Emergency Response Preparedness and Partnerships Officer

The UN Resident Coordinator (RC) system encompasses all organizations of the United Nations system dealing with operational activities for development, regardless of their formal presence in the country. The RC system aims to bring together the different UN agencies to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of operational activities at the country level.

The UN Resident Coordinator (RC) system encompasses all organizations of the United Nations dealing with operational activities for development, regardless of their formal presence in the country. The RC system brings together the different UN agencies to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of operational activities at the country level.

The UN Reform, initiated in 2018, has strengthened the Resident Coordinator’s Office (RCO) role by enhancing coordination between different partners and elements of the UN system. This RCO covers five countries and overseas territories - Jamaica, The Bahamas, Bermuda, the Cayman Islands and the Turks and Caicos Islands. The RCO, led by the Resident Coordinator, is comprised of five core team members – Head of Office/Strategic Planner, Economist, Data Management Officer, Partnerships Officer, and Communications Officer. The RCO works in close cooperation with the rest of the UN Country Team, and it is currently physically located within the UNDP Office premises in Kingston. Further details can be found by following the link https://jamaica.un.org/en/about/about-the-resident-coordinator-office.

The RC, as Humanitarian Coordinator, holds a significant responsibility for overseeing the UN’s humanitarian responses in the country, should it be needed. The Humanitarian Coordinator is supported in almost every case by OCHA. The UNV Specialist will be required to support the RCO in the humanitarian preparedness and response efforts.

Under the direct supervision of the Partnerships & Development Finance Officer, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

· Assist the RCO in convening and supporting the UN Emergency Technical Team (UNETT) and other inter-agency humanitarian coordination mechanisms.

· Track and report on sectoral and multi-sectoral humanitarian developments, including natural disasters, climate shocks, and other emergencies.

· Liaise with UN agencies, government entities (e.g., ODPEM, Ministry of Labour and Social Security), Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA)/CDPGM, and civil society partners on humanitarian planning and coordination.

· Assist in updating and operationalizing the UN Emergency Preparedness and Response Plans, with attention to localized risk scenarios.

· Support the development of briefing notes, situation reports, and humanitarian snapshots for the UN Resident Coordinator and UN Country Team (UNCT).

· Maintain an organized database of humanitarian response tools, partner mappings, and lessons learned from past response efforts.

· Contribute to knowledge-sharing and documentation of good practices in emergency response and recovery.

· Engage with national and local disaster management authorities, NGOs, Red Cross societies, and community groups to promote inclusive and locally led preparedness efforts.

· Support the RCO in coordinating humanitarian training or simulation exercises with partners, including public information and outreach campaigns.

· Assist in the preparation of concept notes, appeals, and funding proposals, including inputs for the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), where applicable.

· Support advocacy efforts highlighting the humanitarian-development-peace nexus, including drafting of communications materials and success stories.

· Follow up on commitments from inter-agency coordination meetings or assessments and liaise with relevant counterparts to monitor recovery and rehabilitation initiatives.

· Contribute to the strengthening of local volunteer networks and youth engagement in emergency preparedness and response initiatives.

· Assists the UNRCO team in collecting, updating, and communicating information regarding the humanitarian/emergency situation in territories covered by the MCO, including assisting with the preparation of messages/communications products in the context of emergency preparedness and response (under the guidance of the Communications Officer).

· Provides general administrative assistance and performs other tasks for the RCO and team in the context of emergency and humanitarian response efforts.