UNICEF People and Culture (Human Resource) Associate, Fixed Term, Nairobi, Kenya 2026: Cultivate Talent for Child Rights in East and Southern Africa

Introduction

At the heart of UNICEF’s mission to protect the rights of every child is its most vital asset: its people. In the dynamic and often challenging contexts of East and Southern Africa, attracting, supporting, and developing a skilled, motivated, and resilient workforce is a strategic imperative. The announcement of the UNICEF People and Culture (Human Resource) Associate, Fixed Term position in Nairobi for 2026 represents a critical opportunity for a skilled HR professional to join the operational backbone of the world’s leading children’s organization. This is not a transactional HR role; it is a foundational position within the newly envisioned “People and Culture” function, focused on creating a supportive, equitable, and high-performing work environment that enables staff to deliver lifesaving results for children.

UNICEF’s East and Southern Africa Regional Office (ESARO) in Nairobi is seeking a meticulous, service-oriented, and culturally adept individual to join its HR team. This People and Culture Associate role is the engine of HR service delivery for one of UNICEF’s largest and most complex regions. Operating from the regional hub in Nairobi, Kenya, you will be at the center of administering the employee lifecycle for internationally and nationally recruited staff, ensuring compliance with UN policies while fostering a positive staff experience. In a region facing humanitarian crises, health emergencies, and development challenges, effective HR support is directly linked to programme impact.

The position offers a competitive local salary under the UN’s General Service scale, comprehensive UN benefits, and the unique professional development of working in a multicultural regional hub. What distinguishes this role is its direct contribution to organizational capacity. Every accurate payroll run, every smoothly processed recruitment, and every well-supported staff deployment ensures that UNICEF has the right people, in the right place, with the right support to deliver for children. For an HR professional dedicated to mission-driven work, this is where operational excellence meets human impact.

Also check UNICEF Programme Officer (Early Years), NO-1, Belgrade, Serbia 2026: Build the Foundation for Serbia’s Future

Background & Job Description

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories. The East and Southern Africa Regional Office (ESARO) in Nairobi provides strategic oversight, technical guidance, and operational support to 21 country offices, helping them deliver results across health, nutrition, education, child protection, and social policy.

This 2026 Fixed-Term Associate position is situated within the Regional Human Resources team in ESARO. The role purpose is to provide administrative, procedural, and operational support to the efficient implementation of a broad range of HR functions. The Associate ensures accurate and timely delivery of services, upholding organizational standards and principles. The role embodies the shift from “Human Resources” to “People and Culture,” emphasizing the employee experience, duty of care, and a values-based workplace.

A People and Culture Associate’s work is fundamental to the integrity and smooth functioning of the regional office and its support to country operations. By managing entitlements, supporting recruitment, maintaining impeccable records, and serving as a reliable point of contact for staff queries, the Associate upholds fairness, transparency, and efficiency. This role is the essential foundation upon which strategic HR initiatives are built, perfect for a professional who takes pride in precision and service.

Key Responsibilities

The Associate will administer a wide range of HR processes with a focus on accuracy, compliance, and client service.

• HR Administration & Entitlements Management: Serve as the primary point of contact for staff on administrative HR queries. Process a wide range of personnel actions in the ERP system (SAP/VISION), including appointments, extensions, separations, and contractual changes. Calculate and process entitlements for international and national staff, such as dependency allowances, education grants, rental subsidies, and home leave. This ensures staff are correctly and timely compensated and supported.
• Recruitment and Selection Support: Provide crucial administrative support for the recruitment cycle. This includes preparing vacancy announcements, longlisting applications, coordinating interview schedules, collecting assessments, conducting reference checks, and preparing formal offer documents. Ensure all steps comply with UNICEF’s policies on gender, diversity, and equity.
• Onboarding and Offboarding: Facilitate the smooth arrival and integration of new staff by preparing welcome materials, coordinating access to systems, and ensuring completion of mandatory trainings. Manage separation processes, including exit interviews and final documentation, ensuring a dignified and complete offboarding experience.
• Performance Management and Learning Administration: Support the administration of the annual performance management cycle (ePAS), tracking compliance and providing guidance to staff and supervisors. Assist in the coordination of regional training initiatives, managing logistics, participant lists, and follow-up evaluations.
• Data Management and Reporting: Maintain confidential and accurate HR records and files for all staff. Generate standard and ad-hoc reports from the HR system for management decision-making. Ensure data integrity is upheld in all systems.
• Policy Guidance and Client Service: Interpret and apply UNICEF HR rules, regulations, policies, and procedures. Provide clear, accurate, and timely guidance to managers and staff. Foster a client-service approach, building trust and ensuring staff feel supported in a complex administrative environment.

UNICEF People and Culture (Human Resource) Associate, Fixed Term, Nairobi, Kenya 2026: Cultivate Talent for Child Rights in East and Southern Africa

Qualifications

Education

• Completion of secondary education is required, preferably supplemented by technical or university courses in Human Resources, Business Administration, Psychology, or a related field.

Experience

• A minimum of 6 years of progressively responsible experience in human resources management, administration, or a related area is required.
• Experience in an international organization, UN system, or large multinational environment is a significant advantage.
• Practical experience with HR information systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, PeopleSoft) is essential.
• Specific Experience Preferred:
  • Hands-on experience in processing entitlements, benefits, and payroll.
  • Experience supporting recruitment and selection processes.
  • Experience in a multicultural work environment.

Language Requirements

• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (French, Portuguese, Arabic) relevant to the ESARO region is a strong asset.

Competencies

• Core Values: Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability.
• Core Competencies: Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness, Works Collaboratively with others, Innovates and Embraces Change.
• Functional Competencies: Analyzing, Learning and Researching, Planning and Organizing, Following Instructions and Procedures.

