PROTOCOL OFFICER

Org. Setting and Reporting

The United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON) is the UN headquarters in Africa and the Director-General of UNON is the representative of the Secretary-General in Kenya. UNON supports programme implementation of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) and the Resident Coordination System (RCS) globally, as well as other UN offices in Kenya, by providing administrative, security, conference and information services (www.unon.org). This position is located in the United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON), Central Support Services (CSS), Host Country Services Unit (HCSU). The Protocol Officer (Chief of Unit) will report to the Administrative Officer, Central Support Services (CSS). Within delegated authority, the incumbent will be responsible for the following:

Responsibilities

Operational Management and Host Country Liaison: • Plan, organize, supervise and monitor the activities of the Host Country Services Unit (HCSU), ensuring the effective and timely delivery of protocol and host country services to client entities. • Develop and oversee implementation of the Unit's annual workplan, establishing priorities and monitoring performance against agreed objectives and service standards. • Provide advice and guidance on matters relating to the Host Country Agreement, privileges and immunities, diplomatic protocol, and host country procedures, ensuring consistent application of relevant agreements, regulations and policies. • Liaise with the Government of Kenya and relevant ministries, departments and agencies on matters affecting the United Nations and the implementation of the Host Country Agreement. • Maintain effective working relationships with host government counterparts, UN client entities and other stakeholders to facilitate resolution of host country service matters. • Review and advise on complex or sensitive cases relating to privileges and immunities, and other host country-related matters. • Ensure timely communication with client entities on protocol procedures, host country requirements, and service delivery updates through meetings, guidance materials, SharePoint and other communication channels. • Monitor and analyze service delivery performance and operational data, identify trends and areas for improvement, and recommend and implement measures to enhance efficiency, service quality and client satisfaction. • Maintain and periodically review standard operating procedures, guidelines and business processes to ensure consistency, efficiency and compliance with applicable policies and regulations. • Oversee the effective utilization and continuous improvement of information systems and tools supporting protocol and host country services. • Represent the Unit in meetings with host government counterparts, inter-agency bodies, technical committees and other forums related to protocol and host country services. Administration and Resource Management: • Supervise the preparation and review of official correspondence, including note verbales, briefing notes, reports, memoranda and communications with government authorities and client entities. • Monitor and report on the Unit's performance against established key performance indicators (KPIs) and recommend corrective measures where necessary. • Prepare budget proposals and cost estimates for the Unit and monitor implementation and expenditure to ensure compliance with approved allocations and financial regulations. • Review and validate service billing and cost recovery reports for client entities subscribing to HCSU services. • Identify operational risks and service delivery challenges and recommend appropriate mitigation measures to management. • Collect and analyze data to identify trends or patterns and provide insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting. • Ensure that requirements and background information used for data analysis are documented. Human Resources Management: • Manage and supervise staff of the Unit, including work allocation, performance management, and professional development. • Coordinate human resources actions within the Unit, including recruitment, onboarding, learning and development, succession planning and separation, in accordance with UN policies and procedures. • Foster a collaborative, inclusive and client-oriented work environment and promote high standards of professionalism, accountability and service excellence. • Identify training needs and ensure staff have the knowledge and skills required to effectively perform their functions. Perform other related duties as assigned.

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM: Demonstrated knowledge of and ability to apply the provisions of the Host Country Agreement between the Government of Kenya and the United Nations, as well as relevant policies, regulations and procedures governing privileges and immunities, diplomatic protocol and host country relations. Ability to analyze, interpret and apply complex administrative and legal provisions, and provide sound advice on protocol and host country matters. Ability to identify issues, assess risks and recommend practical solutions. Ability to analyze and interpret data and information to support decision-making and enhance service delivery. 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. CLIENT ORIENTATION: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view. Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect. Identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions. Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems. Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects. Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client. MANAGING PERFORMANCE: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority. Makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member. Accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills. Monitors progress against milestones and deadlines. Regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff. Encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative. Actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff. Appraises performance fairly.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in International Relations, Political Science, Law, Public Administration, Diplomacy, Foreign Affairs, Business Administration 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. Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is desirable.

Job - Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of five (5) years of relevant and progressively responsible working experience in protocol services, diplomatic relations, government liaison or a related area is required. Experience in the interpretation and application of host country agreements, privileges and immunities and liaison with government authorities is required. Experience supervising staff and managing service delivery operations is required. Experience in the United Nations Common System or international organization is desirable. Experience using information management systems and analyzing service delivery data to support operational decision-making is desirable.

Languages

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

This position is available until 31 December 2026, a limited duration that does not carry any expectancy, legal or otherwise, of renewal. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment. THIS POSITION IS OPEN TO NATIONALS OF KENYA ONLY. National Professional Officer category shall be of the nationality of the country where this position is located and will be recruited in the country or within commuting distance of the office. If no suitable local candidate is identified, Kenya nationals residing elsewhere may be considered, in which case the candidate would be responsible for any costs related to traveling and relocating to Kenya in the event of an employment offer. Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. Internal Applicants: When completing the form, ensure ALL fields, ALL professional experience and contact information are completed and up to date. This information is the basis for the hiring manager to assess your eligibility and suitability for the position and to contact you. At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply on-line as soon as possible after the job opening has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the job opening. On-line 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. If the problem persists, please seek technical assistance through the Inspira "Need Help?" link.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places 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. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. All external candidates recruited in accordance with section ‎2.2 (a) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment without limitation and all external candidates recruited in accordance with section 2.2. (c) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment limited to the entity are subject to an initial probationary period of one year under a fixed-term appointment. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE 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.