ESTHER BARBARA KANINI NJIRU
NAIROBI, KENYA: Phone: -: Email:-____________________________________________________________________________________________________
SUMMARY
A result-oriented and purposeful monitoring and evaluation specialist with 5+ years of progressive experience in urban
development processes, research and data analysis, project management, training, knowledge management, monitoring,
and evaluation, and managing efficient working relations with international organizations, governments, private sectors,
civil societies, and non-governmental organizations. I strive to work in teams and partnerships with a variety of
stakeholders, putting my professional and people skills to use to achieve organizational or institutional and personal
growth. I enjoy being a part of a hardworking, successful, and productive team that thrives in a healthy environment that
values my abilities and provides opportunities for advancement.
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CORE COMPETENCIES
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Data analytics and data management.
▪ Strategic Planning
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Qualitative and quantitative research
▪ Cross-functional, culturally sensitive
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Designing M&E and performance monitoring
collaborator.
framework, plans, and systems.
▪ Report writing and presentation.
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Integrating M&E into project planning and
▪ Knowledge management and training
implementation
▪ Change management.
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Programme Management skills.
▪ Team management
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Needs assessments and surveys.
▪ Logframe-based project design
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Coaching and training programme staff
▪ Social research methodologies
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PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
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Consultant: Monitoring & Evaluation Officer
October 2023- Present
Spantrack Consultants Ltd (Nairobi-Kenya)
Key Responsibilities
▪ Facilitate the initiation of client- Kenya Industry and Entrepreneurship project-KIEP structures kick-off meetings
involving Project Implementation Units (PIUs), Agencies.
▪ Monitor and ensure adherence to reporting requirements, data sources, and indicator tracking tables.
▪ Collaborate closely with Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) personnel within Spineberg and E4Impact to gather,
analyse, and consolidate data related to project components.
▪ Supervise routine data collection and flow processes from SKIES related activities.
▪ Oversee baseline, midterm, and impact data collection activities for KIEP Sub component 1a-SKIES (Strengthening
Kenya’s Innovation Ecosystem)
▪ Evaluate indicators derived from surveys and routine data collection efforts.
▪ Promote the development of human capacity and institutional support for effective KIEP M&E implementation.
▪ Ensure the quality of data collection, management/flow, and analysis aligns with guidelines outlined in the Project
Appraisal Document and operation manuals.
▪ Provide support for Training of Trainers mentorship to implement the M&E framework, tools, and guidelines for both
staff and beneficiaries for SKIES.
▪ Produce Quarterly M&E Reports.
Chief Operating Officer
September 2023-Present
EMRIQ Services Ltd-Kenya
Key Responsibilities
▪ Lead and oversee all operational functions within the organization, spanning finance, human resources, sales,
marketing, purchasing, and IT.
▪ Spearhead organizational change initiatives and manage transitions to facilitate continuous improvement.
▪ Cultivate and sustain robust relationships with internal and external stakeholders, comprising clients, partners, and
vendors.
▪ Develop and execute strategic plans to propel organizational growth and secure long-term sustainability.
▪ Guide and mentor a diverse team across multiple departments, including finance, human resources, marketing, and
IT, fostering collaboration, and boosting productivity.
▪ Identify operational inefficiencies and enact process enhancements to optimize efficiency and efficacy.
▪ Ensure adherence to pertinent laws, regulations, and industry standards across all operational endeavours.
Independent Consultant
December 2018- October 2023
Key Responsibilities
▪ Produce Quarterly M&E Reports, baseline and endline survey reports.
▪ Develop and implement research methodologies tailored to diverse projects, ensuring data collection directly
addressed project objectives.
▪ Design and implement M&E frameworks to track project progress, identify areas for improvement, and guarantee
timely project completion.
▪ Facilitate data collection across various cities, informing planning decisions through clear presentations and reports.
▪ Facilitate collaborative workshops and meetings to gather feedback, address concerns, and foster project buy-in from
all stakeholders.
▪ Design and implement a structured database within the GIS system to effectively store and manage the diverse project
related data.
▪ Leverage GIS expertise to support a public entity in building a comprehensive database for regulatory enforcement
and compliance, involving data collection, spatial analysis, database design, and map creation for informed decisionmaking.
▪ Lead in coaching programme staff and in facilitating training on various M&E aspects.
▪ Create compelling presentations with impactful visuals to effectively communicate project results to stakeholders.
