Administration Associate

Background Information - UNOPS Kenya Multi Country Office

In East and Southern Africa, UNOPS is represented by a Multi Country Office based in Nairobi, Kenya and operating across 16 countries. The portfolio of engagements managed by the Kenya Multi Country Office includes transactional projects in partnership with the Nairobi based UN Agencies, UN-Habitat and UNEP, and multiple infrastructure, procurement, fund management, and HR management projects in Zimbabwe, Somalia, Mozambique, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia and several island states. In 2023 a country presence will be established in Malawi in order to implement and oversee the new education sector project and build a pipeline of future projects.

Background Information - Job specific

UNOPS manages a range of infrastructure projects in Zimbabwe in different sectors including education, health, agriculture, and transport applying different implementation approaches such as labor-based and outsourced designers/contractors but always with direct supervision from UNOPS. 

The Republic of Zimbabwe, through its Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development (MLAFWRD), is actively spearheading the implementation of the Smallholder Irrigation Revitalisation Program (SIRP), with the invaluable backing of funding provided by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). The overarching mission of the SIRP resonates with the imperative of ensuring that rural households not only attain but also sustain food and nutrition security, fortified against the unpredictable impacts of climate change and the oscillations of economic shocks across various program districts. This transformative program is underpinned by the resolute objective of empowering rural households to chart a trajectory of enduring income growth, not only within the confines of SIRP-supported schemes but also in the contiguous rainfed areas.

The MLAFWRD invited the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) to provide advisory support to the implementation of the SIRP in order to expedite its rate of implementation especially at 10 irrigation schemes across 3 provinces. This has been necessitated by the fact that the rate of implementation at these particular sites encountered challenges primarily related to the delayed completion. UNOPS will be utilizing elements of its Back on Track (BOT) methodology. Leveraging UNOPS's distinct proficiency, the forthcoming eight months are poised to witness a proactive infusion of BOT advisory services, thereby serving as a bedrock for elevated project delivery standards and the holistic advancement in the completion of affected irrigation schemes. Ultimately, this BOT approach strengthens the SIRP's resilience and effectiveness, ensuring its positive impact on rural livelihoods, food security, and climate adaptation.

• Completion of secondary school is required. 
• First University Degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, or equivalent disciplines is desirable but not required.

• Minimum of six years of relevant experience in general administrative, logistics, or operations’ support services in national or international public or corporate organizations is required.
• Proficiency in computers and office software packages (Google Suite products, especially google forms, sheets, docs and slides) and experience in handling web-based management systems is desired.
• Some experience in UN system organizations is desirable.
• Experience in use of Enterprise systems is desirable.

• Full working knowledge of English is required.

• Working knowledge of another official UN Language is an asset.

Contract type: Local Individual Contractor Agreement (LICA)
Contract level: ICS6 (LICA 6)
Contract duration: Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance

This is a local position, it is therefore open to Zimbabwe Nationals 

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.

• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.

• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.

• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures,  languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. 

• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.

• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process.  If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

Terms and Conditions 

• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post. 

• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. For more information on a retainer contract here.

• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.

• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.