Job Description

Provides technical leadership and expertise and acts as interface for matters related to specialist conference services for the current planning/pre-design stage for the proposed Conference Centre Upgrade project at the United Nations Office at Nairobi;• Coordinates and implements programs/projects and tasks as assigned related to development of the current planning/ pre-design stage of the project; reviews relevant documents and reports; identifies priorities, problems and issues to be addressed and proposes corrective actions; liaises with relevant parties; initiates and ensures follow-up actions.

• Conducts research, analyzes and presents information gathered from diverse sources to better understand both current and future conferencing facilities, venues and services within the local and international environment, and associated requirements and processes on a comprehensive detailed level, including the review and Analysis of issues and trends, preparation of evaluations or specialized analysis reports other research activities and studies;• Establishes, coordinates and maintains business relationships with relevant business leaders and departments, including but not limited to coordinating various project governance related meetings with UN client entities, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the UN Human Settlements Programme (UNHABITAT) as well as other UN offices within Kenya, the Division of Conference Services, Department of Safety and Security, Information and Communication Technology Services, Facilities Management and Transportation Section and other stakeholders as identified, to better understand their future conference and meetings requirements, hear their concerns, and the effects on the proposed project implementation;• Provides substantive advice to project owners, stakeholders and senior management related to current and future international conferencing best practice, appropriate policies, standards and guidelines, including detailed analysis of contractual and technical outputs of professional firms, contractors and suppliers related to the field of specialist conferencing, events and associated conferencing technologies;• Undertakes conferencing related survey initiatives; guides design of any data collection tools; reviews, analyzes and interprets responses, identifies problems/issues and prepares conclusions;• Prepares various written outputs, e.g. background papers, analysis, relevant substantive sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, etc. consistent with UN policies and procedures;• Provides substantive backstopping to consultative and other meetings, conferences etc., to include, in consultation with project owners and managers, proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations, etc.

• Coordinates relevant project outreach, consultation and Change Management activities, including project workshops, seminars, etc.; makes presentations on assigned topics/activities.

• Coordinates activities as assigned related to project budget and finance, including but not limited to cost estimates for the conference services components of the project, including liaison and coordination with relevant contracted professional consultants, contractors, suppliers and preparing related documents/reports at highest quality in the context of current project deliverables.

• Serves as an effective spokesperson and establishes collaboration and partnerships with stakeholders at all levels and monitors and communicates project status, business issues, risks and significant developments related to conference services functions, as appropriate;• Performs other duties as required.