Knowledge and Information Manager – Mangroves for the Future (MFF)

Background

Mangroves for the Future (MFF) is a unique partner-led initiative to promote investment in coastal ecosystem conservation for sustainable development. Co-chaired by IUCN and UNDP, MFF provides a platform for collaboration among the many different agencies, sectors and countries which are addressing challenges to coastal ecosystem and livelihood issues.

The goal is to promote an integrated ocean-wide approach to coastal management and to building the resilience of coastal communities in Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Maldives, Myanmar, Pakistan, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Viet Nam.

Mangroves are the flagship of the programme, but MFF is inclusive of all types of coastal ecosystem, such as coral reefs, estuaries, lagoons, sandy beaches, sea grasses and wetlands. The emphasis is on generating knowledge, empowering local communities, enhance governance, and promoting policy solutions that will support best practices in integrated coastal management.

Moving forward, MFF will increasingly focus on building resilience of ecosystem dependent coastal communities by promoting nature based solutions and by showcasing the climate change adaptation and mitigation benefits that can be achieved with healthy mangrove forests and other types of coastal vegetation.

Major responsibilities:

This position is responsible for the management and implementation of the MFF Knowledge Management and Communication (KMC) strategies in a manner that ensures the achievement of the objectives set out in the MFF Phase 3 Programme Document and in accordance with the needs of the MFF member countries.

The MFF Knowledge and Information Manager will further develop and oversee implementation of the MFF knowledge and information management activities to ensure effective and efficient pipelines and pathways for transforming lessons and analysis into desired impact upon policy and practice through targeted audiences. The post holder will devise approaches to ensure up-to-date, cutting edge knowledge-oriented work, which will in turn contribute to MFF’s flagship knowledge products. The position will also work in collaboration with the IUCN Asia Communications team to deliver high quality integrated, communication products and support outreach and media engagement.

The position is located within MFF Regional Secretariat in Bangkok with the following main duties:

Knowledge Management:

• Lead the ongoing development and implementation of the Regional Knowledge Management and Communication Strategy, e.g. identify, share and apply information, including project results, lessons learned, best practices and stories of change for further capacity development and communication/knowledge materials;
• Contribute to strategic planning, development and delivery of the National KMC Strategies.
• Support the implementation of MFF monitoring, learning and evaluation (MLE) activities through identifying potential topics to develop knowledge products and communication materials.
• Assist with implementing knowledge management related activities, e.g. organising and conducting workshops/training courses and field activities, and participation in national and regional events.
• Promote knowledge sharing through the organization’s operational business processes and systems by, among others, strengthening links between knowledge sharing and the information systems, and improving integration among information systems in the organization, to facilitate seamless exchange of information across systems;
• Promote collaborative tools such as activity rooms to facilitate sharing of ideas and work among internal teams and external partners;
• Provide support for the establishment and nurturing of communities of practice, including workshops, one-on-one guidance, and troubleshooting;
• Share experiences across communities of practice, business units, and networks on innovative approaches in knowledge sharing, including preparation of case studies;
• Help monitor and evaluate the knowledge sharing program, including external benchmarking and evaluation programs/opportunities;
• Help disseminate information about the organization’s knowledge sharing program to internal and external audiences, including organizing knowledge sharing events (such as knowledge fairs, site visits, interviews), maintaining communications on knowledge sharing across the organization, participation in orientation and training sessions, and preparation of brochures/presentations.

Information Management

• Regular updating, improving, and maintaining the online MFF Document Management System under a consistent structure, in collaboration with the Programme and Project Managers to ensure that all programmatic documentation are updated and easy to locate.
• Guide National Coordinators in uploading documents to the correct folders in the DMS.
• Collect, share and apply information, including project results, lessons learned and best practices, to assist the Senior Programme Manager in supporting capacity development and technical assistance needs at regional and national levels to ensure that the NCBs and NC understand and actively participate in MFF activities.
• Coordinate with NCs the obtaining of news and stories that can be further developed into stories of change, learning events, and knowledge products.
• Assist with writing, reviewing, and formatting project documents and products.

Communication Management

• In collaboration with ARO Communication Unit support external MFF communications activities (i.e. press and media relations, newsletter),
• Manage the MFF website and social media channels

Other Duties

• Ensure that the MFF Resilience Framework, strategic focus areas and cross cutting issues are well supported in terms of information and knowledge management; and
• Carry out any other tasks as directed by the line manager.

Requirements

• A Graduate degree in Knowledge Management, Management Information Systems, Social Sciences, Library/Information Sciences, Communications and Organizational Behavior or similar field.
• At least 5 years of experience in knowledge and information management at a similar level including knowledge-sharing programme management experience at a regional level.
• Experience in arranging and managing learning community networks and platforms are a plus.
• A positive and proactive attitude: Ability to balance “analysis” with “doing” while setting high standards for self and committing to organisational goals.
• Strong executive presence – able to interact with senior level executives and build and maintain strong, trust-based and credible relationships.
• Ability to analyse and interpret the complex concepts for the audience with different backgrounds.
• Cultural awareness and sensitivity to gender issues.
• Experience and understanding of multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary setting and ability to use these experiences to add value the knowledge management work.
• Customer Service Orientation, Understands clients’ needs and concerns; responds promptly and effectively to client needs; Customizes services and products as appropriate.
• Ability to work to goal under pressure, manage the obstacles and deal tactfully with sensitive issues.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English – including ability to display a range of communication approaches for diverse community needs. A high level of computer literacy and willingness to travel as required.

Location: Bangkok, Thailand

Application deadline: 30 June 2015

Read more and apply here.