The United Nations (UN) offers a variety of job opportunities in Kenya, ranging from volunteer positions to full-time careers across various fields. UN jobs in Kenya not only allows individuals to contribute to meaningful global and local causes but also offers a unique chance to live in Kenya working for the UN, engaging with diverse cultures and communities. Whether you’re interested in UN job vacancies in Kenya, wish to work as a UN volunteer, or are curious about how to start a charity in Kenya, this guide will walk you through the essential steps to get a job with the UN in Kenya.
The UN in Kenya operates through multiple agencies, each focusing on different aspects such as health, environment, children’s welfare, and more. These agencies offer various UN job opportunities in Kenya, allowing individuals to find roles that match their skills and interests. To work for the UN in Kenya, it’s crucial to understand the specific requirements and application processes of these agencies.
The process of getting UN jobs in Kenya
a) Explore Job Listings
Start by visiting official UN career portals to find current job openings in Kenya.
LinkedIn and other professional networks also list UN jobs in Kenya, providing a broad overview of available positions.
b) Create a Profile
For many UN agencies, the first step to applying for a job or volunteer position is creating a profile on their respective career portals. For instance, to volunteer with the UN in Kenya, you must create your profile in the UNV Global Talent Pool via the Unified Volunteering Platform.
c) Understand the Application Process
The UN job application process is comprehensive, involving vacancy announcements, application submission, screening, interviews, and finally, job offers. Familiarize yourself with each step to ensure a smooth application process.
d) Tailor Your Application
Customize your resume and cover letter to highlight how your skills, education, and experience align with the job requirements. Pay attention to the specific qualifications, experience, and language requirements mentioned in the job listing.
e) Prepare for Interviews
If shortlisted, you’ll likely undergo an interview process. Prepare by researching the UN agency’s mission and the job’s responsibilities. Practice answering common interview questions and articulate how you can contribute to the UN’s goals in Kenya.
f) Volunteer Opportunities
For those interested in volunteering, the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) program offers a chance to work as a UN volunteer in Kenya. Volunteering can provide valuable experience and open doors to future employment opportunities within the UN.
United Nations Agencies in Kenya and Career Opportunities / UN jobs in Kenya
1. United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
What they do: Focuses on environmental issues at the global and regional level.
The main office of UNEP is at United Nations Avenue, Gigiri, Nairobi, Kenya.
How to work with the UN in Kenya through the UNEP, for job vacancies, check out the UNEP Career section.
2. United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat)
What they do: Works towards sustainable urban development.
Main office: United Nations Avenue, Gigiri, Nairobi, Kenya.
To work with the United Nations Human Settlements Programme, check out this job vacancies section of the UN-Habitat website.
3. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) – suitable for UN jobs in Kenya
What they do: Leads international efforts to defeat hunger.
Main office: UN Avenue, Gigiri, Nairobi, Kenya.
To work with the Food and Agriculture Organization, check out their website for job vacancies.
4. International Labour Organization (ILO)
What they do: Deals with labour issues and sets international labour standards.
Main office: UN Gigiri Complex, Block N, Nairobi, Kenya.
For job vacancies at the International Labour Organization, check out their website.
5. World Health Organization (WHO)
What they do: Directs and coordinates international health within the United Nations system.
Main office: United Nations Complex, Gigiri, Nairobi, Kenya.
World Health Organization provides great opportunities to live in Kenya working for the UN, to learn of the latest job opportunities in the WHO, then explore the job section of their website.
6. United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
What they do: Works in nearly 170 countries and territories, helping to achieve the eradication of poverty.
Main office: UN Gigiri Complex, Block M, Nairobi, Kenya.
To get a job with the United Nations Development Programme, visit their website;
For jobs: https://www.undp.org/careers
For careers: https://www.undp.org/careers
7. United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) – known for UN jobs in Kenya
What they do: Provides humanitarian and developmental aid to children worldwide.
Main office: UN Avenue, Gigiri, Nairobi, Kenya.
For UN jobs in Kenya, check out the UNICEF careers page.
8. United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON)
What they do: Provides administrative and other support services to the UN in Kenya.
Main office: UN Avenue, Gigiri, Nairobi, Kenya.
