Organization: UNV – United Nations Volunteers
Location: Kenya
Grade: Level not specified – Level not specified
Occupational Groups:
Information Technology and Computer Science
Project and Programme Management
Managerial positions
Closing Date: 2024-06-12
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.
Context
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Kenya in partnership with the Ministry of Information, Communications and Digital Economy and Microsoft propose to co-create and prototype a Center of Competency on Public Sector Digital Upskilling. This center is envisioned as a multifunctional space focused on strengthening local digital ecosystems and cultivating multi-stakeholder partnerships that will accelerate digital transformation by enhancing the culture, competencies, and capacities of Governments. This project, established through the signing of the MoU between UNDP Kenya and the Ministry of Information, Communications, and the Digital Economy (MICDE), aims to support Kenya’s digital transformation by strengthening digital skills development. The project of digital skilling aligns well with Kenya’s National Digital Master Plan (2022-2032), which identifies digital skills as a critical pillar. UNDP’s development expertise and partnership with the State Department of ICT and the Digital Economy position them to provide valuable technical assistance to the Government’s ambitions on digital transformation. The partnerships will range from academia, public service, private sector, and the development sector and aim to drive digital inclusion, a prerequisite to ensuring the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goal. The objectives of the Centre of Competency are. 1.To improve digital competencies within the public sector to accelerate digital transformation of the public sector in Kenya. 2.To enhance access to advanced technologies and thus increase efficiency, inclusion, and service delivery within government. 3.To promote a culture of innovation and experimentation embedded within the public sector, resulting in a mindset and cultural shift among public servants to drive and lead inclusive transformation towards a digital government.
Task description
UNDP Kenya is looking for a Project Manager to provide strategic and operational support and project management of the Center of Competence on Public Sector Digital Skilling. Under the direct supervision of the Program Analyst- Governance and Inclusive Growth Program, and in collaboration with the relevant teams in the country office, the position will support the development and implementation of strategic initiatives driving public sector digital skilling in the Country. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 1. Building a Digitally Savvy Public Sector (Coherence & Coordination): •Strategic Planning and Support: Collaborate with the Kenyan country office on strategic planning, implementation, and monitoring of initiatives focused on digital skilling for public sector workers. This includes aligning program goals with national digital transformation strategies and UNDP’s broader objectives. •Internal & External Collaboration: Champion internal alignment among UNDP teams and forge strong relationships with external consultants and advisors, ensuring everyone works cohesively towards the success of the project. •Project Management Expertise: Provide support for project execution, including managing timelines, milestones, and progress reporting for digital skilling initiatives. •Cross-Functional Liaison: Act as a bridge between different UNDP workstreams and external stakeholders to ensure seamless implementation of the digital skilling initiatives. 2. Scaling Up Digital Skilling Impact (Scaling Impact): •Developing a National Skilling Strategy: Lead the development of a national or regional strategy for scaling up of UNDP’s digital skilling initiatives in Kenya. This strategy will identify priority skills gaps within the public sector and outline a plan for implementing the Center of Competence. •Delivery of High-Impact Initiatives: Support the delivery of initiatives designed to maximize impact and address critical skills gaps within the Kenyan public sector workforce. •Scaling Up Success Stories: Develop regional or global expansion strategies for existing successful digital skilling projects, providing guidance and operational support to replicate their effectiveness in other contexts. •Identifying Best Practices: Continuously identify and document best practices in digital skilling, ensuring program design leverages cutting-edge approaches for maximum impact. 3. Fostering a Collaborative Ecosystem for Digital Skilling (Stakeholder Engagement): •Driving Strategic Partnerships: Spearhead partner engagement initiatives to position UNDP as a leader in supporting Kenya’s digital skilling efforts. Partnerships can include government agencies, international organizations, development agencies, private sector entities, and civil society actors. •Building Coalitions: Identify new areas for programmatic partnerships and actively engage in coalition building with key public and private sector stakeholders to strengthen program reach and effectiveness. •Organizing High-Profile Events: Plan and manage high-profile events that bring together key stakeholders, including government officials, development partners, private sector representatives, and civil society organizations, to foster collaboration and advance the digital skilling agenda in Kenya. •Aligning Programs with Partnerships: Work collaboratively with UNDP country office teams to ensure digital skilling programs are strategically aligned with existing and new partnerships to maximize impact. 4. Reporting and Efficiency (Proposal Writing and Reporting): •Concept Notes and Project Planning: Support the development of concept notes, project planning documents, and budget forecasts for digital skilling programs in Kenya. •Donor Reporting and Compliance: Coordinate all donor reporting activities, ensuring timely collection of key results, lessons learned, and other essential data for comprehensive and transparent communication with donors. •Internal Process Management: Guide the program team on internal UNDP procedures related to program implementation aspects like budgeting and contracting, ensuring compliance and smooth operation. •Progress Reporting and Monitoring: Manage progress reporting for all digital skilling program activities, providing clear and concise information on program advancement. •Cross-Functional Collaboration: Coordinate with relevant units (communications, finance) to ensure their activities support the program’s overall impact on digital skilling within the Kenyan public sector. •Financial Strategy and Efficiency: Participate in decision-making regarding funding sources and financial structures for digital skilling programs, ensuring these decisions align with the program’s resource allocation model and optimize efficiency. •Developing Cost-Effectiveness Benchmarks: Establish benchmarks and other methods to assess the cost-effectiveness of technical assistance provided through contracts, grants, and other program expenditures related to digital skilling initiatives.