An Analysis of Strategies for Enhancing Staff Motivation : a Case of United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON)

Abstract

Motivation is a term that most employers have read or at least heard about. However, when it comes to actually motivating employees, many employers are not aware of or familiar with the different techniques and strategies they can use to motivate their employees. Unfortunately, we live in a society where millions of people are not motivated at their jobs. This is alarming since most people spend more time at work than with their own families. It is hard to say who is at fault for this perplexing problem. This study was therefore motivated to determine strategies that United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON) can use to enhance staff motivation and performance. The study concludes that majority of the respondents were not content with the extent to which motivation strategies had been applied in their organization. Majority of the staff were happy with their salaries but were unsatisfied with the financial rewards such as education grant, daily subsistence allowance; security allowance and medical cover. Non-financial rewards to were not effective in staff motivation as indicated by majority of staff who were unhappy with the non-financial rewards offered by the organisation. The study recommends a survey to seek the views of staff on what type of motivational programmes would improve their performance; clear difference in the scope of work performed by staff at various levels; formulation of measures to ensure easy movement of staff from the general service category to the professional! higher level category; review of incentive programmes for staff and regular public recognition of efforts by staff. The study recommends further study on the types of non-financial rewards that have positive impacts on staff performance in the organisation, a study on the role of motivation in employees' retention at UNON and further research on effectiveness of remunerations schemes applied for local and international UNON employees working in Kenya