Working for the UN in Kenya is made easier by the numerous job vacancies on the website of the United Nations Office at Nairobi. Check out the work and internship opportunities on their website and get to work for the UN in Nairobi.
9. United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
What they do: Protects and supports refugees at the request of a government.
Main office: Lynwood Court, Off Waiyaki Way, Westlands, Nairobi, Kenya.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees is one of the largest providers of UN jobs in Kenya. Visit the UNHCR website to apply for employment.
To apply for work at UNHCR Kenya: https://www.unhcr.org/ke/vacancies
To apply for job positions at UNHCR Australia: https://www.unhcr.org/au/careers-unhcr
10. World Food Programme (WFP) – facilitates UN jobs in Kenya
What they do: Provides food assistance.
Main office: UN Avenue, Gigiri, Nairobi, Kenya.
To work with the World Food Programme, visit their website for job opportunities;
Career opportunities at WFP: https://www.wfp.org/careers
Job openings at WFP: https://www.wfp.org/careers/job-openings
11. United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS)
What they do: Helps implement UN partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian, and development projects.
Main office: UN Lane, off UN Avenue, Nairobi, Kenya.
For a career at the UNOPS, check out their website for:
Vacancies: https://jobs.unops.org/Pages/ViewVacancy/VAListing.aspx
Job opportunities: https://jobs.unops.org/
12. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
What they do: Promotes world peace and security through international cooperation in education, sciences, and culture.
Main office: United Nations Avenue, UNON, Gigiri, Nairobi, Kenya.
For UNESCO recruitment, check out their website at;
UNESCO careers: https://careers.unesco.org/
UNESCO job openings: https://careers.unesco.org/go/All-jobs-openings/782502/
13. United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) – facilitates UN jobs in Kenya
What they do: Addresses reproductive health and population issues.
Main office: UN Gigiri Complex, Block N, Nairobi, Kenya.
For UN jobs in Kenya, explore the UNFPA website for work opportunities;
Jobs: https://www.unfpa.org/jobs
Job listing page: https://www.unfpa.org/jobs/jobs-listing-page
14. United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
What they do: Coordinates the global emergency response to save lives and protect people in humanitarian crises.
Main office: UN Complex, Gigiri, Nairobi, Kenya.
For job openings at the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), take a look at their website.
15. United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)
What they do: Promotes industrial development for poverty reduction, inclusive globalization, and environmental sustainability.
Main office: UN Avenue, Gigiri, Nairobi, Kenya.
UNIDO is a major recruiter for many UN jobs in Kenya. To work for the UNIDO, explore the careers section of their website.
16. International Organization for Migration (IOM)
What they do: Provides services and advice concerning migration to governments and migrants.
Main office: UN Gigiri Complex, Nairobi, Kenya.
The International Organization for Migration recruits employees frequently. To apply for jobs with the IOM, check;
Job vacancies: https://kenya.iom.int/job-vacancies
IOM Careers and Job Vacancies: https://www.iom.int/careers
17. United Nations AIDS (UNAIDS) – gives UN jobs in Kenya
What they do: Leads and inspires the world to achieve its shared vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination, and zero AIDS-related deaths.
Main office: UN Gigiri Complex, Block N, Nairobi, Kenya.
UNAIDS is a major employer of people seeking UN jobs in Kenya. To apply for a job at United Nations AIDS, check out the job vacancies on their website.
18. United Nations Women (UN Women)
What they do: Dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women.
Main office: UN Gigiri Complex, Block N, Nairobi, Kenya.
United Nations Women enables people to live in Kenya working for the UN. Check out the UN Women website to learn more about;
Current vacancies: https://www.unwomen.org/en/jobs/undp
Employment: https://www.unwomen.org/en/about-us/employment
19. World Bank
What they do: Provides financial and technical assistance to developing countries.
Main office: UN Avenue, Gigiri, Nairobi, Kenya.
World Bank is among the lucrative employer of all UN jobs in Kenya. Job opportunities at the World Bank in Kenya are normally advertised on their website at;
World Bank careers: https://www.worldbank.org/en/about/careers
World Bank Work With Us section: https://www.worldbank.org/en/work-with-us
20. International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
What they do: Works to achieve a safe, secure, and sustainable development of civil aviation.
