For every child, the right to empowerment
UNICEF’s Caribbean Mult-Country Office (MCO) serves twelve English- and Dutch-speaking Caribbean countries: Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago. As part of UNICEF's Future Focus Initiative, the Caribbean MCO brings together policy influence, technical expertise and strategic partnerships to advance results for children across the region through one integrated programme, one management structure and a shared pool of resources. The Multi-Country Programme 2027-2031 focuses on three shared outcomes: equitable access to primary health care, learning and skills; protection of children from all forms of violence; and child poverty reduction and resilience strengthening.
Children across the Caribbean face interconnected challenges including learning losses, mental health concerns, violence, child poverty and increasing exposure to climate-related disasters. Despite many countries being classified as upper-middle or high income, significant inequalities persist, particularly for vulnerable children, adolescents, indigenous communities and those living in remote areas. Small island developing states also face fiscal constraints and heightened vulnerability to economic and climate shocks, requiring stronger regional cooperation and system-based solutions.
The Caribbean MCO’s management strategy is governed by four principles that together translate the new business model into concrete ways of working:
Purpose of the Position
Reporting to the Deputy Representative (Operations), P4, the incumbent supports oversight of procurement, supply chain, and logistics operations, helping ensure that governance frameworks, risk management systems, and performance monitoring mechanisms are in place and functioning effectively.
The Operations Specialist (Administration, Supply and Procurement) works under the Operational Support Working Group and serves as coordinator for the administration, procurement, supply, and logistics portfolio. The position supports the Deputy Representative (Operations) on strategic direction, governance, performance oversight, and continuous optimization of integrated operational services across twelve countries and territories, ensuring that service delivery is standardized, efficient, compliant, and fully aligned with programme priorities and organizational objectives.
The incumbent provides guidance to a geographically dispersed regional service platform, directly supervising Operations Associates (G6) and a Supply and Procurement Officer (NOA). Day-to-day operational execution is delegated to the associated teams, with the Operations Specialist providing guidance, quality assurance, and escalation support, particularly on complex, high-value, or high-risk operational matters, and referring matters requiring strategic decisions to the Deputy Representative (Operations).
Through this structure, the role supports the effective delivery and integration of administrative services; procurement and contracting; supply chain and logistics operations; travel and fleet services; premises and facilities management; asset and inventory control; and common operational services. The Operations Specialist implements and monitors compliance with service standards, operating procedures, performance frameworks, and internal control mechanisms, supporting clear accountability for results and effective stewardship of resources.
The incumbent works in close collaboration with the Finance Officer (NOA), Digital Impact/ICT Officer (NOA), and Risk and Compliance Officer (NOB) to support integrated operational planning and organizational effectiveness across the Caribbean MCO. The role contributes to strengthening operational performance, digital transformation, business continuity, and institutional accountability through a coordinated approach.
Working in close partnership with the Deputy Representative (Operations), the Operations Specialist supports the advancement of the One Office, One Operating Model by contributing to service integration, standardization, and value for money across the administration, procurement, supply, and logistics portfolio, helping ensure that operational systems remain fit-for-purpose and capable of supporting both programme delivery and humanitarian response across the Caribbean region.
Key functions, accountabilities and related duties/tasks
- Portfolio Coordination and Operational Support
- Procurement, Supply Chain and Logistics Coordination
- Administrative and Operational Service Delivery
- Operational Performance Management and Business Transformation
- Coordination of the Operational Support Working Group
- Strategic Partnerships, Coordination and Organizational Effectiveness
Minimum requirements
Work Experience
level is required in one or more areas of operations management, with substantial experience in administration, procurement, supply chain management, logistics, facilities and asset management, contract management, or related operational functions.
- Demonstrated experience leading complex operational portfolios, managing integrated service delivery functions and providing strategic oversight of administrative, procurement and supply operations is required.
- Knowledge of Results Based Management is a requirement.
- Experience supervising multidisciplinary teams, managing organizational change, establishing performance management frameworks and driving operational efficiency and service improvement initiatives is highly desirable.
- Experience in working with SAP/VISION and IPSAS (International Public Sector Accounting Standards) is highly desirable.
- Experience in the United Nations system, international organizations, public sector institutions or other large and complex organizations is desirable.
- Experience working across multiple locations, countries or decentralized operating environments and coordinating with diverse internal and external stakeholders is an asset.
- Experience in emergency preparedness, humanitarian logistics, business continuity planning or operational support in emergency contexts is considered an asset.
Other skills
- Emotional Intelligence
- Managing complexity and change
Language Requirements
Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language or local language of the duty station is considered as an asset.
Desirables
- Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts.
Eligibility Requirements
For every Child, you demonstrate...
The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…
(1) Builds and maintains partnerships
(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness
(3) Drive to achieve results for impact
(4) Innovates and embraces change
(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity
(6) Thinks and acts strategically
(7) Works collaboratively with others
(8) Nurtures, Leads and Manages People
UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.
UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.
UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments are conditional on the selected candidates’ willingness to comply with current or future vaccination requirements, should UNICEF mandate it for personnel.Failure to comply with such requirements, where applicable and without a duly approved medical exemption from the relevant UN authority, will result in the cancellation of the selection or may lead to other administrative measures, including separation from service
Remarks
As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.
UNICEF is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. For this position,candidates that meet all the requirements and are legally allowed to work in the respective Duty Station are encouraged to apply.
Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.
UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.
Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF’s Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.
UNICEF shall not facilitate the issuance of visa or work authorizations for candidates under consideration for positions at the National Officer and General Service category.
All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.