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

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence. At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling. UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package. Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF. For every child, the right to results. The Resilience in Secondary Education (RISE) Programme is supported by the Mastercard Foundation and aims to strengthen resilience and improve access, retention and learning outcomes for adolescents in secondary education, with a focus on the most vulnerable learners and education systems affected by shocks and stressors. The post is based in the Country Office and is part of the PME Section, serving as the MEL operations and evidence management specialist for the RISE Programme. The role works closely with the UNICEF RISE Team (Education, Child Protection, PME and Innovations) and Consortium Partners to ensure timely coordination, high-quality evidence production, and effective use of data for results-based management, monitoring and learning. The role is the programme's primary MEL technical resource. How can you make a difference? Under the supervision of the Chief of PME with a secondary reporting line to the Programme Manager (RISE Programme), the Planning and Monitoring Specialist serves as the evidence producer and MEL operations manager for RISE. Working collaboratively with the UNICEF RISE programme team, the role establishes and maintains a fit-for-purpose management information system (MIS) in collaboration with the institutional MIS contractor; coordinates routine and periodic data collection with partners; analyzes monitoring data to produce decision-ready briefs for UNICEF and partner decision making; facilitates learning and adaptive management processes across the Consortium; and ensure field monitoring and partner reporting support programme quality and accountability. The specialist ensures all RISE MEL processes (Data collection, analysis,reporting, learning) are conducted ethically, with safeguarding and data protection standards met, and are responsive to both donor requirements and operational programme needs. Key functions, accountabilities and related duties/tasks: MEL Framework and Systems Data Management, Quality Assurance, Data Reviews & Reporting Field Monitoring and Verification Learning, Adaptive Management & Evaluations Capacity Building & Technical Support If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here: Planning and Monitoring Specialist NOC JD.pdf To qualify as a champion for every child you will have… Minimum requirements Education : Master or equivalent (Advanced University Degree) in Education, Social Sciences, Statistics, Economics, Public Administration, Information Management, Monitoring and Evaluation, or any other related fields is required. Work Experience : At least 5 years of relevant work experience in Monitoring and Evaluation, Data Analytics, Programme Coordination, Results-based Management, Programme Reporting, or any other 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. 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. Experience working with large programmes, preferably with a strong monitoring and learning component is an asset. Experience coordinating field monitoring and partner reporting in decentralized settings is desirable. Experience in supporting learning for adaptive programming and management is an asset. Relevant experience in a UN system agency or international organization is desirable. Knowledge and familiarity with UNICEF programme processes and reporting expectations is an asset. Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts. For every Child, you demonstrate... UNICEF's Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values UNICEF competencies required for this post are… (1) Builds and maintains partnerships (2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (3) Drive to achieve results for impact (4) Innovates and embraces change (5) Manages ambiguity and complexity (6) Thinks and acts strategically (7) Works collaboratively with others Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels. UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status. UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF . Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance. UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially. UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments are conditional on the selected candidates willingness to comply with current or future vaccination requirements, should UNICEF mandate it for personnel. Failure to comply with such requirements, where applicable and without a duly approved medical exemption from the relevant UN authority, will result in the cancellation of the selection or may lead to other administrative measures, including separation from service. Remarks: As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. UNICEF is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. For this position, eligible and suitable candidates are encouraged to apply. Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason. UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants' bank account information. Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF's Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities. Visa residence requirements: i.e. UNICEF shall not facilitate the issuance of a visa and working authorization for candidates under consideration for positions at the national officer and general service category. All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates. Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here .