Mission and objectivesUNICEF 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 โ 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.
ContextIn late October 2025, Hurricane Melissa struck Jamaica with devastating force, causing catastrophic flooding, landslides, and widespread damage to health, education, and WASH systems. More than 100 health facilities, 400 schools, and 300 community water systems were severely affected, disrupting essential services for hundreds of thousands and exposing deep structural vulnerabilities. Severe impacts are confirmed across Hanover, Manchester, St. Elizabeth, St. James, Trelawny and Westmoreland, including extensive flooding, landslides, collapsed roofs, hospital and school damage, and prolonged power and communication outages. The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does โ in programs, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to childrenโs rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life โ in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions โ her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a societyโs most disadvantaged citizens โ addressing inequity โ not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations. Purpose for the job The Admin Associate (UNV) is to be based in one of the hubs in St. James or Saint Elizabeth in Jamaica where the Operation is a component of the Hurricane Melissa Response. The Administrative Associate (UNV) reports administratively to chief of the hub and technically/operationally reports to the Operation Officer in Jamaica country for close guidance and supervision. Incumbents is not expected to remain for an extended period of time in the post.
Task Description1. Budget Monitoring (specialized) โข Monitors budgets and financial expenditures of section, ensuring compliance with UNICEF rules and regulations, keeping supervisor informed and advised on actions for decision/follow up. โข Provides support on budget revision/preparation, implementation status, determination position of funding utilization, operational, and financial closure. โข Prepares and maintains records, documents and control plans for the budget monitoring of project/programme implementation. โข Carries out transactions in VISION pertaining to grants for Incumbent`s section such as registering grant allotments and tracking expiring programme grants. 2. Administration section Planning & Project Management (specialized) โข Ensures the availability of timely, complete and accurate information and data for preparing section work plans and project management plans. โข Undertakes basic research and performs comparative analysis of administrative-related data. โข Monitors project implementation against established milestones and make recommendations to improve performance. โข Help ensure timely compliance with agreed deadlines. โข Acts as a focal point in the review of the completeness of data reports with key monitoring and evaluation information. 3. Procurement โข Guides managers in the process of PCA/SSAs in line with the policies and guidance issued by FRG, supply division and DPC. โข Facilitates the processing of contracts for consultants and external partners that provide a service to the section. This includes preparing and filing documents, completing necessary forms and templates, uploading TORs in VISION, and making necessary logistical arrangements. โข Maintains up-to-date vendor lists, partners, and consultant rosters. 4. Communications & Workflow โข Facilitates the communications and workflow of the organizational unit to enhance the efficiency and timeliness of operations and outputs. โข Manages incoming and outgoing correspondence, e-mails and telephone calls. โข Communicates routine and some non-routine information pertaining to the work of the team. โข Establishes and maintains the office filing and reference systems, both traditional and digital; and ensures the inter/intra-net websites are up to date and accurate. 5. Calendar/Meetings/Correspondence Management โข Maintains office calendar and arranges meetings. โข Takes minutes of meetings, ensuring accuracy, attention to detail and coherence. 6. Events/Logistics โข Supports capacity development activities and conferences by making logistical arrangements, through engaging with facilitators, caterers and hosts. โข Arranges times through liaising with participants over availability. โข Liaises with budget focal points and section over costs and needs. โข Prepares background materials for participants and uploads cleared materials to the intranet. โข Prepares and maintains agendas on meetings and events related to the work group commitments. 7. Travel โข Provides travel assistance to staff members in section for travel arrangements and entitlements based on the organizationโs rules and policies. โข Liaises with relevant travel focal points to ensure that the organization obtains the best service and price for all travel. โข Briefs/de-briefs staff members on issues relating to related administrative matters such as visas, security clearance, and documentation procedures. โข Extracts, inputs, maintains, and verifies correctness of travel records in the organizationโs travel system to ensure accurate transactions related to travel costs and staff travel. โข Assists in the preparation of budgets on travel costs and maintain travel plan and budgetary control records. โข Monitors travel certification and report back to the team. 8. Invoice Processing โข Responsible for collecting invoices and filing documents for approval and, onwards processing in VISION. โข Uploads electronic files and verifies results to destination system. โข Responds to client transaction status and other inquiries. 9. Supplies/Equipment โข Supports management of administrative supplies, office equipment, and updating inventory of items. โข Monitors and supervises adequate and appropriate use of supplies. Ensures that services and maintenance of premises are in accordance with organizational standards. โข Responsible for the purchase and timely distribution of office supplies. โข Assist with annual physical inventory of all expendable and non-expendable items in office; Identify and recommend replacement/disposal of equipment and supplies. 10. Attendance โข Maintains and updates a system which monitors the absence of staff as and if needed. Impact of Results The staff member is predominantly accountable for applying a broad range of specialized administrative rules and procedures in the coordination of administrative support to the team served. Efficiently initiating, monitoring and ensuring the provision of administrative service allows the professional staff of the organization to focus on substantive core work. This may include supervisory responsibilities with accountability for the work of administrative assistants, temporary staff and/or consultants. Administrative Associates (UNV) represent the supervisor in initiating, following up on and resolving issues pertaining to administrative requests. External contacts include counterparts in international organizations, bi-lateral and multi-lateral institutions and national governments to organize meetings, workshops and conferences.
Competencies and valuesCore Competencies โข Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (1) โข Works Collaboratively with Others (1) โข Builds and Maintains Partnerships (1) โข Innovates and Embraces Change (1) โข Thinks and Acts Strategically (1) โข Drives to Achieve Impactful Results (1) โข Manages Ambiguity and Complexity (1) Core Values โข Care โข Respect โข Integrity โข Trust โข Accountability โข Sustainability
Living conditions and remarksAs this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials.