UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.
At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.
UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.
Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.
For every child, an advocate
The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programmes, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, nutrition, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.
The Field Associate directly reports to the Chief of Field Office, and technically to the Administration Specialist with support from the Finance Officer. This role covers a broad range of Program and Operational functions, liaising internally with all sections and externally with implementing partners for effective program delivery. Depending on the Field Office programme priorities, the role will support sector specific teams (e.g., Health, Education, Child Protection, WASH) as well as cross-cutting portfolios (e.g., SCB, humanitarian action, M&E, emergency preparedness).
How can you make a difference?
Purpose for the job:
Under the direct supervision of the Chief Field Office and in close cooperation with the Operations Section in Nairobi, the Field Associate will be responsible for the provision of technical and administrative assistance in support to the implementation of programme activities and to the seamless functioning of the UNICEF Kisumu Zone Office. The Field Associate will also act as a resource for capacity building of other programme and operations professionals in the office.
Summary of key functions/accountabilities:
- Support the development of programme cooperation agreements (PCAs) by providing information and drafting selected sections of the documents.
- Ensure the timely and accurate recording and administrative processing of government & NGO’s proposals and requests for direct cash transfers (DCTs).
- Support programme sections in programme monitoring activities of UNICEF programmes.
- Help conduct regular spot checks of partner’s projects to assess their financial record-keeping, expenditure controls and reporting systems.
- Monitor and track the efficient distribution of supplies that are required for effective programme delivery.
- Support the programme section in researching, compiling and analyzing qualitative and quantitative data and information from a variety of sources on subject matters relevant to the work of the section to facilitate programme delivery as well as preparation of reports, working papers and presentations.
- Support capacity development activities related to programme development and capacity building of implementing partners by preparing training materials and participating in exercises.
- Manage the administration functions of the Zonal Office. This entails liaising with local service providers to ensure timely operational services to the Zonal Office to support programme implementation. Ensure that all office services are well maintained and are running smoothly at all times. Arrange for adequate office space and furniture for staff members. Supervise ancillary staff to ensure effective office maintenance and other related administration services.
- Oversee the security of the office by ensuring that the Zonal Office has adequate security for all buildings, property and staff. Ensure all security protocols and essential minimums are in place, known and adhered to by staff members.
- Coordinate all transport functions of the Zonal Office including the supervision of the drivers and maintenance of office vehicles. Liaise with the Transport Assistant in Nairobi regarding maintenance and repair of vehicles. Check all logbooks on a regular basis to verify trips undertaken, paying particular attention to vehicle fuel consumption. Take note of any anomalies on the mileage covered per trip and report the same to the Administrative Officer in Nairobi.
- Coordinate all travel requirements for incoming and outgoing staff members, consultants’ bookings for accommodation.
- Manage office inventory and maintain up to date records on all office inventory in the prescribed format. Undertake physical inventory of all office non-expendable property at least once a year and send the status report on all office inventory to the Administrative Associate in Nairobi
- Manage all cash functions in the Zonal Office. Custodian for the office petty cash, facilitate payments, ensure adequacy of supporting documents and correct coding, issue payments against approved payment requests. Maintain records pertaining to the petty cash payments with support documents. Coordinate with the Finance Section for timely replenishment of petty cash following the defined procedures.
- Responsible for collecting invoices and filing documents for approval and, thereafter, submitting them to the Finance team in Nairobi for processing. Upload electronic files and verify results to the destination system. Responds to client transaction status and other inquiries.
- Help prepare periodic or ad-hoc financial reports relating to the country office and donors to support the office in optimizing use of programme funds.
- Provide guidance to staff on administration and finance-related issues in line with the office policies and procedures.
- Perform other duties, as required.
If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here: [Field Associate, G6, Kisumu]
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
Minimum requirements:
- Education: Completion of secondary education is required, preferably supplemented by technical or university courses related to the field of work of the organization. Three (3) years and an additional two (2) years of experience may be substituted for candidates holding a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree, respectively.
- Work Experience: A minimum of six years of administrative or clerical work experience is required. Financial management experience would be an asset. Prior experience in programme support functions is an asset. Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered as an asset.
- Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language or local language of the duty station is considered as an asset.
- Skills/Capabilities Required:
- Project Management (3)
- Support programme specialists/officers in the development of project plans, objectives and deliverables
- Track and organize resources like time, budget, essential contacts, and team efforts
- Identify and report potential programme risks for further guidance
- Collaboration (3)
- Navigate organizational dynamics and adapt behavior to respond to different situations
- Earn the trust and confidence of colleagues and partners through respectful, honest behaviours and messaging displaying openness
- Provide clear information related to HACT/budget for concise and well-structured reports and documents
- Listen and pay close attention to what others are saying, ask questions and seek clarification
- Present program and operations guidance, procedures, and information clearly to relevant audiences
- Problem Solving (3)
- Analyze HACT/budget related data, identify trends, anomalies, underlying causes and risks
- Summarize and communicate findings, focusing on actionable insights to support decision-making from internal meetings, engagements with partners and HACT/budgets
- Support program staff and Chief of Field Office in making decisions in time-sensitive situations, even with incomplete information
- Support the chief of field office in assessment of the potential impact of solutions (costs, benefits and risks)
- Digital Dexterity (3)
- Utilize AI-powered tools and platforms to automate data analysis
- Apply AI prompts to improve the quality of reports and data, ensuring alignment with internal regulations and policies
- Use specialist technology business systems and software
- Analyze and summarize data from various business systems to generate reports and insights
Desirables:
- Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts.
For every Child, you demonstrate...
UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values
The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…
- Nurtures, Leads and Manages People (1)
- Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (2)
- Works Collaboratively with others (2)
- Builds and Maintains Partnerships (2)
- Innovates and Embraces Change (2)
- Thinks and Acts Strategically (2)
- Drive to achieve impactful results (2)
- Manages ambiguity and complexity (2)
Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.
UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.
UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.
UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.
UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.
Remarks:
- This recruitment exercise is to fill one (1) position of Field Associate, G6, based in Kisumu.
- This position is open to candidates with Kenya Work Authorization.
- Internal candidates on abolished posts, performing at the level of the post or a level higher in the relevant functional area, or an internal candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, will be given first consideration.
- Per the UNICEF Staff Selection Procedure, alternate recommended candidate(s) from this selection process may be placed in the Talent Group which may be used to fill similar positions in the future. Therefore, all eligible candidates are encouraged to apply.
- As per 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.
- UNICEF is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce.
- Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.
- UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.
- Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF’s Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.
- UNICEF shall not facilitate the issuance of a visa and working authorization for candidates under consideration for positions at the national officer and general service category.
- All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.
Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.
