Representative, D-1, Nairobi, Kenya

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfil their potential. Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone. And we never give up.

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfil their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone. And we never give up.

For every child, leadership.

The Representative serves as the accredited representative of UNICEF in the country and reports to the Regional Director for general direction and oversight. The Representative is responsible for establishing dialogue with the Government to develop the framework of cooperation in the country and for working closely and collaboratively with the Government and national institutions, stakeholders and partners, to develop the Government-UNICEF Country Programme of Cooperation in active support of efforts to advance children’s rights as established under the Convention on the Rights of the Child, other international treaties/frameworks, national development plans, the SDGs, and UN intergovernmental bodies.

As head of the Country Office, the Representative is responsible for providing leadership and vision to the UNICEF Country Office team in managing and leveraging resources for the achievement of results and realization of the rights of children. The Representative leads and oversees the various programme sectors and operations teams ensuring delivery of quality results in accordance with UNICEF’s Strategic Plans, standards of performance and accountability framework, ethics and integrity. The Representative is accountable for upholding UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability, and ensuring the establishment and maintenance of a non-discriminatory, inclusive and nurturing working environment for all staff and personnel, to enable them to effectively and efficiently deliver high-quality results for children.

How can you make a difference?

The Representative’s key functions and accountabilities include:

• Developing and planning the Country Programme
• Leading and managing the Country Office
• Monitoring and quality control of the Country Programme
• Representation and external relations at global/regional and national level
• Delivering high quality results for children, including in a complex operating environment
• Support to the Resident Coordinator and UN Country Team to advance the UN Cooperation Framework
• Leading resource mobilization efforts and nurturing and strengthening partnerships
• Leading innovation, knowledge management and capacity building
• Safety, security and well-being of staff, programmes and organizational assets

To qualify as a champion for every child you will have…

Qualifications:

• An Advanced University Degree in social sciences, international relations, government and public relations, public or social policy, sociology, social or community development or other related fields, is required.
• A minimum of 13 years professional development experience that combines intellectual and managerial leadership in development cooperation at the international level, some of which served in developing countries is required. Relevant professional experience in any UN system agency or organization is an asset.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language or local language of the duty station is considered as an asset.

Person Profile:

• Strong management skills and track record at the international level.
• International and developing country knowledge and practical field experience, in the areas of programme and operations.
• Strong experience in policy advocacy and upstream work.
• Proven knowledge and experience in formulating strategies and managing a large size programme (sectoral and multisectoral, development, humanitarian, advocacy, policy dialogue and capacity building).
• Experience in engagement in policy level dialogue and on development aid effectiveness.
• Substantive knowledge of application of a human rights-based approach in practice, and results-based programming.
• Experience in ensuring integration and synergy across sectoral programmes in accordance with best practices.
• High levels of political acumen and strong diplomatic skills.
• Demonstrated capacity to provide leadership and engagement in a strong Delivering as One context.
• Demonstrated ability to direct and foster strategic partnerships, and to mobilize and leverage resources for children.
• Emergency preparedness and response, and related capacity building support experience, at country and international levels.
• Proven capacity to lead, motivate and develop a large size team.
• Proven risk management skills.

Country Typology:

• Country Income Level: Kenya is a lower middle-income country.
• Duty Station: Nairobi is a “B”, family, and non-emergency duty station. Excellent location for families.
• Office Size: 174 staff, 30 IPs
• Overall annual budget: USD 60-70 million
• Good for 1^st Time Rep: Not recommended
• Schooling:  Several international schools offering the IB and British curricula, as well as a French and a German school.

Brief country context:

Kenya is a stable lower middle income country and is a key player in regional geopolitics as well as in the global arena. Democratic elections are held every five years. Kenya’s estimated population in 2022 is 48 million.of which 46 percent are under18 years.  While there has been progress on key child-related indicators, disparities are high. Child poverty is high in the arid and semi-arid areas as well as informal urban settlements. Kenya has a devolved governance system which covers several key social sectors. The country experiences cyclical droughts and other emergencies and hosts a large population of refugees. 

UNICEF works to uphold the rights and well-being of all children in Kenya, across health, nutrition, HIV/AIDS, WASH, education, protection, social inclusion, emergencies, disabilities and adolescent development. In Kenya, UNICEF’s Country Programme aims to reach the most disadvantaged children through its engagement both at national and decentralized levels. The programme has a strong integrated and multi-sectoral approach across the life cycle and clear links between the social policy agenda and sectoral work. The programme is aligned to the  UNSDCF and the National Development Plan. UNICEF works with national and county Governments on policies, public financing, systems strengthening, social and behaviour change and resilience building to improve basic social services for children, including adolescents, Kenya is a strong Delivering as One context,  has an extensive partnership landscape and a vibrant private sector.

For every child, you demonstrate…

Core Values

• Commitment
• Respect
• Integrity
• Trust
• Accountability
• Sustainability

 Competencies

• Builds and maintains partnerships
• Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness
• Drive to achieve results for impact
• Innovates and embraces change
• Manages ambiguity and complexity
• Thinks and acts strategically
• Works collaboratively with others
• Nurtures, leads and manages people

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

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This position is classified as “rotational” which means the incumbent is expected to rotate to another duty station upon completion of their tour of duty.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

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. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.