Article

Vacancy: Project Assistant - Education Sector (UNESCO Nairobi)

Title: Project Assistant: (open only to Kenyans)
Service Contract Level: G4
Sector/Bureau/Division/ (Field/Liaison) Office/Institute: Regional Office for Eastern Africa
Duty Station: Nairobi, Kenya
Type of Contract: Service Contract
Contract Duration: 10 months
Applications Deadline: (Midnight 23:59 ETA) 17 March 2025
We are hiring!

MAIN TASKS OR SERVICES

, provides the overarching framework for concerted action by UNESCO and its partners at global, regional and country levels.   While the strategy reflects UNESCO鈥檚 continued commitment to prevent and address HIV infection and related issues, it also reflects the shift towards situating HIV and sexuality education within the framework of health and well-being. Furthermore, UNESCO recognizes that education sector cannot achieve better health and well-being alone and thus also support collaboration with other sectors, health, gender and youth among others.  To support the implementation of Education for Health and Well-being (EHW) programme in Kenya, UNESCO is seeking the services of a Project Assistant for a duration of 10 months with possible extension based on performance and availability of funds.

This position falls under the authority of the Director and Representative of UNESCO Regional Office for Eastern Africa and the direct supervision of the National Project Officer - Education for Health and Well-being (EHW) and in-direct supervision of Programme Specialist Education. The Project Assistant provides support for effective planning, implementation, communication and monitoring of EHW Our Rights, Our Lives, Our Future Project. 

Specifically, the Project Assistant Officer will pro-actively:

Programme Support 

  • Provide support in liaison with government, KNATCOM, Civil Society Organizations, Faith Based Organizations in institutionalization of human sexuality education, Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) service provision and prevention of/ response to sexual and gender-based violence for young people in tertiary institutions, including young people living with HIV, young people withdisabilities and key populations.

  • Support the coordination and follow up of activities implemented by partners/contractors.

  • Support in communication efforts such as:

  • Documenting the good practices and lessons learnt, stories of change and learning for sharing on social media platforms

  • Leveraging on UN international days 鈥 World AIDS Day, International Women鈥檚 Day, International Youth Day to share posts/videos/pictures on multiple platforms.

  • Compelling of quarterly and annual reporting of project milestones and lessons learnt.

  • Taking high quality photos for reporting and sharing

  • Support in taking minutes during meetings for documentation.

  • Support research and data analysis on the project, contributing to reports and recommendations for program improvements.

  • Support the project monitoring timeline, including tracking milestones and deadlines, as well as ensuring conformity to expected results and project work-plans.

 

Administrative support :

  • Provide day-to-day support on administrative matters concerning the project including travel plans, travel authorization, fund reservations, transport and daily subsistence allowance (DSA) reimbursements for participants. 

  • Provide support on administrative and logistical arrangements for meetings, workshops, training and contractual of implementing partners in connection with the activities, including preparing documents for procurement processes and payments.

  • Establish and maintain an organized e-filing system of all the deliverables related to project contracts as per administrative guidelines.

  • Schedule meetings, coordinate project timelines, and manage calendars.

  • Prepare and distribute project documentation (e.g. agendas, reports, presentations).

  • Support communications between project stakeholders (email, phone calls, etc.).

 

Financial support :

  • Ensure financial reports received from contractors are supported by original/certified receipts, invoices or payment statements and timely submitted to the finance and administration team. 

  • Ensure clearance of the deliverables by the project officer.

  • Ensure payments process through Microsoft Tracking Tool once clearance on deliverables and original supporting documents provided as per UNESCO Financial Regulation.

  • Ensure follow-up on contract closing in due time.

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

Under the overall supervision of the Programme Specialist and the direct supervision of the National Project Officer 鈥 Education for Health and Well-being, the successful candidate will provide support for the implementation of Education for Health and Well-being Our Rights, Our Lives, Our Future Project within UNESCO Regional Office for Eastern Africa.

 

EXPECTED RESULTS

  1. Program support :
  • Strengthened partnerships with key stakeholders to enhance the delivery of the EHW - Our Rights, Our Lives, Our Future project.

