Tiered Approach
In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby:
- Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026.
- Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments
- Tier 2: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers
- Tier 3 or no tier indicated: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates
Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.
Background
At the country level, UNV Field Unit (FU) and designated UNV personnel are responsible for promoting volunteerism through the mobilization of UN Volunteers across the UN system in the areas of peace, development, human rights and humanitarian assistance. FUs represent and position UNV within the respective countries, particularly within the UN country team, adopting a client-oriented and solutions-based approach.
As UNV is the systemwide service administered by UNDP, FUs are hosted within relevant UNDP offices, collaborating closely with the UNDP resident representative and the UN resident coordinator system. The UNV Country Coordinator ensures compliance with UNV and UNDP policies, rules, and regulations.
Position Purpose
Under the overall guidance of the Regional Manager and direct supervision of the Portfolio Manager or Specialist in the Regional Office (RO), the Country Coordinator leads the FU and oversees UNV’s engagement at the country level.
The role’s primary purpose is to ensure that UNV effectively anticipates and responds to the needs of the UN system and partners by mobilizing qualified volunteers and promoting volunteerism across sectors. This includes strategic positioning, partnership building, advocacy, and contribution to UNV’s Strategic Framework implementation.
The Country Coordinator works under the general guidance of the UN Resident Coordinator to position UNV and its services within the UN system and liaises regularly with the UNDP resident representative for support. The incumbent also collaborates closely with the UNDP country office for administrative matters, participates in UN country team activities as invited (including joint UN programme, operations, communications teams and other subsidiary groups of UNCT), and may represent UNV in joint coordination mechanisms with government and non-government stakeholders.
Duties and Responsibilities
Lead volunteer mobilization
- Position UNV as a system-wide service provider supporting UN partners to achieve their programmes and UNSDCF goals
- Design, develop and implement country-level volunteer mobilization strategies aligned with UNV’s Strategic Framework and partner demand.
- Advise on and participate in UN collective planning processes (CCA, UNSDCF, humanitarian response plans, thematic task forces) to integrate volunteerism in their implementation.
- Present UNV’s value proposition to maximize contributions of UN Volunteers, and guide partners in developing volunteer assignment descriptions.
- Lead local talent outreach and acquisition efforts in alignment with corporate strategies.
- Promote Online Volunteering as a core component of UNV’s offer.
- Manage and monitor mobilization trends, track key performance indicators, and use corporate tools (CRM, BI reports, UVP) for informed decision-making.
- Facilitate executive, operational, and partnership missions by UNV.
Lead partnerships management
- Lead, build and sustain effective relationships with UN partners to promote UNV’s mandate and services.
- Analyze country strategies (UNSDCF, agency strategies) to identify opportunities for volunteer mobilization.
- Maintain business intelligence on UN programming, funding and workforce trends to diversify partnerships and forecast volunteer demand.
- Identify and create opportunities on a regular basis with the heads of agencies, their management teams and senior programme and operations staff to support volunteer mobilization
- In coordination with the RO and ERCS, map and pursue SVF mobilization opportunities.
- Establish, foster and maintain effective partnership with government, civil society, private sector, and development partners in close coordination with other UN entities as may be required to realize agreed objectives.
Ensure Duty of Care
- Provide guidance, advice and best practices to host entities to ensure successful volunteer assignments.
- Work closely with UNDSS, the UN Designated Official for security, and host agencies to ensure the safety, security, and inclusion of UN Volunteers. Ensure timely support during security evacuations.
- Ensure volunteers receive appropriate briefings, orientation, and guidance from host entities on arrival and oversee that they benefit from appropriate supervision throughout their assignment.
- Brief the volunteer on expected code of conduct and other relevant factors for a successful experience, and ensure availability to address questions and provide guidance as needed.
- Conduct regular field visits to volunteer locations, monitor volunteer well-being and provide guidance on critical administrative and operational aspects.
- Facilitate and lead regular engagement with and among volunteers (e.g., town halls, networking, and community activities) to strengthen volunteer experience and well-being.
Lead advocacy on volunteerism
- Coordinate communications activities on volunteer mobilization and talent acquisition goals, develop impactful volunteer stories in collaboration with the RO and External Relations and Communications Section (ERCS), promote UNV at national, regional and global levels.
