Responsibilities
The United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON) is the UN headquarters in Africa and the representative office of the Secretary-General. We support programme implementation of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the UN Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT) globally, as well as other UN offices in Kenya, by providing administrative, conference and information services (). Under the direct supervision of the Director-General, UNON, the incumbent will administer the Office of the Director-General(D-G) and provide executive support to the Director-General in the overall direction and co-ordination of activities for UNON by:
1. Managing the operations of the Office of the D-G in reviewing and supervising the output of the office, organizing the flow of activities, the co-ordination of reports, handling issues involving senior consultants/advisers, guiding and motivating other staff in the office as well as overseeing mail log system; 2. Receiving and analyzing submissions from senior officers of UNON and statutory review bodies for reference/submission to the D-G, and relaying D-G’s decision thereon to interested parties accordingly; 3. Clearing, reviewing and preparing correspondence, official statements and reports; The incumbent will also assist in the planning and implementation of political and administrative objectives and strategies by providing advice on policy and management issues concerning UNON; 4. Preparing briefing materials and background papers necessary for programmes and policy decisions affecting UNON and Office of D-G; 5. Conducting relevant research and facilitating interaction between the D-G and the UNON management team; 6. Overseeing the implementation of policy and management strategies at the executive level; 7. Providing advice on emerging issues and promoting support for the management strategy, philosophy, policy and directives of UNON; 8. The selected candidate will also assist the D-G on substantive diplomatic issues by performing relevant protocol functions including overseeing the relations with the host government for UNON; 9. Maintaining liaison with Heads of Missions and other high ranking representatives of member states, other organizations, donors and partners (NGOs/INGOs) on political and procedural questions arising, representation of the UN at meetings and conferences in Nairobi and maintaining liaison with the Executive Office of the Secretary-General. 10. Co-ordinating monitoring and evaluation functions for UNON Services. 11. Undertaking any other assignments as requested by the D-G.
Competencies
Professionalism – Demonstrated ability to provide seasoned effective specialized advice in a broad range of human resource, financial, logistical and administrative areas to the Director General and ability to ensure adequate preparation of reports or rationale in respect to key logistics and administrative decisions.
Vision – Ability to identify key strategic issues, opportunities and risks.
Leadership – Strong managerial/leadership skills, ability to manage large teams. Tact and negotiating skills, good judgement and decision making skills. Demonstrated ability to provide leadership and take responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives into substantive work; commitment to the goal of achieving gender balance in staffing.
Client Orientation – Ability to identify client’s needs and appropriate solutions, ability to establish and maintain productive partnerships with clients.
Communication – Solid writing skills, ability to prepare reports and/or provision of rationale with respect of key administrative decisions. Ability to communicate orally effectively.
Teamwork – Strong interpersonal skills demonstrated by the ability to lead and gain the assistance and cooperation of others in a team endeavor, ability to build trust through operating with transparency and creating and open and positive environment.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education
Advanced University degree in a field related to Public Administration, Management, Law, Natural or Social Sciences, International Relations or Political Science; or a first degree with relevant combination of professional and academic qualifications.
Work Experience
Ten years of experience in public administration or management or other relevant experience preferably in the UN system. Wide knowledge of United Nations policies and procedures; sound political judgment and diplomatic skills.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in written and spoken English essential. Working knowledge of other UN languages desirable.
Other Skills
Familiarity with the general conditions of the host country is an added advantage.
The United Nations shall place no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. (Charter of the United Nations – Chapter 3, article 8). English and French are the two working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.
How to apply
All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply online as soon as possible after the vacancy has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the vacancy announcement. Because applications submitted by United Nations (UN) staff members are considered first, provided the eligibility requirements set out in ST/AI/2002/4 are met and the application is submitted in a timely fashion, staff members should apply within 15-day or 30-day mark.
Online applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. In such cases, please go to “My UN” page and check the status of your application by clicking on “View Application History”, and resubmit the application, if necessary.
1. To start the application process, applicants are required to register by opening a "My UN" account. Go to Login, and Register as a User. Fill in the form and choose a User Name and Password.2. After opening the account, applicants may apply for vacancies using the Personal History Profile (PHP) provided. Once the PHP has been completed for a particular vacancy, it can be saved and used for future applications. The PHP may be up-dated, when necessary, for future applications.3. In completing the PHP, please note that all fields marked with an asterisk must be completed.4. UN staff members must submit scanned copies of their two latest Performance Appraisal System (PAS) reports at the time of application to the appropriate Human Resources Office (HRO)/Personnel Office (PO) to the email address below, clearly indicating the vacancy announcement number. In case you have no access to the digitizing equipment, please submit hard copies of the two latest PAS reposts to the relevant HRO/PO via fax.E-mail: Fax: +
Please click to apply online.
