Knowledge Management and Research Individual Contractor

Result of ServiceImplementation of knowledge, data and research activities to strengthen communication on results from the first five years of the Office’s Phase 2. Development of knowledge products, ensuring the overall success of UNOSD’s mission in assisting Member States including policy advisory requests for the Office on evidence-based policymaking for waste management and circularity. Enhanced knowledge management in line with the themes and focus on strengthening data and monitoring of general capacity development activities in the office to ensure written products providing insights and analysis. Production of research and evidence-based written outputs on results from capacity and policy development from UNOSD activities design, delivery and evaluation of need-based policy advisory related to waste and circular economy among target Member States. Work LocationIncheon, Republic of Korea Expected durationInitial contract duration is 6 months, with a possible extension of 3 additional months, subject to funding availability and project needs. Duties and ResponsibilitiesThe UN Sustainable Development Office (UNOSD) of UN DESA’s Division for Sustainable Development Goals (DSDG), based in the Republic of Korea, is dedicated to supporting UN Member States accelerate progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Office provides, among other things, policy advisory services, and is uniquely placed within the UN system to draw on the extensive work and global network of development experts, practitioners, and partners, provided by the Division for Sustainable Development Goals (DSDG) of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA). UNOSD has over ten years of proven policy support cases and capacity development impact with member states. Since it was established in 2011, UNOSD has organized over 150 capacity building and policy research activities working with over 4,000 policymakers across the globe. In 2021, the office entered its second phase of implementation for the period of 2021-2030. This year marks the first half of the office’s phase 1. The ToR corresponds to UNOSD 2025 Work Plan Output 3.1.1 will also contribute to achieving Output 1.1.1. Since 2020, UNOSD’s Work Plan through Output 3.1.1 Policy Advisory Planning for SDGs Implementation in Member States focused on the provision of substantive advisory services to developing countries who have requested support to accelerate implementation of the SDGs, especially SDG 6, 7, 11, 12, 13, and 15. The individual contractor will support this component assisting in the strengthening of institutional capacities, knowledge management and monitoring progress on the implementation of the activities, identifying and prioritizing needs, and developing an assessment of support provision through desk-based research and support to policy advisory or capacity development missions if necessary. The TOR will also support the preparation of development assistance proposals with Member States in line with policy advisory outcomes. The individual contractor will also contribute to the achievement of the 2025 Workplan Output 1.1.1 UNOSD Publications. The workplan objective of Output 1.1.1 is to develop “Evidence-based publications related to office technical expertise areas and substantive capacity development and policy support outcomes related to country requests”. Therefore, the role herein will also focus on drafting research outputs and documents that demonstrate outcomes of office capacity development and policy support including stories of impact, case studies and articles. In this context, UNOSD seeks an Individual Contractor (IC) to strengthen its continued knowledge management and policy advisory with expertise in knowledge management and coordination, data analysis and supporting research activities. The IC will be responsible for key deliverables such as i) providing a data and knowledge management system and ii) developing insights and knowledge products on the results of the office’s capacity development work in the first half of the 2021-2030 phase. All activities undertaken as part of this Terms of Reference will be aligned with the priorities of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs.in particular, the work will be aligned with the overarching objectives of DESA Sub-Programme 3 (Division for Sustainable Development Goals) and will complement DSDG’s ongoing efforts to support Member States. The Individual Contractor will be responsible for the following duties and outputs that will focus on: Knowledge and Analytics Strategy • Support staff in the design and implementation of a Knowledge and Analytics Strategy that aligns with Phase 2 annual workplans. The objective of this strategy is to ensure more effective and standardized capacity development and policy advisory insights for the office. The strategy should include internal schedules, methods and guides for knowledge curation, packaging, and dissemination including a target schedule of consistent infographics, articles and reporting on results • As part of support for the Knowledge and Analytics Strategy, the IC will support the development of an automated data workflow and knowledge management system (using Excel and PowerBI), for insights and knowledge products on the results of the office’s capacity development work in the first half of the 2021-2030 phase. Policy advisory monitoring and research for knowledge products • Monitoring and facilitating ongoing policy advisory: The IC will monitor ongoing policy advisory efforts to ensure alignment with initial requests from Member States. This includes monitoring implementation of any policy advisory plans developed in coordination with and approved by the Head of Office. This will involve data maintenance and data analysis in the above-mentioned areas and relevant topics with the objectives of achieving environmental SDGs in Member States. • Research and evidence-based written outputs on results from capacity and policy support activities: Prepare reports on policy advisory progress related to waste and circular economy or other cases of impact from Office’s policy advisory component. The IC will write key articles, including stories of impact, case studies and articles. The IC will promote the office's policy advisory results, including social media communicating the stories of impact, in line with work plan output 1.1.1. • Supporting data-driven documents for Member States: the IC will support production of up to two development assistance proposals when part of policy advisory requests and outputs from Member States policy support under workplan Output 3.1.1 (e.g. currently Ghana, Madagascar, Comoros). Knowledge Production and Research for Reporting on First Half of Office Phase 2 • Capacity development and policy advisory data analysis report : based on data insights above, the IC will support the first draft of a brief report for the half-mark of Phase 2 that demonstrates outcomes of Office capacity development and policy support data insights since 2021. This brief report (of no more than 15 pages) will include actionable insights and graphics developed by the IC based on findings from points 1-2 above. Policy advisory and capacity development knowledge sharing • Preparation of documents and reports: The IC will draft various documents, reports, and provide research and data inputs on statements and PowerPoint presentations for capacity-building workshops. • Support to trainings and key meetings: The IC will attend international, regional, and national meetings as requested, offering support to develop presentations and discussion papers, and document potential impact and results for knowledge sharing. Communication on results and visibility • Infographics and Results Visualization: Using data insights from product 1 and 2 above, the IC will develop infographics and results statements for visualization supporting internal and external communication on results. • Supporting outreach activities: Support outreach activities (online or in person meetings) and targeted communications to amplify knowledge products and build visibility of UNOSD work. Qualifications/special skillsAn advanced university (Master’s degree, or equivalent) in sustainable development, economics, public policy, public administration, public health, knowledge and education, social sciences or related fields is desired. A first-level degree (bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in the specified fields of studies with two additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Over five years of international experience in the field of data and research projects at the international and /or national level is required. Experience in data systems, coordination of research and analysis, monitoring and reporting, field research, technical assistance is required. Specific research experience related to United Nations or international organizations on waste or circular economy at international level is required. Specific experience related to knowledge management systems is required. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is desirable. Additional InformationNot available. No FeeTHE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.