The overall objective of the proposed project is to promote land degradation neutrality, restore and improve the use of land and water resources in Turkmenistan’s Amudarya watershed in Lebap and Dashoguz provinces to enhance the sustainability and resilience of livelihoods and globally significant ecosystems. The project will attempt to achieve this objective through a multifocal strategy that includes the following four interrelated outcomes:

Outcome 1: Integrated land use planning that will contribute to land degradation neutrality and improved integration of key biodiversity habitats into surrounding geographies, thus securing critical ecosystem services in Dashoguz and Lebap regions.

Outcome 2: Addressed direct drivers of biodiversity degradation to protect globally important biodiversity, habitats, and species through PA system expansion and targeted support in strengthening the management effectiveness of key existing PAs in the project regions.

Outcome 3: Strengthened national capacity and better-informed engagement of Turkmenistan in the implementation of regional cooperation for improved management and restoration of Aral Sea Basin land and water resources.

Outcome 4: Project results properly monitored and evaluated.

The long-term solution for sustainable development and conservation of high-value ecosystems has multiple key goals, but revolves around the concept of Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) and leveraging KBAs/IBAs within the wider landscape as focal points for integrated land use management with biodiversity benefits from mainstreaming. This includes the promotion of non-depleting farming models while effectively conserving critical ecosystem services. The experience will be shared and replicated beyond project boundaries through a series of lesson-sharing events.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Knowledge Management Analyst is a key technical professional providing support in prioritizing and sequencing project activities, developing and updating detailed implementation plans to achieve related outputs under the guidance of the Project Manager (PM) and International Technical Advisor. The incumbent is responsible for the development and implementation of the Knowledge Management Plan, considering climate risks, gender aspects, ecosystem conservation, and stakeholder interests. The Knowledge Management Analyst, in close collaboration with the PM and other project specialists, will contribute to the implementation of project outcomes with a focus on providing input and organizing consultancy work under Outcome 3.

More specifically, the Knowledge Management Analyst will perform the following duties:

• Provide technical inputs relating to project activity development and implementation, including preparation of ToRs and subcontract tender documents, assessment of quality of consultant/contractor outputs.
• Regularly meet with project team and project partners to discuss progress on project activities and ensure that there is a common understanding of the direction of the project.
• Organize workshops on water and ecological diplomacy and discussion of project results with the participation of various technical experts and research institutes for knowledge exchange.
• Ensure the technical aspects of sustainable land and water management and biodiversity in the Aral Sea Basin are translated into accessible and reader-friendly layman formats.
• Facilitate the sharing of quality technical information and knowledge products, showcasing the project’s good practices via radio and TV shows for farmers with a segment for women farmers.
• Work with other experts and review the institutional and legal recommendations to improve institutional arrangements for the implementation of various components of IFAS programmes in the country.
• Support the Project Manager and International Technical Advisor in developing the Scaling Up and Replication Strategy of the Project.
• Review all knowledge products and peer-review analytical reports for systematizing the project-generated knowledge.
• Perform other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
• Promote the expansion of regional cooperation in the Aral Sea Basin with related national and international organizations, exploring further possibilities for funding and partnership opportunities to expand project activities.
• Prepare relevant sections of the Annual Work Plan and regular progress reports (including annual APR/PIRs and quarterly progress reports) on project results and outcomes related to assigned Outputs and thematic areas.
• Ensure quality assurance of all technical deliverables, risk management, and monitoring as per SES requirements.
• Support the Project Manager and International Technical Advisor in updating the work plans and budget of the project component, as well as tracking the expenditures and delivery rate of the project.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master’s degree in environment protection and land reclamation-related areas is required, or a bachelor’s degree in the mentioned areas with 2 years of qualifying experience will be considered in lieu of a master’s degree.

Experience:

Applicants with a master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field of study are not required to have professional work experience. Applicants with a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) must have a minimum of two years of relevant professional experience in sustainable land resources management, water diplomacy, biodiversity, pasture and protected areas management, or natural resources management. Experience in similar assignments, preferably implemented by UNDP or other development cooperation agencies. Experience working or consulting on institutional processes and organizations involved with land management, LDN, and irrigated agriculture in Turkmenistan. Experience in the design and implementation of efficient land management systems, reducing land degradation, and applying effective agricultural practices to conserve biodiversity, ecosystems, and adapt to climate change. Strong ICT skills, including the application of digital tools in day-to-day work.

Languages:

Fluency in Russian and Turkmen. Knowledge of English is a strong asset.