Applications are invited from suitably qualified, experienced and interested individuals for the position of Coordinator- Knowledge Management (CKM) with APAARI. The position is based at APPARI Office, FAO Annex Building in Bangkok, Thailand.

The overall roles and responsibilities of CKM are to create, assimilate, reorganise, manage, disseminate and monitor and evaluate the knowledge, information and innovations systems – encompassing big picture of agriculture and agri-food systems – for Sustainable Development in the Asia-Pacific Region.

The person appointed will be in-charge of the current Asia-Pacific Agricultural Research Information System (APARIS), a core and substantive Program of APAARI.

APAARI is a Bangkok based association of agricultural research organizations (NARIs, NAROs, CG Centres, IARCs, and Ag. Universities) of the Asia-Pacific region and other international and national stakeholders devoted to agricultural research and innovations for sustainable development in the Asia-Pacific region.  This is undertaken through facilitation of inter-institutional, inter-regional and international partnerships and collaborations. Besides many activities, APAARI manages and undertakes activities related to knowledge and information sharing, including workshops and training programmes, through the APARIS program.  For more information on APAARI and APARIS, please visit www.apaari.org.

The position (CKM) summary and responsibilities are as follows.

1. Managing and Sharing Information and Knowledge

• Conduct needs assessment in the area of knowledge and innovation for development (KI4D) among APAARI multi-stakeholder groups.
• Manage and develop the Knowledge Management Program of APAARI.
• Facilitate sharing of agricultural technical information, knowledge and data (metadata) among these groups.
• Decide and implement most effective and responsive channels for dissemination of information on agricultural research and innovations by using new ICT /Social Media tools.
• Manage and undertake necessary communication activities of APAARI and interactions with partners and stakeholders/clients.
• Cater to the needs of APAARI as a multi-stakeholder platform for overall agricultural development.

2. Partnership, Collaboration and Networking

• Facilitate knowledge partnership and collaborative programs in agricultural research, innovation and development, involving potential stakeholders (Govt., NGOs, Research / Technological Institutions, Universities, regional and global organizations, etc.) to operate innovative concepts and frameworks for better impacts.
• Host a Community of Practice (CoP) platform to dialogue, discuss, collaborate and share ideas, information, skills and knowledge on governance of agricultural information & knowledge systems.
• Plan, resource and organise workshops, meetings, dialogues in the area of KI4D.
• Collaborate with GFAR, CTA, Knowledge Management of FAO, CGIAR, and many others (to be explored) in areas of mutual interest.

3. Capacity Development and Training

• Develop capacity and empower various stakeholders in using ICTs and other tools and methods that are necessary in the process of “knowledge to be effective for development”.
• Develop capacity to advance ICT tools and techniques among stakeholders.
• Develop communication strategies and advance skills in APAARI for sharing data, information and knowledge at national, regional and global levels.
• Develop capacities to replicate innovations / best practices in implementation of e-Agriculture projects and initiatives.
• Develop capacities to use and interpret agricultural data and information for effective delivery of services and empower communities on the use and application of data and information at the field level.

4. Influencing Enabling Environment and Policy Advocacy

• Contribute to regional and national policy development in the area of Knowledge Management.
• Contribute to institutionalisation of agricultural research, knowledge and innovation for development.
• Undertake advocacy role for increased investment, development of appropriate structures, capacities, integration and governance for sharing of data, information, knowledge, skills, technology and global initiatives (such as GODAN – Global Open Data for Agriculture and Nutrition) which require high-level public and private institutional support for open and linked data in agriculture.
• Act as catalyst in influencing multi-stakeholders of APAARI to open access to agricultural data, information and knowledge.

5. Foresights and Planning

• Explore the future role of ICTs in proving to be a sort of Cinderella (Visionary) for agricultural development.
• Explore and plan various focused, analytical and foresight information services for better decision-making by stakeholders.

6. Mobilization of Resources and Partnership

• Develop funding proposals and solicit project and program specific funding resources.
• Organise high-level dialogue for funding and policy support to ICTs for agricultural and rural development at national and regional levels.
• Develop and implement partnership activities with partners at  various levels and of various types for the benefit of stakeholders and partners in the Asia-Pacific region.

7. Reporting and Publications

• Participate in development and dissemination of APAARI publications such as Newsletter, success stories, proceedings of workshops//conferences/expert consultations and periodical reports, etc.

The applicants should have a minimum of Master’s degree/MBA from internationally recognized institution in the disciplines of information sciences (such as communications, information management and technologies, ICT, business and management studies, and related subjects).  They should also have a minimum of 5 years work experience in information and knowledge management, communications, ICTs, journalism, agricultural extension, and related areas, particularly in developing countries of the Asia-Pacific region.

The CKM, reporting to the Executive Secretary of APAARI, will be paid a gross salary (inclusive of base salary, provident fund, and other allowances), which is negotiable within the range equivalent to gross salary at P3 level under the UN salary scales.   Other benefits include medical insurance, an annual paid leave of 20 days, and  one return economy class air-fare to employee and spouse to visit his/her hometown.  The initial contract of employment will be for two years and is renewable for further periods based on performance.

Completed application with detailed CV and names and addresses (including emails) of three referees should be addressed and sent to

The Executive secretary

Asia-Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institutions

FAO Annex Building, 202/1

Larn Laung Road, Pomprab Sattrupai

Bangkok 10100. Thailand

Phone +66 (02) 282 2918

Fax     +66 (02) 282 2919

Application can be also sent by emails to Ms Chanerin Maneechansook (email chanerin@apaari.org)  and  copied to Mr Vishwanath K. Sah (email vk.sah@apaari,org).

Last date of receiving applications is 20^th November 2015.