Background
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UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.
Background and Change Context
The UNDP Country Office in Kenya sought to reposition itself strategically and realign its human resources to better respond to the Country Programme Document (CPD) 2018-2022 and the articulated need to work in a more integrated and collaborative manner to help Kenya address interrelated development challenges and achieve sustainable development, particularly in those regions which have a high level of poverty.
The change process in UNDP Kenya is anchored in two fundamental components: 1) Actively positioning UNDP for emerging opportunities arising from SDG implementation, as reflected in the CPD 2018 – 2022, as well as implications of the UN development system reform; and 2) Adopting a new resource management paradigm, as the global funding landscape for development cooperation is transforming. As such, UNDP is systemically changing how its institutional activities are financed and Country Offices are compelled to unlock new business models that enable our programmes, projects, and services to create the development impact we seek while our offices are increasingly self-sustaining and able to scale up and down on an ongoing basis.
For UNDP in Kenya, the rationale for change begins with the strategic repositioning of UNDP’s global contribution in support of the Sustainable Development Goals and collaboration with national development partners as the country office enters a new programming cycle. At present, the newly elected Government is taking shape and developing the Medium-Term Plan III, to which the Country Programme Document 2018 – 2022 aligns. The Country Office has identified key opportunities for growth in development policy and programming in several sectors including: peace and security to mitigate communal, land and other natural resource and socio-economic conflicts; prevention of violent extremism through inclusive development pathways; disaster risk reduction to promote resilience; and to deepen accountable and transparent governance through strengthened fiscal and administrative devolution on focused on public financial management and corruption intervention. There is also opportunity to work on unemployment and under employment especially for the youth. In considering the case for change, it is important to affirm that a strong UN and UNDP presence in Kenya is strategically valuable for sub-regional/regional interests as well as national interests – As one of Africa’s largest economies and political anchor within the EAC, Kenya’s economic, social, and political dynamics affect the broader regional situation for development.
Drawing on the above, a new programme portfolio design has been developed whereby the CO will use two work streams, which will align existing project-level interventions behind programmatic portfolios supported by an Operations Team. These are: 1) Governance & Inclusive Growth; and 2) Environment and Resilience:
Position Purpose:
Given the imperative to support the country in the implementation of the SDGs and improve human development in the most excluded and vulnerable populations, the interconnection among these areas, providing an integrated approach to advocate for sustainable Human Development and reduction of inequalities, is a priority for the CO.
Post-Specific Context
In this context, the Team Leader – Democratic Governance is deemed a key element to the success of this new country programme in the assigned thematic area. Under the guidance and supervision of the Head of Programme (ARR) the incumbent is responsible for the management of UNDP programme within the thematic/sectoral areas assigned. As such s/he is entrusted with the oversight of Governance and Inclusive Growth initiatives covering a wide arrange of issues and programme sub-themes including effective and accountable governance, devolution, peace building, rule of law and justice, gender sensitive and evidence based social policies (especially in the ASALS), structural transformation, livelihoods, public-private partnerships, and inclusive growth.
The Team Leader – Democratic Governance analyzes political, social and economic trends and leads formulation, management and evaluation of programme activities within his/her portfolio, as well as providing strategic policy advice support Team Leader – Democratic Governance will backstop the Head of Programme (ARR) in the oversight of the Programme Unit within the thematic areas and sub-areas of Governance and Inclusive Growth. She/he will provide policy and programmatic guidance to other members of the Programme Unit, especially regarding cross cutting issues.
Moreover, in close consultation with the Head of Programme (ARR), the Sustainable Development Advisor (National Economist) and the Senior Economist, the incumbent’s lead role in the Programme Unit is to promote the inclusion of cross cutting programme considerations with special focus to the rights of vulnerable groups and constituencies (women, youth, disabled, ageing, indigenous groups, marginalized in Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALS), people living with HIV etc.). Thus, she/he must have an excellent capacity to engage a diverse stakeholder base and to effectively network for solid partnership building (public-private, civil society, South-South, etc.).
S/he provides management, oversight of the team under the assigned thematic area as well as substantive backstopping to the Head of Programme (ARR) as required. As National Team Leader – Democratic Governance the assists with the management of the Portfolio within Programme team working through and with the operations team in the CO, programme staff in other UN Agencies, UNDP HQs staff and Government officials, technical advisors and experts, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors and civil society to successfully implement the UNDP programme. Incumbent may also advise on potential areas of policy that could have an impact on the country as far as Governance and Inclusive Growth is concerned.
The incumbent works in close collaboration with the operations team, programme staff in other UN Agencies, UNDP HQs staff and Government officials, technical advisors and experts, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors and civil society ensuring successful UNDP programme implementation and dialogues with the government and development partners are required.
Duties and Responsibilities
Summary of Key Functions:
- Ensures the implementation, managerial leadership of programme strategies in the UNDP CO in the area of Governance & Inclusive Growth.
- Supports Team Leader in the management of the team and portfolio.
- Ensuring effective management and quality assurance of the Governance and Inclusive Growth programme.
- Ensures the creation of strategic partnerships and implementation of the resource mobilization strategy.
