Kenyans seeking employment with the United Nations can apply for advertised positions through the UN Careers Portal and its online recruitment system, Inspira.
The UN publishes vacancies across different professional categories, areas of expertise and duty stations. Applicants are required to complete and submit their applications through the organisation’s online system, as a CV or résumé alone does not replace the official application.
How to create an Inspira account
Applicants who do not already have an account must first register on Inspira and create a personal profile.
The profile requires information such as the applicant’s name, nationality and contact details. Once completed, it can be used when applying for different UN vacancies.
The UN recommends creating and completing the profile early because preparing an application can take considerable time.
Applicants can also save searches and set up job alerts to receive notifications when vacancies matching their interests are advertised.
How to apply for a UN job
After identifying a suitable vacancy, applicants can select the application option on the job advertisement.
The system directs them to Inspira, where they can start a new application or use information from an existing application.
Applicants are required to provide details about their education, previous employment, professional experience, competencies and skills.
Some vacancies may also require candidates to answer job-specific questions or complete a self-assessment.
The UN advises applicants to apply only for positions for which they meet the stated requirements and to tailor each application to the specific vacancy.
What are the requirements?
Requirements vary depending on the position.
Applicants should carefully review the vacancy notice for the required education, professional experience, language abilities, technical skills and other qualifications.
Candidates may also be asked to provide a motivation statement.
The UN recommends keeping the statement brief, usually around three to four paragraphs, while explaining how the applicant’s qualifications and experience relate to the position.
Applicants are encouraged to highlight specific achievements and results rather than simply listing their previous duties.
What happens after applying?
Once an application has been successfully submitted, the applicant receives an automated confirmation by email.
The UN notes that an application cannot be changed for that particular vacancy after submission.
Applications are then assessed based on factors including education, professional experience and skills.
Candidates who meet the requirements may be invited to an assessment exercise. Depending on the position, this could include a written examination, simulation, case study or another form of assessment.
Successful candidates may then proceed to a competency-based interview.
How UN interviews are conducted
UN competency-based interviews can be conducted by telephone, video conference or in person.
Applicants are expected to use examples from their previous experience to demonstrate their skills and competencies.
The UN recommends using the Situation, Action and Result (SAR) approach when answering competency-based questions.
Questions may ask candidates to describe situations in which they solved a problem, exceeded a manager’s expectations or managed several competing demands.
Applicants should also research the department or office they are applying to and understand the competencies listed in the vacancy announcement.
UN competencies applicants should know
Common competencies assessed across UN positions include:
- Communication
- Teamwork
- Planning and organising
- Accountability
- Client orientation
- Creativity
- Technological awareness
- Commitment to continuous learning
Managerial positions may also assess leadership, vision, empowering others, performance management, building trust, judgement and decision-making.
Candidates should prepare examples from their professional experience that demonstrate the competencies relevant to the position.
How much do UN jobs pay?
There is no single salary for all UN jobs in Kenya. Pay depends on the position’s category, grade, step and duty station.
For internationally recruited Professional and higher-category positions, the UN uses a worldwide salary scale alongside a post-adjustment system that accounts for differences in living costs between duty stations.
The salary scale effective January 1, 2026 lists the following annual gross base salary ranges:
| Grade | Annual gross base salary |
|---|---|
| P-1 | US$53,071–US$73,838 |
| P-2 | US$69,139–US$93,605 |
| P-3 | US$89,257–US$118,039 |
| P-4 | US$109,324–US$141,407 |
| P-5 | US$133,807–US$168,092 |
Eligible Professional staff may also receive benefits depending on their circumstances and duty station. These can include rental subsidies, dependency allowances, education grants, travel and shipping expenses, settling-in assistance and hardship allowances.
The UN also provides health insurance arrangements for eligible staff, with premiums shared between employees and the organisation.
Staff who meet the applicable service requirements may participate in the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund, with contributions deducted from their salaries.
What about locally recruited jobs?
General Service positions, which include locally recruited administrative and support roles, use local salary scales rather than the worldwide Professional salary scale.
According to the UN, General Service salaries are established locally based on prevailing employment conditions at the relevant duty station.
How to improve your UN application
Applicants should avoid submitting the same application for every vacancy.
Instead, they should tailor their applications to the specific position, highlight relevant achievements and use clear, concise language.
The motivation statement should explain how the applicant’s background matches the advertised requirements.
Candidates invited for interviews should also prepare several examples from their professional experience that demonstrate the competencies listed in the vacancy.
The UN’s official Applicant Guide provides further instructions on creating an account, completing applications and submitting them through Inspira.
Applicants can then use the UN Careers Portal to search for current vacancies and begin the application process.
