Project Manager- EU

Deadline for Applications December 13, 2026 Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based) B Family Type (not applicable for home-based) Family Staff Member / Affiliate Type UNOPS LICA8 Target Start Date 2026-01-01 Terms of Reference 1. General Background Kenya remains the fifth largest host country in Africa and the thirteenth biggest asylum country in the world. At the end of October 2025, the total number of refugees and asylum seekers in Kenya stood at approx. 869,501, in addition to some 9,800 stateless persons. UNHCR Kenya Operation maintains three main offices as follows: Branch Office in Nairobi, two sub-offices in Kakuma and Dadaab. A Joint Refugee Service Centre has also been established, operated jointly with the Department of Refugee Services, to provide all protection services to affected populations in Nairobi. The general security situation remained relatively calm. In line with the Global Compact on Refugees (GCR) and the UNHCR Kenya 2023-2026 Multi-Year Strategy, the operation continues to focus on further expanding the protection of refugees and promoting solutions, and inclusion of refugees into government-led services, by supporting the Government of Kenya, in the rollout and implementation of the Shirika Plan, as reflected in the strategy implemented partly by partners and through direct implementation and in close coordination with other stakeholders. The Project Manager-EU will report to the Strategic Partnership Advisor, under the overall supervision of the Representative and will work closely with all the units in the Representation Office and will support the two field locations. The main activities will be to oversee the implementation and reporting against the EU-funded projects under the management and coordination of UNHCR. The incumbent will be required to have good coordination, networking and drafting skills, and the ability to interact with different partners and stakeholders both within and outside UNHCR. Knowledge of project management will be an added advantage. The incumbent will also be required to demonstrate the ability to facilitate and strengthen the involvement and collaboration of a broad range of internal and external partners. Additionally, he/she should be a versatile communicator with excellent written and oral skills. The incumbent will also be required to work effectively within cross-functional teams in a collaborative environment. Knowledge of the policy environment will also be useful in ensuring the successful completion of assigned tasks. The Project Manager-EU will also be required to have skills and knowledge in resource mobilization, complemented by the ability to conceptualize ideas and promote consensus. All UNHCR staff, including affiliate members, are accountable for performing their duties as reflected in their job descriptions. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR, which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions, as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional, and managerial competencies, as well as UNHCR's core values of professionalism, integrity, and respect for diversity. The incumbent is expected to have experience in fundraising, and with at least four years of direct management of EU-funded projects/programmes. Experience working with UN/EU projects will be an added advantage. Living and Working Conditions Nairobi is a good duty station for families with good medical facilities. Recreational facilities, schools, and hotels are of international standards. Nice and affordable housing is available, as well as good banking facilities in addition to unlimited access to communication means, such as internet, telephone SIM cards etc. There is no malaria in Nairobi, but cholera, malaria and yellow fever occur in other parts of Kenya. When entering the country, yellow fever card/vaccine is required. 2. Purpose and Scope of Assignment The main purpose: Report to the Strategic Partnership Advisor, in the following tasks: - a) Support official Project management for the two EU-funded projects. b) Liaise with other project teams benefitting from EU funds to prepare joint reports and documents. c) Work closely with the teams in Kakuma and Dadaab and in Nairobi on the implementation of the project activities. d) Ensuring that project reports and documents are drafted in a timely manner and are of good quality. 3. Monitoring and Progress Controls a) Prepare and draft reports- narrative and financial to the donor (EU) b) Review inputs from the field before submission to the Head of the Unit. c) Work on other funding initiatives that may arise with the EU. d) Contribute to donor management systems, including developing specific products and coordinating meetings for the EU-funded projects. e) Support the coordination and organising of regular programme meetings and steering committee meetings. f) Provide support to project teams in the field in grant management and programming of earmarked funds. g) Keep track of various learnings/lessons for the project h) Coordinate with the Communications team on communications and visibility products in line with the contractual obligations 4. Qualifications and Experience a. Education - Undergraduate degree in sociology, social sciences, project management, finance, or other related fields - Desirable: Strong familiarity with UNHCR’s Results-Based