Knowledge Management Specialists Job at ESSPIN

The Education Sector Support Programme In Nigeria (ESSPIN) invites applications from suitably qualified candidates for the posts of Knowledge Management Specialists.

Job Position: Knowledge Management Specialists

Job Description
Each post holder would strategically manage the knowledge management function and facilitate the flow of information for awareness raising and qualitative data gathering in 2 of the ESSPIN states.

Job Locations
There are a total of 3 vacancies for this post: post holder 1 for Lagos and Kwara States, post holder 2 for Jigawa and Kano States and post holder 3 for Kaduna and Enugu states.

Rationale
The nature of C&KM work within ESSPIN is changing with a shift to a broader knowledge management (KM) agenda and more emphasis on information gathering.  This is reflective of the middle stage of the now firmly established programme, post-inception, with many heralded early initiatives in the four output areas well underway and now combining to show very positive results.  This is increasingly notable at school and community level where the impact of ESSPIN support must be evident in order to gauge the success of the programme.  It is therefore imperative that the management of information in ESSPIN not only mobilises stakeholders to act to improve basic education but also proactively seeks to capture and present this evidence of the difference we are making.

This more strategic approach to KM, including more targeted collaboration on KM with state partners, combined with external pressure on state staffing complements, presents the opportunity to raise the level of the ESSPIN KM posts in terms of their technical and geographical responsibility.  ESSPIN will develop and deploy a programme team of three KM Specialists (managed by the Lead Specialist Information Management); one for each pair of Jigawa and Kano, Kwara and Lagos, Enugu and Kaduna.  Time will be split evenly between the two states covered.  The tighter, more programme oriented team and the geographical spread will allow for better coordination between states and a more cohesive approach to KM across ESSPIN.

It is recognised that KM will be a shared responsibility across the programme and State Specialists as well as EMIS, MLA and M&E specialists and Researchers are also expected to produce information on results for dissemination within their own project management roles.  KMS will work closely with these colleagues with the KM role and, to some extent, provide qualitative data to corroborate others’ quantitative data.

Purpose
The KMS role is to support the delivery of the ESSPIN outputs and the achievement of the higher level programme objectives by gathering and disseminating relevant information to influence decision making by education sector stakeholders at all levels, and by promoting best practice for the reform of basic education.

The KMS will facilitate the flow of information for widespread public awareness-raising and sensitisation of the diverse issues and challenges of the reform agenda, leading to greater mobilisation to action for change.  This advocacy will include the development of greater understanding of the rights, responsibilities and roles of community, civil society and government actors and will encourage greater collaboration between them.  The KMS will support the formulation and dissemination of education policy and (improved) practice which is responsive to public demands.

The KMS will help facilitate the flow of data from communities and schools to inform education policy makers and practitioners of progress made and the priority areas / issues of the sector requiring further attention and investment of resources by government and International Development Partners.  Effectively engaging communities with duty bearers, either directly or indirectly, and ensuring a responsive audience for “voice” is essential for strong accountability relations.  It is also essential for ESSPIN’s own accountability to DFID and government partners to have a comprehensive record of achievement of improvements to schools and the quality of basic education as a result of ESSPIN interventions.

Objectives / Key Responsibilities
The KMS will contribute to the development and implementation of programme level KM strategy.  The KMS will step this down to state level and further develop state level KM strategy and work plans in conjunction with ESSPIN state specialists and programme partners.

The KM work stream is responsible for significant budgeted Programme Support Activities (PSA) to deliver key messages to diverse audiences through selected media– notably video, radio, the press, community theatre and printed materials (including graphics and photographs).  The KMS will be responsible for managing these programme wide activities at state level.  There is also scope for distinct state level PSA in these and other areas which are at the discretion of the KMS working with state colleagues and partners.  The messaging will be cognisant of the current and planned ESSPIN interventions and the general status of the programme as it moves through the programme cycle.

In the interests of long term sustainability of programme inputs, ESSPIN seeks to embed KM activities within government and civil society organisations.  The Social Mobilisation Departments of the State Universal Basic Education Boards and, to a lesser extent, the PROs in the State Ministry of Education and SUBEB have been identified as key partners for the capture and dissemination of information relevant to the promotion of better basic education and community involvement.  The KMS will therefore lead ESSPIN’s support for capacity building for education KM in SUBEB and SME and seek to link ESSPIN KM to this as appropriate.  There is also the potential for similar engagement with CSOs with the prospect of brokering positive relationships between government and CS around information sharing.

