Project Manager for Regional Centre of Competence for Digital and AI Skilling

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is a global development network established in 1965, with a mission to eradicate poverty and reduce inequalities through sustainable development. UNDP operates in approximately 170 countries and territories, working with governments and people to address development challenges. The organization focuses on various areas including democratic governance, sustainable development, and resilience to crises. In Kenya, UNDP collaborates with the Ministry of Information, Communications and Digital Economy and Microsoft to enhance digital skills and foster partnerships for digital transformation.

Job Overview:
The Project Manager will lead the development, implementation, and scale-up of the Regional Centre of Competence for Digital and AI Skilling in Kenya. This role involves overseeing the project from strategic planning to execution, ensuring alignment with national training standards and broader digital transformation goals. The Project Manager will engage with various stakeholders, including government entities and development partners, to enhance digital competencies within the public sector. This position is pivotal in driving systemic change in public service across Kenya and Africa, focusing on improving digital skills and fostering a culture of innovation within the public sector.

Duties and Responsibilities:
1) Lead and Manage Project Planning Implementation: Oversee the implementation of the RCOC workplan, ensuring alignment with national priorities. Provide strategic direction and operational oversight for timely project delivery. Supervise the development of digital and AI skilling programs for public servants, ensuring they meet government needs. Manage administrative and financial tasks in compliance with UNDP procedures.

2) Strengthen Partnerships and Mobilize Resources: Cultivate partnerships across sectors to support the Centre’s mission. Coordinate partner contributions and pursue resource mobilization opportunities to sustain and scale the initiative.

3) Oversee Learning Management System (LMS) Integration and Scale-up: Ensure the integration of the RCOC curriculum into the government’s LMS, making it accessible and user-friendly. Collaborate with partners to enhance LMS functionality and promote its adoption for national training rollouts.

4) Develop and Implement National and Regional Rollout Strategies: Lead the development of phased implementation plans and capacity-building roadmaps. Coordinate training models to reach a large number of public servants and provide adaptive management to address challenges.

5) Ensure Alignment with Public Service Career and Training Standards: Ensure training programs are recognized within Kenya’s public service career progression systems. Facilitate consultations with stakeholders to harmonize skilling efforts with public sector norms and standards.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Data Engineering, Data Science, Digital Transformation, ICT, or a related field. Alternatively, a first-level university degree (Bachelor's degree) in the mentioned areas, combined with additional qualifying experience, will be considered. Candidates should have a minimum of 2 years of relevant work experience with a master's degree or 4 years with a bachelor's degree in project management, digital transformation initiatives, and technology-enabled capacity development, preferably in the public or development sector.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in relevant fields such as Data Engineering, Data Science, Digital Transformation, or ICT is required. A first-level university degree (Bachelor's degree) in these areas, along with additional qualifying experience, may also be considered.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 2 years of progressively responsible experience in project management and digital transformation initiatives with a master's degree, or 4 years with a bachelor's degree. Experience in managing multi-agency partnerships, digital capacity-building initiatives, and public sector innovation is essential. Hands-on experience in curriculum design and training delivery is also required.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory. Knowledge of additional languages may be considered an asset but is not explicitly required.

Additional Notes:
The Project Manager will be stationed at the UNDP Kenya Country Office and will report to the Team Leader in the Governance and Inclusive Growth Unit. This position is full-time and may involve collaboration with various stakeholders across sectors. UNDP is committed to diversity and inclusion in its workforce and does not tolerate harassment or discrimination in any form. The organization reserves the right to select multiple candidates from this vacancy announcement and does not charge any fees during the recruitment process.