  • Captured and shared good practices, lessons learned, and success stories across multiple platforms, leveraging key UN international days to boost project visibility and impact.

  • Enhanced project monitoring, milestone tracking, and partner coordination to ensure timely progress and successful achievement of project objectives.

  1. Administrative support:

  • Seamless coordination of travel plans, reimbursements, and logistical arrangements for meetings, and workshops to enhance timely execution of project activities.

  • Well-maintained e-filing system for all project contracts and deliverables, enabling easy retrieval of all necessary documents.

  • Timely preparation and dissemination of project documents (e.g., agendas, reports, presentations), efficient meeting scheduling, and improved partner communication to ensure smooth project implementation.

  1. Financial support:

  • Effective follow-up on contract deliverables and timely closure of contracts to ensure compliance with project timelines and financial guidelines.

  • All financial reports from contractors are properly supported by original or certified documentation and promptly submitted to the finance and administration team for processing.

DURATION OF CONTRACT

This Service Contract is for 10 months, tentatively from March to December 2025. 

At the discretion of the Director, SCs may be extended, based on operational needs, satisfactory performance and availability of sufficient funds, for periods of up to and including 12 (twelve) months at a time. The overall cumulative duration of Service Contracts at Headquarters awarded to the same individual shall not exceed 24 months in an uninterrupted period of 36 months.

(See HR Item 13.9 Section H. Extension/ Expiration锛

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Academic Qualifications:

  • A University degree in education, sociology, anthropology, public health or any other relevant field.

Work experience:

  • Previous experience in implementing, monitoring and reporting of project activities and related meetings is required.

  • Previous experience in administrative  and financial and logistics support in projects is required.

  • Previous experience in working with young people is required.

  • Previous experience in contributing to different communication products such as minutes, briefings, presentations, reports, web articles is required.

IT Skills:

  • Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc).

  • Experience in handling web-based management systems.

  • Good knowledge of multiple social media platforms including drafting postings.

Language Requirements:  

  • Excellent knowledge (spoken and written) of this position, fluency in English is required.
  • Fluent Kiswahili is desirable

UNESCO core values: Inclusion and respect for diversity, Integrity and transparency, Professionalism.

 

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

 

  • A master鈥檚 degree would be an added advantage.

  • Previous experience in development work or related area especially within the UN or any multi-cultural organization will be an added advantage.

  • Work experience using SAP procurement module is an advantage.

 

HOW TO APPLY

Interested candidates are requested to apply and submit the following documents (hereafter referred to as 鈥渁pplication鈥):

  • A letter of interest explaining how their qualifications and experience make them suitable for the job announcement

  • Curriculum Vitae or Resume

  • The contact details of three references

  • Copies of diplomas

The applications should be submitted by email to the email address nairobi.recruitment@unesco.org no later than 17 March 2025 Mid night (00:00).

 

SELECTION AND HIRING PROCESS

Please note that all candidates must provide complete and accurate information.

The assessment of candidates is based on the criteria indicated in the Job announcement, and may include tests and/or assessments, and an interview.

UNESCO uses communication technologies, such as video or teleconference, email correspondence, etc. for the assessment of candidates.

Please note that only selected candidates will be further contacted. For retained candidates, additional documents such as identity card/passport, proof of enrolment in a local social security system and medical certificate certifying fitness to work will be required. The selected candidate will be subject to reference checks based on the information provided.

UNESCO promotes the professional integration of people with disabilities and encourages them to apply. In case an application cannot be completed due to a disability, please contact nairobi.recruitment@unesco.org 

Your privacy is important to us. The data you provide for this job announcement will be processed strictly for the purpose of this hiring and all associated processes (interview, reference checks etc.). We do not collect information for other purposes than those described above. Your data will not be used for any commercial purposes. 

We may also place your application in a talent pool and invite you to apply for a suitable assignment or position when it becomes available. You may request to withdraw your profile from our talent pool at any time, by notifying us by e-mail at nairobi.recruitment@unesco.org. Placing a candidate in a talent pool shall not give a candidate any expectation of employment at UNESCO.