Programme Specialist, NO-C, Early Childhood Development (ECD) - Kenya Nationals Only

The overall objective of the position is to provide technical leadership in the design development, planning, implementation and coordination along with monitoring and evaluation of the Early Childhood Development Project, Let’s Play for Change, Spaces for Kids to be Kids, to be implemented in Samburu and Isiolo counties. Overall the Programme Specialist is responsible for the successful delivery and implementation of the project, and will ensure efficiency, effectiveness and accomplishment of project goals and objectives and oversee the project activities, data analysis and progress reporting.

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For 70 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children's survival, protection and development. The world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports 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. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.

Purpose of the Position

The Spaces for Kids to be Kids project is a 3 year project that require a full-time technical specialist to manage and oversee the implementation of a quality Integrated Early Childhood Development (IECD) programme. This project will apply a multisectoral approach and will be enhanced through seamless coordination between all children line ministries, national and county governments as well ECD stakeholders. Importantly the involvement of Community Leaders, family members and children in the planning and implementation process will be a key strategy for project effectiveness. Therefore the Programme Manager will safeguard the quality of the program with a focus to evidence generation, system strengthening with an overall goal to scale up to other counties. Through the signed agreement with IKEA, UNICEF Kenya made a commitment to hire a national programme Specialist.

Scope of Work

The overall objective of the position is to provide technical leadership in the design development, planning, implementation and coordination along with monitoring and evaluation of the Early Childhood Development Project, Let's Play for Change, Spaces for Kids to be Kids, to be implemented in Samburu and Isiolo counties. Overall the Programme Specialist is responsible for the successful delivery and implementation of the project, and will ensure efficiency, effectiveness and accomplishment of project goals and objectives and oversee the project activities, data analysis and progress reporting.

Specifically, the Programme Specialist under the overall guidance of the Chief of Education and with technical input from the Chiefs of Health and Nutrition will:

• Support and lead effectively the Space for kids to be Kids project planning, development and management by guiding, coordinating and supporting implementing partners in all aspects of the programme delivery.
• Collaborate with UNICEF outcomes teams to promote multi sectoral programming responses to achieve ECD outcomes, with an emphasis on Health, Nutrition, Early Learning, Child Protection and WASH.
• Ensure exchange of data, information, and experience to help identify and document new strategies and courses of action to accelerate/improve delivery of services and achieve Spaces for Kids to be Kids requirements and objectives.
• Oversee the establishment of a technical working group in the two counties to support in the implementation of the project at the community level.
• Conduct periodic programme reviews with national/county government counterparts and other partners
• Participate in the stakeholders discussions with national, sub-national and local authorities and ensure government ownership of the programme. Ensure consultations with national and county governments, the First lady's office, children, ECD teachers, CSOs, caregivers and health workers
• Collaborate with Communication for development to ensure development of effective ECD communication materials and strategies to support advocacy and social mobilization efforts.
• Collaborate with national actors to update relevant policies and guidelines relevant to ECD based on evidence generated.
• Provide technical assistance and promote ECD knowledge management through orientation and training programmes targeted at national/county government authorities, parents and caregivers.
• Ensure exchange of knowledge, information, experience or lessons learned, provide solid technical recommendations on project programme directions and on introduction of new initiatives in the counties.
• Ensure effective quality assurance of the project. Conduct project site visits to Isiolo and Samburu Counties and hold regular discussions/meetings with UNICEF's ECD Coordination Task Force and partners. Report the main highlights, challenges and input arising from the county meetings to the ECD task force. Propose programme recommendations, solutions, and methods to supervisor. Coordinate partners meetings and ensure implementation of recommendations.
• Compile donor and project reports and provide inputs in terms of progress and challenges on quarterly basis.
• Support periodic collection of data through SMS based real time monitoring.
• Oversee targeted early learning centre and health facilities in the two counties implement integrated care for child development model.

Reporting and work relationships

The Programme Specialist will work under direct supervision of the Chief of Education based in Nairobi, and in close technical collaboration with the Chiefs of Nutrition and Health and designated education, health and nutrition Specialists based in Nairobi.

 Annual Priority Programme Results: Priority Result # 2 - Early Learning/ Early Childhood Development (ECD)

 Outcome 11: By 2018, counties model, budget and implement holistic inclusive quality school readiness programmes for the most deprived young children

Output 11.1: By 2018, government and partners have the capacity to develop and operationalize ECD policies and strategies to increase equitable access to quality and comprehensive early learning.

Output 11.2: By 2018, selected county governments and partners have the capacity to develop, strengthen and implement innovative, community based and scalable ECDE models within the CFS framework

Key Expected Results

• Effective knowledge management and system developed and utilized to strengthen area/country programme management.
• Situation Analysis prepared/updated, critical programme intervention point/measures identified, and programme work plans/recommendations prepared and incorporated. Programme reports prepared as required.
• Programme funds optimally used.
• Programme monitoring and evaluations effectively conducted to improve programme performance, and programme status report timely prepared.
• Rights-based and results-based programming approach fully incorporated into all phases of programme and projects processes.
• Commitment and institutional capacities of the national and local partners effectively gained and established.

Qualifications of Successful Candidate

• Advanced University Degree in Education, public administration/health, nutrition, psychology, sociology, human development, child development, early childhood development, family studies or other social science field related to technical field is required.

• Five years of relevant professional work experience, including international and developing country work experience, in programme design, planning and implementation

  in related field with emphasis on integrated early childhood development

• Background/familiarity with emergency situations
• Fluency in English and local working language of the duty

Other skills and attributes:

• Demonstrable technical expertise in early childhood development, especially the multisectoral approach of ECD programming.
• Understanding of national and international targets (SDGs) and ECD indicators
• Experience working with national and sub-national governments
• Experience working in ASAL counties
• Experience in data analysis and documentations
• Demonstrable skills in partnership building, networking, advocacy,
• Ability to facilitate and organize trainings

• Commitment to continuous learning for professional development

• Demonstrate ability to work in a multi-cultural environment, and establish harmonious and effective working relationships both within and outside the organization.

• Initiative, passionate and commitment to UNICEF's mission and professional values.

Competencies of Successful Candidate

Core Values

• Commitment
• Diversity and inclusion
• Integrity

Core competencies

• Communication 
• Working with people 
• Drive for results 

Functional Competencies

• Leading and Supervising 
• Formulating Strategies and Concepts 
• Analyzing 
• Relating and Networking 
• Deciding and Initiating Action 
• Applying Technical Expertise 

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organisation.