Knowledge Management Specialist

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind.

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 oversees the network of Country Offices and the Subregional Office(s) for Africa. It ensures a multidisciplinary approach to programmes, identifies priority areas of action for the Organization in the region, and, in collaboration with Divisions, Offices and Centres at headquarters, develops, promotes and oversees FAO's strategic response to regional priorities and the implementation of the Organization’s strategies through programmes and projects across the region.

RAF supports the formulation and implementation of the Country Programmes and Projects, including Country Programming Frameworks (CPFs), and their contribution to the FAO Strategic Framework and the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) at the country level, advising Decentralized Offices on corporate priorities such as the Strategic Framework and on the incorporation of regional priorities into the Organization's Programme of Work and Budget. RAF leads, formulates, implements, monitors and reports on the Organization’s programmes and budget in the region and draws management attention to problems, deficiencies and risks. It also leads the preparation of the Regional Conferences and the Statutory Bodies in the region. RAF develops and maintains relations with region-wide institutions, including the Regional Economic Integration Organizations (REIOs), and participates in the United Nations Regional Architecture, such as UN Regional Forums on Sustainable Development and UN Regional Collaborative Platforms and related mechanisms. RAF also delivers an improved, integrated and collaborative business model to enhance efficiency, effectiveness, consistency, innovation, agility and responsiveness in logistical, operational, financial and other support services at all levels to accelerate the achievement of the Organization’s programme in the region and ensure compliance with the Internal Control Framework.

RAF’s emergency and resilience portfolio focuses on technical and implementation support to countries; specifically, the RAF Resilience Team plays a key role in strengthening emergency and resilience programming in the region, supporting countries with technical backstopping, operational clearances, and the implementation of integrated approaches.

Reporting Lines

The Knowledge Management Specialist reports to the Senior Regional Resilience Officer (Team Leader), under the overall guidance of the Assistant Director-General/Regional Representative for Africa and the Regional Programme Leader, and the functional guidance of the Office of Emergencies and Resilience (OER) as the Programme Priorities teams in RAF, in consultants with the relevant technical officers in the regional level.

Technical Focus 

Capturing, documentation, and dissemination of best practices, lessons learned, and technical insights to enhance knowledge sharing, project visibility, and the scaling of resilience initiatives in alignment with FAO standards.

Tasks and responsibilities

•    Develop, operationalize, and ensure the timely implementation of the RAF Resilience Knowledge Management strategy.
•    Promote a culture of systematic knowledge capture and lesson learning among the project team, partners, and beneficiaries.
•    Continuously capture, synthesize, and disseminate knowledge emerging from the RAF Resilience Programme,document successful experiences, and make them available for upscaling.
•    Develop and maintain a knowledge repository to facilitate access to key resources, technical documents, and project insights for internal and external stakeholders.
•    Develop best practice notes, technical briefs, knowledge products, and video showcasing key project thematic areas of impact, and promote their visibility among stakeholders at all levels (national, regional and international) by leveraging innovative communication and knowledge management methods and tools and provide this information as part of the Mid-term Review and Terminal Programme Work Area reporting.
•    In line with FAO corporate and regional communication strategies, plan and prepare publications (both print and multimedia products, such as articles, leaflets, manuals, stories, videos, social media posts, images, and infographics) related to the success of the project in close collaboration with the PMU and PIUs, ensuring compliance with FAO publishing standards (FAO house style; FAO terminology and country names; Publishing at FAO; Quality control guidelines).
•    Assist in clearance processes for visibility items and communication materials through FAO’s Publications Workflow System, ensuring alignment with FAO’s strategic objectives and keeping communication products and publications in the online repository up to date.
•    Contribute knowledge management sections to annual reports, regional knowledge products, and annual work plans and budgets.
•    Liaise and build relationships with FAO communication colleagues and external counterparts (including the FAO Office of Corporate Communication, government agencies, United Nations (UN) agencies, international non-governmental organizations (NGOs), private sector, civil society, and other relevant stakeholders) to foster collaboration and knowledge exchange.
•    Perform other relevant technical assignments as requested.

FAO Standards and guidelines:

Liaison with the OCC will be maintained, either directly or through an agreed focal point/coordinator, to ensure compliance with OCC standards, appropriate review and clearance processes.

All communication materials will follow FAO clearance processes and comply with FAO standards, including:
FAO Strategic Framework 2022-31: https://www.fao.org/strategic-framework/en   
FAO social media policy and guidelines: https://www.fao.org/2/socialmedia   
Social Media Branding Guidelines: https://openknowledge.fao.org/handle/20.500.14283/cb5044en 
FAOSTYLE: https://openknowledge.fao.org/handle/20.500.14283/cb8081en 
FAO terminology: http://www.fao.org/faoterm 
FAO Names Of Countries https://www.fao.org/nocs/en  
Story guidelines, Story template, UN map standards, FAO logo policy and related branding guidelines (available to staff).  

Further guidance regarding FAO communications, policies and procedures can be found through the FAO intranet, OCC section.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    University degree in Knowledge Management, Communication, Social Sciences, International Development, Agriculture, Resilience, or a related field
•    5 years of relevant professional experience in knowledge management, communication, documentation, or learning within the context of resilience, humanitarian, or development programs. 
•    Working knowledge (proficient – level C) of English.

FAO Core 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 
•    Familiarity with UN administrative, operational and financial procedures is an asset
•    Expertise in knowledge management strategies, tools, and methodologies for resilience and development programs.
•    Proficiency in content management systems, publication workflows, and digital platforms for information dissemination.
•    Excellent writing, editing, and storytelling skills for technical and non-technical audiences.
•    Experience with data visualization tools, graphic design software (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite, Canva), and video production tools.
•    Familiarity with FAO communication standards, publishing guidelines, and digital repositories.
•    Ability to develop plans for the implementation and coordination of project operations in developing countries, in partnership with UN agencies and other concerned stakeholders and/or partners

Selection Criteria

•    Limited knowledge (intermediate – level B) of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) would be an asset.