Administration Senior Associate

Job Highlight

Drive efficient office operations by delivering high-quality administrative support and solutions.

About the Region

The UNOPS Africa Regional Office, based in Nairobi, Kenya, oversees the delivery of over 250 projects across 40 countries, with a focus on fragile and conflict-affected settings. Supported by more than 1,000 personnel across five multi-country offices—spanning North, West, Central, Eastern and Southern Africa, and the Horn of Africa—the office advances national priorities through strategic initiatives in Climate Action, Health, Infrastructure, Peace and Security, Middle-Income Country Support, and Small Island Developing States (SIDS). The Regional Office provides strategic leadership, operational support, and oversight in key areas including Partnerships, Communications, Management and Oversight, Infrastructure and Project Management, Health and Safety, and Security. By promoting excellence in project delivery, fostering knowledge sharing, and driving continuous improvement, the office contributes to sustainable infrastructure, transparent resource management, and a better quality of life for communities across the continent.

About the Country/Multi-Country Office

The UNOPS Somalia Country Office supports the Government of Somalia and its partners in achieving sustainable development goals through effective project management, infrastructure development, and procurement services. The office focuses on delivering high-quality solutions that contribute to peacebuilding, state-building, and socio-economic development in Somalia.

About the Project Office

Since 1995, UNOPS Somalia (SOCO), headquartered in Mogadishu and part of the East and Southern Africa Multi-Country Office (ESAMCO), has been a trusted partner to the Government of Somalia and international donors. Through the provision of project management, infrastructure, procurement, and financial services, SOCO plays a critical role in supporting national priorities in health, rule of law, security, transport, and resilience. The office has delivered impactful infrastructure projects—including the Immigration Headquarters ($6.8M), Maritime Police Headquarters ($3.7M), and regional hospitals ($20M)—and leads key national initiatives such as the Joint Police Programme ($56.4M). UNOPS also manages large-scale procurement, including over $75M in non-lethal support to security actors. Advisory support to urban resilience and crisis recovery efforts further strengthens institutional capacity, with projects valued at $8.1M, $8.8M, and $7.4M. SOCO’s integrated approach contributes to sustainable peacebuilding and development outcomes across Somalia.

Job Specific Context

Under the overall guidance and supervision of the Head of Support Services, the Administrative Senior Associate will promote a client, quality and results-oriented approach, ensuring utilization of office resources in a most cost-effective manner and may supervise personnel in delivering, technical and administrative support services, covering specialized and non-specialized processes and transactions for discrete work areas in administration and logistics, ensuring efficient, client oriented and effective service delivery.

Role Purpose

The Administration Associate performs - and may supervise personnel in delivering - technical and administrative support services across both specialized and generalized processes in administration and logistics to ensure efficient, client-focused and effective service delivery. The incumbent fosters a quality- and results-oriented approach, ensuring the optimal and cost-effective use of office resources.

Functions / Key Results Expected

Administrative Services Coordination

• Coordinate individual work areas and guide personnel on executing standard office transactions, processes and client services, ensuring full compliance with UNOPS rules, regulations, policies and strategies.
• Monitor team performance against service agreements and assess client satisfaction.
• Implement control mechanisms for designated administrative services, including maintaining accurate administrative control records such as commitments and expenditures.
• Oversee inventory control, ensuring proper issuance and tracking of inventory items and supplies.
• Review travel authorizations, supporting documentation and payment requests.
• Serve as a designated transactional role in the ERP system
• Compile data and research information to support the planning of financial resources and administrative budgets for service delivery.

Logistics and Asset Management

• Oversee the implementation of logistics systems in line with UNOPS procedures.
• Coordinate and supervise services related to shipments and customs clearance, travel, event management, administrative surveys, transportation, insurance, building/facility/space management, and office supplies.
• Coordinate supply and asset management services, including physical verification of inventory items.
• Ensure timely preparation and submission of periodic inventory reports.
• Oversee protocol services, including staff registration and securing host government authorizations.
• Liaise with local authorities regarding authorizations, privileges and immunities for UNOPS personnel, as well as office space and other administrative matters.
• Compile information on administrative services provided for cost-recovery billing.
• Supervise transportation services, ensuring client service, regular vehicle maintenance, insurance coverage, and fuel consumption monitoring.
• Ensure prompt reporting and investigation of vehicle accidents, damage, loss or theft, and maintain updated vehicle history records.
• Oversee external transportation contractors, including client service delivery and invoice processing.

Knowledge Building & Sharing

• Support the organization, facilitation and delivery of training and learning sessions on administrative, logistics, travel, transportation, and asset and inventory management topics.
• Participate in knowledge-sharing initiatives and Communities of Practice (CoPs), contributing insights and lessons learned.
• Conduct research on administration-related topics and contribute to the drafting of reports, summaries and briefing notes.

Skills

Communication, Data Analysis, General Administration, Inventory Management, Logistics Management, Travel Management

Competencies

Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organisational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.

Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).

Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.

Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.

Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.

Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Education Requirements

• Required
• Secondary school (or equivalent) with 7 years of relevant experience OR
• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in any discipline with 3 years of relevant experience is required.

Desired

• A globally or nationally recognized professional certificate in Administration is desired.

Experience Requirements

Required

• Relevant experience is work in administration, logistics, operations or related areas.
• Experience in the use of collaboration and productivity tools (e.g. MS Office, G-Suite, etc) and web-based management systems is required.

Desired

• Experience of working in multicultural environments or UN system organizations in a developing country is desired.
• Experience in development or humanitarian contexts is desired.

Language Requirements

LanguageProficiency LevelRequirementEnglishFluentRequiredSomaliNativeRequired

Additional Information

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
• Please note that UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.
• Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement. Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce.
• UNOPS evaluates all applications based on the skills, qualifications and experience requirements outlined in the vacancy announcement. We are committed to considering all candidates in a fair and transparent manner, and we value diverse perspectives and experiences, including those of women, indigenous and racialized communities, individuals with diverse gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.
• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

Terms and Conditions

• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post.
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few mandatory courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here.
• For more details about the contract types, please click here.
• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.