Administrative Associate

November 23, 2025

E (most hardship)

Non Family with Residential LocationNon Family with Residential LocationDanger Pay

Nairobi (CO), Kenya

GS6

General Service

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

2026-01-01

Administrative Associate

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships

The Administrative Associate is responsible for the office management in assisting the concerned manager in the implementation of general administrative and resource management tasks.

The Administrative Associate is normally supervised by a (Senior) Administrative Officer or a National Administrative Officer who defines general work objectives and provides necessary advice and guidance. The incumbent may supervise some support staff. S/he keeps frequent contacts with staff at various levels in the office and occasionally with staff at the same level in other duty stations and/or Headquarters; with local suppliers and/or officials and/or partners on subject matters which may be of importance to the Organization.

All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR’s core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.

Duties

• Assist the supervisor in the provision of resources (human, material and services) necessary to support the day-to-day activities of the staff in the office.
• Assist the supervisor in ensuring the UNHCR Office premises provide a healthy, safe and respectful working environment.
• Provide administrative support in the areas of finance, administrative and human resources as well as up to date and accurate data and records in Cloud ERP and other systems.

• Provide interpretation of administrative rules, regulations and procedures. Perform personnel work including processing of entitlement, issuance of contracts maintenance of various personnel records and files.
• Assist in the recruitment of General Service staff for non-specialized work including evaluating candidate applications, administering recruitment exams if applicable, conducting preliminary interviews of candidates; assign General Service staff to meet work requirements.
• Collect information and assist in conduct of surveys on local cost of living, daily subsistence allowance criteria, local salaries for office and servicing staff, house rentals.
• Brief international personnel on general administrative matters relating to visas, licences, security; provide advice and ensure administrative support as required.
• Arrange for and/or attend meetings on day-to-day administrative matters, participate in discussions of new or revised procedures and practices, interpret and assess the impact of changes and make recommendations for follow-up action.
• Prepare, on own initiative, correspondence, reports, evaluations and justifications, as required, on general administrative or specialized tasks which may be of a confidential nature within the assigned area of responsibility.
• Assist in the preparation of office budgets applicable to staff and servicing costs and maintain necessary budgetary control records.
• In addition to general administration responsibilities, may also supervise directly or indirectly, activities concerned with office and grounds maintenance, security, transport and similar services.
• Arrange for requisition of office supplies and equipment and arrange for control of distribution and maintenance of appropriate inventory records.
• Support the identification and management of risks and seek to seize opportunities impacting objectives in the area of responsibility. Ensure decision making in risk based in the functional area of work. Raise risks, issues and concerns to a supervisor or to relevant functional colleague(s).
• Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Years of Experience / Degree Level

For G6 - 3 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 2 years relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher

Field(s) of Education

Not applicable.

Certificates and/or Licenses

Business Administration, Finance, Office Management, Human Resources or other related fields.;

(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience

Essential

Not specified.

Desirable

Completion of UNHCR learning programmes or specific training relevant to functions of the position.

Functional Skills

*IT-Computer Literacy

UN-UN/UNHCR Administrative Rules, Regulations and Procedures

FI-Application of Financial Rules, Regulations and Procedures

SC-UNHCR Procurement Rules and Procedures

BU-PeopleSoft EPM/Budget

(Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Language Requirements

For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.

For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language.

For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English.

Competency Requirements

All jobs at UNHCR require six core competencies and may also require managerial competencies and/or cross-functional competencies. The six core competencies are listed below.

Core Competencies:

Accountability

Communication

Organizational Awareness

Teamwork & Collaboration

Commitment to Continuous Learning

Client & Result Orientation

Managerial Competencies:

Managing Resources

Cross-Functional Competencies:

Analytical Thinking

Planning and Organizing

Change Capability and Adaptability

All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination, and abuse of power.

As individuals and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise.

This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates.

Administrative Associate shall support the Administrative Officer/supervisor to implement general administrative policies and activities, manage resources, draft MoU for co-location with UNAFP, issue invoices, follow up on settlement of invoices and consummation low value service contracts, take meeting minutes, undertake low value procurement and support field offices administrative needs. A strong knowledge of Cloud ERP especially invoicing and travel modules management is an advantage.

The desire candidate must be computer literate with excellent skills in using Microsoft applications and able to work with oracle business applications. S/he should have good drafting and communication skills, must be flexible, able to adapt to fast-paced work environment, rational and respond to emergencies at a short notice. S/he must have strongly analytical and negotiation skills and can work under pressure. S/he must have an eye for details, open to new ideas, a fast thinker and willing to work extra hours. S/he must have a good knowledge of financial management, produce quality reports and able to communicate clearly in English. Working knowledge of Arabic language is an advantage.

The desire candidate must demonstrate experience in organizing hospitality for group events, supervise affiliate work force/individual contractors maintaining the office premises. S/he must be able to draft official communications to service providers, contractors and other clients of UNHCR and be able to draft Administrative Instruction & Travel Advice for official missions. S/he must have experience in draft annual administrative procurement plan, regularly update the plan and manage contracts. The shortlisted candidates will be subjected to attend a competency-based interview.

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Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit this link:

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel

Nature of Position:

Living and Working Conditions:

 

Additional Qualifications

Skills

BU-PeopleSoft EPM/Budget, FI-Application of Financial Rules, Regulations and Procedures, IT-Computer Literacy, SC-UN/UNHCR Procurement Rules and Procedures, UN-UN/UNHCR Administrative Rules, Regulations and Procedures

Certifications

Business Administration - Other, Finance - Other, Human Resources - Other, Office Management - Other

Competencies

Accountability, Analytical thinking, Change capability & adaptability, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Managing resource, Organizational awareness, Planning & organizing, Teamwork & collaboration

https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales

Compendium

Additional Information

This position doesn't require a functional clearance