For every child, the right to Hope
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 Senior Planning Associate G7 located in Suriname, reports to the Planning and Monitoring Specialist NOC located in Jamaica, in the MCO Programme Coordination working group, alongside with the Planning and Monitoring Officer (Reporting), NOB, located in Guyana, and the Planning and Monitoring Officer (Reporting), NOA, located in Belize. This 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 oper ates as “one programme” across 12 countries. It provides integrated leadership 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 senior operational and Monitoring functions, administrative support to the MCO's Planning, contributing to the coordination of planning processes, consolidation of monitoring data, and operational support to the regional PME Working Group. At G7 level, the role represents only General Service support within the function, requiring substantial experience and initiative to manage a complex multi planning workload.
Key functions of the Senior Planning Associate
Programme Planning and Coordination
Monitoring and Reporting
Data and Knowledge Management
Financial and Grant Management
Implementing Partnership Management
Administrative and Operational Support
Quality Assurance and Innovation
Support in Learning & capacity development
Minimum requirements
Skills
- Thorough knowledge of a range of specialized topics, including the relevant, partnership mechanisms, rules, and regulations.
- High level of proficiency or skill is required in the interpretation and application of specialized rules and regulations to the circumstances of complex individual cases.
- Experience using MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint, and other UNICEF office tools.
- Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues and across teams and gain the assistance and cooperation of others in a team endeavor.
- Ability to establish priorities and plan his/her own work and plan, coordinate and monitor the work of those under his/her supervision.
- Programme planning and monitoring
- Data analysis, reporting and grants tracking.
- SAP/VISION/Insight
- Microsoft Office and Power BI
- Coordination
Capabilities Required
- Project Management
- Collaboration
- Problem Solving
- Digital Dexterity
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
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 DS 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 a visa and working authorization 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.