Protocol Officer

Volunteering Admin

Overview

Support high-level engagements and protocol arrangements.

You have:

• At least three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in administration, protocol, or logistic support services.
• Experience in the use of computers and office software packages (Online Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Microsoft (MS) Office applications, etc.) is required.
• Proven experience in protocol or working with government partners is required.

Contract

This is a UNV contract. More about UNV contracts.

The United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON) is the only UN headquarter office in Africa and the global south and serves as the representative office of the UN Secretary-General in Kenya. UNON provides administrative and other support services to the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), the UN Resident Coordination System (RCS) and the UN Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT) globally in 166 countries. UNON also provides joint and common services to other organizations of the UN System in Kenya. Home to diverse fauna and flora in a rich environmental ecosystem, UNON sits on 140-acres of land, the largest of any UN compound in the world.

This UN Volunteer is Director General’s Office, United Nations Office at Nairobi’s Office.

Under the direct supervision of the Chief of Staff, the United Nations Volunteer (UNV) will undertake the following duties:

1. High-Level Visits and Engagements • Coordinate protocol arrangements for visits by Heads of State, Heads of Government, Ministers, Permanent Representatives, senior United Nations (UN) officials, and other dignitaries. • Prepare and oversee visit programmes, arrival and departure arrangements, security coordination, and ceremonial requirements. • Liaise with Permanent Missions, Government counterparts, diplomatic corps, United Nations entities, and other stakeholders regarding protocol matters. • Ensure appropriate ranking, precedence, seating arrangements, and courtesies during meetings and official functions.

2. Support to the Director-General and Chief of Staff • Advise the Chief of Staff and Director-General on protocol issues and diplomatic sensitivities. • Prepare protocol notes, briefing materials, talking points, biographies, and background information for high-level engagements. • Maintain records of diplomatic contacts, VIP visits, and protocol precedents. • Support the preparation of official correspondence, notes verbales, and invitations related to high-level engagements.

3. Events and Ceremonies • Lead protocol planning for official ceremonies, receptions, commemorative events, launches, and high-level conferences hosted by the United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON). • Coordinate flag displays, seating plans, speaking order, motorcade arrangements, and ceremonial procedures. • Ensure consistency with United Nations standards and practices. • Work closely with conference services, security, communications, and facilities management teams.

4. Stakeholder Relations • Maintain regular engagement with the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, diplomatic missions, airport authorities, and host-country protocol services. • Serve as the principal Office of the Chief of Staff (OCS) focal point for protocol-related coordination with Member States. • Facilitate smooth engagement between visiting delegations and UNON leadership.

5. Administrative and Coordination Functions • Develop and maintain protocol guidelines, standard operating procedures (SOPs), checklists, and databases. • Coordinate accreditation, grounds access, VIP clearances, and protocol support requirements. • Prepare after-action reports and lessons learned following major visits and events. • Support budget planning and resource requirements related to protocol activities.

• Commitment to Continuous Learning • Communication • Planning and Organizing • Professionalism • Working in Teams

• At least three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in administration, protocol, or logistic support services. • Experience in the use of computers and office software packages (Online Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Microsoft (MS) Office applications, etc.) is required. • Proven experience in protocol or working with government partners is required.

The Republic of Kenya is an equatorial nation on the coast of East Africa, neighbouring Somalia, Ethiopia, Sudan, Uganda, Tanzania, and the Indian Ocean. Kenya has two levels of Government; National Government and 47 sub-national Governments called Counties. Counties are further divided into sub-counties. Kenya is a multi-party state with Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches. Kenya’s population of more than 40 million is growing at an annual rate of 2.2%. The country’s GNP per capita estimated at purchasing power parity (PPP) is $975, and the GNP is growing at an average rate of 0.1% annually. More than 26% of Kenya’s people live below the international poverty line of $1 per day. Kenya’s main food crops are “maize, wheat, pulses, roots and tubers.” (FAO).

Nairobi is a modern metropolitan city where most basic goods and services, health facilities, public transport, telecommunication and banking services and educational facilities are readily available. The city is widely connected through its main airport, Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and the smaller Wilson Airport. Air transport is also available to many up-country destinations. The city is home to some 3,000 UN personnel mainly attributed to the fact that it serves as the headquarters for both the UN HABITAT and UNEP.

The socio-economic and cultural background of the immediate society the UNV would be living and working in is diverse and prevailing security conditions at the place of assignment is modest. The topographic and climatic features of the assignment location is highland cool and warm tropical climate.

Link to the Entitlement Calculator: https://app.unv.org/calculator You may check the full benefits and allowances applicable to the duty station using the UVP calculator. Please see the Conditions of Service for UN Volunteers for more information and details.”

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Potential interview questions

Added 3 days ago - Updated 6 hours ago - Source: unv.org