Result of Service

1. Provides substantive support for the development and implementation of UN Country Team (UNCT) data (with a focus on SDG data) and research strategies, especially as they relate to collective analysis and programming 2. Develops and expands strategic research and data partnerships 3. Coordinates monitoring and reporting of UNCT results under the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 4. Supports knowledge management and capacity development relating to (SDG) data

Work Location

Kenya

Expected duration

7 Months

Duties and Responsibilities

Organizational Setting and Reporting Relationships: The Resident Coordinator’s Office supports the work of the UN Resident Coordinator and coordinates activities of the UN Country Team in its engagement with the Kenya Government as defined by the UN Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2022-2026.The United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) is a core instrument for providing a coherent, strategic direction for UN development activities by all UN entities at country level. It guides the UN system in planning and implementing UN development activities at country level, as well as in mobilizing a spectrum of development partners beyond the United Nations. The UNSDCF- Kenya 2022-2026, therefore, represents the collective agreement of the UN Kenya’s agencies, funds and programmes and the Government of Kenya for UN Kenya to support the national priorities of Kenya as expressed in Vision 2030 to address national priorities and gaps in its pathway towards meeting the SDGs through the collective promise to leave no one behind. The Resident Coordinator is leading and strategically positioning the United Nations country team in Kenya to respond to the current national priorities, mainly to Kenya’s Vision 2030, Medium-Term Plan III and the Big Four Agenda. The Office has five core functions: • Strategic Planning • Economics • Partnerships and development finance • Data and results management and reporting • Communications and advocacy The position is located in the United Nations Resident Coordination Office (RCO) in multiple countries and typically reports to the Senior Development Coordination Officer, Strategic Planning and RCO Team Leader. Responsibilities: Within delegated authority, the will be responsible for the following duties: Description of Functions: 1. Provides substantive support for the development and implementation of the UNCT data and research strategies, especially as they relate to collective analysis and programming • Plans and facilitates the design, research, strategy and implementation of the UNCT’s data and research strategy, especially in support of the Common Country Analysis (CCA) and UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework. • Plans and facilitates the design of an implementation plan for the SG Strategy on Data, or facilitates the development of UNCT data strategy where appropriate. • Undertakes empirical analysis, data mining and visualization to assist the Resident Coordinator (RC) and UNCT, including results groups, in developing reports and working papers on a range of sustainable development topics; • Collects information on and becomes familiar with the use of new types of data sources and tools (e.g. big data, citizen generated data) for sustainable development; • Provides substantive and analytical support to RC/UNCT in preparing and positioning the UN to accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the country, including the drafting of reports, as well as analytical and position papers; • Undertakes research and development of data and research UNCT tools and methodologies at the country level, working collaboratively with UN and development partners; • Locates and defines new data analysis process improvement opportunities • Contributes substantively to the development and implementation of peer review and quality assurance mechanisms for UNCT research products; • Acts as the administrator for UNINFO, supports and coordinates the inputs from the UN Country Team into UNINFO and facilitates the development of the UN Kenya Results Report. 2. Develops and expands strategic research and data partnerships, including with UN entities at regional and HQ level, government counterparts, research institutes, leading global thinkers on development, and civil society, among others. • Supports the work of the UNCT with national data and statistical systems, facilitating engagement with national entities and data systems; • Communicates and coordinates with existing partners and helps form new partnerships with UN agencies, academia, the private sector, and governmental agencies to further the use of data science for development; • Collects information on the latest developments of the use of new types of data sources and tools (e.g. big data, citizen data) for sustainable development, including sourcing of private sector partnerships • Communicates and coordinates with internal and external partners on data collection and project/research implementation; • Supports the convening of key thinkers on sustainable development and 2030 Agenda to provide inputs for, advise and steer the UNCT’s research and data agenda; • Assists in strengthening the UNCT’s partnerships with research institutions and similar entities across the UN system through concrete collaboration on areas of the 2030 agenda. 3. Coordinates monitoring and reporting of UNCT results under the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework • Supports inter-agency efforts on results and progress monitoring and reporting on the Cooperation Framework and Joint Programmes, particularly through the UNINFO platform; • Provides quality assurance review of the Cooperation Framework monitoring and evaluation (M&E) framework and results reporting to country, regional and global levels; • Supports independent evaluations of Cooperation Frameworks as a key element of the programme cycle and other interagency work related to monitoring, evaluation and reporting; • Serves as RCO focal point for country-level, regional and global M&E initiatives and networks. 4. Supports knowledge management and capacity development related to data and monitoring • Facilitates the sharing of data good practices within the UNCT and with UNCTs in the (sub)region and globally, based on a solid understanding of the incentives that people need to utilize knowledge; • Advocates for knowledge sharing around the SDG data and reporting strategies, inspiring others within the RCO and UNCT to contribute their expertise through internal and external platforms and tools and working closely with colleagues at the regional level to ensure usable knowledge is shared between and applied by UNCTs. • Identifies good practices and lessons learned at the different levels of the UN System (national, regional and global) and share findings with HQ, Regional and country colleagues so that best practices benefit UN’s work including through the UNSDG good practices database; • Plans and facilitates the UNCT’s exchange of best practice, trends, knowledge and lessons learned with external partners; • Organizes thematic activities and knowledge-sharing forums and encourages others to participate; • Contributes to knowledge sharing (including through training and peer exchange) amongst UN staff on issues related to UN strategic planning frameworks, methodologies and tools including through the DCO managed communities of practice; • Draws upon other UN experiences, lessons learned and knowledge networking to provide contributions to strategic planning processes.

Qualifications/special skills

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in business or public administration, information management, statistics, sustainable development, social sciences, education or related area is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in providing strategic support to research and data (especially SDG data) initiatives, research and analysis, in the context of development cooperation or related area is required.

Languages

Fluency in one of the working languages of the UN Secretariat, English or French, is required; knowledge of the other is desirable. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

Additional Information

Not available.

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.