Planning & Monitoring Specialist (Reporting), NOC, FT, #138552, Kingston, Jamaica, Multi-Country Office for the Caribbean

For every child, the right to results

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:

How can you make a difference?

The Planning and Monitoring Specialist reports to the Deputy Representative (Programme coordinator) under the MCO Programme Coordination working group, supervising the Planning and Monitoring Officer (Reporting), NOA, located in Belize, the Planning and Monitoring Officer (Reporting), NOB, located in Guyana and the G7 Senior Planning Associate in Suriname. This Coordination working group acts as the strategic backbone for managing all phases of the multi-country programme cycle — from design to delivery of results — ensuring that the Caribbean MCO operates as “one programme” across 12 countries. It provides integrated coordination on planning, budgeting, implementation, HACT assurance, monitoring and reporting, so that programme resources are aligned with funding realities and managed with strong value-for-money and compliance with UNICEF standards.

This position provides specialized technical expertise in programme planning, work planning processes, and planning quality assurance across the Caribbean MCO, contributing to the MCOwide PMR function. At NOC level Planning & Monitoring Specialist contributes to multi-country planning frameworks, and leads Annual Work Plan design and coordination, and the integration of equity and results-based management principles into planning cycles — supporting coherent, evidence-informed programme planning across the 12-country platform. Key monitoring activities are also part of this role including situation monitoring and assessment, programme performance monitoring and planning and Monitoring Capacity Building as well as networking and partnership building, innovation, knowledge management and capacity building.

Key functions, accountabilities and related duties/tasks

• Setting standards for programme development, planning and performance Monitoring
• Situation Monitoring and Assessment
• Programme Performance Monitoring
• Networking and partnership building:
• Innovation, knowledge management, Planning and Monitoring capacity building

Minimum requirements

Work Experience

• Experience with development and implementation of analytical and measurement frameworks is required.
• Experience with developing programme monitoring framework is required.
• Demonstrated experience supervising teams is required
• Developing country work experience is desired.
• Active involvement in a humanitarian crisis response programme preferred is desired.

Other Skills required

• Ability to influence and maintain partnerships in close coordination with diverse stakeholders across countries.
• Strong coordination and communication skills, with the ability to provide coherent guidance across multiple reporting relationships and geographic contexts.

Language Requirements

Fluency in English and local language of duty station is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is 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.