People and Culture Associate

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, the right to thrive

The Kenya Country Office People and Culture section perform a dual role:

1.) As the direct people and culture section for Kenya Country Office, spread across Nairobi, and three field offices in Lodwar, Kisumu, and Garissa.
2.) As common services for all staff based in Nairobi, which is envisaged to become the largest common services globally, particularly with the forthcoming establishment of the new Centre of Excellence.

How can you make a difference? 

The purpose of this role to oversee the following portfolio in support of both Kenya Country Office and Nairobi Common Services

1.) Data and analytics
2.) Recruitment of non-staff personnel – individual consultants, UNVs, interns and standby partners
3.) Management of annual entitlement exercises and projects
4.) Administration of UNLPs for all UNICEF staff based in Nairobi

1. Data and Analytics

- Provide accurate and timely HR reports, with use of pivot tables, formulas, and vlookup.
- Provide analytical insight on trends to inform decision making.
- Oversee and manage the staff list for UNDSS for all staff in Nairobi.
- Analyze, research, verify, and compile data which facilitates preparation of workforce planning reports for supervisor to review.
- Analyze and summarize data from various business systems to generate reports and insights.
- Support the development and implementation of data collection systems to optimize data quality.
- Prepare workforce and staffing data analytics for various management reports, management reviews, audit reporting and others as  needed.

2.    Recruitment of non-staff personnel – individual consultants, UNVs, interns and standby partners

- Oversee the management of individual consultancies ensuring compliance with the relevant policies, excellent client service, and adherence to time-to-fill KPIs
- Design and provide training on the individual consultancy process to all staff
- Be the conduit between the office and GSSC to ensure the smooth execution of the process.

3.  Management of periodic entitlement exercises and projects

- Coordinate and oversee the following periodic entitlement exercises : annual drivers medical clearance, long service awards,  drivers annual safe driving bonus exercise, and continuing appointment exercise.

4.  Administration of UNLPs for all UNICEF staff based in Nairobi

- Provide accurate, client-oriented, and timely processing and renewal of UNLPs for all staff based in Kenya.
- Serve as the country focal point for the global visa desk

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Minimum requirements:

• Education:

A secondary education is required.

A bachelor's degree from a recognized academic institution in a field relevant to the position may replace three years of related work experience. A master's degree may replace an additional two years

• Work Experience:

A minimum of six years of experience in the Human Resources field is required.

• Skills :

Strong excel skills are required, as well as prior experience in developing workforce reports as part one's daily role is required.

In-depth knowledge of UNICEF HR procedures, particularly on non-staff personnel is required.

Excellent client service is required.

• Language Requirements:

Fluency in English and Swahili is required. 

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…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships

(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness

(3) Drive to achieve results for impact

(4) Innovates and embraces change

(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity

(6) Thinks and acts strategically

(7) Works collaboratively with others 

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:

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.