▪ Lead impact assessments of program activities across specific regions, establishing clear guidelines to ensure highquality service delivery.
▪ Analyze best practices and recommendations to enhance the effectiveness of project activities and outputs.
▪ Identify historical growth trends, key influencing factors, and estimate future targets using various indices such
Legatum Prosperity Index, City Prosperity Index, and World Giving Index.
Consultant: Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning
March 2023 – September 2023
United Nations Human Settlements Programme (Nairobi-Kenya)
Key Responsibilities
▪ Developed the Youth 2030 cities monitoring, evaluation, learning, and reporting framework, guidelines, relevant tools,
and mechanisms.
▪ Designed and implemented monitoring and evaluation mechanisms for the Youth 2030 cities project to ensure timely
implementation of activities.
▪ Coordinated the development and revision of the SDG Scorecard Indicator framework.
▪ Prepared Youth 2030 cities mid-term and final debriefings to ensure alignment between partner capabilities and
project requirements, articulating outputs, outcomes, and impact.
▪ Designed data infrastructure needed for ongoing monitoring, evaluation, feedback, and learning to strengthen
operations and implementation of the Youth 2030 Cities project.
▪ Provided guidelines on knowledge management systems design, implementation, utilization, and sustainability among
stakeholders.
▪ Reviewed concept notes and project proposals including logframes to ensure gender, youth, and social inclusion
mainstreaming for each into the project’s MEL frameworks.
▪ Developed a reference guide for mainstreaming the SDG Scorecard indicator framework to the UMF and other urban
related indicators.
▪ Provided guidelines for data collection processes to establish an effective data collection system and reporting forms
for capturing quantitative and qualitative data.
▪ Assisted in planning and preparation work for projects; monitors programme/project proposals and receipt of relevant
documentation for review and approval.
▪ Designed and developed capacity-building tools for the SDG Scorecard in consultation with other program divisions
and training organizations/agencies.
▪ Provides orientation and guidance to new/junior staff, consultants, and interns.
▪ Monitored and evaluated the progress of training and capacity-building initiatives in project locations, including their
effectiveness, by documenting all training and capacity-building sessions, keeping attendance sheets, and preparing
reports as needed.
▪ Led the development and implementation of knowledge management and learning for the HRSI unit to promote
awareness and understanding of (M&E) among all staff members.
Consultant: Research Assistant
June 2022 - September 2022
World Resources Institute (Nairobi, Kenya)
Key Responsibilities
▪ Conducted spatial analysis and created maps of public spaces, urban forests, and other public lands for the
#Everytreecounts campaign.
▪ Coordinated and performed various research functions, including data sourcing, acquisition, collection, analysis, and
presentation.
▪ Compiled and cleaned new and existing data for the #Everytreecounts campaign.
▪ Evaluated data from both spatial and non-spatial perspectives using various analytical tools and software.
▪ Utilized GIS software (ArcMap, QGIS) for spatial analysis and statistical software (R and Stata) for non-spatial analysis.
▪ Developed resulting research for various publications and presentations, including PowerPoint presentations, reports,
writing projects, journal articles, and book chapters.
▪ Provided regular progress updates to the Senior Communications Manager for Africa and maintained consistent
communication with the campaign team.
Consultant: Monitoring and Evaluation
February 2022 - June 2022
United Nations Human Settlements Programme (Nairobi-Kenya)
Key Responsibilities
▪ Provided technical input in the design of the Youth 2030 Cities SDGs Scorecard.
▪ Developed of the SDGs Scorecard indicator metadata framework for data collection and tool automation.
▪ Provided technical support in the development, planning, and implementation of design and training workshops MVP
development of the SDGs Scorecard.
▪ Developed of the Youth 2030 monitoring and evaluation framework with impact measurement methods.
▪ Reviewed concept notes and proposals to ensure gender, youth, social inclusion mainstreaming for each
programme/project.
▪ Developed logframe-based project design for Youth 2030 Cities project focusing on participatory processes,
promoting youth leadership.
▪ Contributed to the management and reporting of the Youth 2030 Cities project milestones and final report.
▪ Scheduled and coordinated meetings with internal and external partners on the progress of the Youth 2030 Cities
project outputs.
▪ Co-facilitated the scheduling of activities and presentations at the Youth zone at the and other allocated duties. 11th
World Urban Forum
▪ Rapporteur and drafted the session report on the Children and Youth Roundtable at the 11th World Urban Forum.
