WASH Results Project, Water Sanitation and Hygiene Programme; BCO, Dhaka

Transcription

1 Job Description Position Research and Knowledge Management Specialist- Grade C2 WASH Results Project Department & Location WASH Results Project, Water Sanitation and Hygiene Programme; BCO, Dhaka Date February 2016 Reports to: Head of WASH Programme with functional reporting to Manager -Research & Knowledge Management Purpose: How does this post support Plan s Working in 51 developing countries across Africa, Asia and the Americas, Plan aims to reach as many children as possible, particularly those who are excluded or marginalized with high quality programmes that deliver long lasting benefits by increasing its income, working in partnership with others and operating effectively. strategy and mission? Plan International Bangladesh is going to implement its 4th country strategic plan (CSP-IV) developed for five years covering fiscal year 2016 to 2020 towards a longer term vision of a Bangladesh where Children and Youth (irrespective of ethnicity, location, gender, religion, disabilities or sexual orientation) grow up in a safe, protected, enabling environment where their rights are realized and their voices heard and valued. We will contribute towards this vision by designing and implementing quality programs and projects in major areas following right based approached. These major areas are: Health, Education, WASH, Child Protection, DRM & Climate Change and Youth Economic Empowerment. Since April 2014 Plan International Bangladesh has been implementing WASH Results Project which is funded by the DFID through Plan International UK office. The main objective of this project is to promote and enable the sustained use of hygienic household toilets, and the practice of hand washing with soap, by 4,823,569 men, women and children in poor rural communities within 33 districts of Bangladesh. The duration the project is 4 (four) years with two phases; e.g. April 2014 to December 2015 is Output phase and January 2016 to March 2018 is Outcome phase. Plan is the lead organization to implement the project and the other consortium members are WaterAid, Unilever, WSUP, WEDC and IPSOS. The main implementation strategy of the project is to Payment by Results (PbR); and 100% key deliverables achieved by December 2015 and the post 2015 is focused on the achievement of outcomes. In the Outcome Phase (January 2016 March 2018); the strategic priorities of WASH Results Project are to maintain and deepen positive behaviour change to ensure sustainability and documentation of good practices. The project will secure the continued use and maintenance of sanitation and water supply facilities installed during the output phase, the continued practice of hand washing with soap at critical times; strengthened sector management and co-ordination by government at local, regional and national level in order to enable the effective approaches applied by the programme to be continued and applied more widely in support of national goals. 1 Research and Knowledge Management Specialist-WASH Results Project will work with Manager- Research & Knowledge Management of Plan International Bangladesh for undertaking research in WASH programme and implementing the Knowledge Management strategy and Standard in the project. The position holder will prepare ToR and set the study/research methodologies, tools and undertake field based operational research based on pre-identified issues and analysis of quantitative and qualitative data as well as provide support to External and Collaborative study/research/ evaluation. S/he will extend support to BCC Specialist

2 Dimensions of Role: as well as other colleagues of WASH programme to carry out any study/evaluation. The position holder will functionally report to Head of WASH programme. For performing any study/research/evaluation s/he will take the additional assistance from the Head of MER & KM. The position holder is responsible for supporting the research of the WASH programmes and Projects of Plan Bangladesh Design WASH related study with the guidance of Head-MER&KM and Manager-RKM as per organisation s requirement Responsible for supporting the quality research initiatives including evaluations for creating the evidence base and link with Programme Quality Policy work Support design, development and implementation of organizational learning and knowledge management functions, systems and processes focusing on WASH Project Undertake field based operational research as per the need of Outcome Phase of WASH Results project on pre-identified issues as well as Analysis of Quantitative and qualitative data Carry out initiatives to document good practices and capture learning from field to showcase the Plan s WASH Programme to Donor, Government agencies, and other stakeholders for advocacy as well as resource mobilization. Responsible for preparing design, development and implementation of the WASH Results Project learning and knowledge management functions, systems and processes Responsible for proposal short listing, recruitment for internal & external studies, hiring Research Assistants (RA) on short term basis and coordinating ToR approval, Ethical Approval etc. The position holder does not individually manage any budget and usually do not have a delegated authority for expenditure. The Research and Knowledge Management Specialist does not have direct report. The position holder reports to the Manager- Research & Knowledge Management with functional reporting to Head of WASH Programme. Also implement learning and knowledge management processes of the WASH Results Project; Key End Results and typical Responsibilities: See Section 7b What is done and why, but not actions or how ; include indicators for success Key Result Areas (KRA) 1: High quality study/action research/evaluation under WASH Results project are undertaken Indicators for Success: A comprehensive action plan is developed to conduct study/research/evaluation and knowledge management following organizational strategy and standard. ToR for all studies/action research/evaluation under WASH Results project are prepared and coordinating ToR approval, Ethical Approval etc. All proposals (technical and financial) are reviewed for engagement /recruitment of consultants/firms through bidding process. WASH programme/project team are supported to identify research opportunities for enhancing the programme. All studies/action research/qualitative and quantitative research are undertaken on the basis of need for supporting the WASH programme development and generating evidence based advocacy; Research methods and data collection instruments are prepared and taking part in selection process of project staffs/research Assistants (RA) and providing training to RA/project staffs. Study/research data collection is administered and supervision, quality control and conducting Data analysis Coordinating management response for all study/evaluations 2

