M&E, Communications and Reporting Specialist

The M&E, Communications and Reporting specialist will be responsible for monitoring and tracking project progress, developing and implementing project communication strategies, ensuring visibility, and preparing project progress reports. The role will support evidence-based decision-making and enhance the project's impact through effective storytelling, stakeholder and community engagement, and performance monitoring.

Nairobi

3 months

About UN-Habitat The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable human settlements development and the achievement of adequate shelter for all. For close to forty years, UN-Habitat has been working in human settlements throughout the world, focusing on building a brighter future for villages, towns, and cities of all sizes. The Urban Practices Branch (UPB) is the tools and methodology production center of the UN-Habitat that develops normative guidance and cutting-edge tools through communities of urban practices and is the operational level responsible to undertake technical cooperation projects, such as the construction of water and sanitation facilities, shelter and other work. The Planning & Finance Section (PFS) is responsible for supporting urban and territorial planning at all scales, including through the development of planning policy, norms and guidelines, urban design and public space design, urban finance (municipal finance and urban development/projects finance), and local economic development. Background UN-Habitat has been approached by the Government of Kenya and The World Bank to provide Technical Assistance for the Window for Host Communities and Refugees of the Second Kenya Urban Support Program (KUSP2) through a Service Contract. The Window for Host Communities and Refugees (WHR) has been developed under KUSP2 to strengthen the capacities of urban institutions in refugee hosting areas. At the national level, the project aims to strengthen policy and legislative frameworks related to refugees and urbanization, including supporting the implementation of the Refugees Act of 2021, and related policies and legislation. At the local level, the project's main goal is to establish and strengthen urban institutions and improve access to critical infrastructure and services in refugee and host community areas. The KUSP2 WHR framework, under the special municipalities of Kakuma (Turkana County) and Dadaab (Garissa County), can potentially become a platform for coordination of settlements planning and development interventions in these areas. The project will target both host and refugee communities as residents of the new municipalities, through working with the respective municipal boards. To deliver the required TA to KUSP2, UN-Habitat will design activities that will contribute towards building overall institutional capacity for integrated planning and municipal management, delivery of services, refugee-host integration and strengthened policies on urban planning and development. Overall, the scope of the technical assistance activities will fall within five areas of intervention, as follows: (a) Support to integrated development planning through advisory on planning processes; (b) Capacity assessments and training for skills development; (c) Review and advisory on design and delivery of infrastructure projects; (d) Technical advisory and support to institutional, policy and legislative development; (e) Knowledge management - production and dissemination of normative work. Reporting and Communication The M&E, Communications and Reporting specialist will report directly to the Snr. Programme Management Officer/Project Manager within the Planning and Finance Section, Mr. Antony Lamba. He/she will interact with colleagues from other sections within UN-Habitat, and liaise with partners, government counterparts and other stakeholders outside UN-Habitat. Duties and Responsibilities Under the overall supervision of the Snr. Programme Management Officer/Project Manager, the M&E, Communications and Reporting specialist will be responsible for the following duties: 1. Monitor the implementation of project activities and the progress towards the planned outputs and the expected outcomes • Update monitoring tool to enable continuous and consistent assessment of the progress of project activities against the project work plan. • Undertake field missions to assess the progress of project activities, to collect evidence, data and information for success stories and normative products and to support the strengthening of partnerships with local actors and partners • Monitor the implementation of communication activities and assess their effectiveness in increasing project visibility. 2. Develop and implement the project visibility and communications strategy • Coordinate and lead the implementation of the project visibility and communication strategy and action plan across project activities. • Develop and disseminate communication products to increase project visibility including articles, briefs, social media content. • Coordinate with KUSP2 partners, stakeholders, and technical teams to ensure alignment consistent communication messaging and visibility efforts. • Develop and update templates for communication content and regular field reports to ensure consistency in reporting and documentation • Collaborate with project stakeholders to identify local channels and tools for communication and engagement, including but not limited to mapping key events. • Coordinate programme communications among KUSP2 partners, including the Government of Kenya (SDHUD) and the World Bank • Map key activities and events organized by UN-Habitat and other KUSP2 partners, including but not limited to the capacity building and training events • Develop and maintain events template and checklist to facilitate effective communication about key events. • Develop and update additional communication visibility materials, including the content and graphic layout of at least three communication materials e.g. brochure, briefs, fact sheet, and other project products as required. • Lead the development of at least four human impact stories every year in collaboration with KUSP2 partners • Produce and oversee the development of communication products including articles, project stories, briefs, newsletters, and social media content. • Document project progress, field activities, and key outcomes for internal and external communication purposes. • Coordinate the development of visibility materials such as presentations, infographics, brochures, and reports. • Maintain a repository of communication materials, documentation, related to the project 3. Report on the project's progress and performance • Coordinate regular progress and incident reports from project teams in Nairobi and the field and maintain an up-to-date project reporting folder and database • Prepare and provide project updates, data, fact sheets and other information on ad hoc basis and/or in response to data/information requests internally or from SDHUD and other KUSP2 partners • Prepare, review and submit quarterly project progress reports to SDHUD as required under the service agreement • Compile and contribute communication inputs to donor reports, progress reports, and knowledge products.

Academic Qualification: Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Communications, Social Sciences, Development Studies, Project M&E or related areas is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Work Experience: At least two years of work experience in developing comprehensive communication strategies and an in-depth understanding of target audiences, highly effective writing style, and expertise in high-impact messaging to global audiences is required. Excellent working knowledge of digital media, including social media platforms and processes, with experience in creating and sharing digital content. Experience working with urban planning topics is desirable. Understanding of designing and implementing M&E frameworks in development programs is required. Proven ability to produce high-quality written and visual content is required. Strong analytical and data interpretation skills, storytelling, writing, and editing skills is required. Ability to work in a multicultural and multidisciplinary environment is desirable. Work experience within the United Nations System or similar organization is desirable.

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this advertised position fluency in English is required. Knowledge of Kiswahili and another official United Nations language is desirable.

Competencies: • Professionalism: Ability to perform a broad range of administrative functions, e.g., budget/work programme, human resources, database management, etc. Ability to apply knowledge of various United Nations administrative, financial and human resources rules and regulations in work situations. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of work. Able to perform analysis, modelling and interpretation of data in support of decision-making. • Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. • Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings. • Planning& Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.