UNICEF is the world’s largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, supporting child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS.
Role Overview
Under the guidance and general supervision of the Chief, Education, with a dotted reporting line to the Deputy Representative, Programme, the Programme Specialist provides technical leadership, programme management and coordination support to advance RISE Kenya’s objective of establishing multiple, flexible and safe learning pathways to quality formal and non-formal secondary education, skills development and transition opportunities for out-of-school adolescents and youth. The role will support system capacity building, technology-enabled learning, data and evidence generation, and youth engagement to drive scalable, inclusive and sustainable education.
The Programme Specialist contributes to achievement of results according to plans, allocation, results-based management approaches and methodology (RBM), as well as UNICEF’s Strategic Plans, standards of performance, and accountability framework.
The position will serve as Programme Specialist for the RISE program signed between UNICEF and Mastercard Foundation. The position is the central coordination point across government, UNICEF, Mastercard Foundation, consortium partners, development partners, and private sector stakeholders, and carries accountability for program results, risk management, and reporting to the Program Steering Committee.
Summary of Key Functions / Accountabilities
Support to Programme Development and Planning
- Support the design, adaptation and implementation of multiple, flexible and safe learning pathways, including formal and non-formal secondary education, accelerated learning, digital learning and skills development options that respond to diverse needs of out-of-school adolescents and youth.
- Support meaningful adolescent and youth engagement, including peer mobilization, youth-led advocacy and feedback mechanisms, to encourage return to learning, strengthen life and employability skills, and contribute to Kenya’s productive workforce and economic transformation. Support the preparation, design and updating of the situation analysis for the education programmes to ensure that current and comprehensive data on education issues is available to guide UNICEF’s strategic policy, advocacy, intervention and development efforts on education programmes. Help supervisor set priorities, strategies, design and implementation plans.
- Keep abreast of development trends to enhance programme management, efficiency and delivery. Participate in strategic programme discussion on planning of education programmes. Formulate, design and prepare programme proposals for the sector, ensuring alignment with UNICEF’s Strategic Plans and Country Programme and coherence/integration with UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF), regional strategies and national priorities, plans and competencies.
- Establish specific goals, objectives, strategies and implementation plans for the sector using results-based planning terminology and methodology (RBM).
- Prepare required documentations for programme review and approval. Work closely and collaboratively with cross-sector and partners to discuss strategies and methodologies, and to determine national priorities to ensure the achievement of concrete and sustainable results.
- Provide technical and operational support throughout all stages of programming processes and to ensure integration, coherence and harmonization of programmes/projects with other UNICEF sectors and achievement of results as planned and allocated.
Programme Coordination, Management, Monitoring and Delivery of Results
- Plan and collaborate with internal colleagues and external partners to establish monitoring benchmarks, performance indicators and other UNICEF/UN system indicators to assess/strengthen performance accountability, coherence and delivery of concrete and sustainable results for the assigned sector on education programmes.
- Participate in monitoring and evaluation exercises, programme reviews and annual reviews with the government and other counterparts to assess progress and to determine required action/interventions to achieve results. Prepare and assess monitoring and evaluation reports to identify gaps, strengths and weaknesses in programme management. Identify lessons learned and use knowledge gained for development planning and timely intervention to achieve goals.
- Lead generation, analysis and use of programme data, learning evidence and implementation insights to inform decision-making, guide adaptive management, support scale-up and contribute to broader education system reform.
- Actively monitor programmes/projects through field visits and surveys, and exchange information with stakeholders to assess progress, identify bottlenecks and potential problems, and take timely decisions to resolve issues and/or refer to relevant officials for timely resolution.
- Monitor and verify optimum and appropriate use of sectoral programme resources (financial, administrative and other assets) confirming compliance with organizational rules, regulations/procedures and donor commitments, standards of accountability and integrity, ensuring timely reporting and liquidation of resources. Prepare regular and mandated programme reports for management, donors and partners to keep them informed of programme progress.
Technical and Operational Support to Programme Implementation
- Provide technical guidance and operational support to government counterparts, NGO partners, UN system partners and country office partners and donors on interpretation, application and understanding of UNICEF policies, strategies, processes and best practices and approaches on education, adolescent and youth empowerment and livelihood to support programme management, implementation and delivery of results.
- Coordinate capacity-building initiatives for government, implementing partners, education providers and community structures to deliver flexible, inclusive and technology-enabled secondary education and skills development pathways at scale.
- Liaise with technical experts in HQ/centre of excellence to ensure timely and appropriate support throughout the programming process. Participate in relevant programme meetings including programme development and contingency planning to provide technical and operational information, advice and support. Draft policy papers, briefs and other strategic programme materials for management use.
Networking and Partnership Building
- Build and sustain effective close working partnerships with relevant government counterparts, national stakeholders, global partners, donors, academia, youth groups and private sector through active networking, advocacy and effective communication to build capacity, exchange knowledge/expertise and to reinforce cooperation to achieve sustainable and broad results on education programmes.
- Map and mobilize private sector actors to join efforts and co-invest in digital platforms, safe spaces, and youth skilling programs, ensuring that market-driven opportunities continue to be available to graduates long after program’s initial investment period. Prepare communication and information materials for CO programme advocacy to promote awareness, establish partnerships and support fund raising for education programmes.
Innovation, Knowledge Management and Capacity Building
- Apply and introduce innovative approaches and good practices to build the capacity of partners and stakeholders and to support the implementation and delivery of concrete and sustainable programme results. Keep abreast, research, benchmark, and implement best practices in education management, edtech and livelihood programmes targeting youth.
- Assess, institutionalize and share best practices and knowledge learned.
- Contribute to the development and implementation of policies and procedures to ensure optimum efficiency and efficacy of sustainable programmes and projects. Organize and implement capacity building initiatives to enhance competencies of clients/stakeholders to promote sustainable results on education and related programmes/projects.
Qualifications and Experience
- Education: Master or equivalent (Advanced University Degree) in Education, management, development economics, psychology, sociology or another relevant technical field.
- Work Experience: At least 5 years of relevant work experience in education systems reform, workforce development or large-scale social sector program leadership, including in a program leadership or country-level coordination role; demonstrated experience in managing multi-partner, multi-donor high-value programs at national scale; track record of translating program delivery into policy influence and institutional change; experience in managing multi-million program budgets.
- Skills: Technical understanding of global development issues and their linkages with education, youth skilling, employability, and inter-sectoral programming. Knowledge of global development in secondary education, youth empowerment, equity, human rights-based programming, and international engagement strategies. Ability to support policy dialogue with government, partners, private sector, CSOs, and academia. Experience with EdTech or digital learning at scale.
- Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required.
Desirables
- Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.
- Prior experience working with UNICEF, UN, Mastercard Foundation, or private sector with comparable governance systems.
- Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings, and humanitarian contexts.
