The World Health Organization (WHO) is seeking a National UN Volunteer Information Technology Officer in Nairobi, Kenya, for a full-time, onsite assignment lasting 12 months, with a possibility of extension. The role combines IT infrastructure and user support with responsibility for managing and tracking assets within the WHO Kenya Country Office.
Information Technology Officer at WHO: Key Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organization | World Health Organization (WHO) |
| Position | Information Technology Officer |
| Location | Nairobi, Kenya |
| Work arrangement | Onsite, on UN premises |
| Assignment type | National UN Volunteer |
| Work schedule | Full-time |
| Duration | 12 months, with possibility of extension |
| Expected start date | 10 January 2026 |
| Number of assignments | 1 |
| Required experience | At least 3 years |
| Education | Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or Information Management |
| Required language | Fluent English |
| Area of expertise | Information technology and telecommunications |
| Nationality/residency | Must be a national, legal resident, or refugee in Kenya |
Important: This is a national assignment in Kenya. Applicants must meet the nationality, legal-residency, or refugee-status requirement specified by the source.
What Does the WHO Information Technology Officer Do?
The position provides technical IT services and support to the WHO Kenya Country Office while working with IT colleagues across the organization. The role also includes an asset-management function, making it broader than a standard helpdesk position.
The IT Officer will help manage the day-to-day activities of the IT team and ensure that staff service requests receive appropriate attention. The position also involves coordinating with the United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON) on the country’s network infrastructure.
Key responsibilities include:
- Managing daily IT team activities and service requests.
- Installing, maintaining, configuring, and administering LAN/WAN infrastructure according to WHO standards.
- Maintaining workstations, data-centre server infrastructure, and data-storage areas.
- Supporting collaborative technologies, including SharePoint and online video-conferencing platforms.
- Establishing and maintaining data protection, backup, disaster recovery, and failover processes.
- Supporting cybersecurity procedures and ensuring identified threats and vulnerabilities are addressed promptly.
- Preparing and maintaining technical documentation, policies, and procedures for infrastructure and end-user support.
- Training and assisting staff with computer hardware, software, and IT services.
- Working with WHO Regional Office, country-office, and Headquarters IT teams on regional and global projects.
This means applicants need experience across infrastructure, user support, security, documentation, and IT project work rather than in only one narrow technical area.
The Role Also Includes WHO Asset Management
A significant part of the assignment involves keeping accurate records of WHO Kenya’s physical assets.
The successful volunteer will support physical inventories and reconcile assets against the Fixed Asset Register. The work includes identifying staff-assigned equipment that is missing from the register, helping prepare discrepancy reports, and following up on reconciliation actions.
Other asset-related duties include:
- Recording newly received capitalized and expense assets in the Global Service Management (GSM) system.
- Assigning asset numbers and barcodes.
- Updating asset custodians, locations, and status in the GSM registry.
- Facilitating staff signatures on custodian forms.
- Monitoring asset conditions and reporting irregularities to the Asset Manager.
- Supporting annual Fixed Asset Certification reporting.
- Assisting with disposal plans for assets when required.
This additional responsibility makes attention to records, accountability, and established procedures particularly relevant to the position.
Who Is Eligible for This Nairobi Assignment?
Applicants must be 18 to 80 years old, have at least three years of relevant experience, and meet the assignment’s nationality or residency requirement. The source states that candidates must be a national, legal resident, or hold refugee status in the country of assignment.
The required education is a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or Information Management, and fluent English is required.
Applicants should have at least three years of progressive experience administering IT and telecommunications infrastructure, including local networks and helpdesk or user-support systems.
The source also highlights experience with:
- Workstations, servers, and network infrastructure
- End-user support
- IT project management
- Technical documentation
- Microsoft Office applications such as Excel and Word
- Email and internet technologies
- Database management
- Office technology equipment
- Security and cybersecurity awareness
Strong analytical and problem-solving ability is also expected. Candidates should be able to work with limited supervision, meet deadlines, and communicate effectively with different groups.
Skills and Personal Competencies WHO Is Looking For
The assignment requires more than technical knowledge. WHO lists competencies involving teamwork, communication, cultural awareness, results, and adaptability.
The stated competencies include:
- Fostering integration and teamwork
- Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
- Communicating in a credible and effective way
- Producing results
- Moving forward in a changing environment
The source also calls for strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work inclusively with a range of partners and stakeholders. Experience working effectively within multicultural teams is important for the position.
Candidates should also be self-motivated and capable of working with minimum supervision.
Is WHO or UN Experience Required?
Previous experience with WHO, another UN agency, or a similar organization is desirable rather than listed as essential. The source states that such experience will be an advantage.
The essential experience requirement is at least three years of progressive IT and telecommunications infrastructure administration, including responsibility for local networks and helpdesk or user-support systems.
The position also calls for an affinity with or interest in fixed asset management, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN system.
Application Details
The assignment is for one National UN Volunteer based in Nairobi, Kenya. It is a full-time, onsite role located on UN premises, with an expected start date of 10 January 2026 and an initial duration of 12 months, with a possibility of extension.
Applicants should carefully check the nationality or residency condition before applying because this is a national assignment and the source specifically limits eligibility to people who are nationals, legal residents, or refugees in Kenya.
