PROTOCOL OFFICER

Organizational Context

The United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON) serves as the UN headquarters in Africa, supporting UNEP, UN-Habitat, and the Resident Coordination System globally. UNON provides essential administrative, security, conference, and information services. This Protocol Officer position is within the Central Support Services (CSS), Host Country Services Unit (HCSU), reporting to the Administrative Officer.

Job Purpose

The Protocol Officer (Chief of Unit) is responsible for the operational management and effective delivery of protocol and host country services within UNON. This involves planning, supervising unit activities, and ensuring compliance with the Host Country Agreement, privileges, and immunities. The role requires advising on diplomatic protocol, liaising with Kenyan government authorities, and maintaining strong relationships with UN entities and stakeholders. Key functions include managing service delivery, overseeing correspondence, preparing budgets, and analyzing performance data to enhance efficiency and client satisfaction. The incumbent also manages staff, fosters a collaborative environment, and ensures professional development within the unit.

Responsibilities

Oversee and manage the Host Country Services Unit (HCSU), ensuring effective protocol and host country service delivery. Develop and implement the unit's work plan, setting priorities and monitoring performance against objectives. Provide expert advice on the Host Country Agreement, privileges, immunities, and diplomatic protocol, ensuring consistent application of regulations. Liaise with the Kenyan government and relevant ministries on UN matters and Host Country Agreement implementation. Build and maintain relationships with government counterparts, UN entities, and stakeholders to resolve service issues. Review and advise on complex cases related to privileges and immunities. Ensure clear communication with client entities regarding protocol procedures and service updates. Monitor and analyze service delivery performance, identifying areas for improvement and implementing enhancements. Maintain and update standard operating procedures and business processes. Oversee information systems supporting protocol services. Represent the Unit in relevant meetings. Supervise the preparation of official correspondence. Monitor unit performance against KPIs and recommend corrective actions. Prepare and manage unit budgets and expenditures. Review service billing and cost recovery reports. Identify and mitigate operational risks. Analyze data for trends and insights using visualization methods. Manage and supervise unit staff, including performance management and professional development. Coordinate HR actions and foster a client-oriented work environment.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of progressive experience in protocol services, diplomatic relations, or government liaison is required. Experience in interpreting and applying host country agreements, privileges, and immunities, and liaising with government authorities is essential. Experience supervising staff and managing service delivery operations is also required. Desirable: experience within the UN Common System or an international organization, and experience with information management systems and data analysis for operational decision-making.

Skills

Professionalism, Client Orientation, Managing Performance, knowledge of Host Country Agreement, privileges and immunities, diplomatic protocol, government liaison, data analysis, service delivery management, staff supervision, communication, problem-solving, risk assessment.

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