Planning & Monitoring Specialist (NO-3), FT, #00138302, Nairobi, Kenya, ESAR

Organizational Context

UNICEF operates in over 190 countries and territories, dedicated to saving children's lives, defending their rights, and helping them fulfill their potential. We are committed, passionate, and proud of our work, driven by a calling to promote the rights of every child. UNICEF offers diverse opportunities for professional and personal development.

Job Purpose

The Planning and Monitoring Specialist will serve as the evidence producer and MEL operations manager for the Resilience in Secondary Education (RISE) Programme, supported by the Mastercard Foundation. This role is crucial for strengthening resilience and improving access, retention, and learning outcomes for adolescents in secondary education, particularly the most vulnerable. The specialist will work closely with the UNICEF RISE Team and Consortium Partners to ensure timely coordination, high-quality evidence production, and effective use of data for results-based management, monitoring, and learning. This position is the programme's primary MEL technical resource, ensuring all MEL processes are conducted ethically and meet safeguarding and data protection standards, responsive to donor requirements and operational needs.

Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Chief of PME and secondary reporting to the Programme Manager (RISE Programme), the Planning and Monitoring Specialist is accountable for establishing and maintaining a fit-for-purpose management information system (MIS) in collaboration with the institutional MIS contractor. Key duties include coordinating routine and periodic data collection with partners, analyzing monitoring data to produce decision-ready briefs for UNICEF and partner decision-making, and facilitating learning and adaptive management processes across the Consortium. The specialist will ensure field monitoring and partner reporting support programme quality and accountability. They will also be responsible for ensuring all RISE MEL processes, including data collection, analysis, reporting, and learning, are conducted ethically, adhering to safeguarding and data protection standards, and are responsive to both donor requirements and operational programme needs. This includes managing the MEL Framework and Systems, ensuring Data Management, Quality Assurance, Data Reviews & Reporting, overseeing Field Monitoring and Verification, supporting Learning, Adaptive Management & Evaluations, and providing Capacity Building & Technical Support.

Work Experience

A minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience in Monitoring and Evaluation, Data Analytics, Programme Coordination, Results-based Management, Programme Reporting, or related fields is required.

Skills

Coordination, Data Systems, Writing Skills, Editing Skills, Planning, Organizational Skills, Analytical & Synthesis Skills, Accountability, Drive to Achieve Results, Ability to Manage Ambiguity, MEL Framework Development, Data Quality Assurance

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