United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Job Opportunities

Background

Kenya faced the biggest crisis in its post-independence history following the general elections that took place on 27 December 2007.

The international community responded to the Kenyan crisis swiftly.

A Panel of Eminent African Personalities was established to assist Kenyans in mediating a peaceful solution to the crisis through the Kenya National Dialogue and Reconciliation (KNDR) process. The mediation phase of the KNDR came to a close in July 2008.

The successor arrangement is a Coordination and Liaison Office (CLO) whose mandate is to assist in the implementation of the agreements reached by the National Dialogue and to support the Coalition Government as it seeks to address the root causes of the 2007 post-election crisis through support to the implementation of the recommendations of the independent commissions emanating from the National Dialogue.

The UNDP Kenya Country Office invites applications from suitably qualified persons for the following positions in the Coordination and Liaison Office:

1. Liaison Officer
2. Associate Research Officer
   

Vacancy No. 2009-06-001

Post Title: Liaison Officer

Type of Appointment: Service Contract Band 4

Recruitment type: National Project Professional Officer

Location/Duty Station: Nairobi, Kenya

Duration of Assignment: 8 months

Starting Date: July/August 2009

Direct Supervisor: Co-ordinator (Co-ordination & Liaison Office)

Specific Tasks

Reporting to the Coordinator, Coordination and Liaison Office, the Liaison Officer will perform the following functions:

1. Play a key coordination and liaison role between the CLO and relevant stakeholders including the Kenya Government, Civil Society, African Union, diplomatic corps, and other core organs of the Kenya National Dialogue as well as and NGOs and UN agencies represented in Kenya.
2. Act as the primary contact for key stakeholders and liaise effectively on behalf of the CLO and provide all necessary support and advice to the CLO Coordinator;
3. Actively participate in the ongoing implementation and delivery of the project in accordance with agreed standards;
4. Convey complex information succinctly and develop positive, productive relationships with relevant stakeholders;
5. Establish an effective communications system to keep the Panel and key stakeholders informed;
6. Disseminate relevant information and promote discussions on key KNDR reports documents.
7. Monitoring the work and bodies that result from the KNDR agreements, as well as the more general political, legislative and media situation in the region.
8. Monitor all media endeavours in the area including keeping abreast of local and international political developments and compile succinct reports for the attention of interested parties working in the Panel including the Panel Members and other relevant stakeholders
9. Establishing and maintain lines of communication and working relationships with individuals and networks of people in fields-.such as media, law, NGO's etc, drafting materials for both internal and external use, jurisprudence, activities, accomplishments, etc.;
10. Identify new opportunities for cooperation, including Kenya-based events of interest to the Panel (conferences, seminars, workshops, etc). Monitor ongoing political debates to identify potential areas of concern.

Qualifications and Experience

Education

• A Masters degree in political or social sciences, international studies or law, public or business administration, economics or other relevant field.
  

Experience

1. At least 2 years experience in liaison services, political analysis, communications or related fields with either a Government Agency, NGO or International Organization.
2. Experience working in the area of conflict management/ crisis prevention or on activities with collaboration between Government Agencies.
3. Knowledge of key stakeholders and Focal Organizations in the Kenya National Dialogue and Reconciliation
4. Experience in report writing.

Competencies

1. Proven knowledge in programming for development cooperation and program planning, management and evaluation;
2. Professionalism and commitment to quality performance;
3. Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
4. Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive constructive attitude, always in control even under pressure;
5. Ability to multi-task and prioritize work schedules;
6. Fluency in spoken and written English with excellent report writing and editing skills;
7. Robust, flexible and result oriented approach and personality;
8. Good command of computer applications;
9. Proven planning and organizing skills;
10. Strong communication skills, both written and oral; and
11. Good judgment/decision-making

Vacancy No. 2009-06-002

Post Title: Associate Research Officer

Type of Appointment: Service Contract Band 4

Recruitment type: National Project Professional Officer

Location/Duty Station: SB 4

Duration of Assignment: 8 months

Starting Date: July/August 2009

Direct Supervisor: Political Officer

Specific Tasks

Under the supervision of the Political Officer and the overall direction of the Coordinator, the Associate Research Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

1. Compile and collate information on political, social, economic, humanitarian, security and other developments in Kenya;
2. Conduct substantive research and assist in assessing trends which might affect the implementation of the National Dialogue agreements;
3. Provide advice to the Political Officer and/or the Coordinator on a range of issues;
4. Prepare drafts of background and analytical papers, briefing notes, speeches and other materials for the Coordinator and/or the Panel members;
5. Contribute to the preparation of regular progress reports on the implementation process and the activities of the CLO;
6. Provision of secretariat services for meetings with the Dialogue Team;
7. Interact and respond to queries from civil society, the diplomatic community, regional organizations, NGOs, the UN country team and other stakeholders;
8. Ensure that the KNDR website is kept up to date;
9. Organize and maintain the files and data of the political unit;
10. Participate in the identification and sourcing of experts for Commissions and other entities emanating from the KNDR agreements; perform other related functions as required.

Qualifications and Experience

Education

• A Masters degree in political or social sciences, international studies or law, public or business administration, economics or other relevant field.

Experience

1. At least two (2) years of progressively responsible professional experience in social research, political analysis or a related field.
2. Experience in designing and conducting research studies, strong analytical and data analyzing skills.
3. Experience working in the area of conflict or post-conflict situations.
4. Knowledge of relevant sources of information and demonstrated experience with data management techniques and the use of databases.
5. A publishing history is not mandatory but desirable

Competencies

1. Professionalism and commitment to quality performance;
2. Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
3. Ability to work in a team;
4. Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive constructive attitude, always in control even under pressure;
5. Ability to multi-task and prioritize work schedules;
6. Fluency in spoken and written English with excellent writing and editing skills;
7. Robust, flexible and result oriented approach and personality;
8. Good command of computer applications;
9. Proven planning and organizing skills; and
10. Strong communication skills, both written and oral.

Terms of Service

Incumbents to these positions shall be entitled to an attractive remuneration package commensurate with their qualifications and experience, which will be negotiated with the successful applicants.

This is a non-staff contract under the Service Contract modality of hiring of the UNDP. Individuals engaged under a SC serve in their individual capacity and not as representatives of a government institution, corporative body or other authority external to UNDP.

Therefore the incumbents shall not be considered as staff of UNDP, the UN system or the Government and therefore are not entitled to any diplomatic privileges, or to any other special status or conditions.

Duration

The successful applicants shall be recruited on a contract for a period of eight (8) months.

Application procedure

Interested and qualified persons are kindly requested to forward their job application letters and an updated CV - giving details of education and professional experience, as well as names, addresses (both postal and email) and telephone numbers of three referees, quoting the vacancy announcement response number for the specific post applied for to the following address not later than Thursday, 18 June 2009.
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) PO Box 30218, GPO00100 Nairobi, Kenya Or thro' Email address: jobs.ke @ undp.org

Additional considerations

1. Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.
2. Acknowledgements will be sent only to applicants who strictly meet the requirements of the positions.
   

"UNDP is an equal opportunity employer which strives to achieve overall balance in its staffing patterns".