Job Description
The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is inviting applications from experienced and highly dependable professionals for the position of Driver based in Nairobi, Kenya. This opportunity is ideal for an individual who takes pride in delivering safe, reliable, and professional transport services while supporting one of the world's leading organizations dedicated to sustainable urban development and improving living conditions across communities. The successful candidate will become an important contributor to the smooth execution of field missions, administrative operations, and official assignments by ensuring secure and efficient transportation for personnel, visitors, and authorized goods.
Working within a dynamic international environment, the Driver will be entrusted with maintaining high standards of professionalism, confidentiality, punctuality, and customer service. The position requires more than simply operating a vehicle; it involves supporting daily logistical activities, ensuring vehicles remain roadworthy, coordinating transport schedules, monitoring travel requirements, and maintaining accurate vehicle records. Every assignment should reflect commitment to safety, organizational values, and operational excellence.
The successful candidate will regularly transport staff members, consultants, delegates, and official visitors to meetings, conferences, project sites, airports, government offices, and partner institutions while observing all national traffic regulations and organizational transport policies. The Driver will also support the movement of documents, office equipment, emergency supplies, and other official materials whenever required. Maintaining confidentiality regarding official movements, discussions, and organizational activities is essential throughout every assignment.
Vehicle maintenance forms an important aspect of this role. The selected individual will routinely inspect assigned vehicles, monitor fuel consumption, arrange preventive servicing, identify mechanical issues before they become significant problems, and ensure all insurance, inspection certificates, and registration documents remain valid. Cleanliness, safety equipment, and emergency preparedness must always meet organizational standards.
The position offers an opportunity to work alongside multicultural teams, international experts, development partners, and government representatives while contributing to impactful programmes that support sustainable cities and resilient communities. Candidates should demonstrate maturity, excellent judgment, flexibility, and the ability to remain calm under pressure while adapting to changing travel schedules and operational priorities.
UN-Habitat values integrity, accountability, teamwork, diversity, professionalism, and respect. Individuals who possess excellent driving skills, strong interpersonal abilities, outstanding reliability, and a commitment to providing exceptional transport support are encouraged to apply. This contract provides an opportunity to contribute directly to meaningful international development initiatives while building valuable professional experience within a globally respected organization operating in Kenya and beyond.
Key Responsibilities
- Safely transport authorized staff, consultants, officials, delegates, and visitors to scheduled destinations while maintaining the highest standards of road safety.
- Operate assigned vehicles responsibly in accordance with Kenyan traffic laws and organizational transport policies.
- Plan efficient travel routes to minimize delays and optimize fuel consumption.
- Conduct comprehensive daily vehicle inspections before and after every assignment.
- Check engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, tyre pressure, battery condition, lights, and other critical vehicle components.
- Maintain the assigned vehicle in excellent mechanical and cosmetic condition at all times.
- Coordinate scheduled servicing, preventive maintenance, and emergency repairs with authorized service providers.
- Immediately report accidents, breakdowns, security incidents, or vehicle defects through established reporting procedures.
- Ensure insurance certificates, inspection records, and vehicle registration documents remain valid and accessible.
- Keep detailed mileage logs, fuel records, maintenance histories, and journey reports accurately updated.
- Support airport transfers for international delegates and official visitors while providing professional customer service.
- Deliver confidential documents, official correspondence, equipment, and supplies safely and promptly.
- Assist with loading and unloading official materials while observing proper handling procedures.
- Monitor fuel usage and recommend cost-effective transport practices.
- Verify that emergency equipment, spare tyres, first aid kits, fire extinguishers, and safety tools remain available and functional.
- Maintain confidentiality regarding official discussions, travel destinations, and organizational activities.
- Follow organizational security guidelines during field missions and official travel.
- Assist logistics personnel in coordinating transportation schedules for meetings, workshops, and field activities.
- Provide transportation support during emergency response activities whenever assigned.
- Observe professional conduct when interacting with government officials, partners, vendors, and community representatives.
- Keep vehicle interiors and exteriors clean, organized, and presentable.
- Monitor weather forecasts and road conditions before commencing long-distance travel.
- Support inventory movement between offices, warehouses, and project locations.
- Respond promptly to urgent transport requests while maintaining safe driving practices.
- Participate in organizational safety briefings and mandatory training programs.
- Recommend improvements that enhance transport efficiency and operational effectiveness.
- Demonstrate punctuality, courtesy, patience, and respect toward all passengers.
- Support administrative teams with transport-related documentation whenever requested.
- Ensure compliance with environmental practices that promote responsible fuel consumption and reduced emissions.
- Perform any additional transport or logistics duties assigned by supervisors in support of organizational objectives.
Qualifications & Requirements
- Applicants should possess a minimum of a Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) or an equivalent academic qualification recognized in Kenya. A valid Kenyan driving license with the appropriate vehicle categories and an excellent driving history are essential. Candidates should demonstrate extensive knowledge of Nairobi roads, major highways, government institutions, airports, diplomatic zones, and surrounding counties. Defensive driving certification or recognized safe
- driving training will provide an added advantage.
- Strong communication skills in English and Kiswahili are required, enabling effective interaction with staff members, international visitors, and external stakeholders. Applicants should demonstrate professionalism, integrity, honesty, discretion, and the ability to maintain confidentiality when handling sensitive assignments. Basic mechanical knowledge for identifying vehicle faults, conducting routine inspections, and coordinating repairs is highly desirable. Candidates should possess sound organizational skills, excellent time management, attention to detail, flexibility, and the ability to adapt quickly to changing schedules. Familiarity with GPS navigation systems, digital communication tools, transport documentation, and mileage recording systems will be beneficial. The successful candidate should be physically fit, customer
- oriented, dependable, and capable of working independently with minimal supervision while consistently delivering safe, efficient, and reliable transport services in a demanding international work environment.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit their application through the official United Nations careers portal before the closing date. Ensure that your application includes an updated curriculum vitae (CV), relevant driving license details, academic certificates, professional references, and any additional supporting documents requested in the vacancy announcement. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for the next stage of the recruitment process.
Browse More Jobs
More Logistics / Supply Chain / Store-keeping in Kenya • All Jobs in Nairobi