Knowledge Management & Research Analyst, ESARO, Johannesburg, P-2

Organizational Context

UNFPA is the lead UN agency dedicated to fulfilling women's and girls' reproductive health and rights, and to preventing gender-based violence. The organization's strategic plan focuses on ending preventable maternal deaths, unmet needs for family planning, and gender-based violence. This role is situated within the Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office (ESARO) in Johannesburg, South Africa, contributing to the agency's transformative results.

Job Purpose

The Knowledge Management and Research Analyst plays a pivotal role in developing and implementing knowledge management strategies and facilitating research to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of UNFPA programmes in the Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA) region. This position supports the UNFPA Strategic Plan (2026-2029) by leading knowledge management practices and evidence generation activities. The incumbent will collaborate with regional advisors and specialists to foster a culture of knowledge sharing, organizational learning, and the uptake of best practices. By ensuring lessons learned are disseminated and utilized, the role aims to improve current and future programming and advance the ICPD Programme of Action in the region.

Responsibilities

The role involves leading the rollout of the ESARO Knowledge Management strategy, ensuring efficient generation, storage, retrieval, and sharing of knowledge and evidence. This includes identifying initiatives to enhance programme implementation through innovation and technology, and facilitating the creation of knowledge products and evidence-based briefing papers. The analyst will maintain accessible databases of best practices and lessons learned, linking them to UN-wide knowledge platforms. Responsibilities also include conducting research and quality assurance of secondary data analyses on population and development trends, preparing materials for publication and dissemination, and guiding the documentation of good practices to demonstrate impact. Furthermore, the role supports capacity development for country offices and institutions in knowledge management and research, fosters collaborations with academic and research institutions, and analyzes existing practices to strengthen internal processes within ESARO.

Work Experience

A minimum of 2 years of professional experience in management and development relevant to sexual and reproductive health, gender, and population dynamics, with at least three years at the international level. Experience in innovative technology use for development, mobile data collection, training, capacity building, human-centered design, research, evidence generation, and Results-Based Programme Development and Management is required. Experience in catalyzing transformation change and championing new ways of working is also essential. Desirable experience includes programme/technical assistance with the UN System or other international development organizations.

Skills

Key competencies include integrity, commitment to UNFPA and the UN system, cultural diversity, embracing change, achieving results, accountability, professional expertise, analytical and strategic thinking, teamwork, and effective communication. Functional skills encompass advancing a policy-oriented agenda, results-based programme development and management, building strategic alliances, internal and external communication, innovation, knowledge management, and research.

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