Protocol Officer

The United Nations Office at Nairobi, the UN headquarters in Africa, was established by the General Assembly in 1996. The office is headed by a Director-General, at the Under-Secretary-General level, serves as the representative office of the Secretary-General in Nairobi and performs representation and liaison functions with permanent missions, the host-country and other Governments, and intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations in Nairobi, as well as other organizations of the United Nations system in Kenya.

The United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON) is the only UN headquarter office in Africa and the global south and serves as the representative office of the UN Secretary-General in Kenya. UNON provides administrative and other support services to the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), the UN Resident Coordination System (RCS) and the UN Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT) globally in 166 countries. UNON also provides joint and common services to other organizations of the UN System in Kenya. Home to diverse fauna and flora in a rich environmental ecosystem, UNON sits on 140-acres of land, the largest of any UN compound in the world.
This UN Volunteer is Director General’s Office, United Nations Office at Nairobi’s Office.

Under the direct supervision of the Chief of Staff, the United Nations Volunteer (UNV) will undertake the following duties:
1. High-Level Visits and Engagements
• Coordinate protocol arrangements for visits by Heads of State, Heads of Government, Ministers, Permanent Representatives, senior United Nations (UN) officials, and other dignitaries.
• Prepare and oversee visit programmes, arrival and departure arrangements, security coordination, and ceremonial requirements.
• Liaise with Permanent Missions, Government counterparts, diplomatic corps, United Nations entities, and other stakeholders regarding protocol matters.
• Ensure appropriate ranking, precedence, seating arrangements, and courtesies during meetings and official functions.
2. Support to the Director-General and Chief of Staff
• Advise the Chief of Staff and Director-General on protocol issues and diplomatic sensitivities.
• Prepare protocol notes, briefing materials, talking points, biographies, and background information for high-level engagements.
• Maintain records of diplomatic contacts, VIP visits, and protocol precedents.
• Support the preparation of official correspondence, notes verbales, and invitations related to high-level engagements.
3. Events and Ceremonies
• Lead protocol planning for official ceremonies, receptions, commemorative events, launches, and high-level conferences hosted by the United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON).
• Coordinate flag displays, seating plans, speaking order, motorcade arrangements, and ceremonial procedures.
• Ensure consistency with United Nations standards and practices.
• Work closely with conference services, security, communications, and facilities management teams.
4. Stakeholder Relations
• Maintain regular engagement with the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, diplomatic missions, airport authorities, and host-country protocol services.
• Serve as the principal Office of the Chief of Staff (OCS) focal point for protocol-related coordination with Member States.
• Facilitate smooth engagement between visiting delegations and UNON leadership.
5. Administrative and Coordination Functions
• Develop and maintain protocol guidelines, standard operating procedures (SOPs), checklists, and databases.
• Coordinate accreditation, grounds access, VIP clearances, and protocol support requirements.
• Prepare after-action reports and lessons learned following major visits and events.
• Support budget planning and resource requirements related to protocol activities.