Community facilitation coordinator: climate and disaster risk reduction community of practice

Background

UNDP Bangladesh is supporting the Government to find innovative solutions to its development challenges based on the Country Programme Document approved by the Executive Board for the period 2006 – 2010. The Country Programme Action Plan was approved by the Government and UNDP in 2006. UNDP Bangladesh is organized into (1) Directorate, (2) Policy and Programmes and (3) Operations. The Policy and Programmes Team consists of the following clusters: (1) Democracy, (2) E-governance and development, (3) Local governance and development, (4) Pro-Poor National Policies, (5) Local Poverty Reduction Initiatives, (6) Sustainable Energy, (7) Environment and Sustainable Development, (8) Peace and Development, and (9) Disaster Management.

Central to these goals are innovative policy solutions and strong knowledge management. UNDP Bangladesh is seeking to provide a space for relevant national stakeholders to share knowledge and solutions to pressing development issues. To this end, UNDP Bangladesh is supporting a Community of Practice platform that utilizes email mailing groups to bring together practitioners using the Solution Exchange framework.

Duties and responsibilities

Summary of key functions:

Working under the supervision of the ACD (Policy and Communications Team) and Assistant Country Director (Climate Change, Environment and Disaster) in a matrixed arrangement, the incumbent will be responsible for creating, managing and motivating a Community of Practice, comprised of development practitioners in the fields of climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction, drawn from government, academic/research institutes, NGOs, private sector, the UN and other multilateral and bilateral agencies.

Roles and responsibilities

The incumbent will be responsible for:

- Anchors growth and development of a "Community of Practice" in the disaster and climate change areas; Facilitates collaborative efforts; promotes knowledge-sharing among members; solicits new members; manages workshops to strengthen Community identity; represents Solution Exchange in Community events.
- Manages the Community's electronic network mailgroup. Moderates and filters messages; encourages member participation; facilitates electronic discussions; determines the most relevant knowledge for the Community's website and knowledge repository.
- Ensures the quality of material posted on Community mailgroups and websites (Consolidated Replies, e-discussion summaries, Updates, Newsletters etc.). Guides the Research Associate’s search for documentary information, compilation of member responses and preparation of drafts; consults with relevant UNDP staff; finalizes and issues material.
- Advises the UNDP convener and the Community’s Resource Group on cutting edge issues of concern to the Community; participates as a specialist in assignments and events addressing them, under the convener’s guidance.
- Participates in Solution Exchange collective activities and collaborative initiatives. Promotes team-building; contributes to systems development; ensures conformity and compatibility with agreed system norms and guidelines; shares information on Community initiatives.

Impact of results

The key results have an impact on the overall success of the country Climate and Disaster Risk Reduction Community of practice establish and functional.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

- Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards (human rights, peace, understanding between peoples and nations, tolerance, integrity, respect, results orientation (UNDP core ethics) impartiality
- Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP
- Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
- Demonstrates understanding, maturity and is sensitive to working in an environment with uniformed hierarchy
- Demonstrates competencies in service delivery

Functional Competencies:

* Knowledge Management and Learning:

- Thorough knowledge of the key concerns and challenges facing development practitioners in the climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction areas in Bangladesh.
- Highly effective at networking and at facilitating professional collaboration.
- Motivated, energetic, thorough and responsive to the needs and interests of peers

* Development and Operational Effectiveness:

- Excellent drafting and analytical skills; able to communicate clearly through e-mail
- Computer literate and willing to learn new applications
- Ability to engage with high Government Officials and international donor community and provide advisory services;

* Management and Leadership:

- Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
- Builds strong relationship with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback, timely responses to queries;
- Demonstrates good oral and written communication skills;
- Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
- Demonstrates strong administrative skills and result oriented approach to work.

Required skills and experience

Education:

- Advanced (masters or higher) university degree in an area of specialization directly relevant to the Climate and Disaster Risk Reduction Community (e.g. disaster risk reduction, disaster management, climate change adaptation)

Experience:

- At least 3 years’ practical experience as a substantive practitioner in the disaster and climate risk development specialization.
- Prior experience in a research or academic capacity helpful.
- Prior experience with UN/UNDP helpful

Language Requirements:

- Bangla and English