Blog, Career Advice, CV Writing in Kenya

Otieno spent 3 months applying to US-based organisations. He submitted a polished, beautifully formatted 4-page CV to every single one. He did not know that what they needed was a 1-page resume. The documents are not interchangeable.

CV vs Resume: Why the Distinction Matters: The terms ‘CV’ and ‘resume’ are used interchangeably in Kenya — and that conflation is costing professionals global opportunities every day. They are fundamentally different documents with different formats, different purposes, and different expectations. Submitting one when an employer expects the other is an immediate signal that you haven’t done your research.

The Curriculum Vitae (CV): Standard in Kenya, UK, Europe, and International Organisations. 2-4 pages. Comprehensive. Includes professional summary, full work history, education, certifications, publications where relevant, training, and professional affiliations. Photo is sometimes included — check specific organisation norms. UN and major INGOs typically do not want photos.

The Resume: Standard in the United States, and increasingly required by global tech companies, remote-first employers, and multinationals. 1-2 pages maximum. Extremely concise. Achievement-focused only. No photo. No date of birth. No marital status. No nationality. ATS-optimised formatting. Every line earns its place.

The UN P11 Form

A third document entirely. The P11 is a standardised UN application form that accompanies every application to a UN agency, specialised programme, or affiliated body. It follows its own format, requires specific information in specific fields, and is evaluated differently from both a CV and a resume. Submitting only a CV to a UN role without the P11 eliminates strong candidates from processes they could have advanced in.

How to Know Which Document to Submit

📋 UK-based employer: Submit a CV, 2-3 pages, UK format.

📋 US-based or remote-first global tech: Submit a resume, 1-2 pages, US format. No photo.

📋 UN agency (UNDP, UNICEF, WHO, WFP, ILO): Complete the P11 form available on UN Careers. Accompany with a CV if requested.

📋 International NGO (IRC, MSF, Oxfam, Save the Children): Check the application instructions. Most will specify CV. Some major INGOs now request resume-format documents for HQ roles.

📋 DFI (World Bank, IFC, AfDB, KfW): CV format, but written to international development standards — impact language, results frameworks, context for the African market.

READY TO TAKE ACTION? Applying to international organisations? We specialise in CV, resume, and P11 preparation for global roles. Let’s make sure you’re submitting the right document. DM us ‘INTERNATIONAL’ to start.  📧 kethafrica@gmail.com | info@kizunaedgetalenthub.com | 📞 0742118284 | 0116327531 🔗 Join our community: https://forms.gle/pJZXzQznoxrDPGam9