The KMS will have a monitoring role paying special attention to the objective of documenting the success, or otherwise, of ESSPIN supported interventions and so providing evidence of impact and demonstrating good value for public money.  This is also essential for the replication of the programme’s achievements, best practice and sharing of lessons learnt in other states and other programmes.  The information must be presented in appropriate and accessible formats for a wide audience.

Main Activities

• Develop a state KM strategy and maintain a monthly rolling KM state work plan referenced to the other state work streams and the overall KM strategy.
• Report monthly on KM activities and achievements at state level.
• Deliver strategic, targeted information via diverse media, including public presentations and forums, to promote the basic education reform agenda, support programme activities and the achievement of objectives at state level.
• Facilitate ESSPIN KM Programme Support Activities at state level and implement a programme of complementary state level PSAs.
• Support state (SME and SUBEB) KM activities promoting the education sector reform agenda and build capacity within appropriate state institutions to develop and implement KM strategies.
• Work closely with state and other specialists to monitor progress towards the delivery of programme outputs, illustrating impact and providing evidence on a monthly basis of outcomes, by reporting in appropriate formats for diverse audiences (client, partners, stakeholders and wider dissemination)
• Provide updated content to the Abuja KM team for the relevant state pages of the ESSPIN website.
• Ensure all state generated programme documentation, consultancy reports and printed materials are presented in the required ESSPIN format ensuring compliance with the ESSPIN visual identify and style guidelines.  (Programme reports must be captured for inclusion in the programme documentary series and / or document database).
• Act as the point of contact with the client and stakeholders, including other SLPs, for ESSPIN KM at state level.

Management Arrangements
The KMS will report to the Lead Specialist, Information Management as line-manager.  Operating as a member of a compact programme KM team primarily at state level, and therefore integrated with at least two ESSPIN state teams, the KMS will agree work plans with State Team Leaders in their respective states.

Qualifications and Experience

Qualifications
An advanced degree in Communication or Information Sciences or a related field is preferred.  A first level degree with a combination of relevant academic qualifications and/or significant experience may be accepted instead of an advanced university degree

Experience
Minimum of five years KM experience in a management role in a social sector or development organisation.
Experience of producing documents for publication (samples will be required).  The KMS must be able to write and produce print ready documentation in different styles and formats to a high standard.

Other Experience/ Knowledge / Abilities

• Self-starter with the ability to strategically plan own KM work and that of the organisation and balance a diverse and demanding workload
• Familiarity with Project Cycle Management including the monitoring and evaluation of results / outcomes / evidence of impact.
• Experienced in using different media (film, radio, press, theatre, internet etc) in information dissemination as well as experience in advocacy campaigning.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English.
• Good IT skills and familiarity with the Microsoft Office suite of software.
• Strong interpersonal skills and experience of working with partner organisations.
• Experience of the public basic education sector in Nigeria would be an advantage.
• Ability to communicate in appropriate Nigerian language(s) of region of work would be an advantage.
• This position will require regular travel within and between states.

Benefits Package
The salary for this post is between the N320,000 - N375, 000 gross per month range
Other benefits of the post include:
Annual bonus
Leave allowance
World standard on the job training and learning experiences

Application Deadline
14th February, 2011

Method of Application
All applications should be made using a CV not no more than 3 pages of A4 (in a standard technical CV format) as well as the ESSPIN application form. Click here to  download the ESSPIN application form

Applications should be sent by email to [email protected]

The closing date for all applications is 5pm Monday, 14 February 2011.
Interviews for these posts will be held on 01 and 02 March 201l.
Shortlisted candidates are advised to come along with both the original and photocopies of their certificates as stated on their CVs as well as proof of identity.
If you have not received a response to your application by Friday 25 February 2011, please assume your application was unsuccessful.
ESSPIN is managed by a consortium of international and national organizations led by Cambridge Education Limited (a member of the Mott MacDonald group) and the British Council.