Knowledge Management Specialist-Afghanistan

Position Title: Knowledge Management Specialist-Afghanistan Location: Afghanistan Division: Department: EUROPE AND ASIA Status: Consultant

Project Description: About IFES IFES is an international, nonprofit organization that supports the building of democratic societies. IFES provides targeted technical assistance to strengthen transitional democracies. Founded in 1987 as a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, IFES has developed and implemented comprehensive, collaborative democracy solutions in more than 120 countries. About the Project In June 2008, IFES was awarded a three-year contract with USAID, named the Support to the Electoral Process in Afghanistan (STEP). The STEP team is tasked to provide support to the Independent Election Commission (IEC) of Afghanistan in its long-term capacity building and other areas of operation. The IEC has made a recent request to support them with establishing a knowledge management system.

Job Responsibilities: Reporting directly to the IFES|STEP Chief of Party (CoP), the Knowledge Management Specialist will: • Analyze current knowledge management systems and procedures in place at the IEC’s various divisions. Draw on recent Lessons Learned events, working groups, and staff inputs. • Produce a series of recommendations on how to improve knowledge management and share with IFES-STEP staff and senior IEC management. • Develop an information system for the IEC which will contribute to strategic, managerial and operational activities of the organization through gathering, processing, storing, distributing and use of information, and its associated technologies. • Identify necessary resources, including supplies, equipment, and human resources, necessary to support an information system. Where necessary, produce scopes of work for new IEC national staffing positions related to knowledge management and produce a budget illustrating annual cost of establishing and maintaining the system. • Support IFES-STEP staff in institutional transition. • Other support as requested by the IEC and as assigned by the IFES|STEP COP. The Knowledge Management Specialist will also prepare and submit his/her report feeding into IFES Afghanistan biweekly and monthly reports and a final trip report to the Chief of Party and Senior Program Manager in Washington. All reports are to offer a description of activities accomplished for the period, progress toward accomplishment of objectives, problems and constraints encountered, activities undertaken to solve the identified problems/constraints, plans/recommendations for future activities, and important lessons learned. Qualifications: • Advanced University Degree (Master or equivalent) in International Studies, Human Rights, Public Policy, Law, or similar field; • Candidates should possess at least six years of progressively responsible relevant professional experience in project management and knowledge management systems; • Experience at the international level, especially in international organizations desirable; • Experience in a post-conflict environment is a must and Afghanistan experience highly desirable; • Fluency in written and spoken English is essential. Successful candidate will be able to demonstrate the following attributes: • Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges. Remains calm in stressful situations; • Client Orientation – Ability to identify and analyze clients’ needs and provide appropriate solutions to meet business requirements; • Excellent communication skills, including the ability to convey complex concepts and recommendations, both orally and in writing, in a clear, concise style; • Demonstrated planning and organizational skills and ability to coordinate the work of others, work to meet tight deadlines and handle multiple concurrent projects/activities; • Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; • Ability to coach, monitor and develop staff.

To Apply: You must go to http://www.ifes.org/ to the Careers section and apply online. Applications are only accepted in this way. Make sure you upload all papers together (ie. cover letter and application, etc.).

Closing date: 03 Jun 2011 — International Foundation for Election Systems