3 Key Result Areas (KRA) 2: Integration and implementation of Knowledge Management strategy as well as learning and knowledge management functions, systems and processes in the WASH Results Project. Indicators for Success: An action plan on knowledge management is prepared and implement as per organizational functions, systems and processes Identify and develop initiatives and consult with the Manager-RKM and Head MER &KM to further enhance the culture of learning Plan and partners staffs are coordinated for collecting and sharing good practices and lessons learnt from implementation of WASH Results project at field in different hard to reach areas. Knowledge management plan is implemented with the support from the Manager Research and Knowledge Management as well as other colleagues of WASH Programme Orientation and training are conducted on the global KM strategy and make staffs aware of their responsibilities in implementing KM Ensures that all relevant policies, procedures and guidance include relevant KM practices and principles in Plan Bangladesh Learning circle topics are identified: liaising with relevant colleagues and sharing updated learning and knowledge. Key Result Area 3: Good practices and learning are documented from field to showcase the Plan s WASH Programme to Donor, Government agencies, and other stakeholders for advocacy as well as resource mobilization Indicators for Success: - Collect Case studies and Most Significant Change stories from the field level together with M&E specilists. - Conduct need based field visits to validate good practices, lessons learnt from the intervention of WASH Programme and sharing with Plan and partners staffs as well as concerned stakeholders in different gathering. - Good practices are selected, learnings captured and documented through maintain coordination with respective persons of Plan at divisional/pu/project offices, Partners staff and other concerned stakeholders. - Support BCC specialist for providing insight on effectiveness of the BCC intervention as well as examining positive change of hygiene behaviour among the target audiences (individuals, communities and/or societies) - Project MIS is incorporated and updated with knowledge management events and learnings. Key Result Areas (KRA) 4: As a member of MER & KM team, work collaboratively with colleagues to ensure excellence within Plan s work is captured, promoted and disseminated. Indicators for success Support the Research initiatives including Annual Outcome Monitoring and post intervention studies; Supporting the objectives set for MER and KM unit Supports the roll out of other key PQP components (CRSA, CSP development, baseline, midterm, end-line evaluation and CSP final review/evaluations) Supported the MEL specialists in the divisional offices to implement knowledge management standards in the divisional offices through disseminating study/research findings in field and partners for improving the programme quality and generating learning in WASH. Internal best practice and lesson learning across programmes is effectively documented and regularly used in ongoing programme design and delivery Dealing with Problems: Application of knowledge required for the role, complexity of problems handled & the degree of investigation, analysis, & creative thinking required to solve them. Outcome phase (January 2016 to March 2018) is the crucial period of the WASH Results Project for ensuring sustainable behaviour change using WASH facilities (installed during the output phase) and 3

