Coordination Assistant – SDG Partnership Platform Kenya

Contract

This is a UNV National Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as National UN Volunteer. It is normally only for nationals. More about UNV National Specialist contracts.

The Government of Kenya with support from the UN, established in 2017 the SDG Partnership Platform (UN SDGPP). The Platform, housed by the RCO, brings together leadership from Government, development partners, private sector, philanthropy, civil society, and academia to create diverse SDG accelerator windows to catalyse and unlock carefully selected, partnerships and investments for driving SDG impacts in Kenya. The SDG Partnership Platform became a United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) 2018-2022 Flagship initiative towards the realisation of agenda 2030 by taking leadership on overarching facilitation, coordination and demonstration of how Public Private

Partnerships and Collaborations can effectively translate the SDGs into action on the ground and thereby guide and accelerate impact, maximise investments and optimise resource utilisation.

To support the work of the Platform, a Multi-Partner Trust Fund - the SDG Partnership Platform MPTF (SDG PP MPTF) - was established as the main funding instrument for mobilising donor resources. The Fund allowed to pool contributions from public and private sector into a coherent approach.

The Government of Kenya and UN Kenya have together with a broad range of stakeholders jointly developed the new UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2022-2026 for Kenya. This new UNSDCF will encompass all UN Kenya support to the Government and people of Kenya through two key Strategic Priorities on (1) People and Peace and (2) Planet and Prosperity respectively supported by (3) a cross-cutting Strategic Enabler of Partnerships. In alignment with the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 72/729, the SDG Partnership Platform MPTF is expanded to “SDG MPTF Kenya” for pooled resources to support the overall structures and aspirations of the UNSDCF. Based on the successful experience of the Platform under the UNDAF 2018-2022, the Fund will continue to support the Platform through the cross-cutting Strategic Enabler of Partnerships.

The Platform focuses on five key workstreams: 1. Ecosystems and partnership building to create an enabling environment that helps partnerships thrive; 2. Market identification and development; 3. Facilitating SDG investment pipelines; 4. Innovative financing; 5. Scaling up innovations.

The Coordinator Assistant will work in close collaboration with the rest of the SDG Partnership Platform, RCO and UN Kenya team as well as Government, private sector, NGOs, bilaterals and multilaterals and other partners. Under the direct supervision of the SDG Partnership Platform Coordinator at the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

Program Coordination 1. Provide coordination and administrative support to the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2022-2026 implementation, through the Strategic Enabler and the SDG Partnership Platform under the direction of the SDG Partnership Platform Coordinator; 2. As applicable, especially under the Strategic Enabler of Partnerships and Primary Healthcare programming, support the preparation and updating of the UN joint work plan, budget, and funding framework annually including the necessary processes in UNINFO by the Outcome Groups for achieving the Cooperation Framework outputs; 3. Proactively drive and identify opportunities for joint programmes and programming and design relevant instruments (e.g. joint programmes; joint funding, integrated policy support; joint advocacy, etc);. 4. Support evaluation of the Cooperation Framework and contribute to management response and action plans. 5. Manage program implementation of Primary Healthcare Window and take corrective timely actions as required in consultation with the Coordinator; 6. Facilitate cooperation required with diverse partners, including government institutions, the private sector, development partners,local and international organizations; 7. Foster new partnerships for the SDGs in Kenya, by: identifying potential areas for partnerships; identifying platform(s) in Africa and internationally to help fostering relationships for advancing partnerships from ideas to action; mobilization of funding and financing for the design, proof-of-concept, and scaling of new multi-stakeholder partnerships; initiating and coordinating outreach activities; 8. Coordinate activities related to proposal development, work-planning, and budget funding (programme/project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements, etc.) and prepare related documents/reports; 9. Lead on timely periodic grants management, funds and expenses tracking, and donor and internal reporting; 10. Prepare high-quality progress reports of SDG Partnership Platform projects, submitted within the set deadlines, including undertake a regular review of financial reports and records; 11. Facilitate and moderate regular update meetings with the Primary Healthcare Window members from UN agencies and external stakeholders; 12. Facilitate annual Primary Healthcare Window work plan development and management through a multi-stakeholder convening;

Operational support to programme and project implementation 1. Manage program implementation and take corrective timely actions as required in consultation with the Coordinator and broader SDG Partnership Platform team; 2. Facilitate cooperation required within inter-UN agencies for support, logistical coordination, and alignment to various UN procedures; 3. Monitor and analyse the operating environment, timely readjustment of the operations, advice on legal considerations, and risk assessment; 4. Knowledge building and sharing with regards to management and operations at the SDGPP/RCO, synthesis of lessons learnt/best practices, and sound contributions to UNCT knowledge networks and communities of practice.

· Integrity · Cultural/gender/religion/race/nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability · Organises and accurately completes multiple tasks by establishing priorities while taking into consideration special assignments, deadlines, available resources, and multiple reporting relationships · Establishes, builds, and maintains effective working relationships

the design and implementation of health programming and related investments. · Experience in Program Management tools and systems · Experience in grant management and project cycle management · Proven ICT skills especially with regards to database · Experience working in development programs and partnerships · Prior experience in resource mobilization for the United Nations or another international or development organization will be considered an asset · Good understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) · Language proficiency in both English and Kiswahili is preferred

Key Skills · Good management, resource mobilization, public relations and interpersonal skills · Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills · Excellent communication skills (written and oral) · Excellent coordination and self-management skills · Ability to work with tight deadlines · In-depth knowledge on MIS, M&E and development issues · Knowledge of monitoring and application of methodology; good understanding of capacity assessment methodologies

The incumbent will find his/her own housing arrangements in Nairobi. Nairobi is a modern metropolitan city where most basic goods and services are available locally at a reasonable cost. The city is at a high altitude, with sunny days and cooler nights. There is a short rainy season before Christmas, and longer rains fall from March to May. November to February is generally warm. No need for central heating, however, warm clothes are necessary during the rainy season. There are several transportation options in Nairobi, including taxis, buses, mini-buses, and mobile applications for transport. Public healthcare in Nairobi is generally subpar, but there are private healthcare options that are of better quality. The city is widely connected through Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and the smaller Wilson Airport. Air transport is also available to many up-country destinations. The city is home to some 3,000 UN personnel mainly attributed to the fact that it serves as the headquarters for both UN-HABITAT and UNEP, and as the UN Regional Hub for the East and Horn of Africa region. Security is an issue in Nairobi, with incidents of car-jacking and theft not uncommon. Safety and security in Nairobi varies depending on different neighborhoods, and it is important to become familiarized with safety recommendations for the city. Telecommunication system in Nairobi is generally sufficient. Internet access is generally reliable. There are fairly frequent power cuts, however, most of the shared compounds have generators. Water supply can also be an issue as Kenya often experiences drought. In these situations, expats may need to supplement their water supply by buying water tankers. Kenyans are wonderfully friendly and tolerant to visitors. English is the first language spoken here, though most Kenyans are trilingual, using tribal languages and Kiswahili.