Deputy Representative Operations, P-4, Multi Country office (MCO), Kingston, Jamaica

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, the right to a future

As part of UNICEF’s Future Focus Initiative (FFI), a corporate-wide transformation launched in 2025 to ensure UNICEF remains fit for purpose in an era of declining Official Development Assistance and increasing complexity, the offices in Belize, Jamaica, Guyana & Suriname, and the Eastern Caribbean Area (ECA) are consolidating into a new Caribbean Multi-Country Office — a regional platform combining policy influence, technical depth, and strategic partnerships across 12 countries, designed for systems-level impact and results at scale.

The Caribbean MCO operates as one integrated office across all 12 countries: one Multi-Country Programme Document, one shared basket of resources, and one management structure. This means every post in the MCO — regardless of duty station — holds a 12-country mandate and contributes to shared regional results rather than to a single-country portfolio. The Multi-Country Programme of Cooperation (2027–2031), aligned with the UN Multi-Country Sustainable Development Framework (UNMSDCF) 2027–2031, establishes three shared programmatic outcomes for the twelve English- and Dutch-speaking Caribbean countries: equitable access to primary health care, learning and skills; protection of children from all forms of violence; and child poverty reduction and resilience strengthening.

The Caribbean MCO’s management strategy is governed by four principles that together translate the new business model into concrete ways of working:

• Impact-driven: technical expertise is organized in shared multi-country working groups rather than replicated in each country, with enabling functions aligned around UNICEF’s strongest comparative advantages.
• Effective and agile: parallel country ecosystems are replaced by harmonized systems and flexible cross-country staffing, keeping management lean and decisions close to implementation.
• Grounded: regional scale is balanced with national depth through country-specific workplans, Heads of Office in each duty station, and matrix management that anchors authority and accountability at country level.
• People-centred: structural and managerial choices are guided by staff wellbeing, transparency and inclusion, with clear role definitions, meaningful consultation, and continuous investment in learning and development.

The operational expression of this model is the working group model. Rather than replicating similar roles across four separate country offices, technical and operational expertise is organized into 16 thematic and functional working groups, each distributed across different duty stations and each serving the full 12-country MCO — not just its host location. Roles are designed around three organizing principles: shared regional service, meaning every specialist contributes to the wider MCO; complementary expertise, meaning team capabilities reinforce each other rather than repeating the same profile in multiple places; and agile presence, meaning the workforce can be rapidly deployed across countries through travel, surge support or remote modalities in line with evolving needs and priorities. This working group model is the foundation of a fundamentally new way of working for UNICEF in the Caribbean: depth replaces duplication, and shared capacity replaces fragmented country-by-country coverage.

The Operations Management Working Group serves as the strategic business partner and operational backbone of the MCO, ensuring that operational systems, resources, and services are managed efficiently, transparently, and in full compliance with UNICEF policies and internal control frameworks. Led by the Deputy Representative (Operations) (P4), the group provides enterprise leadership across administration, procurement and supply management, finance, ICT, risk and compliance, safety and security, and business continuity, strengthening organizational performance, accountability, and resilience across the region

How can you make a difference? 

Reporting to the Area Representative of the MCO, the Deputy Representative, Operations will serve as the overall strategic lead for Operations within the Caribbean MCO and a core member of senior management, providing enterprise leadership across the MCO’s full operational architecture. As the architect and steward of One Office, One Operating Model, the role will ensure enabling functions are aligned, fit-for-purpose, and continuously optimized to support efficient and effective programme delivery across a complex multi-country platform. The post will act as the principal operational advisor to leadership, translating strategy into a cohesive operating model that strengthens governance and accountability, drives harmonization, and encourages innovation and more deliberate ways of working. In doing so, the role will help shape a leaner, more resilient operating model that supports stronger performance, better use of resources, and sustained organizational effectiveness across the Caribbean MCO. Title changed as per TRT recommendation.

The Deputy Representative, Operations will supervise the Operations Specialist – Administration, Supply and Procurement (NOC), the Risk and Compliance Officer (NOB), the Finance Officer (NOA) and the Digital Impact/ICT Officer (NOA),

As a Strategic Business Partner, the incumbent will be responsible to lead for results, drive change, provide risk informed, solution-focused analysis, advice and services and contribute to programme and management decisions for delivering results for children in all operational contexts. 

