Department for General Assembly and Conference Management (DGACM)
Editorial and Desktop Publishing Assistant (English), G6
Nairobi
Posted 21 February, 2026
Deadline 04 March, 2026
Advertising, Arts and MediaFull-TimeSenior-level(6+ yrs)
Job Description
Role Overview
The United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON) is seeking an Editorial and Desktop Publishing Assistant to join the Department for General Assembly and Conference Management (DGACM). This role is pivotal in leading the Editorial and Desktop Publishing Unit (ETPU) through the adoption of modernized working methods and procedures, particularly within the framework of the Global Terminology, Reference and Translation Solutions (gText) project. The assistant ensures that workflows are rigorously designed, transparently implemented, and reflect the language-specific operational needs of the English Language Unit (ELU).
Key Responsibilities
Modernization and Workflow Management: Lead the adoption of modified working methods and procedures. Ensure workflows are designed to rigorous standards and supported by systematic training. Manage the effective transition to new systems like gText while maintaining ELU work product delivery.
Production Coordination: Organize, plan, and coordinate ETPU work regarding the production of camera-ready documents for reproduction and storage in the United Nations Official Documents System (ODS).
Work Distribution: Assign tasks among ETPU staff to ensure efficient documentation processing, resource utilization, and equitable work distribution. Set priorities in consultation with the Chief of ELU.
Administrative and Technical Processing: Review incoming formatting work, register and process assignments in the gDoc system daily, and monitor unit statistics. Maintain work folders and perform other administrative duties.
Staff Guidance: Train and guide junior ETPU staff members and complete their performance evaluations.
Specialized Training: Assist in training staff for bi-text alignment to support translation memories for computer-assisted and machine translation. Train staff in pre-processing or pre-translation functions.
Technical Maintenance: Participate in creating and updating departmental macros, templates, and models.
Data Analysis: Assist in collecting and analyzing data, and preparing presentations or reports for knowledge management and decision-making.
General Support: Update information materials like web pages and brochures, and handle other related tasks as assigned.
Requirements and Qualifications
Education: Completion of a High School diploma or equivalent is required. Supplementary formal training in desktop publishing or a related field is highly desirable.
Experience:
A minimum of seven (7) years of experience in desktop publishing or a related field (including draft typing, copy editing, formatting, proofreading, and typographical layouts) is required.
The minimum experience is reduced to five (5) years for candidates holding a first-level university degree.
Experience with editorial rules and typographic standards is desirable.
One (1) year or more of experience in data analytics or a related area is desirable.
Operational Availability: Ability to rotate on daytime, after-hours, and weekend work shifts. Availability for overtime and on-call assignments based on service needs.
How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should apply online via the official United Nations careers portal. Ensure your profile is fully completed before submission.
How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should apply online through the official United Nations careers portal by visiting the application link: careers.un.org. Follow the prompts to complete your application on the UN portal.
