Contract Management Officer

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is seeking a results-driven Contract Management Officer to join its Nairobi-based team. Operating under the direct supervision of the Senior Project Manager, this role sits at the intersection of procurement, supplier relations, and financial oversight — ensuring that every contract UNOPS administers is executed compliantly, efficiently, and to the highest UN standards.

This is an exciting opportunity for a detail-oriented professional who thrives in a fast-paced international development environment. You will act as the primary administrator for active contracts, safeguarding UNOPS' interests by tracking milestones, managing payments, and building robust monitoring frameworks that drive supplier performance and accountability.

• Serve as the day-to-day administrator for assigned contracts, ensuring full compliance with all contractual clauses including insurance validity, performance securities, and legal requirements.
• Track critical contract dates — expiration periods, delivery milestones, renewal windows, and notice triggers — ensuring zero lapses in coverage or compliance.
• Liaise with suppliers to ensure they clearly understand their service obligations and have access to the information and contacts required for effective delivery.
• Contribute to the design and implementation of comprehensive performance management frameworks that provide meaningful incentives for suppliers to meet or exceed agreed standards.
• Draft supplier communications (non-technical) for review and submission by the Project Manager, and follow up with relevant UNOPS offices on outstanding actions.
• Manage the interim payment certification process in coordination with the technical team, maintaining complete documentation and control records.
• Exercise strict oversight over project cash flow by monitoring actual payments against the forecasted payment schedule and flagging deviations promptly.
• Maintain a full financial register covering approved payments, pending invoices, retentions held, and contract modifications.
• Implement and champion the use of contract management software to ensure documentation is structured, searchable, and audit-ready at all times.
• Develop performance indicators, dashboards, and reporting tools to provide regular and ad hoc reporting to project leadership on contract status.
• Put in place automated or technology-driven mechanisms to flag key contract trigger points such as health certificate renewals and goods expiration dates.

• Demonstrate at least 2 years of hands-on experience administering contracts or supporting procurement processes within an international organisation, NGO, or government entity.
• Apply knowledge of procurement principles and contract law to ensure supplier obligations are met and UNOPS rules are followed without exception.
• Interpret contract clauses accurately and translate compliance requirements into actionable monitoring plans.
• Use contract management or ERP software (e.g., UNOPS' oneUNOPS, SAP, or similar) to maintain financial registers and documentation trails.
• Build and maintain financial tracking tools — spreadsheets, dashboards, or software — to monitor payment schedules and cash flow with precision.
• Communicate clearly and professionally in written English when drafting supplier correspondence and internal reports.
• Work independently on multiple concurrent contracts while escalating risks and blockers to the Project Manager in a timely manner.
• Hold a Bachelor's degree in Procurement, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Law, Finance, or a related field.

UNOPS offers internationally competitive remuneration packages in line with UN Local Individual Contractor Agreement (ICA) pay scales for Kenya. Estimated monthly compensation for this role falls between KES 150,000 and KES 250,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications. UNOPS also provides a structured benefits framework typical of UN system organisations.

Ideal candidates are meticulous, process-oriented professionals with at least 2 years of contract or procurement administration experience, a strong grasp of financial controls, and a genuine commitment to the UN's mission of delivering impactful projects. You are comfortable working in a multicultural environment, can juggle competing deadlines, and take pride in maintaining airtight documentation. Experience in donor-funded or internationally governed projects is a strong advantage.

Do not apply if you have no prior experience in contract administration or procurement, if you are unable to commit to strict compliance and documentation standards, or if you are uncomfortable working within structured UN processes and approval hierarchies.

• Visit the UNOPS official careers portal at jobs.unops.org and search for the Contract Management Officer vacancy in Nairobi, Kenya.
• Create or log into your UNOPS candidate profile and complete the online application form in full.
• Upload a current CV and a cover letter tailored to this specific role, highlighting your contract administration and procurement experience.
• Submit your application before the closing date of 25 June 2026. Late submissions will not be considered.
• Note: UNOPS does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process. Do not pay for any certificate, assessment, or notarisation related to this application.