Project Management Coordinator

Contract

This is a UNV International Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Specialist contracts.

The United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON), the UN headquarters in Africa, was established by the UN General Assembly in 1996 in the capital city of Kenya. UNON is headed by a Director-General at the Under-Secretary-General level, who serves as the representative office of the Secretary-General in Nairobi and performs representation and liaison functions with permanent missions, the host-country and other Governments, and intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations in Nairobi, as well as other organizations of the United Nations system in Kenya.

UNON also facilitates cooperation between the United Nations and regional organizations, and provides administrative support, public information support, conference services, and safety and security services for the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) and joint and common services to other organizations of the United Nations system in Kenya.

This United Nations Volunteers (UNV) assignment is part of UNON FMTS (Facilities Management and Transport Section) projects and flagship programming initiative, among others.

UNON FMTS is looking for a motivated and effective Project Management Coordinator who is detail-driven, creative and possesses a significant overlap of skills and industry knowledge to seamlessly transition from a project management role into the field of interior design practises and construction.

As our ideal candidate, your key responsibilities will include strong & effective project management skills to oversee the execution and coordination of UNON’s interior design projects and interior renovations in UNEP inclusive of careful and detailed planning, coordination, scheduling, budget management, and communication with clients, contractors, and suppliers. You will play a strategic role by ensuring that the design vision aligns with the project's objectives and client expectations.

Under the direct supervision of the Chief FMTS for the overall technical aspects, design & vision and reporting to the Lead Project Coordinator in UNEP for leadership & vision for UNEP, the UN Volunteer will perform the following duties and responsibilities:

• Develop and define a pre-project management charter • Monitor, oversee and report all management and administration aspects of the project. • Plan and organize project schedules. • Support lead project coordinator as well as the client focus group tp ensure that the concept design is realised. • Foster clear communication between stakeholders and effective reporting to the Lead Project Coordinator. • Identify and mitigate any potential project obstacles and challenges. • Produce required technical and design drawings/ renders and presentations and/or technical detail drawings. • Assist the lead project coordinator and client with all procurement, construction, and design documents. • Proactive approach to assist negotiate contracts or timelines as required. • Interact and support with regular client project updates and cost controls.
• Navigate through industry-specifics with local contractors, suppliers and artists. • Source materials and products as required. • Resolve conflicts attentively. • Ensure each design stage deliverables are met on time and within budget. • Report to the lead project coordinator on all related project and design issues. • Communicate and coordinate with all supplierss, ensuring relevant lead times are in alignment with the overall programme. • Chair and manage weekly project meetings and updates. including presentations. • Conduct regular site visits and meetings, gather information, and identify risks.

• Professionalism • Teamwork • Accountability • Adaptability and flexibility • Creativity • Judgement and decision-making • Planning and organising

interior design project management or project management with an interior design background ot field is required. • Three (3) years of experience in project implementation and supervision of interior design or interior construction projects are required. • Three (3) years of experience in industry-specific management roles with strong aspects of administration, procurement, client presentations, coordinating and overseeing site works & installations, project execution and post-project evaluation & management.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD (or Revit), SketchUp, 3D Max, Illustrator with other design relevant programs, including proficiency program management software, Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, , among others is required.

The below requirements are desirable assets for this position: • Effective communicator and negotiation skills. • Flexible with technical tools for time-tracking and expense tracking • Knowledge of interior design industry and sustainable practises. • Experience in interior construction, renovation and upgrade works. • Working Knowledge of cost estimates including furniture and artwork procurement. • Experience working in the UN or other international development organization. • Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners; • Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural and multifaceted team of international and national personnel; • Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines. • Fluent spoken and written English language skills is required.

The Republic of Kenya lies across the equator on the East Coast of Africa. It borders Somalia, Ethiopia and South Sudan to the North, Uganda to the West, the United Republic of Tanzania to the South and the Indian Ocean to the East. The official languages of the Republic of Kenya are English and Kiswahili. Kenya has a population of 53 million according to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics in 2022. Nairobi is Kenya’s capital city with a population of 5 million people. The weather in Nairobi is generally very pleasant. February-March ordinarily marks the end of the dry season before the onset of long-rains in April. During the rainy season, heavy showers are common, especially at night. Given the tropical nature of the Nairobi region, humidity during that period tends to be high. Average temperatures during February-March are 27°C (80°F) during the day and 14°C (57°F) or lower for cold nights. The official currency of the Republic of Kenya is the Kenya Shilling (KES) which is a convertible currency. The use of credit cards to pay for purchases and services in major facilities is fairly common. Automated Teller Machines (ATM) banking services are situated at major centres across the city. ATMs services are also available on the UN compound.
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) is the main airport in Kenya and serves as a regional hub for many global airlines. JKIA is 15 Kilometres from Nairobi’s central business district and 25 Kilometres from the United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON) in Gigiri. It is UNVs’ responsibility to obtain visas for Kenya. A valid passport, not expiring for at least six months from date of departure is required for an entry visa into Kenya. Public health Yellow Fever: A Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is required if arriving in Kenya from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. Malaria: Nairobi is generally malaria-free, but it is still recommended to consult your doctor about all malarial prophylaxis if travelling into Kenya and beyond Nairobi, especially if going to the Kenya coast and Lake Victoria region. Adequate safeguards against mosquito bites are recommended, such as insect repellents, bed nets, long trousers, and long-sleeved clothing covering all arms. Diarrhoeal Diseases: In Kenya, food poisoning and infection from waterborne diseases, including diarrhoea, are common - depending on the hygiene standards of the places you visit for food. It is advisable to avoid raw foods, while fruits and vegetables that must be peeled and cleaned properly. Drinking water directly from the municipal taps is not advisable. Please ask for treated bottled water from a certified company with a secured seal. General Security precautions Nairobi is a beautiful city with a large expatriate community and modern amenities where people can move around freely in a relatively safe manner. However, it is advisable to take necessary precautions and exercise common sense in light of certain security concerns. It is also advisable to be vigilant especially in Nairobi where petty crimes like phone and handheld property snatching, theft of valuables, including from in vehicles, are not uncommon.

You can check full entitlements at the duty station at https://app.unv.org/calculator. The complete UN Volunteer Conditions of Service is available at https://explore.unv.org/cos.”