Programme Management Officer (Fixed Term Limited), NOD

Org. Setting and Reporting

The Sustainable Development Goals Multi-Partner Trust Fund (SDG MPTF) Kenya is a country-level pooled financing mechanism established in June 2022 to support the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development through integrated United Nations programming under the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF). The Fund promotes joint programming, pooled financing and coordinated action by United Nations entities in support of Kenya’s national development priorities and the broader UN Development System Reform agenda. Since its establishment, the Fund has mobilized over USD 35.8 million in commitments and supported fifteen joint programmes implemented by seventeen Participating UN Organizations (PUNOs), spanning all three strategic priorities of the UNSDCF. Hosted within the Resident Coordinator’s Office (RCO), the SDG MPTF Secretariat serves as the central coordination mechanism for the Fund, providing strategic, technical, fiduciary and administrative support to the Resident Coordinator in his/her capacity as Chair of the Fund Board, to Participating UN Organizations, development partners and national stakeholders. The Secretariat is responsible for coordinating joint programming processes, supporting governance mechanisms, managing Fund allocations, overseeing monitoring and reporting, facilitating risk management, and ensuring compliance with MPTF Office policies and procedures. Working under the overall strategic guidance of the Resident Coordinator and the direct supervision of the Head of the Resident Coordinator’s Office, the incumbent will lead the Secretariat’s support to the Resident Coordinator in developing and managing, with the Government of Kenya, the Cooperation Framework portfolios.

Responsibilities

1. Lead the Secretariat's day-to-day operations and supervise the Deputy Fund Manager / Programme Specialist (NOC), delivering the Fund's strategic objectives, work plans and governance decisions. 2. Serve as Secretary to the Fund Board and lead the Technical Review Committees and other governance mechanisms, ensuring compliance with the Fund's Terms of Reference and quality assurance of all proposals before they go to the Board. 3. Lead, with Government counterparts, the design of Cooperation Framework portfolios: convene national and county institutions, UN entities, international financial institutions, development partners and the private sector to agree each portfolio's results, theory of change and respective roles. 4. Co-manage portfolios with Government through joint coordination arrangements chaired or co-chaired by Government, tracking progress against national priorities and the overall resource gap across Government, partner and UN sources. 5. Keep joint programmes as instruments inside portfolios: convene the heads of programmes of Participating UN Organizations (PUNOs) to design and appraise a limited number of joint programmes where collective UN action adds value, and manage allocation rounds and calls for proposals. 6. Advise the Resident Coordinator and Head of RCO on pooled financing, the portfolio approach and UN Development System reform, and analyse political, economic and development trends to inform investment and adaptive programming. 7. Ensure gender equality, human rights, youth, climate resilience, disability inclusion, conflict sensitivity and Leave No One Behind are built into portfolio design, results and monitoring. 8. Lead the Fund's resource mobilization strategy and an investment pipeline aligned to portfolio priorities and Government financing plans, engaging donors, international financial institutions, foundations, climate funds and the private sector to unlock blended and innovative finance. 9. Act as principal liaison between the RCO, the MPTF Office, PUNOs, development partners and Government, overseeing Fund agreements, disbursements and compliance with the Administrative Agent's procedures. 10. Oversee financial performance, results-based monitoring, evaluation and risk management, and ensure consolidated reporting to the Board, Government, donors and the MPTF Office at portfolio and Fund level, drawing on Government data systems where possible. 11. Lead knowledge products and lessons learned from portfolios and Fund-supported programmes, and promote innovation in integrated programming, financing and partnerships. 12. Perform other related duties as required.

