National Knowledge Management Specialist (SSTC Sahel Project)

Organizational Context

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) supports sustainable agrifood systems for better production, nutrition, environment, and life. The Regional Office for Africa (RAF) leads FAO's regional response to food security, agriculture, and rural development priorities. RAF ensures a multidisciplinary approach, identifies regional priorities, and oversees FAO's strategic response in collaboration with headquarters. The SSTC Sahel Project, based in Accra, Ghana, aims to strengthen irrigation, water management, and land restoration capacities across Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, Chad, and Mauritania. This position provides coordination and technical support for coherent project delivery.

Job Purpose

This role focuses on developing and managing knowledge management systems for the SSTC Sahel Project, a multi-country initiative. The primary objective is to systematically capture, organize, synthesize, and disseminate project knowledge to foster internal learning and cross-country exchange. This involves creating a functional and accessible KM repository, producing high-quality learning products, and ensuring KM inputs are integrated into project reporting and decision-making processes. The specialist will facilitate knowledge flows and learning among the five participating countries, contributing to the project's overall success and impact.

Responsibilities

Under the daily supervision of the Regional SSTC Officer, the incumbent will collect project documentation, mission reports, training materials, and country-level data, and conduct interviews to extract tacit knowledge. Responsibilities include synthesizing information into learning briefs, thematic summaries, and lessons-learned notes, identifying cross-country trends and insights. The role involves developing and maintaining a structured internal KM repository, ensuring metadata standards and version control. The specialist will coordinate internal learning sessions, technical exchanges, and reflection meetings, and produce KM dashboards. Additionally, KM inputs will be provided for reporting, and a Lessons Learned & Good Practices Portfolio will be produced. The incumbent will coordinate the development and implementation of the project's KM system, consolidate technical information from participating countries, and oversee the quality assurance of knowledge products. Harmonization of KM tools, delivery of knowledge-sharing webinars, monitoring repository use, and coordinating with various FAO units are also key duties. Identifying operational challenges and ensuring compliance with visibility and ethical standards are essential.

Work Experience

A minimum of 5 years of experience is required in communication, international documentation, knowledge management, and/or outreach within international organizations or private enterprises, including experience in developing countries.

Skills

Key skills include results focus, teamwork, communication, building effective relationships, and knowledge sharing. Demonstrated experience in setting up and managing knowledge systems, strong analytical and synthesis skills, and the ability to develop knowledge products are essential. Experience facilitating learning sessions or cross-country exchanges, and working with multidisciplinary, multi-country teams is required. Intermediate knowledge of French is an asset, as is familiarity with FAO, UN, and donor visibility rules, and experience in agriculture or development projects. Multimedia capture and documentation experience is advantageous.

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