Strategic Operations will accomplish this by:

• Leading by example and supporting the Area Representative on managing the office
• Acting as Officer in Charge in the absence of the Deputy Representative (Programme Coordinator)
• Managing services in the functional areas of operations support: budget, financial management and reporting, facilities management, administration, supply and logistics management, information and communications technology, human resources, and safety and security and convening the other functions to arrive at a unified vision;
• Acting as member of the Senior Management Teams, representing the organizational risk, governance systems and policies perspective in management discussions, and promoting results based management.
• Understanding business needs for the MCO Programme, to anticipate challenges, propose viable/creative solutions aimed at value for money.
• Providing key contribution to CPD, CPMP, AMP and support to Results Based Management and implementation using Value for Money criteria.
• Leveraging technology for results and programme accountabilities, making effective adoption of tools and promoting the fundamentals of ICT management, information security and controls;
• Supporting the MCO during external and internal audit reviews and responding to audit observations and monitoring implementation of recommendations.
• Guiding Supply and Logistics strategies and interventions to meet programmatic needs while ensuring Value for Money (VfM), including procurement of fit for purpose products and services, and providing advisory support to governments, national systems and partners on supply chain management;
• Leveraging governance, systems, and tools to provide regular feedback on risks and achievements of operations functions in the country;
• Leading on facility management with a specific focus on inclusive accessibility, eco sustainability and common premises;
• Overseeing business transactions processed by GSSC from a perspective of Efficiency, Performance, Risk Management and Fraud prevention
• Supporting the management of PSFR operations and promoting efficiency across systems and processes, where applicable

The Deputy Representative, Operations will be entrusted with the following five pillars, the core focus of all operations functions: Valuing People, Valuing Money, Valuing Risk Management, Valuing Systems and Structures, Valuing Partners.

In fragile and humanitarian contexts, the Representative ensures the delivery of a timely, efficient and principled humanitarian action and advocacy in accordance with UNICEF global Policy and Framework for humanitarian action.  Where clusters are activated, the Representative ensures that UNICEF CLA responsibilities are fulfilled. 

Key Functions and Accountabilities

1. Valuing People: Lead, manage and develop people resources to promote technical competence and foster career progression and retention of a “fit for purpose”/ agile workforce
2. Valuing Money: Champion strategic resources to achieve organizational goals and ensure Value for Money (VfM)
3. Valuing Risk Management: Enhance Risk Management to increase organizational performance and strengthen internal control
4. Valuing Systems and Structures: Ensure further operational centralization and optimization for maximized efficiency gains
5. Valuing Partners: Strengthening internal and external-facing partnerships and leveraging UNICEF’s oversight and understanding of financial management across all areas of the office

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here:  Deputy Representative Operations P4 MCO Caribbean.docx

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• Education: 
  • An Advanced University Degree (Master’s and above) in one of the following areas is required: Business management; Financial management; Accounting; Public Finance; and related operations function (Supply Chain, Human Resources, Information Technology, International Business, Project management, etc.) or a full professional accounting designation (CA, ACA, ACCA, CPA, CIMA, CPFA, Expert Comptable) from an internationally recognized institute/body of accountancy with valid membership in good standing is required.

• Work Experience: 
  
  • A minimum of 8 years of professional experience, at the national and international level, is required, specifically in implementing strategic organizational initiatives in one or more operations management area including budget; financial management and reporting; facilities management; administration; supply and logistics management; information and communication technology.
  • Demonstrated experience supervising staff is required.

• Skills
  • Ability to influence and build partnerships in close coordination with diverse stakeholders across countries.
  • Strong coordination and communication skills, with the ability to provide coherent direction across multiple reporting relationships and geographic contexts.
  • Emotional Intelligence
  • Managing complexity and change

• Language Requirements: 

  • Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

• Demonstrated experience overseeing operations in a multi-country, matrix, or geographically dispersed organizational setting would be a significant asset.
• Prior experience in the development sector or UN system/ international NGOs would be an asset.
• Audit and investigations experience
• Safety and security experience 
• Grant Management experience
• Enterprise Risk Management experience
• Experience in a UN system agency, large private or public company, or experience working in a developing country and/or humanitarian/ emergency context is an asset.
• Experience in working with corporate ERPs (Enterprise Resource Planning) and IPSAS (International Public Sector Accounting Standards) is highly desirable.
• Experience in Results Based Management is a requirement.
• Experience in supporting successful client-oriented work units is an asset.
• Previous hands on experience in strategic operations is a strong asset.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office applications is required.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

1. Nurtures, Leads and Manages People (3)
2. Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (3)
3. Works Collaboratively with others (3)
4. Builds and Maintains Partnerships (3)
5. Innovates and Embraces Change (3)
6. Thinks and Acts Strategically (3)
7. Drive to achieve impactful results (3)
8. Manages ambiguity and complexity (3)

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

This position has been assessed as an elevated risk role for Child Safeguarding purposes as it is either a role with direct contact with children, a role that works directly with identifiable children’s data, a safeguarding response role, or an assessed risk role. Additional vetting and assessment for elevated risk roles in child safeguarding (potentially including additional criminal background checks) apply.

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 encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

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

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.

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.

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

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.

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.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.

Advertised: 04 Sep 2026 SA Pacific Standard Time
Applications close: 18 Sep 2026 SA Pacific Standard Time

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