Secondary Teacher II
January 2021 - January 2022
Teachers Service Commission (Murang'a, Kenya)
Key Responsibilities
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Designed, implemented, and evaluating methods for assessing student learning, providing feedback to students,
parents, and other stakeholders on student progress.
Participated in departmental meetings to build interdisciplinary collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.
Handled daily classroom setup and monitoring student behavior and progress.
Liaised closely with other teachers, and technical and administrative staff to ensure quality teaching for Geography,
Life skills, and Physical Education (P.E) Subjects.
Developed weekly lesson plans in accordance with the Kenya National Curriculum aligned with the curriculum and
that meet the learning needs of the students.
Led the timetabling committee in developing teaching and examination timetables.
Conducted performance management of teachers within the department by lesson observations, personal interviews,
and other practices as developed by the Teachers Service Commission.
Served as the Head of Technical subjects’ departments through managing the department's resources and planning.
Data and Impact Measurement Manager
June 2021 to December 2021
Radicle Global
Key Responsibilities
▪ Coordinated the development of monitoring and evaluation frameworks to monitor and measure Radicle’s impact
ambitions.
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Coordinated development of KPIs to measure the effectiveness of Radicle’s business decisions.
Led the development of frameworks to collect data and build tools to automate data collection.
Created data monitoring models for Radicle’s platform and
Worked with the communications and marketing team to create models for publishing.
Drafted reports for internal teams and/or external clients using graphs, infographics, and other methods to visualize
data.
Led the impact and measurement track for the Be-Radicle Accelerator participants.
Conducted and led a deep dive interactive session on linking impact measurements and SDGs methodology in
sustainability and results-based context.
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Advisory Board Member
March 2019 - April 2021
CommonThread.com
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Participated in the review of the organization’s implementation strategies and findings utilization, providing input
and recommendations to improve the effectiveness of the strategies.
Reviewed the organization’s research designs and product implementation strategies, contributing to the
development of reports and presentations on these topics.
Analysed best practices and provided recommendations for the implementation and pretesting of the People-Tapp
app, based on a review of relevant literature and industry standards.
Consultant: CPI Statistician
August 2017 - August 2018
United Nations Human Settlements Programme (Nairobi-Kenya)
Key Responsibilities
▪ Developed the statistical annex and provided reviews for Chapter 2 on Urban Transportation included in the Saudi
Cities Report 2019.
▪ Supervised the mapping of SDG 11 indicators on land use consumption, access to public space, and public
transport in Botswana, Columbia, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, and Ecuador.
▪ Supported the drafting of City Prosperity Assessment Reports integrated into City Prosperity Initiative (CPI) City
Profiles for seventeen cities under the Future Saudi Cities Program (FSCP).
▪ Assessed baseline statistical and spatial data for computing CPI and SDG 11 indicators in pilot countries across
Africa and Latin America and the Caribbean.
▪ Coordinated the integration and adaptation of the CPI spatial methodology into the Future Saudi Cities Program
(FSCP), SDGs, and New Urban Agenda.
▪ Coordinated the drafting of the National Sample of Cities approach and contributed to its methodology testing
which led to its adoption by member states for reporting locally produced urban SDGs indicators data.
▪ Reviewed reports, audits, and evaluations, identifying learning opportunities based that aided in developing
training and capacity building initiatives.
▪ Provided general office assistance; responds to complex information requests and inquiries; sets up and
maintains files; organizes meetings, workshops; administrative tasks.
Consultant: Database Support Specialist
July 2016 - July 2017
United Nations Human Settlements Programme (Nairobi-Kenya)
Key Responsibilities
▪ Participated in the substantive project coordination, methodological and technical activities for SDG Goal 11
monitoring in the Africa, Asian and Arab Regions.
▪ Assisted in the preparation of technical documents for dissemination on SDG Goal 11, necessary for the
preparation of Memorandum of Understanding, Agreement of Cooperation and drafted Terms of Reference for
other specialists supporting the SDG implementation.
▪ Assisted in the development of land monitoring data collecting and analysis methodologies, as well as national
and international land indicators, with a focus on SDG 1.4.2 and SDG 11.3.1.
▪ Coordinated logistical planning of the SDG 11 training workshop in Botswana, Ethiopia, Belgium, Thailand, Kenya,
and Expert Group Meeting on Geospatial Definitions for Human Settlements Indicators (SDG 11 and land-related
indicators) Brussels, Belgium.