Management (RBM) framework and experience in meeting reporting requirements for EU funded projects; and Demonstrated ability to support tasks related to maintaining donor interest, including door briefings, and donor field missions. - Certification in project management is an added advantage. - Training on fundraising with the EU - An advanced degree in a related field is an added advantage. b. Years of experience Desirable • At least 7 years working at a responsible level in a development-focused organisation with direct fundraising experience working with the EU of no less than four years. • Experience in external engagement with donors, UN agencies, partners, and governments. Professional work experience in field operations. Knowledge of UNHCR’s operational arrangements, its relief programmes, the funding needs, and priorities is desirable. • Experience of complex stakeholder management. . Desirable candidates will have knowledge of project management, be familiar with UNHCR’s Results-Based Management (RBM) framework and have experience in meeting reporting requirements for EU funded projects. Prior experience supporting tasks related to maintaining donor interest—such as providing donor briefings and support donor missions—will be highly valued. c. Key Competencies - Ability to produce high-quality written materials tailored to specific audiences. - Ability to balance different and sometimes competing needs and deadlines. - Excellent organization and project planning/ management skills. - Attention to detail. - Knowledge of partnerships, fundraising, and/or relationships with donors and/or external partners. Standard Job Description Required Languages , , Desired Languages , , Additional Qualifications Skills Education Certifications Work Experience Other information This position doesn't require a functional clearance Remote No Important notice: Please note that UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, meeting, travelling, processing or training). Read about how to avoid scams and fraudulent job offers. Please note that applications are only accepted via the UNHCR online recruitment platform. CVs and/or application requests sent via email will not be answered, reviewed nor considered. For external applicants: We would like to call your attention on the eligibility of International Professional (P) category: According to our Recruitment and Assignments Policy, P staff members will not normally serve in the country of their nationality, and the first regular appointment in the P category must be outside the staff member's country of nationality. In practical terms this means that you are not eligible to apply for International Professional vacancies advertised in the country where you are national of. In case of technical difficulties when applying, external applicants (not current UNHCR workforce members) can write to recruitmentcase@unhcr.org. For former UNHCR Colleagues: Former UNHCR employees who are on mandatory break-in service or have separated from UNHCR after 1 October 2022 should create an account through this platform. Once you fill in your basic personal information (employee ID, birth date, name, email address), Workday will identify you as prior personnel and merge your employee account with your external applicant account. The UNHCR workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages and opinions. UNHCR seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. Applications are encouraged from all qualified candidates without distinction on grounds of race, colour, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity. UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, takes the lead in protecting people forced to flee wars and persecution around the world, providing life-saving aid including shelter, food and water to ensure their basic safety, rights and dignity. With 18,879 women and men working in 137 countries, we work tirelessly to make a difference in the lives of 89.3 million forcibly displaced people worldwide. Our dedicated and professional staff work around the clock in roles including legal protection, community services, public affairs, health and more. Despite the challenges they can face, our staff are proud to work for UNHCR and determined to make a positive impact. Why a career with UNHCR? Our dedicated staff work to protect and assist people fleeing conflict and persecution at a time when global forced displacement is at a record high. Our colleagues bring a wide range of specialized skills, including expertise in legal protection, administration, community services, public affairs, health and other disciplines. Disability inclusion If you are a person with a disability and you expect you may face challenges during the recruitment process, you can indicate it in your application form. There are options to select any health conditions you may have and outline any necessary adjustments related to disabilities during the recruitment phases. Providing this information is optional. It will be treated as strictly confidential and used only for the purpose of finding out how to better assist you during the recruitment process. Adjustments for candidates with disabilities will be provided as best as possible and as needed upon request. All candidates will be assessed based on meeting the requirements for each vacancy in relation to experience, skills, and education.