Organization Mission

UNICEF is mandated by the United Nations General Assembly to advocate for the protection of children”s rights, to help meet their basic needs and to expand their opportunities to reach their full potential.

UNICEF is guided by the Convention on the Rights of the Child and strives to establish children”s rights as enduring ethical principles and international standards of behaviour towards children.

UNICEF insists that the survival, protection and development of children are universal development imperatives that are integral to human progress.

UNICEF mobilizes political will and material resources to help countries, particularly developing countries, ensure a “first call for children” and to build their capacity to form appropriate policies and deliver services for children and their families.

UNICEF is committed to ensuring special protection for the most disadvantaged children – victims of war, disasters, extreme poverty, all forms of violence and exploitation, and those with disabilities.

UNICEF responds in emergencies to protect the rights of children. In coordination with United Nations partners and humanitarian agencies, UNICEF makes its unique facilities for rapid response available to its partners to relieve the suffering of children and those who provide their care.

UNICEF is non-partisan and its cooperation is free of discrimination. In everything it does, the most disadvantaged children and the countries in greatest need have priority.

UNICEF aims, through its country programmes, to promote the equal rights of women and girls and to support their full participation in the political, social and economic development of their communities.

UNICEF works with all its partners towards the attainment of the sustainable human development goals adopted by the world community and the realization of the vision of peace and social progress enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations.

Context

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Chief of Field Operations, the Chief of Field Office (CFO) will lead UNICEF’s programme coordination, implementation, and representation in the northern region of Jamaica, encompassing St. James, Hanover, Westmoreland, Trelawny, and St. Elizabeth parishes. The CFO ensures effective coordination with government counterparts, partners, and communities for the delivery of UNICEF-supported humanitarian and recovery interventions in response to Hurricane Melissa.

The CFO will manage a small multidisciplinary field team, support programme integration across sectors, and provide real-time monitoring and reporting to ensure timely, accountable, and quality delivery of results for children.

Following the impact of Hurricane Melissa (Category 5, October 2025), UNICEF is establishing 02 Field Coordination Hub in Montego Bay and Black River to strengthen field presence and coordination in the hurricane-affected parishes of St. James, Hanover, Westmoreland, Trelawny, and St. Elizabeth. The hub will serve as a forward operational base for programme delivery, inter-agency coordination, and monitoring of the humanitarian response, in alignment with the Government of Jamaica (ODPEM- Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management) and the UN system. The UNV will oversee these hubs.

Key Responsibilities

Programme Coordination and Implementation
• Lead coordination and oversight of all UNICEF programme activities in the northern region, ensuring alignment with the Country Programme and national recovery priorities.
• Support sector teams (WASH, Health, Nutrition, Education, Child Protection, Social Policy) to plan, implement, and monitor interventions.
• Facilitate joint field assessments, situation updates, and timely response to emerging needs.Field Office Management and Representation
• Establish and manage the Montego Bay Field Hub as a functional coordination and implementation base.
• Represent UNICEF at local coordination platforms with ODPEM, Parish Disaster Committees, and partner NGOs.
• Ensure staff safety, adherence to security procedures, and operational efficiency.
Monitoring, Reporting, and Knowledge Management
• Conduct regular field monitoring visits and ensure accurate data collection and reporting on programme performance and humanitarian indicators.
• Contribute to weekly situation reports, donor updates, and lessons learned documentation.

Partnership and Capacity Strengthening
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with local government, community organizations, and service providers.
• Facilitate technical support, training, and joint monitoring with counterparts to enhance local response capacity.

Child Protection Expertise
• The CFO will serve as a focal point for strengthening child protection systems and ensuring that all field staff in his/her office adhere to UNICEF’s child safeguarding standards.

