UN and Programmes Coordinator

Contract

This is a UNV International Expert contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Expert contracts.

Under the authority of the Director of the UNESCO Office Caribbean based in Kingston Jamaica, who also serves UNESCO representative to 20 countries and territories in the English and Dutch speaking Caribbean, the Coordination Officer provides support to Director of the Office in UN coordination and management support, monitoring and reporting, and external communications at the Office.

i. Management Support: Assist the Director in the Office's strategic planning and provide overall management and program coordination support of UNESCO in Caribbean SIDS (Small Island Developing States). To this end:

• Keep abreast of critical strategic initiatives as delegated/requested and identify and prioritize issues in need of immediate attention, including global and regional initiatives involving the direct participation of the Director, as well as matters related to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. • Provide support to the Director by timely preparing substantive materials, including background or briefing papers, speeches, and talking points as requested. Participate in meetings as required, report on outcomes, and following up on action points. • Provide event coordination for initiatives under the Director's leadership or participation, including preparing concept notes, invitations, speaking guides, news articles, logistics, etc. • Liaise with partners on such events including in the coordination. • Coordinate senior programme staff meetings chaired by the Director, in terms of organizing the agenda, planning and follow up to meetings, drafting of meeting notes, as well as monitoring of action points, decisions, recommendations and deadlines, with regular updates on important issues. • Introduce strategic programme planning and management tools towards office management, in particular, coordinate and contribute to the preparation of the Office Strategic Plan and relevant UNESCO Country Strategies (UCS). • Lead the development of programmatic office briefings for high-level missions and coordinate inputs with programme colleagues. • Support the Director in knowledge management and file important documents on the internal knowledge management platform. • Maintain contact with National Commissions, organize meetings and update the country profiling for the section of External Relations. • Monitor the calendar of events done by the Communication Officer.

ii. UN Coordination: Follow activities of UN country teams and UN inter-agency working groups in cluster countries and ensure that the Director remains updated. To this end :

• Follow UN country team meetings with or as an observer on behalf of the Director when requested. • Coordinate and keep an overview of UNESCO's participation in and contribution to various UN inter-agency thematic and programmatic working groups in cluster countries. • Follow up on UNESCO's programmatic inputs to UN country strategic planning and monitoring, including Climate Change Adaptation, United Nations Multi-Country Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework, Management and Accountability Framework, Citizens In Power, UN Information Systems processes in the 7 UN country teams in the Caribbean, and with the Decade Coordination Office (DCO) for Ocean Data Sharing, as needed, by coordinating programme staff inputs and following up with Resident Coordinator offices; • Provide assistance in the preparation of inputs for UN country team meetings, and ensure proper record of decisions taken and their timely follow-up on the internal knowledge management platform. • Liaise and ensure coordination with Resident Coordinator offices and other members of the UN Country Teams and implementing partners on office-relevant matters, including ad-hoc and annual reporting.
• Be the focal point for UN Information Systems.

iii. Monitoring and Reporting: To this end:

• Lead the development of the annual office achievements report, including coordinating inputs, language editing, and finalizing for publication. • Oversee and ensure the smooth flow of relevant information within the office and with colleagues at national, regional, and HQ level, as well as with UNESCO national commissions, permanent delegations, and sister UN agencies. • Establish and maintain a monitoring table of the office activities.

iv. UNESCO may assign additional tasks to the contract holder or may modify his/her tasks without the contract holder’s consent, provided those tasks are consistent with his/her function as set out above.

• Accountability • Adaptability and flexibility • Creativity • Judgement and decision-making • Planning and organising • Professionalism • Self-management

professional experience in coordination/project management in a UN/International agency.

Strong analytical skills and ability to think critically, strategically and innovatively. Proven ability to draft clearly and concisely in English. Excellent communication skills to interact effectively with external partners. Ability to maintain effective collegial relations in a multi-cultural setting and to work effectively and collaboratively in a team environment. Excellent IT skills, including knowledge of MS software (Word, Excel etc.).
Knowledge of communications principles in brand management and design. Highly organized with an ability to manage and prioritize multiple tasks and work within a cross-functional deadline-driven environment. Sound judgment and independent decision-making ability. Ability to proactively organize and manage own work. Good interpersonal skills, cultural and political sensitivity.

Jamaica security situation is relatively calm with an overall low security level, though crime threat rating is high and hazards threat rating is substantial. Jamaica is prone to hurricanes. The hurricane season begins 1st June and ends at the end of November, every year. Kingston, Jamaica has all basic infrastructure including running water, electricity, internet available. Food is available in abundance though supermarket shopping can be expensive. Facilities such as banking and medical are available and it is advised to be covered by a medical insurance. There are direct flights to neighbouring islands and as well the United States, United Kingdom, Panama, and many other countries. Jamaica has a diverse culture and as such the incumbent should research the diverse culture, norms, dress code, etc. ahead of arrival in the country; however, generally speaking society in Jamaica is liberal with regards to the dress code.

Travel to duty station and Entry Lum Sum will be provided. The applicable Volunteer Living Allowance is provided monthly to cover housing, utilities, and normal cost of living expenses. Life, health, and permanent disability insurance are included (health insurance for up to 3 dependents), as well as final repatriation (if applicable) and resettlement allowance for satisfactory service.

International UN Expert Volunteers receive a monthly Expertise Differential which is equal to 40% of the National UN Specialist Volunteer monthly living allowance.

Specific UN Volunteer entitlements, including insurance coverage, Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA), Expertise Differential and Deployment / Repatriation lump sums, among others, are available at https://app.unv.org/calculator.

Note: International Volunteers in Jamaica are entitled to an additional Well-being Differential monthly allowance.

The complete UN Volunteer Conditions of Service is available at https://explore.unv.org/cos