Main office: UN Gigiri Complex, Nairobi, Kenya.
The International Civil Aviation Organization offers training as well as employment. To learn of the many training and employment opportunities at the ICAO, visit;
ICAO training: https://careers-new.icao.int/
ICAO careers: https://www.icao.int/training/Pages/default.aspx
21. International Monetary Fund (IMF) – respected for the supply of UN jobs in Kenya
What they do: Works to foster global monetary cooperation and financial stability.
Main office: UN Gigiri Complex, Nairobi, Kenya.
To work for the International Monetary Fund, check out their website for vacancies.
22. United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR)
What they do: UNDRR is the focal point in the United Nations system for the coordination of disaster reduction and ensures synergies among the disaster reduction activities of the United Nations system and regional organizations. In Kenya, UNDRR supports the government and local partners in implementing the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, aiming to reduce disaster risk and losses.
Main office: The UNDRR regional office for Africa is located in Nairobi, Kenya, within the UN complex.
To apply for a job at the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), visit their website.
23. United Nations Centre for Regional Development, Africa Office
What they do: Promotes sustainable development through regional development activities.
Main office: UN Gigiri Complex, Nairobi, Kenya.
To work for the United Nations Centre for Regional Development, visit their website to check out the job vacancy announcements.
24. United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM)
What they do: Provides support for peace and reconciliation in Somalia.
Main office: UN Gigiri Complex, Nairobi, Kenya.
For job opportunities at the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia, check out their website.
25. United Nations Common Air Services (UNCAS)
What they do: Provides air transport services to the humanitarian community.
Main office: UN Gigiri Complex, Nairobi, Kenya.
26. United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)
What they do: UNODC is a global leader in the fight against illicit drugs and international crime. The agency operates in all regions of the world through an extensive network of field offices. In Kenya, UNODC works on various programs aimed at combating drug trafficking, promoting criminal justice reform, and fighting against corruption and terrorism.
Main office: UN Complex, Gigiri, Nairobi, Kenya.
For the latest updates on UN jobs in Kenya, check out the job listings at United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.
27. United Nations Volunteers (UNV) – issues UN jobs in Kenya
What they do: The UNV program contributes to peace and development through volunteerism worldwide.
Main office: UN Gigiri Complex, Nairobi, Kenya.
To work as a UN volunteer in Kenya, visit the United Nations Volunteers website to learn more to;
Become a UN volunteer: https://www.unv.org/become-volunteer
Volunteer abroad: https://www.unv.org/become-volunteer/volunteer-abroad
28. International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) – loved for its UN jobs in Kenya
What they do: Focuses on rural poverty reduction, working with rural populations in developing countries to eliminate poverty, hunger, and malnutrition.
Main office: UN Complex, Gigiri, Nairobi, Kenya.
For UN job vacancies in Kenya, visit the IFAD website.
29. United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)
What they do: Aims to integrate developing countries more equitably into the world economy, promoting development through trade and investment.
Main office: UN Complex, Gigiri, Nairobi, Kenya.
For people dreaming of working with the UN in Kenya, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development opens doors to that by frequently posting job openings on their website.
30. United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)
What they do: Aims to combat illicit drugs, crime, and terrorism worldwide.
Main office: UN Complex, Gigiri, Nairobi, Kenya.
To learn more about job recruitment at UNODC, visit their website.
Living and Working for the UN in Kenya (for those in UN jobs in Kenya)
Working for the UN in Kenya is not just about the job; it’s about embracing a lifestyle dedicated to making a difference. Living in Kenya working for the UN allows individuals to experience the country’s rich culture and natural beauty while contributing to sustainable development and humanitarian efforts.
Contributing Beyond Employment: Charities in Kenya
For those inspired to go beyond employment and make a broader impact, starting or supporting charities in Kenya is a commendable initiative. Engaging with local communities and understanding their needs can lead to meaningful contributions to society.
Conclusion
Securing a job with the UN in Kenya requires diligence, preparation, and a genuine commitment to the values and mission of the United Nations. By following the steps outlined in this guide, aspiring candidates can navigate the application process more effectively. Whether you aim to work as a UN volunteer in Kenya or seek a long-term career, the opportunity to contribute to global and local causes while living in Kenya is a uniquely rewarding experience.
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