4 practicing hand washing with soap at critical times; and also strengthened sector management and co-ordination by government at local, regional and national level. The capturing and documentation of good practices is essential to showcase the WASH programme of Plan Bangladesh. Barriers that Research & Knowledge Management Specialist will have to deal with include: - The technical capacity for supporting research is challenging at WASH Result project and Divisional level. - There is an increasing demand for high quality research by projects and donors. - Programmes are not able to properly identify and articulate the research needs. The Research & Knowledge Management Specialist needs to be able to - Support the WASH Results Project Team to identify the key issues of research and identifying the research need of the projects; - Be capable of supporting organizational change regarding Knowledge Management standards, practices and way forward - Communicate concisely on what needs to be done in terms of Research and Knowledge Management. - Develop clear and simple summary to be shared with different stakeholders in terms of Knowledge Management Communications and Working Relationships: Working contacts inside and outside the organization; include the purpose and level (high, medium, low) of the contact Internal Contact: Position M&E specialist of WASH Results Project M&E Specialists at BCO MEL Specialists at Divisional Offices Project Manager WASH Results Project Head of MER Reasons for contact Using monitoring data as well as regular qualitative assessment of monitoring information. Finalising the ToR, Ethical Approval, Evaluations etc. Supporting implementation of knowledge management standards and practices in the divisional offices; Disseminate findings in field and partners for improving the programme quality and generating learning For finalising the ToR as well as identify individual WASH Results project specific research needs. Follow-up of any management actions. For having guidance on designing, developing and implementing research and studies, documentation and dissemination of WASH Results project Level (high, medium, low) High Medium Low High Medium External contact: Position Other Research Organisations/Universities Consultant/Consulting Firms Reasons for contact Establishing and maintaining liaison related to Research and Knowledge Management For undertaking the study/research under the WASH Programme Level (high, medium, low) Medium High 4

5 Respective donor agencies Govt. authorities Maintaining liaison/network related to project specific research studies and evaluations reports Advocating project issues and maintaining liaison for securing directives toward implementation of project as required Low Low Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours Required to Achieve Role s Objectives: Knowledge Knowledge of theories of child-rights programming and child protection (programmatic and safeguarding) as well as Understanding of integrated development issues and critical analysis of child poverty Understanding of different dimensions of poverty, development approaches, philosophies and politics of change Proven experience of development research and technical know-how of different research methodologies with strong analytical capacity as well as Knowledgeable on tool design for qualitative and quantitative research Understanding of different strategies of dissemination and ability to disseminate properly Knowledge of development issues, trends, challenges, opportunities, merging discourse and social, political, economic and legal framework and implications to community development Strong capacity to analyse and critique policies and programs Demonstrable experience of developing advocacy materials and knowledge resources Skills Strong planning and organizational skills Skills in managing decentralized teams Skills in managing qualitative and quantitative data collections Working experience in community participation in development/programming Strong analytical skills Ability to deliver to tight deadlines Demonstrated facilitation and active listening skills Solid writing skills (report writing, concept paper writing etc.) Skills in using Microsoft Office and other software applications relevant to Research. SPSS is mandatory. Behaviours Promotes a strong learning culture in the organisation Promotes innovation and learning Communicates clearly and effectively Strong team building and motivational skills Coaches and builds capacity of staff in COs and Divisional Office (previously PUs) Demonstrates clear respect to all and especially children and women without discrimination Involves others in setting and achieving goals Demonstrates honesty and transparency in holding self and others to account to deliver on agreed goals and Plan s standards of behaviour Balances future vision with practical delivery 5

6 Acts as a team player, willing to get the best outcome overall, adjusting own priorities if necessary Remains calm and positive under pressure and in difficult situations Qualification and Experience Required At least Postgraduate degree, preferably in economics, social sciences, development studies, or other relevant field; 4-5 years of progressively responsible experience in Research and evaluation in international development organisation or research institutes or academic institutions. Advanced degree in research will be preferred. Experience in working with database management software. Proficiency in SPSS and MS Excel is mandatory. Physical Environment and Demands: May be typical office environment ; note if heavy lifting, climbing, excess travel, etc. Typical office environment with 60% travel to field locations and divisional offices. Level of Contact with Children: Low contact: No contact or very low frequency of interaction Mid contact: Occasional interaction with children High level: Frequent interaction with children Please attach an organization chart of your department: Head of WASH Project Manager-WASH Result Project Divisional Manager Capacity Building Specialist- CLTS Capacity Building Specialist- Engineering Assistant Manager-Admin & Finance (50%) Monitoring and Evalustion Specialist Behaviour Change Specialist Research Coordinator Programme Manager WASH Coordinator Wash Coordinator- Kishoregonj WASH Coordinator- Nikli Admin Coordinator Admin Officer Admin Officer Read and accepted by: (Signature and Name of the employee with date) 6