Project Officer
Kenya
- Organization: UNV - United Nations Volunteers
- Location: Kenya
- Grade: National UN Volunteer Specialist
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Occupational Groups:
- Project and Programme Management
- Closing Date: Closed
Details
Mission and objectives
UNDP works in 170 countries and territories to eradicate poverty while protecting the planet. We help countries develop strong policies, skills, partnerships and institutions so they can sustain their progress
The primary and overarching objective of United Nations Development Programme in Kenya is the eradication of poverty in the context of sustainable development, including the pursuit of the Sustainable Development Goals, and promotion of United Nations fundamental principles. A core dimension to the work of UNDP in Kenya is on Democratic Governance given the national focus on governance reforms. UNDP supports the country’s efforts towards achieving the Vision 2030 Political Pillar, which envisions a democratic system that is issue-based, people-centered, results oriented and accountable to the public. This Political Pillar gears to transform the country’s political governance across five strategic areas; The Rule of Law, Electoral and Political Processes, Democracy and Public Service Delivery, Transparency and Accountability, Security Peace Building and Conflict Management. These strategic areas are anchored in the Constitution, promulgated in August 2010 marking a major milestone in the democratic journey of Kenya and set a new threshold in terms of people-centred development.
The primary and overarching objective of United Nations Development Programme in Kenya is the eradication of poverty in the context of sustainable development, including the pursuit of the Sustainable Development Goals, and promotion of United Nations fundamental principles. A core dimension to the work of UNDP in Kenya is on Democratic Governance given the national focus on governance reforms. UNDP supports the country’s efforts towards achieving the Vision 2030 Political Pillar, which envisions a democratic system that is issue-based, people-centered, results oriented and accountable to the public. This Political Pillar gears to transform the country’s political governance across five strategic areas; The Rule of Law, Electoral and Political Processes, Democracy and Public Service Delivery, Transparency and Accountability, Security Peace Building and Conflict Management. These strategic areas are anchored in the Constitution, promulgated in August 2010 marking a major milestone in the democratic journey of Kenya and set a new threshold in terms of people-centred development.
Context
This UNV assignment is part of UNDP’s programme on strengthening efforts on peacebuilding and preventing violent extremism in the East Africa region. UNDP takes a developmental approach to conflict prevention, PVE, peacebuilding, and crisis response. UNDP and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA)’s have embarked on new strategic partnership aims to strengthen peacebuilding and the Prevention of Violent Extremism (PVE) in the East African region “Building Resilience and Community Empowerment for Peace (BRACE4PEACE), focusing on Kenya, Somalia, and South Sudan. (2024-2027). The initiative is both in line with the KOICA’s efforts to operationalize the Humanitarian-Peace-Development (HDP) Nexus implementation strategy and with the existing UNDP Strategic Plan 2022-2025, UNDP’s “Crisis Offer: A Framework for Development Solutions to Crisis and Fragility (2022)”; the Governance and Peacebuilding Framework for Africa (Pillar 1: Early Warning and Prevention); the priorities under the Regional Framework for Arab States “Development as a Pathway for Conflict Prevention and Recovery (2023); and contributions to the implementation of UNDP’s Regional Programmes for Africa and the Arab States, as well as UNDP’s Strategic Offer for Africa. The primary objective of the programme is to strengthen communities’ resilience to VE and conflict, fostering an environment more conducive to sustaining peace in East Africa. The five key expected outcomes are:
1. Socio-economic resilience and livelihood capacities of at-risk youth and other vulnerable populations in target locations strengthened.
2. Community-level violent extremism early warning and response (EWER) mechanisms that also integrate climate security are enhanced.
3. Governance and oversight of religious institutions are strengthened to enhance resilience against violent extremism.
4. Community-based reintegration initiatives support both returnees and community members, and mental health and psychological support (MHPSS) capacities in affected communities are enhanced.
5. Sub-regional analysis and engagement platforms inform national and local policies, strategies, and responses.
1. Socio-economic resilience and livelihood capacities of at-risk youth and other vulnerable populations in target locations strengthened.
2. Community-level violent extremism early warning and response (EWER) mechanisms that also integrate climate security are enhanced.
3. Governance and oversight of religious institutions are strengthened to enhance resilience against violent extremism.
4. Community-based reintegration initiatives support both returnees and community members, and mental health and psychological support (MHPSS) capacities in affected communities are enhanced.
5. Sub-regional analysis and engagement platforms inform national and local policies, strategies, and responses.
Task description
To support in the realization of the above outcomes, a Project Officer (UNV) will be recruited to perform the following tasks:
Support the programme team to ensure effective project planning and implementation.
