Short Term Consultancy for Knowledge Management and Learning Coordinator, Global Wildlife Program

Application Deadline Date: 5/2/2024

To Submit Application:Interested candidates may submit their CV and cover letter to sent to gwp-info@worldbank.org

Subject line "Consultancy for Knowledge Management and Learning Coordinator, Global Wildlife Program". Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview

BACKGROUNDThe Global Wildlife Program (GWP), funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and led by the World Bank, brings together 38 countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America and the Caribbean to combat wildlife crime, address unsustainable and high zoonotic risk wildlife trade and consumption, manage human-wildlife conflict, and build wildlife-based economies. With an investment of US$365 million GEF financing across three GEF phases (GEF-6, GEF-7, and GEF-8) and over $2 billion in co-financing, the GWP is one of the largest GEF programmatic investments in biodiversity conservation.

The GWP coordination team at the World Bank is a team of technical specialists, knowledge management, communications and M&E specialists that work closely with GWP partners and participating countries to deliver the GWP knowledge platform. With the new GEF-8 phase commencing, the GWP coordination team wants to create a more dynamic and ambitious knowledge platform that can inspire project teams to conserve wildlife in support of sustainable development and is seeking an experienced knowledge management professional to lead these efforts.

OBJECTIVE The consultancy’s main tasks are to coordinate the implementation and ongoing improvement of the GWP Global Knowledge Platform to maximize country engagement; learning and exchange across countries, sectors, and regions; and capacity improvement of participating national governments, project teams and local partners.

SCOPE OF WORKReview and advise on the GWP knowledge management strategy. The consultant will review the existing GWP knowledge management strategy and advise on improvements to the knowledge platform to enhance adoption of the knowledge management strategy by GWP participating countries and projects. Specifically:Complete a rapid review of the GWP knowledge management strategy ‘transforming knowledge to action’ and benchmark against best practices, new innovations, and other relevant lessons on knowledge management.Identify improvements to GWP knowledge exchange activities, including opportunities to develop new formats and approaches to facilitate peer-to-peer learning; incentives and opportunities to promote the adoption of knowledge products and build the capacity of teams to apply the content; and ideas for the establishment of an ‘alumni’ initiative to continue to engage governments and partners as national projects close.Recommend improvements on how the knowledge management strategy can better align to existing national-level knowledge and learning strategies and develop brief guidance on the establishment of national knowledge platforms for new GEF-8 projects.

Develop a revised GWP knowledge management strategy. The consultant will use review results and identified improvements to develop a revised strategy for the GEF-8 global coordination project that will amplify programmatic exchange and learning. Specifically:Draft an updated GWP knowledge management strategy that sets out clear and appropriate objectives, outcomes, and approaches to maximize knowledge exchange across the GWP, in accordance with GEF expectations for integrated programs and building off existing systems and successes of the GWP.Identify specific approaches, tools, and products to be included in the revised GWP knowledge management strategy.Clearly outline engagement and uptake enhancement mechanisms to increase the use of GWP resources, including its Knowledge strategy and Knowledge platform among country project and professional communities engaged in wildlife conservation at large.Develop and monitor appropriate indicators to evaluate the implementation and impact of the knowledge strategy and track the effectiveness of knowledge events and activities.

Coordinate the implementation of the GWP knowledge platform. Working closely with technical specialists for the different GWP themes (e.g., illegal and unsustainable wildlife trade, human-wildlife conflict, wildlife-based economy, integrated land management and protected area management, One Health and zoonotic spillover risk), lead and coordinate the implementation and ongoing improvement of the GWP knowledge platform. Specifically:Identify and track technical knowledge needs and priorities of GWP project teams, including through regular surveys, review of progress reports, and event engagement.Oversee the planning and delivery of an annual workplan of GWP knowledge and learning activities (e.g., webinars, virtual and in-person knowledge exchanges, GWP annual conferences, trainings, twinning, mentoring, etc) to ensure a balanced and strategic mix of formats and topics that reflect project needs, and that put in place the continual improvements identified.Develop standardized processes and templates for the identification and documentation of lessons learned, good practices, and knowledge impact stories that demonstrate the benefits of the GWP knowledge platform. Support the dissemination and uptake of GWP impact stories and lessons on existing platforms.Identify and create new content for the GWP website as the primary repository for GWP knowledge. Manage content to ensure it is up to-date and facilitates sharing of information to GWP countries and partners.Explore opportunities to partner with the World Bank Online Learning Campus and World Bank Academies to develop shared content for GWP capacity development courses on this platform.Develop capacity development materials to improve the capacity of the GWP community in knowledge management, including the identification and documentation of case studies and lessons learned.Develop and enhance partnerships with GEF-funded programs (e.g., Amazon Sustainable Landscapes, Congo Sustainable Landscapes, Ecosystem Restoration, etc), World Bank global practices and programs (e.g., PROGREEN, PROBLUE, Global Program on Sustainability) and donor and partner-led efforts on wildlife conservation.

Document and disseminate knowledge management impact and results. The consultant will work closely with M&E and communication specialists in the GWP coordination team to ensure that knowledge management and M&E efforts are aligned and collectively deliver an effective approach to identify, document, and disseminate GWP results, lessons learned, good practices, and success stories. Specifically:Develop synergistic knowledge management and M&E activities that promote learning and that inform decision-making in current projects and enhance future project design.Utilize the GWP knowledge databases to identify and outline critical program results, lessons learned and knowledge impact stories that demonstrate the value of the GWP knowledge platform’s influence and impact on project activities.Synthesize and summarize key GWP achievements and impact based on the reported data and program results to facilitate the dissemination of knowledge and lessons learned across the GWP and broader conservation community.Take a lead role in the conceptualization and development of the GWP annual progress report to ensure it effectively and innovatively displays GWP results, lessons, and knowledge insights.

Deliver knowledge management events. Lead and support the delivery of in-person and virtual events, including the GWP annual conference, by preparing programmatic content, agendas, and promotional flyers; supporting logistics organization; liaising with participants and speakers; facilitating sessions; and drafting and disseminating knowledge event reports.

Support program administration. Support the development of reports and updates to program partners and World Bank management on status, progress, and continuous improvements to the GWP knowledge platform. The consultant will also support general coordination and administrative tasks for the GWP to ensure effective functioning of the program and the quality delivery of the global coordination project.

SELECTION CRITERIAAdvanced degree (Master’s or equivalent) in sustainable development, environment and natural resources management, knowledge management, communications, international relations/public affairs, journalism, political science, or other relevant field, with a minimum of 10-12 years of relevant international experience.Extensive experience in knowledge management with proven ability to plan and implement effective knowledge management strategies, systems, peer-to-peer learning platforms, and events. Experience related to GWP technical themes an advantage.Experience in developing and implementing capacity development and training programs, including e-learning, in developing countries and cross-cultural contexts.Good working knowledge of biodiversity conservation priorities and challenges. Familiarity with issues related to wildlife conservation, such as illegal wildlife trade, human-wildlife conflict, etc, an advantage.Strong ability to prepare, package, and adapt material into appropriate and effective content, with demonstrated experience in developing content that clearly communicates ideas and experiences for media, web, and/or print production.Previous experience or familiarity with World Bank or GEF knowledge management procedures and systems is an advantage.Excellent teamwork and interpersonal skills in working closely and collaboratively across organizational boundaries, and different cultural and geographic contexts.Excellent organization skills, attention to detail, and a strong capacity to be organized and follow through on commitments independently.Excellent written and spoken English. Working knowledge of French or Spanish is an advantage.