Kenyans looking to work for the United Nations(UN) can apply for advertised positions through the UN Careers Portal and its online recruitment system, Inspira.
The UN posts job openings on its careers website, where applicants can search for opportunities based on job category, area of expertise and location.
Applicants are required to submit their applications through the UN’s online recruitment system. The organization says resumes are not accepted as a substitute for a completed online application.
How to Create an Inspira Account
The first step for applicants who do not already have an account is to register on Inspira.
Applicants create a profile containing information such as their name, nationality and contact details. The profile can subsequently be used when applying for different vacancies.
The UN recommends completing the profile and application information early because preparing an application can take time.
Applicants can also save searches and create job alerts to receive notifications about vacancies matching their selected criteria.
How to Apply for UN Jobs
After identifying a suitable vacancy, applicants can select the application option on the job description page.
The process takes the applicant to Inspira, where they can either begin a new application or adapt information from an existing application.
The application requires candidates to provide details about their education, previous employment, professional experience, competencies and skills.
Some vacancies also require applicants to answer job-specific questions or complete a self-assessment of their skills.
The UN says applicants should apply only for positions for which they meet the stated requirements and should tailor their applications to the particular vacancy.
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UN Job Application Requirements
The requirements depend on the position being advertised.
Applicants should carefully check the education, work experience, language, technical skills and other qualifications listed in the vacancy notice.
The UN’s application system allows candidates to enter their education and employment history, professional achievements, competencies and other relevant information.
Applicants seeking UN jobs are also required to provide a motivation statement for positions where one is requested.
The UN advises candidates to keep the statement brief, normally around three to four paragraphs, and to explain how their experience and qualifications relate to the particular position.
Rather than simply listing daily duties, applicants are encouraged to highlight specific achievements and results from previous jobs.
What Happens After Submitting the Application?
Once an application is successfully submitted, the applicant receives an automated confirmation by email.
The UN notes that an application cannot be changed for that particular job opening after it has been submitted.
Applications are then evaluated based on factors including education, experience and skills.
Candidates who meet most or all of the requirements may be invited to an assessment exercise.
Depending on the vacancy, the assessment may involve a written examination, simulation exercise, case study or another form of test.
Candidates who perform well may then be shortlisted for a competency-based interview. Also Read:
How UN Interviews are Conducted
A UN competency-based interview may be conducted by telephone, video conference or in person.
Applicants are expected to provide examples from their previous experiences when answering questions about their skills and competencies.
The UN recommends using the Situation, Action and Result structure when responding to competency-based interview questions.
Possible questions include asking candidates to describe a situation where they exceeded their manager’s expectations, solved a problem or handled several competing demands at the same time.
Applicants are also advised to research the department or office they are applying to and understand the competencies listed in the job advertisement. Also Read:
UN Core Competencies Applicants Should Know
The UN identifies several core competencies used across its workforce.
They include:
- Communication
- Teamwork
- Planning and organising
- Accountability
- Client orientation
- Creativity
- Technological awareness
- Commitment to continuous learning
Managerial positions may also assess competencies including vision, leadership, empowering others, managing performance, building trust and judgement and decision-making.
Applicants should therefore prepare examples from their previous work that demonstrate the competencies listed in the specific vacancy.
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How Much do UN Jobs Pay?
There is no single salary for all United Nations jobs in Kenya.
Pay depends on the category, grade, step and duty station of the position.
For internationally recruited Professional and higher-category positions, the UN uses a worldwide salary scale combined with a post-adjustment system that accounts for differences in the cost of living between duty stations.
Professional staff may also qualify for additional benefits depending on their circumstances and duty station. These can include rental subsidies, dependency allowances, education grants, travel and shipping expenses, settling-in assistance, hardship allowances and other benefits.
The United Nations also provides health insurance arrangements for eligible staff, with monthly premiums shared between the employee and the organization.
Staff with an appointment of six months or more, or who complete six months of service without interruption, may become participants in the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund, with compulsory contributions deducted from their salaries.
The salary scale effective January 1, 2026 lists the following annual gross base salary ranges:
- P-1: US$53,071 to US$73,838
- P-2: US$69,139 to US$93,605
- P-3: US$89,257 to US$118,039
- P-4: US$109,324 to US$141,407
- P-5: US$133,807 to US$168,092
General Service positions, which include locally recruited administrative and support roles, use local salary scales rather than the worldwide Professional salary scale.
The UN says General Service salaries are established locally based on prevailing employment conditions in the relevant duty station.
How to Improve your UN Job Application
The UN advises applicants to tailor each application to the vacancy instead of submitting the same application without changes.
Candidates should highlight relevant achievements, use clear and concise language and focus on evidence of what they have accomplished.
The motivation statement should also be customised to the particular position and explain how the applicant’s background matches the advertised requirements.
Applicants who are invited for interviews should prepare several short examples from their professional experience that demonstrate the competencies required for the position.
The UN’s official Applicant Guide provides additional instructions on creating an account, completing applications and submitting applications through Inspira.
Applicants can access the official UN Careers Portal to search for current vacancies and begin the application process.
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