintains a strong presence to ensure public safety. Visitors and residents are encouraged to exercise basic security precautions in their daily activities. Housing options are readily available in safe, residential areas, and the countryโs infrastructure includes reliable electricity, water supply, and internet connectivity. Public transportation is easily accessible through a network of minibuses and taxis. As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the selected volunteer will primarily work in Kingstown, with occasional travel to project sites across the island and the Grenadines. Volunteers will be responsible for arranging their housing and other living essentials during the assignment. Specific UN Volunteer entitlements, including insurance coverage, Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) and Deployment / Repatriation lump sums, among others, are available at https://app.unv.org/calculator. The complete UN Volunteer Conditions of Service is available at https://explore.unv.org/cos