- Provision of top-quality policy advice services to the Governments and facilitation of knowledge building and management.
Ensures implementation of programme strategies focusing on achievement of the following results:
- Thorough analysis and research of the political, social and economic situation in the country and preparation of substantive inputs to CCA, UNDAF, CPD, CPAP and other documents.
- Identification of areas for support and interventions within the thematic/sectoral areas assigned.
- CO business processes mapping and preparation of the content of internal Standard Operating Procedures in Results Management
Provides strategic leadership in managing the overall Governance and Inclusive Growth portfolio and team:
- Effective monitoring, measuring the impact of the CO programme and evaluation. Constant monitoring and analysis of the programme environment, timely readjustment of programme.
- Follow up on audit recommendations. All exceptions are timely reported.
- Aggregate reports are regularly prepared on activities, outputs and outcomes. Preparation of donor reports.
- Organization of cost-recovery system for the services provided by the CO to projects in close collaboration with the DCD (Operations).
- Ensures the organizations of regular unit meetings.
- Review of individual and team’s performance and provision of required coaching, guidance, mentoring and empowerment.
Ensures effective management of the CO programme within the thematic/sectoral areas assigned focusing on quality control from formulation to implementation of the country programme achieving the following results:
- Effective application of RBM tools, establishment of management targets (BSC) and monitoring achievement of results.
- Design and formulation of CO programme within the area of responsibility, translating UNDP’s priorities into local interventions. Coordination of programme implementation with the executing agencies. Introduction of performance indicators/ success criteria, cost recovery, targets, and milestones.
- Initiation of a project, presentation of the project to PAC, entering project into Atlas finalization of contribution agreement; determination of required revisions; coordination of the mandatory and budget re-phasing exercises, closure of projects through review. Programme Specialist can perform functions of Manager Level 1 in Atlas for POs and vouchers approval, participates in recruitment processes for projects.
- Financial and substantive monitoring and evaluation of the projects, identification of operational and financial problems, development of solutions. Participation in audit of NIM projects.
- Follow up on audit recommendations. All exceptions are timely reported.
- Aggregate reports are regularly prepared on activities, outputs and outcomes.
Ensures creation of strategic partnerships and implementation of the resource mobilization strategy focusing on achievement of the following results:
- Development of partnerships with the UN Agencies, IFI’s, government institutions, bi-lateral and multi-lateral donors, private sector, civil society in the specific thematic areas based on strategic goals of UNDP, country needs and donors’ priorities.
- Analysis and research of information on donors, preparation of substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation, identification of opportunities for initiation of new projects, active contribution to the overall office effort in resource mobilization
Ensures provision of top-quality advisory services and facilitation of knowledge building and management focusing on achievement of the following results:
- Identification of sources of information related to policy-driven issues. Identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learnt directly linked to programme country policy goals.
- Support to development of policies and institutions that will address the country problems and needs in collaboration with the Government and other strategic partners.
- Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.
- Organization of trainings for the operations/ projects staff on programme issues
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: Supervision and performance management of Country Office Programme Team
Competencies
Core:
Achieve Results:LEVEL 3
- Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact
Think Innovatively:LEVEL 3
- Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems
Learn Continuously:LEVEL 3
- Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences
Adapt with Agility:LEVEL 3
- Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands
Act with Determination:LEVEL 3
- Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results
Engage and Partner:LEVEL 3
- Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration
Enable Diversity and Inclusion:LEVEL 3
- Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity
People Management:UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.
Cross-Functional & Technical:
Advocacy strategy and implementation – Communications:
- Ability to create and implement advocacy strategies which lead to impactful change
Business Management – Results-based Management:
- Ability to manage Programme and Project with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results
Business Management – Partnerships Management:
- Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sectors partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies
External relations and Advocacy – Resource mobilization:
- Ability to identify funding sources, match funding needs (programmes/projects initiatives) with funding opportunities, and establish a plan to meet funding requirements
Business Management – Project Management:
- Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals
Business Management – Portfolio Management:
- Ability to select, prioritize and control the organization as programmes and projects, in line with its strategic objectives and capacity; ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives and the maintenance of business-as-usual, while optimizing return on investment
2030 Agenda: Peace – Infrastructure for Peace:
- Conflict Prevention, Peacebuilding and Responsive Institutions
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- An advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in law, social policy, public policy, politics, economics, business administration, or related field is required: or
- A first-level degree (bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in law, social policy, public policy, politics, economics, business administration, or related field with a minimum of two additional years of relevant work experience will be will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Experience:
- Master’s Degree with 5 years or Bachelor’s with 7 years of progressively responsible work experience in international development with experience in policy design on governance, peace building, inclusive growth and post crisis development is required.
- Experience coordinating and liaising with government agencies and/or donors is desirable.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Experience working in the UN System or International Organisations is an asset.
Language:
- Proficiency in English and Swahili is required.
Please note that continuance of appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.
Please upload copies of your academic qualifications and 3 latest Performance Evaluations (if applicable)
Disclaimer
Applicant information about UNDP rosters
Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.
Non-discrimination
UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.
UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
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