Nairobi is one of the United Nations’ four main headquarters, and hosts the regional offices of hundreds of international NGOs, donors and foundations. They are among the city’s most sought-after employers, and competition is intense.

Who is here

  • The United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON) in Gigiri, with the global headquarters of UNEP (environment) and UN-Habitat, and regional offices of many other agencies such as UNICEF, UNHCR, WFP and WHO.
  • International NGOs in humanitarian work, health, development and rights.
  • Donors and foundations, and research institutes such as ILRI and ICRAF (CIFOR-ICRAF).

Kinds of UN posts

  • National Professional Officers (NO) - professional roles open to Kenyan nationals.
  • General Service (G) - support roles, recruited locally.
  • International Professional (P) and Director (D) - open to all nationalities, with international terms.
  • Consultants and individual contractors - short-term, often the way in.
  • UN Volunteers (UNV), internships and Junior Professional Officer (JPO) programmes - sponsored by some governments for their nationals.

Where vacancies are advertised

  • careers.un.org - the UN Secretariat’s jobs site, including UNON, UNEP and UN-Habitat.
  • Each agency’s own careers site - UNICEF, UNDP, UNHCR, WFP and others recruit separately.
  • ReliefWeb and other humanitarian job boards for NGO posts.
  • NGOs’ own websites and professional networks.

Set up alerts. Posts close on fixed dates, and late applications are not accepted.

Applying

  • Follow the format exactly. Many systems use their own online profile or the UN’s personal history form; tailor it to each post.
  • Match the criteria. Screening is strict on education, years of experience and languages. Use the vacancy’s language in your application.
  • Show results - numbers, outcomes and responsibilities.
  • Expect a test - written assessments are common - and a competency-based interview, where you answer with specific examples (situation, task, action, result).

Recruitment can take months. Keep applying while you wait.

Scams

The UN and reputable NGOs never charge fees to apply or to process recruitment. Offers asking for payment for visas, training or “processing” are scams.

Work permits

Foreign nationals hired by NGOs usually need a work permit. UN international staff come under separate arrangements. See Class D work permit.

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