- Stay informed and proactively advise on national volunteer initiatives, policies and strategies, including those supported by the UN system, and share relevant updates with Volunteer Advisory Services Section.
- Proactively identify host countries’ aspirations to promote national volunteer talent through fully funded
UNV assignments domestically and abroad, share relevant updates with ERCS on emerging demand for UNV solutions, and advise on implementation if needed.
- Coordinate activities related to the International Volunteer Day and other volunteer recognition efforts by national counterparts and, where appropriate, collaborate around respective activities in close coordination with UN country teams and upon advice from the RO and ERCS.
- Encourage volunteers to act as advocates and disseminate their experiences as advocates and ambassadors of volunteer action.
Field Unit Management
- Lead and coordinate the FU to ensure effective and efficient service delivery and a collaborative work environment.
- Supervise, empower and ensure performance and accountability of FU team members. Provide coaching, quality assurance, and oversight to ensure consistency, client orientation, and adherence to standards in all FU communications and ineractions.
- Develop, oversee, and manage the FU’s annual work plan and budget, ensuring alignment with corporate priorities and compliance with performance targets and UNDP regulations.
- Liaise with UNDP programme and operations teams to ensure administrative support, alignment with local protocol, and facilitate cooperation on critical issues such as visas for international volunteers.
- Ensure that the FU undertake assigned transactions in the Volunteer Management Cycle in accordance with corporate SOPs, providing oversight and ensuring compliance and quality.
- Identify and escalate operational and reputational risks and other significant issues promptly to the RO, providing analysis and recommendations as needed.
Competencies
Core
Achieve Results
- Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact
Think Innovatively
- Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems
Learn Continuously
- Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences
Adapt with Agility
- Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands
Act with Determination
- Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results
Engage and Partner
- Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration
Enable Diversity and Inclusion
- Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity
People Management
UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.
Cross-Functional & Technical
System Thinking
- Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgment to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact other parts of the system
Integration within the UN System
- Ability to identify and integrate the capacity and assets of the UN system and engage in joint work. Knowledge of the UN System and ability to apply this knowledge to strategic and/or practical situations
Results-based Management
- Ability to manage the implementation of strategies, programmes, and projects with a focus on improved performance and demonstrable results. Knowledge and understanding of relevant theories, concepts, methodologies, instruments, and tools.
Partnerships Management
- Build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies
Knowledge Generation
- Ability to research information and to turn it into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need. Ability to apply existing concepts to new situations, and to develop new concepts to generate workable solutions and new approaches. Knowledge of relevant concepts, conceptual models, and theories that can be useful in addressing new situations.
Digital Awareness and Literacy
- Ability to monitor new and emerging technologies, as well as understand their usage, potential, limitations, impact, and added value. Ability to rapidly and readily adopt and use new technologies
in professional activities, and to empower others to use them as needed. Knowledge of the usage of digital technologies and emerging trends.
Event planning and execution
- Ability to plan, manage and execute public and private events to ensure that they support and amplify individual communications and advocacy initiatives, as well as UNV's overall brand and mandate.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent), or
- A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Experience:
- Minimum of 5 years (with master’s degree) or -7 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience in humanitarian, development and/or peace-related fields.
- Experience in partnership building and management is essential.
- Experience in advocacy, public relations, or communication is an asset.
- Experience in programme reporting, monitoring and evaluation is an asset.
- Experience in volunteer management and/or promotion of volunteerism is an asset.
- Experience in working in digital platforms and tools, including CRM and ERP systems is an asset.
- Work experience with the United Nations is an asset.
Languages:
- Fluency in English, as well as in the local language of the duty station.
Disclaimer
- Only short-listed applicants will be contacted.
- The successful candidate will hold a UNDP Letter of Appointment.
- This post is for local recruitment only. It is open to citizens of Kenya. All travel, interview and relocation costs, if any, incurred to take up an appointment at the duty station in Nairobi, Kenya are at the expense of the applicant.
As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.
UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.
Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority
UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.
Probation
For all new UNDP fixed term appointments (FTA), including for staff members being transferred or seconded to UNDP under the Inter-Organization Agreement concerning Transfer, Secondment or Loan of Staff, on an appointment of more than one year, continuation of the appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.
Right to select multiple candidates
UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.
Use of AI by candidates
Applicants are invited to read UNDP’s guidance for candidates on using AI responsibly in UNDP recruitment and selection
Scam alert
UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.
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