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM: Strong knowledge of pooled financing, joint programming and programme management, and be able to apply it to Government-led portfolios and Fund-supported programmes, including analysing the overall resource gap across Government, partner and UN sources. The ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. Shows pride in work and in achievements. Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter. Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results. Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns. Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges. Remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work CLIENT ORIENTATION: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view. Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect. Identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions. Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems. Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects. Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client. VISION: Identifies strategic issues, opportunities and risks. Clearly communicates links between the Organization’s strategy and the work unit’s goals. Generates and communicates broad and compelling organizational direction, inspiring others to pursue that same direction. Conveys enthusiasm about future possibilities. LEADERSHIP: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow. Empowers others to translate vision into results. Is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives. Establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support. Anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions. Drives for change and improvement; does not accept the status quo. Shows the courage to take unpopular stands

Education

Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in development studies/international development, economics, international relations, political science, governance and public policy, social sciences, or related field is required. A first-level university degree in the aforementioned fields, in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is desirable.

Job - Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in in the field of development in developing countries, including at least five years at managerial level involving inter-agency or multi-stakeholder coordination is required. At least 5 years of experience in fund management, specifically pooled funding modalities, including joint programme design, allocation processes, fiduciary oversight and results-based reporting is required. At least 5 years of experience in donor engagement, resource mobilization and coordination with UN agencies, including experience convening and coordinating senior counterparts across multiple organizations is required. At least 5 experience supervising professional staff and managing teams, work plans and budgets is desirable. Experience facilitating and leading high-level multi-stakeholder consultations with governments, UN entities and development partners is desirable. Experience working in the UN and Delivering as One is desirable. 2 years or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. Either Swahili or Kiswahili is desirable. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult https://languages.un.org for details).

Required Languages

Language Reading Writing Listening Speaking

English UN Level II UN Level II UN Level II UN Level II

Desirable Languages

Language Reading Writing Listening Speaking

Swahili UN Level I UN Level I UN Level I UN Level I

Kiswahili UN Level I UN Level I UN Level I UN Level I

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

The appointment against this position is limited to the United Nations Office at Nairobi. Appointment against this post is for an initial period of 1 (one) year and renewal thereof are subject to the availability of the post or funds, budgetary approval or extension of the mandate. Appointment for this position will be for a limited duration and do not carry any expectancy, legal or otherwise, of renewal External candidate selected for this position will be granted a fixed-term appointment limited ("FTA- limited") in accordance with section 2.2 (b) of administrative instruction ST/AI/2013/1 on Administration of fixed-term appointments. Renewal of appointment is contingent upon continued existence of mandate and availability of funding. If this position is discontinued, the incumbent will be separated from service. United Nations Secretariat staff members who meet the definition of "internal candidate" in staff rule 4.10 who are selected for this position subject to limitation will retain their current appointment status and will be reassigned or transferred to the position, without a lien to their parent position. THIS POSITION IS OPEN TO NATIONALS OF KENYA. National Professional Officer category shall be of the nationality of the country where this position is located and will be recruited in the country or within commuting distance of the office. If no suitable local candidate is identified, Kenyan nationals residing elsewhere may be considered, in which case the candidate would be responsible for any costs related to traveling and relocating to Kenya in the event of an employment offer. This position is subject to local recruitment pursuant to staff rule 4.4 of the United Nations Staff Rules. All staff in the General Service and related categories shall be recruited in the country or within commuting distance of each office, irrespective of their nationality and of the length of time they may have been in the country. A staff member subject to local recruitment shall not be eligible for the allowances or benefits exclusively applicable to international recruitment. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. Internal Applicants: When completing the form, ensure ALL fields, ALL professional experience and contact information are completed and up to date. This information is the basis for the hiring manager to assess your eligibility and suitability for the position and to contact you. Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures. At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply on-line as soon as possible after the job opening has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the job opening. Online applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. In such cases, please resubmit the application, if necessary. If the problem persists, please seek technical assistance through the Inspira "Need Help?" link.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. All external candidates recruited in accordance with section ‎2.2 (a) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment without limitation and all external candidates recruited in accordance with section 2.2. (c) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment limited to the entity are subject to an initial probationary period of one year under a fixed-term appointment. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.