BACKGROUND

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

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Under the current innovative efforts of the SDG Partnership Platform at the UN in Kenya – building upon the groundbreaking experience of the SDG Philanthropy Platform in Kenya in creation of pathways for private sector, philanthropy and civil society engagements beyond the UNDAF into the new UNSDCF 2022-26 and its SDG implementation processes. The broadening and deepening of UN and other stakeholder financing engagements and collaborations especially with private sector and philanthropy has become a critical priority and opportunity for UN in Kenya.  The SDG Philanthropy Platform has been a global initiative that connects foundations and philanthropists with knowledge and networks that can deepen collaboration, leverage resources and sustain impact. The SDG Philanthropy Platform in Kenya, as the first country launch globally, is a unique player combining deep understanding of government and philanthropy, access to various data sources, and use of robust networks to provide the tools, and guidance needed to co-create and scale promising solutions. This led to the expansion into the SDG partnership Platform, launched by the Government of Kenya with UN Kenya support at the UNGA 2017. It has since demonstrated a unique ability to convene, connect and catalyse SDG Partnerships, Financing and Investments to support the aspirations of UN Kenya as it negotiates the evolution of financing flows as an emerging MIC to transit from SDG Funding to Financing as advocated by the UN Secretary General. Whilst the work of the private sector and foundations likely already covers most of the areas encompassed by the SDGs, engaging with these key stakeholders to unlock a broader range and larger quantum of financing can facilitate innovations in terms of existing work and provide new opportunities to more effectively invest in transformative projects that are SDG aligned. This increases appeal to the enlightened self-interest of all sectors in terms of shared value to converge and collaborate their investments and intellectual and implementation capacities. It is equally opportune to use this expertise to guide UN agencies in Kenya and their National and County Government counterparts to deepen their understanding on creating the enabling environment of the right conditions, stewardship and incentives for attracting and de-risking private and philanthropic capital flows for development.

The Platform has gained strong visibility and positions in Kenya and more broadly across Africa and globally on its unique role in forging multistakeholder partnerships between philanthropic organizations, private sector, the United Nations and other development partners, governments, and civil society – including social enterprises – to achieving our collective SDG aspirations. 7 UN teams across Africa have expressed interest to emulate and adapt this Platform model with support from the Coordinator in their own contexts following a DCO facilitated Africa wide workshop help in Nairobi recently. The Platform shows high potential and promise to strongly support the new Strategic Enabler and through it the Strategic priorities of People & Peace and Planet & Prosperity that comprise the recently approved UNSDCF 2022-2026 for Kenya. 

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the overall supervision of the UN RC, and direct liaison with the Head of RCO, the Senior Advisor will oversee the effective coordination and implementation of the new expanded and successful SDG Partnership Platform (comprising of approximately 5-6 staff members including UNV/IUNV) that will support the new UNSDCF in Kenya.  She/he will also coordinate linkages between the Platform and SDG stakeholders in Kenya across diverse sectors including the private sector and philanthropy project to drive strategic complementarity and support for the UNSDCF principle of “Delivering as One.” She/he will also support the expansion of the Platform’s MPTF to become an SDG Kenya MPTF to underwrite the entire UNSDCF with new windows for earmarking donor funds created under the leadership of the UNCT Kenya led by the UN Resident Coordinator. She/he will also lead on multistakeholder Platforms and Network of strategic value co-created with the private sector and philanthropy including blended financing providers. Overall, as Senior Adviser, She/he will advise the UNRC on broader engagements and partnerships with multistakeholders with a particular focus on Private sector and Philanthropy as the context for the UN in Kenya evolves.

Key duties and accountabilities include:

Take the conceptualization and design of the SDG Partnership Platform 2.0 in Kenya to the next level to accelerate SDG partnerships, investments and financing in Kenya in support of the new UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2022-2026:

• In support of the UNCT Kenya, support review of the overall design of the Platform with governance & management structures to support the overarching new UNSDCF structures, outcomes and linkages 
• Support design of additional priority SDG Accelerator windows of the Platform to respond to updated UN-Government priorities and emerging thematic opportunities and joint programs including the Platform’s relevant Steering Committees and the Fund Board and Secretariat. 
• Support review, set up and innovation of the Platform’s future multistakeholder structures, funding and sustainability with the objective of UNSDCF-UNCT joint resource mobilisation.
• As required, assist to review and refine the Multi Partner Trust Fund and funding flows for the Platform in collaboration with senior leadership including the RCO team, SDG Partnership Platform governance, and the MTPF Office in New York in preparation for rolling into the UN Kenya Fund.

Lead the positioning, partnership cultivation, engagements and negotiations for financial resource mobilization and in-kind and intellectual contributions to continue to operationalize, expand and sustain the SDG Partnership Platform:

• Further strengthen the positioning of the SDG Partnership Platform in the Kenya ecosystem for funding and financing of the SDGs.
• Identify high level outreach, resource-mobilization, intellectual and shared-value investment opportunities across multistakeholders engaging with the SDG Partnership Platform. 
• Continue to support existing SDG accelerator windows both with the private sector, Government and relevant stakeholders.
• Continue efforts to engage with relevant partners and opportunities to support future high priority thematic sectors and cross cutting enablers e.g., green energy, ICT, youth

Support the UN RCO and UN Kenya on pathways and approaches for deeper engagement with private sector and philanthropy to accelerate SDG implementation in Kenya: 