▪ Organized conferences and workshops such as Regional training workshops on Monitoring and Reporting on
Sustainable Development Goal 11 in Botswana, Thailand, Ethiopia, Belgium, Kenya
▪ Facilitated the delivery of eighteen virtual expert group meetings for SDG 11 indicator methodology refinement.
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Prepared proposals, work plans, and coordinated planning efforts to support project management related to
urban indicators within the agenda 2030 for sustainable development (SDGs) monitoring framework.
Led the development of technical documentation on the adaptation of the National sample of cities approach for
monitoring SDG urban targets and indicators.
Led the planning and coordination of the SDGs 11 spatial indicators pilot testing in Botswana, Tunisia, Ecuador,
and Columbia.
Developed data collection tool for SDG 11 indicators using KoBo toolbox.
Review of the indicator framework for urban related indicators within the Agenda 2030 monitoring framework.
Developed training modules for SDG 11 indicators for use in training of trainers’ workshops involving National
Statistical Officers and Local Authorities from countries represented by the UN Regional Commissions ECA, ESCAP,
and ESCWA.
Provided orientation and guidance to new/junior staff, consultants, and interns.
Consultant: GIS Analyst
June 2015 – June 2016
United Nations Human Settlements Programme (Nairobi-Kenya)
Key Responsibilities
▪ Provided elaboration and guidance notes on spatial data collection and management methodologies.
▪ Supported City Prosperity Initiative (CPI) in developing and testing methodologies applied globally to monitor CPI
spatial indicators.
▪ Conceptualized and designed globally applicable, accurate and easy to adopt methodologies for collecting and
reporting on CPI spatial indicators based on the collation of existing methodologies, filling existing gaps and
proposing innovative approaches.
▪ Developed guidelines and information sheets for countries articulating key elements of CPI spatial indicators, the
relevance of their measurement and alternatives to undertaking such measurement.
▪ In support of the Future Saudi Cities Programme (FSCP), mapped public spaces, assessed satellite data usability,
built a GIS database for seventeen cities, coordinated data support and validation, and produced detailed maps
and analyses for the City Prosperity Initiative portfolio.
▪ Actively participated in field missions in collaboration with UN-Habitat’s regional and country offices.
▪ Prepared toolkits, and materials for city-level researchers to ensure comparable data collection in terms of
definitions, units of measurement, and report time scale for the City Prosperity Initiative portfolio.
▪ Conducted training workshops on the use of mobile data collection tools (KoBo toolbox, ODK, collector for ArcGIS
to support the mapping projects for CPI and SDG 11 and other initiatives.
▪ Computed and verified the computations of CPI spatial indicators in different cities in Latin America, Africa, and
Asia participating in the Cities Prosperity Initiative (CPI) including the preparation of detailed data reports for the
publication of relevant reports.
▪ Conceptualized and designed globally applicable, and easy-to-adopt methodologies for collecting and reporting
on CPI spatial indicators based on the collation of existing methodologies and proposing novel approaches.
Programme Management Support- City Prosperity Initiative
August 2014 – May 2015
United Nations Human Settlements Programme (Nairobi-Kenya)
Key Responsibilities
▪ Conducted desktop research in the field of urban governance and citizen participation, environmental
sustainability, productivity, equity, and urban infrastructure.
▪ Prepared concept notes for the preparation of the Habitat 3 Conference.
▪ Assisted on data collection process, calculation of the CPI and reporting formats and consult effectively with all
levels of internal staff and external stakeholder and scheduled production requests for projects with the
communication team.
▪ Drafted proposals for conducting baseline studies, process review, monitoring, and evaluation studies for City
Monitoring Platforms for projects in various countries.
▪ Sourced and reviewed existing documentation on the latest concepts and policy directions promoting/affecting
urban prosperity and the New Urban Agenda.
▪ Drafted guidance notes on data collection and management methodology, preparing data toolkit and materials
for city level researchers to ensure that data is comparable in terms of definitions, units of measurement and
report time scale.
▪ Developed proposals for conducting baseline mapping process for CPI monitoring.
▪ Provided technical assistance on data collection and organization for the Ethiopian State of the Cities Report.
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2023-Present-
EDUCATION
University of Manchester
Master of Science in Management and Information Systems: Change and Development
Kenyatta University
Master of Arts in Urban and Regional Planning
Kenyatta University
Bachelor of Education (Arts)
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