Background

Volunteerism is one of the most vital delivery mechanisms for social, environmental and economic transformation, ensuring a lasting impact with its ability to change people’s mindsets, attitudes and behaviours. People become actors of change and equal partners in the attainment of local, national and international progress towards sustainable human development and global peace.

The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme recognizes the shared universal values underpinning volunteerism – free will, commitment, equity, engagement, solidarity, compassion, empathy and respect for others. Since its establishment in 1970, UNV has enabled thousands of volunteers around the globe to contribute to advancing human development and fostering progress towards a better world.

Kenya has the largest number of UN Volunteers globally in a development setting and was one of the leading pilot countries in the world that mobilized Peace Monitors during election period in 2013, this under a UNDP administered project. As of March 2018, the total number of UN Volunteers assigned to Kenya is 177, with the number rapidly growing.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the UNV Program Assistant and overall supervision of the Programme Associate, the UNV Intern provides general administrative support services to the UNV unit to maintain optimum daily client services with UN Volunteers in a large country office. The UNV intern will ;

  • Assist in the preparation of arrival documentation for incoming national and international UN Volunteers;
  • Help prepare supporting documentation for payment of initial entitlements for national and international UN Volunteers;
  • Help keep up-to-date internal hard and soft information management system;
  • Assist in the preparation of contract extensions and/or renewal documents;
  • Assist in a timely delivery of the interview process for to-be recruited UN Volunteers through timely drafting and compiling of interview reports, scheduling interviews
  • Assist in the induction process for incoming national and international UN Volunteers;
  • Any other task assigned.

Competencies

Functional competencies:

  • Excellent timely and punctual administrative oversight;
  • Knowledge and understanding of HR-principles;
  • Good drafting skills.

Corporate Competencies:

  • Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
  • Advocates and promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNV;
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
  • Treats all people fairly without favouritism.

 

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Applicants for the UNV internship must - at the time of application -

  • Be enrolled in a relevant graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher) or;
  • Be enrolled in a relevant final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum Bachelor’s level or equivalent);
  • Have graduated with a university degree as defined below and, if selected, must start the internship within one-year of graduation
  • Related fields of Office Administration or Business Administration.

Required Skills and Experience:

  • A first degree in Office or Business Administration;
  • Knowledge of human resources principles is a distinctive advantage;
  • Good knowledge of Microsoft Office.

Eligibility:

The internship is open to Kenyan Nationals only

Language:

  • Fluency in English with excellent drafting skills;
  • Knowledge of any other official UN-language is an advantage.

Conditions of the Internship:

  • UNDP internship programme does not provide a salary or remuneration for the internship;
  • UNDP is not responsible for any claims by any parties where the loss of or damage to their property, death or personal injury was caused by the actions or omission of action by the interns during their internship;
  • UNDP accepts no responsibility for the medical and life insurance of the intern or costs arising from accidents and illness incurred during an internship. As interns are not covered under any insurance, including MAIP, they should not travel to hazardous locations during their internship with UNDP.
  • The intern is responsible for obtaining necessary visas and arranging travel to and from the duty station where the internship will be performed;
  • Interns are not eligible to apply for, or be appointed to, any post in UNDP during the period of the internship;
  • Interns are not staff members and may not represent UNDP in any official capacity;
  • The purpose of the Internship Programme is not to lead to further employment with UNDP but to complement an intern’s studies therefore, there should be no expectation of employment at the end of an internship;

In case an applicant is successfully selected, s/he will be requested to provide electronic versions of the following documents:

  • Copy of the applicant’s most recent resume or curriculum vitae;
  • Letter from his/her university confirming current enrollment and graduation date;
  • Letter of recommendation from a professor;
  • Copy of his/her school transcript;
  • Medical Certificate of Good Health (to be provided upon selection);
  • Proof of medical insurance (to be provided upon selection)

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Female candidates, individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.