KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT AND LEARNING SPECIALIST (KML)

The African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC) is an international non-profit, non-governmental organization that carries out high quality, policy-relevant research on population, health and education issues facing sub-Saharan Africa. Our goal is to generate evidence for meaningful action to improve the lives of all Africans. The Center seeks to recruit a Knowledge Management and Learning Specialist (KLM) to support some of its work.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

In launching its 2017-2021 Strategic Plan, APHRC broadened and deepened its commitment to ensuring that evidence generated by African institutions is used to inform strategic decision-making across sub-Saharan Africa. We identified signature issues that are cross-cutting and reflect our vision of transforming lives of Africans through research. Those issues are key to the development agendas for Africa, from the Sustainable Development Goals to the continent’s own far-reaching Agenda 2063. They also align with the African Union’s push to promote a four-pillared roadmap setting the course for countries to achieve a Demographic Dividend and reap the benefits of an economic boom that could wean them off dependence of foreign assistance.

Our commitment to knowledge management and learning is a critical component of our evidence generation and knowledge translation model, because we recognize that institutionalizing a culture of evidence requires stronger capacity – both within APHRC and among the stakeholders with whom we engage.

Therefore, APHRC is partnering with the Council of Governors, the Monitoring and Evaluation Department (MED) at the State Department of Planning, the National Council for Population and Development in Kenya (NCPD) and the African Institute for Development Policy (AFIDEP) on a project titled ‘Making Data Systems Work for Kenya’s Counties Project.’ The project aims to build and strengthen capacity, and use of integrated national and sub-national data systems in Kenya’s County Governments’ efforts in advocating for evidence-informed policy-making (EIP). The specific goals and key results of this proposed partnership are:

1. To enhance analytical capacity for data use by supporting county governments in institutionalizing regular data reviews and analysis at county level to produce priority indicators of the Demographic Dividend
2. To support counties in institutionalizing integrated data systems, that are able to exchange and make use of information across the four investment sectors of the Demographic Dividend; and
3. To document best practices and share knowledge/lessons learned for model adoption/adaptation, scalability and replication across other counties in Kenya and for other African countries

It is on this basis that APHRC is seeking a dynamic and qualified Knowledge Management and Learning (KML) Specialist to contribute to the review and assessment of existing gaps and needs of selected counties to understand existing analytical capacity, data use and data systems gaps that hinder sub-national level decision-making to inform priority indicators of the Demographic Dividend.

SCOPE OF WORK

The KML Specialist will be part of the project team, within the Data, Measurement and Evaluation Unit. The specialist will lead in the establishment of relationships at different levels, as well as convene meetings with policy makers and technocrats from the four investment sector areas of the Demographic Dividend, namely Health, Education, Employment and Governance. Among other activities, the KML Specialist will contribute to:

1. Enhancing analytical capacity and data use by supporting county governments in institutionalizing regular data reviews and analysis at county level to produce indicators monitor progress of the Demographic Dividend
2. Ensuring that data use is incorporated in institutional frameworks, systems and processes for decision making
3. Mapping out initiatives and critical actors across the country to be included in the learning and advocacy agenda
4. Training and other capacity strengthening activities for county staff to use their own data in support of the Demographic Dividend
5. Leading the implementation of learning events and trainings, including but not limited to conferences, workshops, trainings, etc. at the national level
6. Documenting of best practices and share knowledge/lessons learned to ensure model adoption/adaptation, scalability and replication of the model across other counties in Kenya
7. Organizing regular review meetings that bring together key partners of the Demographic Dividend and data systems, both within the county and across counties
8. Designing of a program for strengthening intra-sector data coordination within counties and data coordination between the county and national governments
9. Any other project-related activities

The KML Specialist’s deliverables will incorporate an overarching knowledge sharing strategy to ensure that the policy and communications project tools are user-friendly and accessible, to make sure that anyone will be comfortable using them with their target audience to conduct strategic communications and policy engagement activities.

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

The right candidate will have the following:

1. A Master’s degree and/or at least 5 years demonstrated experience in knowledge management, strategic communications and/or monitoring and evaluation
2. Experience with data capture, management, dissemination, learning and knowledge management tools, methods and platforms
3. Familiarity and an understanding of data analysis and systems as it relates to public health issues and approaches
4. Deep knowledge of Kenyan governance landscape and the ability to navigate the Kenyan system to achieve results
5. Experience working with national and sub-national governments and governmental departments
6. Demonstrated experience in strategy development for complex projects
7. Familiarity with the international public health sphere
8. Impeccable interpersonal and management skills to support team development and promote cross-team collaboration in highly complex structures involving multiple teams, stakeholders, and client groups
9. Excellent attention to detail and track record of producing high quality documents
10. Strong planning, management, facilitation, interpersonal, and communications skills

HOW TO APPLY

Interested candidates should send their CV and cover letter clearly detailing how they fit the job description to jobs@aphrc.org with the subject “ Knowledge Management and Learning Specialist” by August 25,2019.

Application letters should be addressed to:

The Human Resources Officer

African Population and Health Research Center, Inc

APHRC Campus, Manga Close, off Kirawa Road, Kitisuru

1. O. Box 10787-GPO, Nairobi

Website: www.aphrc.org 

APHRC is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to the protection of children