• Sensitize UN Kenya colleagues on opportunities and modalities of working with private sector and philanthropy and facilitate appropriate linkages as requested.
• Support the UN Resident Coordinator and work in close liaison with the program officer for partnerships & financing to foster stronger coordination within the UN system on engagement with the Private sector and Philanthropy in Kenya.
• Facilitate deeper understanding and motivation with Philanthropy and Private sector partners on the transformative value of collective impact opportunities aligned with the SDGs preferably with UN leadership and participation.
• Support South-South collaborations on partnerships, financing & investment opportunities

Lead, coordinate and advise on strengthening the UN Resident Coordinator Office function on promoting SDG financing, investments and collaborative action including an impact financing Task Force across multi-stakeholder platforms and initiatives:

• Continue leadership on the Task Force to help establish a National Advisory Board for Kenya on engaging and promoting an enabling environment and on matching demand and supply for impactful private capital investments across key financing networks in Kenya.
• Support the evolving SDG Funding to Financing policies and private capital expansion enabling opportunities in Kenya through convergence of a range of relevant private and public stakeholders to support SDG financing needs including UN Global Compact.
• Support promotion of financing partnerships and modalities to fill gaps and expand on blended finance opportunities such as impact investments, venture philanthropy, and debt, equity, guarantee and de-risking arrangements.

Strengthen and expand SDG ecosystem joint platforms and networks with private sector, philanthropy and other multistakeholders to continue positioning the SDG Partnership Platform, RCO and UN Kenya within the broader ecosystem for funding and financing of the SDGs: 

• Maintain strong and regular positioning relating to the RCO, UN Kenya and the SDG Partnership Platform including conferences, speeches, panels, public relations, social media messages and achieving high visibility among peer organizations.
• Expand UN access to credible multistakeholder networks on SDG partnerships including the Kenya SDG Forum, the Kenya Philanthropy Forum, the Kenya Private Sector Alliance and other private networks, Global Compact Kenya, and relevant National and County Government counterparts.

Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities:

• Oversee strategic directions and contributions as well as the continued successful functioning of the SDG Partnership Platform in alignment with the new UNSDCF and lead a team of technical and operational staff in its Secretariat and strategically support multiple Platforms and networks in the Kenya ecosystem that contribute to the success of the Platform and more broadly the UNSDCF.

COMPETENCIES

Core Competencies:

• Achieve Results:  LEVEL 4: Prioritize team workflow, mobilize resources, drive scalable results/strategic impact
• Think Innovatively:  LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems 
• Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences
• Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands 
• Act with Determination:  LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results
• Engage and Partner: LEVEL 4: Construct strategic multi-partner alliances in high stake situations, foster co-creation 
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion:  LEVEL 4: Create ethical culture, identify/address barriers to inclusion 

People Management Competencies: 

• UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.

Cross-Functional & Technical Competencies: 

Business Direction & Strategy: Strategic Thinking

• Ability to develop effective strategies and prioritized plans in line with UNDP’s objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, potential risks and opportunities; linking the vision to reality on the ground, and creating tangible solutions
• Ability to leverage learning from a variety of sources to anticipate and respond to future trends; to demonstrate foresight in order to model what future developments and possible ways forward look like for UNDP

Business Direction & Strategy: Entrepreneurial Thinking

• Ability to create clarity around UNDP value proposition to beneficiaries and partners and to develop service offers responding to client needs based on UNDP’s organizational priorities and mandate

Business Direction & Strategy: Negotiation and Influence

• Ability to reach an understanding, persuade others, resolve points of difference, gain advantage in the outcome of dialogue, negotiates mutually acceptable solutions through compromise and creates ‘win-win’ situations

Business Development: Portfolio Management

• Ability to select, prioritise and control the organization’s programmes and projects, in line with its strategic objectives and capacity; ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives and the maintenance of business-as-usual, while optimising return on investment

Business Direction & Strategy: Integration within the UN

• Ability to identity, and integrate capacity and assets of the UN system, and engage in joint work; knowledge of the UN System and ability to apply this knowledge to strategic and/or practical situations

Business Management: Partnerships management

• Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies

QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

• Master’s degree in International Development, Development Financing Institutions, Business Administration, International Relations or another relevant field 
• OR
• Bachelor’s degree with 2 additional years of relevant experience may be considered in lieu of Masters Degree.

Experience, Knowledge, and Skills: 

• A minimum of 10 years of relevant experience (with a Master’s degree) in private sector development including financing involvement in philanthropy is required. 
• OR 
• A minimum of 12 years of relevant experience (with a Bachelor’s degree) in private sector development including financing involvement in philanthropy is required. 
• UN system experience in East Africa is desirable
• Strong credibility and deep knowledge and understanding through direct experience of Philanthropy and Private Sector especially in Kenya and the East Africa region with existing linkages and credible relationships.
• Deep knowledge of the local development frameworks, processes and dynamics as well as key development stakeholders in Kenya and/or the region across the philanthropy, private sector, multilateral and bilateral donors and civil society as well as Government. 
• Strong knowledge and understanding of development challenges and opportunities for engagement in Kenya especially across a wide range of thematic areas.
• Proven track record in resource mobilization for programmes.
• Sound understanding of the potential role of philanthropy and private sector as well as financing and investments promotion in National development processes across public and private sectors and related SDG impacts.
• Strong writing, verbal and analytical skills in English. Basic verbal skills in Kiswahili would be an advantage.

Please note that continuance of appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.

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