United Nations Volunteers (UN Volunteers), administered by the United Nations Development Programme, is recruiting a Country Coordinator for its Field Unit in Nairobi.

This full-time, fixed-term position offers an opportunity for experienced professionals to lead volunteer mobilization and partnerships at the national level.

The role is open to Tier 0, 1, and 2 candidates only, meaning it primarily targets existing UNDP/UNV personnel under specific contract categories.

About the Role

The Country Coordinator plays a strategic leadership role in positioning UNV within the United Nations system at the country level. The position is responsible for promoting volunteerism, mobilizing UN Volunteers, and strengthening partnerships with government, civil society, and development partners.

Working under the guidance of the Regional Office and in close collaboration with the UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Country Office, the coordinator ensures that UNV effectively contributes to national development priorities and UN programmes.

Key Responsibilities

Volunteer Mobilization and Strategy

Design and implement country-level strategies for volunteer mobilization
Integrate volunteerism into UN planning processes such as the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF)
Promote online volunteering and track performance metrics

Partnerships and Stakeholder Engagement

Build and maintain relationships with UN agencies, government institutions, and development partners
Identify opportunities for collaboration and volunteer deployment
Analyze country strategies to align UNV services with development needs

Volunteer Support and Duty of Care

Ensure the safety, security, and well-being of UN Volunteers
Provide orientation, guidance, and ongoing support to volunteers
Conduct field visits and facilitate engagement activities

Advocacy and Communication

Promote volunteerism through national and international platforms
Coordinate events such as International Volunteer Day
Share success stories and strengthen UNV’s visibility

Field Unit Management

Lead and supervise the UNV Field Unit team
Manage work plans, budgets, and operational processes
Ensure compliance with UNDP and UNV policies and standards

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must meet the following requirements:

Education:
- Master’s degree (or equivalent), OR
- Bachelor’s degree with additional qualifying experience
Experience:
- Minimum of 5 years (Master’s) or 7 years (Bachelor’s) in development, humanitarian, or peace-related fields
- Proven experience in partnership building and management (essential)
- Experience in advocacy, communications, monitoring and evaluation, or volunteer management is an advantage

Skills and Competencies

The ideal candidate should demonstrate:

Strong leadership and people management skills
Ability to navigate complex, multi-stakeholder environments
Strategic thinking and results-based management
Knowledge of the UN system and development frameworks
Digital literacy and ability to use tools such as CRM and ERP systems

Language Requirements

Fluency in English
Fluency in the local language of the duty station

Important Details

Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Contract Type: Fixed-term (1 year, with possibility of extension)
Application Deadline: 16 April 2026
Eligibility: Open to Kenyan nationals only (local recruitment)

Why Apply for This Role?

This position offers a unique opportunity to lead impactful initiatives that promote volunteerism and support sustainable development goals. The Country Coordinator plays a key role in shaping how volunteer talent contributes to peace, development, and humanitarian efforts in Kenya.

Professionals in this role gain:

Leadership experience within the UN system
Opportunities to influence national and international development agendas
Exposure to multi-sector partnerships and global networks

Call for Action

The UNV Country Coordinator role in Nairobi is a high-impact leadership position for experienced development professionals.

With responsibilities spanning strategy, partnerships, and volunteer engagement, the role is central to advancing UNV’s mission and strengthening the contribution of volunteerism to sustainable development in Kenya.

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Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization that is offering this opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications & CVs to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.