Operations, Logistics, and Asset Oversight
• Manage office assets, vehicles, and supplies in coordination with the Operations and Supply Sections.
• Ensure compliance with UNICEF policies on financial management, procurement, and child safeguarding.
Key Deliverables
• Montego Bay Field Hub operational and fully functional within one month.
• Weekly situation and activity reports submitted to CFOps.
• Updated mapping of programme coverage and humanitarian access by parish.
• Documented lessons learned and recommendations for future field presence.

Required Skills and Experience

• 7 years of overall professional experience, of which at least 3 years should be in one or more of the following areas: Child Protection (including CPiE, child rights programming, case management, psychosocial support, or coordination of the child protection sub-sector/cluster); Programme Management; or Field Coordination.
• Relevant programmes experience in emergency is an asset, as is experience working in the UN or other international development organization.

• Other desired/mandatory required technical knowledge:
• Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills;
• Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing;
• Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development;
• Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel;
• Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, among others), email, and internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment;
• Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines;
• Sound security awareness;
• Have affinity with or interest in child protection and the UN system.

Core Competencies

• Works collaboratively with others
• Builds and maintains partnerships
• Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness
• Innovates and embraces change
• Thinks and acts strategically
• Drives to achieve impactful results
• Manages ambiguity and complexity

Living Conditions

Jamaica is a Caribbean country with good living conditions. There are no problems of water and electricity supply. Housing conditions are of varying quality depending on the area. Travelers to Jamaica are advised to take normal security precautions required in larger cities and will receive a security briefing upon arrival to note areas to avoid.
Jamaica has a rich and diverse culture blended from around the world. The official language of Jamaica is English; however, one is most likely to hear the local dialect, Patois. There are several international franchises and established local real estate companies that will find the right accommodation for expatriates. Colleagues in the international community are also a good reference point for housing and other related services. Jamaica has over 16 public and six private hospitals located around the island.
Jamaica offers excellent food and dining options from casual dining experiences to fine restaurants.
The UNICEF Jamaica office is located in Kingston, the capital city of Jamaica. Kingston is the capital and largest city of Jamaica, located on the south eastern coast of the island facing a natural harbour. This is where UN agencies are based and where the international UN volunteer will be working from.

Kingston has a tropical climate, specifically a tropical wet-and-dry climate, that borders on a hot-semi arid climate, characterised by a wet season from May to November, which coincides with the hurricane season, and a dry season from December to April. During the dry season, there is not much rainfall, however, cold and stationary fronts occur at this time, and often bring heavy showers, especially in March. Kingston is on a coastal location, hence it comes under the influence of the sea, though dense urban development can negate this effect. In the 21st century, Kingston has experienced temperatures as high as 38.8 °C (102 °F) and as low as 13.4 °C (56 °F).
Kingston plays a central role in Jamaica”s economy. The vast majority of economic activity takes place within Kingston, and as most government ministries are located in the city, it is a key force in legislation in regard to Jamaica”s finances. The high population density (666,041) of the capital city means that the majority of monetary transactions occur in Kingston – stimulating much of Jamaica”s local economy. Jamaica has a well-established banking system and all major credit cards are accepted as a means of payment for commercial trans-actions.
The city is also home to the highest number of schools, hospitals and universities anywhere in Jamaica. There are several good schools in Jamaica at all levels. In addition, there are over 50 tertiary institutions presently operating in Jamaica, which are either publicly or privately owned.
Kingston is also the island”s main transportation hub and its largest seaport. Public transportation as well as private taxis are readily available and easily accessible at generally quite low fares.
There are many residential areas in Kingston that are considered relatively safe and which provide comfortable living conditions in gated communities or townhouse complexes. While crime rates are high, violent crime tends to be concentrated in inner-city areas. Public transportation is easily accessible. Risks to UN personnel are considered low.

As a UN Volunteer, you will receive a Monthly Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA), pre-assignment and end-of-assignment allowances, and comprehensive medical, life, and disability insurance. You will also have access to UNV’s global learning platform, accrue 2.5 days of annual leave per month, and benefit from unique opportunities to network across the UN system. For more details, please consult the VLA calculator: https://app.unv.org/calculator