Chief of Field Office

UNICEF 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 – 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.

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Chief of Field Operations, the Chief of Field Office (CFO) will lead UNICEF’s programme coordination, implementation, and representation in the northern region of Jamaica, encompassing St. James, Hanover, Westmoreland, Trelawny, and St. Elizabeth parishes. The CFO ensures effective coordination with government counterparts, partners, and communities for the delivery of UNICEF-supported humanitarian and recovery interventions in response to Hurricane Melissa.

The CFO will manage a small multidisciplinary field team, support programme integration across sectors, and provide real-time monitoring and reporting to ensure timely, accountable, and quality delivery of results for children.

Following the impact of Hurricane Melissa (Category 5, October 2025), UNICEF is establishing 02 Field Coordination Hub in Montego Bay and Black River to strengthen field presence and coordination in the hurricane-affected parishes of St. James, Hanover, Westmoreland, Trelawny, and St. Elizabeth. The hub will serve as a forward operational base for programme delivery, inter-agency coordination, and monitoring of the humanitarian response, in alignment with the Government of Jamaica (ODPEM- Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management) and the UN system. The UNV will oversee these hubs.

Programme Coordination and Implementation
• Lead coordination and oversight of all UNICEF programme activities in the northern region, ensuring alignment with the Country Programme and national recovery priorities.
• Support sector teams (WASH, Health, Nutrition, Education, Child Protection, Social Policy) to plan, implement, and monitor interventions.
• Facilitate joint field assessments, situation updates, and timely response to emerging needs.

Field Office Management and Representation
• Establish and manage the Montego Bay Field Hub as a functional coordination and implementation base.
• Represent UNICEF at local coordination platforms with ODPEM, Parish Disaster Committees, and partner NGOs.
• Ensure staff safety, adherence to security procedures, and operational efficiency.
Monitoring, Reporting, and Knowledge Management
• Conduct regular field monitoring visits and ensure accurate data collection and reporting on programme performance and humanitarian indicators.
• Contribute to weekly situation reports, donor updates, and lessons learned documentation.

Partnership and Capacity Strengthening
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with local government, community organizations, and service providers.
• Facilitate technical support, training, and joint monitoring with counterparts to enhance local response capacity.

Child Protection Expertise
• The CFO will serve as a focal point for strengthening child protection systems and ensuring that all field staff in his/her office adhere to UNICEF’s child safeguarding standards.

Operations, Logistics, and Asset Oversight
• Manage office assets, vehicles, and supplies in coordination with the Operations and Supply Sections.
• Ensure compliance with UNICEF policies on financial management, procurement, and child safeguarding.
Key Deliverables
• Montego Bay Field Hub operational and fully functional within one month.
• Weekly situation and activity reports submitted to CFOps.
• Updated mapping of programme coverage and humanitarian access by parish.
• Documented lessons learned and recommendations for future field presence.