Why Apply for This Position

Securing the People and Culture Associate role at UNICEF ESARO in 2026 is a strategic career move into international HR. Working in Nairobi, a major UN hub, provides exposure to a vast network of professionals and complex HR cases across 21 countries. The comprehensive UN benefits for General Service staff—including health insurance, pension, hazard pay (if applicable), and generous leave—provide significant security and well-being.

The professional growth within UNICEF’s HR system is structured. High-performing Associates can progress to Senior Associate (G-7) or HR Officer (NO/NOB) levels. The experience gained in UN rules, complex entitlements, and multicultural staff support is a unique and highly transferable skill set within the humanitarian and development sector. The networking opportunities are regional in scope.

The impact is enabling and profound. Your precision ensures a health specialist receives their allowance on time before deploying to an emergency. Your support helps recruit a talented nutritionist for a country office. The work culture is fast-paced, collaborative, and deeply purposeful, where HR is recognized as a critical partner in the mission.

Application Tips & Insights

UNICEF seeks a candidate with exceptional administrative rigor, discretion, and a client-service mindset in a multicultural setting.

• Tailor Your CV to Highlight HR Administration: Your CV must be a detailed record of your 6+ years of HR experience. Use specific keywords: “processed entitlements,” “managed SAP HR module,” “coordinated recruitment for X positions,” “administered payroll for X staff.” Quantify where possible (e.g., “Managed onboarding for 50+ new hires annually”).
• Demonstrate System Proficiency and Precision: Explicitly list the HRIS/ERP systems you have used (SAP, Oracle, etc.). In your cover letter, emphasize your commitment to accuracy, confidentiality, and procedural compliance—non-negotiable traits for this role. Mention your experience in interpreting and applying complex policy guidelines.
• Avoid Common Mistakes: A generic administrative CV will not suffice. This is a specialized HR role. Avoid vagueness; be specific about your HR duties. Failure to demonstrate the full 6 years of relevant experience will lead to disqualification. Proofread obsessively; errors undermine claims of attention to detail.
• Timeline & Process Expectations: For a 2026 start, the vacancy will likely be posted in late 2025. The process may involve a skills-based test (e.g., an Excel data exercise, scenario-based questions on HR rules). Interviews will focus on behavioral competencies and technical knowledge. The process can take 8-12 weeks.
• Interview Preparation: Prepare for questions on handling confidential information, managing a high-volume workload with accuracy, and dealing with a staff member upset about a payroll error. Review the UN Staff Rules and Regulations broadly. Be ready to discuss your understanding of UNICEF’s Core Values and how they apply to HR.

Additional Information

• Salary & Benefits: This is a General Service (G-6) position. Salary is based on the UN Common System for General Service staff in Nairobi, Kenya. It is competitive locally and includes:
  • Pension plan (UNJSPF).
  • Comprehensive medical and dental insurance.
  • 30 days annual leave.
  • Dependency allowances.
  • Hazard Pay & Rest and Recuperation (R&R) may apply depending on family status and duty station classification.
• Contract Duration: This is a Fixed-Term Appointment (FTA) for one year, with a strong possibility of renewal based on performance, need, and funding.
• Work Arrangement: The position is based in the UNICEF ESARO office in Nairobi. A hybrid work model may be in effect, but regular office presence is required for this operational role.
• Application Deadline: Adhere strictly to the deadline. Applications are reviewed after closing.
• Equal Opportunity: UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion. Qualified candidates, particularly women and persons with disabilities, are strongly encouraged to apply. UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on misconduct, including sexual exploitation and abuse.

How to Apply

Applications are submitted through UNICEF’s global recruitment system.

1. Find the Vacancy: Visit the UNICEF Careers Page. Search for “People and Culture Associate Nairobi” or filter by location (Kenya) and category (General Service).
2. Review the Job Description: Note the Job Number and all requirements carefully.
3. Prepare Required Documents: These include:
   • A completed UNICEF Personal History Form (P11) or a detailed CV.
   • A Cover Letter.
4. Complete Online Application: Apply via the UNICEF recruitment portal, ensuring all documents are uploaded.
5. Official Portal: Apply only via the link in the official vacancy announcement.
6. Deadline: Submit well in advance.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the difference between “People and Culture” and “Human Resources” at UNICEF?
“People and Culture” reflects a strategic evolution focusing on the employee experience, organizational culture, and well-being, while encompassing all traditional HR functions (administration, recruitment, etc.). It signals a more holistic, staff-centered approach aligned with modern best practices.

2. Does this role support staff in country offices, or only in the regional office (ESARO)?
This role primarily supports staff based in the Regional Office (ESARO) in Nairobi. However, due to the regional function, you may also provide guidance or process actions for staff in Country Offices, especially those related to regional mechanisms or international staff entitlements administered centrally.

3. I have 6 years of HR experience but not in the UN system. Is my experience valid?
Yes. Relevant HR experience from government, private sector, or large NGOs is valid and required. The key is to demonstrate transferable skills in administration, policy application, and client service. Your learning curve will involve mastering specific UN/UNICEF rules and systems.

4. What are the working language and main HR systems used?
English is the working language of ESARO. The primary HR system is SAP (often referred to internally as VISION). Proficiency in SAP HR modules is a major advantage. Microsoft Office 365 (especially Excel) is used daily.

5. What is the career path from a G-6 Associate in Nairobi?
Within ESARO, a natural progression is to Senior HR Associate (G-7). With further experience and potentially an advanced degree, one could compete for HR Officer (NOB/NOC) positions in a country office or at regional level. The role provides an excellent foundation for any HR career within the UN system.