• Compile and summarize information and data for the formulation of program work plans, draft annual/quarterly budgets, proposals on implementation arrangements, and on other specific project related topics or issues.
• Provide comprehensive support in all aspects of programme implementation in accordance with the project documents, annual work plans and other agreements between UNDP and responsible partners.
• Ensure quality of delivery by consultants, beneficiaries, and contracted companies; and communicate findings to the supervisor.
• Ensure compliance of project business processes with UNDP Project Operational Policies and Procedures (POPP) and UNDP Standard Operating Procedures (SOP). When necessary, provide guidance to project staff on business processes, administrative and other requirements and procedures.
• Support mainstreaming gender equality in the project implementation, including in data collection and compilation. Prepare gender equality background materials for use in discussions, briefings, and correspondence.
• Provide administrative and logistical support to ensure successful project delivery that includes organizing/coordinating project events and selecting appropriate venues, coordinating project procurement procedures, maintaining project records and files and supporting contracting activities.
Support partnerships and resource mobilization.
• Establish and maintain contacts and cooperation with the relevant UN Agencies, government institutions, NGOs, tertiary institutions, partners, and other relevant stakeholders. Provide support in updating the database of the relevant public and development partners, and other stakeholders who are counterparts for the programme.
• Ensure regular communication and coordination with partners, project counterparts, stakeholders, and beneficiaries; and develop and maintain effective mechanisms for integrating and responding to their feedback and insight.
• Support creation of high-quality information and visibility of the project activities among the stakeholders; and ensure careful selection of communication tools and tailoring the messages to take into account the overall socio-political and development context in target counties.
• Undertake horizon scanning and explore opportunities for resource mobilization in consultation with direct supervisor.
Support knowledge building, knowledge sharing and capacity building relevant to the assigned project.
• Participate in training and organize briefings on internal procedures for the project staff. Provide support to other capacity building activities, including to the design and delivery of tools, materials for workshops, or platforms that tap into the collective intelligence of communities and mobilize action.
• Provide support in the dissemination and sharing of relevant data and lessons learned within the CO and regionally. Keep pulse on emerging best practices nationally, regionally, and internationally that relate to the work of the assigned project.
• Make sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice. Support compiling and systematizing project knowledge, products and tools as well as their wide distribution to partners.
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Support the programme team to ensure effective project planning and implementation.
• Compile and summarize information and data for the formulation of program work plans, draft annual/quarterly budgets, proposals on implementation arrangements, and on other specific project related topics or issues.
• Provide comprehensive support in all aspects of programme implementation in accordance with the project documents, annual work plans and other agreements between UNDP and responsible partners.
• Ensure quality of delivery by consultants, beneficiaries, and contracted companies; and communicate findings to the supervisor.
• Ensure compliance of project business processes with UNDP Project Operational Policies and Procedures (POPP) and UNDP Standard Operating Procedures (SOP). When necessary, provide guidance to project staff on business processes, administrative and other requirements and procedures.
• Support mainstreaming gender equality in the project implementation, including in data collection and compilation. Prepare gender equality background materials for use in discussions, briefings, and correspondence.
• Provide administrative and logistical support to ensure successful project delivery that includes organizing/coordinating project events and selecting appropriate venues, coordinating project procurement procedures, maintaining project records and files and supporting contracting activities.
Support partnerships and resource mobilization.
• Establish and maintain contacts and cooperation with the relevant UN Agencies, government institutions, NGOs, tertiary institutions, partners, and other relevant stakeholders. Provide support in updating the database of the relevant public and development partners, and other stakeholders who are counterparts for the programme.
• Ensure regular communication and coordination with partners, project counterparts, stakeholders, and beneficiaries; and develop and maintain effective mechanisms for integrating and responding to their feedback and insight.
• Support creation of high-quality information and visibility of the project activities among the stakeholders; and ensure careful selection of communication tools and tailoring the messages to take into account the overall socio-political and development context in target counties.
• Undertake horizon scanning and explore opportunities for resource mobilization in consultation with direct supervisor.
Support knowledge building, knowledge sharing and capacity building relevant to the assigned project.
• Participate in training and organize briefings on internal procedures for the project staff. Provide support to other capacity building activities, including to the design and delivery of tools, materials for workshops, or platforms that tap into the collective intelligence of communities and mobilize action.
• Provide support in the dissemination and sharing of relevant data and lessons learned within the CO and regionally. Keep pulse on emerging best practices nationally, regionally, and internationally that relate to the work of the assigned project.
• Make sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice. Support compiling and systematizing project knowledge, products and tools as well as their wide distribution to partners.
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
This vacancy is now closed.