Institutional & Capacity Building Specialist

Result of ServiceTo advise and assist counties and municipalities to assess and build their technical capacity to deliver services by developing effective training and capacity building strategies and materials in collaboration with the KUSP2’s NPCT. The consultant will design and implement training workshops and other activities that respond to the training needs of counties and municipalities to enhance the capacity of county and municipal staff to provide services in accordance with the relevant laws, regulations and service charters. Work LocationNairobi Expected duration12 months Duties and ResponsibilitiesAbout 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 for undertaking technical cooperation projects, such as the construction of water and sanitation facilities, shelter and other work. The Planning, Finance & Economy Section (PFES) 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 Programme (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 The Institutional & Capacity Development specialist will report directly to Snr. Programme Management Officer/Project Manager within the Planning, Finance and Economy section. 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 consultant will be responsible for the following duties: Institutional development 1. Formulate a Municipal Institutional Development Plan (MIDP) in relation to the devolved functions of municipalities, and the special role of refugee-hosting, for Kakuma and Dadaab Municipalities. 2. Provide a step-by-step Practical Manual on how to establish, build and develop municipal institutions. 3. Provide a technical advisory to counties and municipalities, based on the MIDP and the Practical Manual, on the design and establishment of municipal institutions that can deliver municipal investments and basic services equitably 4. Prepare guidance and guide counties and municipalities on the establishment of a Cooperation Framework, including supporting the preparation, planning and establishment of platforms for stakeholder engagement (Private Sector, Non-Government Organizations etc.), drafting articles of cooperation, and facilitating multi-stakeholder cooperation forums. 5. Contribute to the drafting of a proposed governance framework and technical advisory on the formation of a municipal integrated residents fora. 6. Contribute technical assistance to SDHUD and counties/urban boards and other stakeholders on the establishment of a national level and municipal level cooperation/coordination framework respectively Capacity development 1. Formulate a concept for capacity needs assessment and conduct institutional capacity needs assessment for municipalities focusing on functions assigned/devolved to municipalities- in relation to administration, financial management, procurement, urban planning, basic services, private sector engagement and Environment and Social Safeguards. 2. Formulate a Capacity Development Strategy for WHR municipalities. 3. Provide technical assistance and facilitation of capacity development training organized by SDHUD and county governments on private sector engagement, financial management and procurement and compliance with ESS requirements under WHR UIG 4. Facilitate capacity development training based on the Practical Manual and aligned to CUIDs on municipal management, municipal land administration, mainstreaming gender and youth issues, private sector development and climate resilience in infrastructure projects 5. Provide ongoing capacity development training to counties and municipalities on public administration and good governance 6. Support other project staff to produce training materials and to deliver training workshops for urban planning, urban land administration and management, refugee-host community integration, refugee-related urbanization issues, etc Qualifications/special skillsAdvanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Strategic Management, Public Administration, Governance Studies, Development Studies, or a related field 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. At least five (5) years of experience in the design and implementation of organizational development plans, including at least two similar assignments, with at least one assignment in the last five (5) years is required. Experience in working with public organizations, international organizations and in programs/projects financed by development banks (e.g. World Bank) is required. Experience in conducting institutional capacity need assessments for national or local level public agencies, and experience in public and private sector trainings is required. Experience in environmental and social risk assessment and stakeholder engagement are desirable. One (1) year or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable. Strong knowledge of Kenya’s public administration frameworks is desirable. Work experience within the United Nations System or similar organization is desirable. Registration with a professional association is required. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations. For the advertised consultancy, fluency in English (both spoken and written) is required and knowledge of other UN languages is desirable. Basic knowledge of Kiswahili is also desirable. Additional InformationCompetencies: • Professionalism: Knowledge and understanding of sustainable development theories, concepts and approaches. Ability to identify and develop sources for data collection. Ability to undertake research, analyze data, make recommendations and write draft reports on sustainable development issues. 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. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. Able to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. • Planning and 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. • 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. No FeeTHE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.