The following are a selection of frequently asked questions posed to the UNESCO Nairobi Office.

Does the Office take interns?
In general, no. Since the Office has no budget to cover expenses of this nature we almost never offer internships.

Does the Office offer fellowships and scholarships?
Save for a few fellowships and scholarships provided through ANSTI (about 10 a year) and the Fellowships division at Headquarters, the Office does not offer long-term financial support for degree programmes. However, it provides support for short-term training. For example, it gives grants to participants in workshops or conferences devoted to themes the Office deems strategic. It also gives grants for visiting lectureships at African universities in areas relevant to its programs. Read more on UNESCO fellowships - click here -

Does it offer employment?
Occasionally, as and when vacancies arise. Announcements of vacancies are sent regularly to National Commissions for UNESCO and to UNDP Offices. However, all appointments are made through the Bureau of Personnel, in Paris, and applications should be sent directly to the Director of the Bureau.

Does it engage consultants?
Regularly, but "again" only as and when required in the course of implementing the Office's approved program. In this case, individuals with the relevant experience and qualifications may send their curriculum vitae directly to the Office itself, and may do so in advance of opportunities actually arising.

What does the Office mean by "basic science"?
It means mathematics, physics, chemistry and biology, but only as taught or practiced at tertiary and higher levels. At lower levels the Office would consider these subjects part of "education". Beyond providing a basis for a division of labor among the various divisions of UNESCO, this distinction has little other significance.

Can requests for support in areas outside the Office's programmes still be sent to it?
Yes, but only if their source is in doubt about the precise Office or division where to send them. In that case the Office will redirect requests accordingly. Where no such doubt exists, it saves time to address requests directly to the relevant point in UNESCO; in the field or at headquarters.

What concrete results can the Office claim as its own?
Only rarely does the Office's work take place at its premises. Often it takes place in Member States. Moreover, only rarely can the Office claim results as exclusively its own. The Office works hand in hand with other partners, often only as a catalyst, to achieve aims Member States want and determine for themselves. This is not to say there are no results that can be attributed to it. On the contrary, many efforts in capacity building in Africa are likely to contain a component that can be traced back to the Office. Examples include physical infrastructure (scientific equipment and literature) and human skills (expertise provided by or through the Office) at many African institutions for science.

What is a Field Office?
A Field Office is a unit of the Secretariat of UNESCO, located in the "field" - that is, outside the Organization's Headquarters in Paris.

What is a National Commission?
A National Commission is an arrangement that associates a Member State's principal bodies interested in UNESCO's fields of activity. Its primary function is to advise: (a) the Member State's delegations to UNESCO's General Conference (http://www.unesco.org/confgen/en/indexen.htm), (b) the representative and alternate of its country on the Organization's Executive Board, and (c) the Government of its country in matters relating to the Organization. A National Commission also functions as an agency of liaison between UNESCO and the Member State in all matters of interest to it.

What is the difference between a Field Office and a National Commission?
A field Office is a part of the Secretariat of UNESCO and answers to the Organization's Director-General, whereas a National Commission is a part of a Member State and answers to the Government of that Member State.