Job Openings at United Nations Office at Nairobi

The Administrative Law Section internship is for 6 months.

The Internship is UNPAID and full-time.

Interns work five days per week (35 hours) under the supervision of a staff member in the department or office to which they are assigned.

Responsibilities

Daily responsibilities will depend on the individual’s background; the intern’s assigned office as well as the internship period.

Under the direct supervision of the Political Adviser to the Director-General of UNON the intern will:

• Conduct legal research and analysis.
• Assist Counsel in the preparation of written and oral submissions in connection with the representation of the Organisation in proceedings before the United Nations Dispute Tribunal.
• Assist in maintaining the unit’s database.
• Perform other duties as required.

Competencies

• Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively. Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately. Asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication. Tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience. Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
• Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals. Solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others. Places team agenda before personal agenda. Supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position. Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.
• Client orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view. Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect. Identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions. Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems. Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects. Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

Education

Applicants must at the time of application meet one of the following requirements:

• Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher).
• Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree program (minimum Bachelor’s level or equivalent).
• Have graduated with a university degree and, if selected, must commence the internship within a one-year period of graduation.
• Be computer literate in standard software applications.
• Have demonstrated keen interest in the work of the United Nations and have a personal commitment to the ideals of the Charter.
• Have a demonstrated ability to successfully interact with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs, which include willingness to try and understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views.

Preferred Area of study:

• Degree or a post-graduate programme in law.

Work Experience

Applicants are not required to have professional work experience for participation in the programme.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this internship, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of another UN Language is desirable.

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In February 2013, 11 nations signed the Peace, Security and Cooperation (PSC) Framework for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the region, in a renewed drive to end the recurring cycles of devastating conflict in eastern DRC which impacts stability and development in the Great Lakes area of Africa. On 31 January 2014, two more countries, Kenya and Sudan, became signatories of the PSC Framework. The framework aims to help “address the root causes of conflict and put an end to recurring cycles of violence” in eastern DRC and the Great Lakes Region. In its Resolution 2098 (2013), the Security Council welcomed the signing of the PSC Framework. It called on the Special Envoy, in coordination with the Special Representative for the DRC to “lead, coordinate and assess the implementation of national and regional commitments under the PSC Framework, including through the establishment of benchmarks and appropriate follow-up measures”.

The Security Council further encouraged the Special Envoy to “lead a comprehensive political process that includes all relevant stakeholders to address the underlying root causes of the
conflict”.

This position is located in the Office of the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for the Great Lakes Region in Nairobi, and reports to the Director of Political Affairs.

Responsibilities

• Within delegated authority, under the overall supervision and guidance of the Director of Political Affairs, the Senior Political Affairs Officer will be responsible for the following duties:
• Formulates political affairs strategies; develops a vision or direction for work; proposes policy directives and plan of action for immediate and long-range solutions to political problems in general and in specific geographical areas; identifies emerging issues pertaining to the mandates of the unit; analyses implications and makes recommendations on possible strategies and measures.
• Plans and implements the operational activities related to the work of the office or mission, i.e., conflict prevention and resolution, post-conflict rehabilitation, election administration, political and governance institution-building, civil society support work, etc.; incorporates an integrated approach that includes a rights-based dimension, conflict prevention sensitivity, and a gender perspective into the policy, planning and operational activities of the unit.
• Prepares, coordinates and reviews briefing notes, talking points and other documents for the Head of the Mission and other senior staff. Provides continuous guidance and advice to senior leadership, as well as other elected offices of intergovernmental bodies concerning the organization of work, status of negotiations, and conduct of business including interpretation of the rules of procedure. Responds to/prepares responses to comments, statements, and queries of parties. Develops and maintains relations with senior government officials and advises them on issues and policies of mutual concern.
• Leads and directs a work team; plans and allocates work assignments; coaches, mentors, and evaluates staff; participates in recruitment and selection of new staff and in the development of training programs. Manages, coordinates, organizes and supervises research on a variety of political issues in a region and or country or major conflict. Plans, coordinates and manages programmes, projects and activities requiring mission and/or interagency involvement and participation. Represents division/office/mission at round tables, seminars and conferences.
• Formulates the programme of work, budget and medium-term plan of the unit and participates in the overall approval of the programme of work, and administrative matters concerning the Section/Division or mission; coordinates and oversees work of colleagues and unit.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Competencies

Professionalism

•  Shows pride in work and in achievements;
• Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter;
• Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results;
• Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns;
• Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges;
• Remains calm in stressful situations;
• Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

Communication

• Speaks and writes clearly and effectively;
• Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately;
• Asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication;
• Tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience;
• Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.Planning and Organizing
• Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies;
• Identifies priority activities and assignments;
• adjusts priorities as required;
• Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work;
• Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning;
• Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary;
• Uses time efficiently.Managing Performance
• Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability, and decision-making authority;
• Makes sure that roles, responsibilities, and reporting lines are clear to each staff member;
• Accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills;
• Monitors progress against milestones and deadlines;
• Regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff;
• Encourages risk-taking and supports staff when they make mistakes;
• Actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff;
• Appraises performance fairly.

Judgment/Decision-making

• Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly;
• Gathers relevant information before making a decision;
• Considers positive and negative impact on others and on the Organization;
• Proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information;
• Checks assumptions against facts;
• Determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision;
• Makes tough decisions when necessary.

Vision

• Identifies strategic issues, opportunities and risks;
• clearly communicates links between the Organization’s strategy and the work unit’s goals;
• generates and communicates broad and compelling organizational direction, inspiring others to pursue that same direction;
• conveys enthusiasm about future possibilities.

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) degree in political science, international relations, international economics, law, public administration, or related field.
• A first-level university degree in combination with two years qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

• A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in political work and, international relations, law, disarmament, security, development management, conflict resolution or related area is required.
• Experience in providing political advice to senior officials is required.
• Experience in coordination and liaising with partner organizations is desirable.
• Experience working in a field operation of the United Nations Common System (inclusive of peacekeeping, political missions and UN regional commissions, agencies, funds, and programmes) or similar international organization is desirable.
• Experience in design and support of mediation and dialogue processes in active conflict or post-conflict situations is desirable.
• Experience working on or in a regional context is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations. For this post, fluency in English is required, and working knowledge of French is desirable.