Programme Manager, Kingston, Jamaica

Position: Programs Manager, IsraAID Jamaica Response

Location: Kingston, Jamaica (mobilizing through affected areas)

Contract type: Full time

Start Date: July 5, 2026

Contract End Date: Dec 31, 2026 (depending on funding, with option to extend)

SUMMARY

Following the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa, on October 31st IsraAID has deployed an emergency response team to Jamaica to support affected communities. The response focuses on strengthening the resilience of affected communities through MHPSS and CP programs and in close collaboration with national authorities, UN agencies, and local partners.

The Programs Manager
is the highest-ranking position in this response and holds overall operational, programmatic, and partnership responsibility for IsraAID's Jamaica program. The Programs Manager leads all aspects of program cycle management - from planning and implementation to monitoring, reporting, and partner coordination - and serves as IsraAID's primary representative in-country. This role provides direct oversight and supervision to the MHPSS & Child Protection Officer and the Operations Officer, and works in close coordination with ADRA Jamaica as the co-implementing partner, and UNICEF as the donor.

The Programs Manager ensures that IsraAID's program is implemented to the highest technical, ethical, and fiduciary standards, in compliance with UNICEF's program document requirements and IsraAID's internal policies.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Program Management and Oversight

• Hold overall accountability for the design, planning, and implementation of IsraAID's CP and MHPSS program in Jamaica, including the UNICEF-funded Program Document (PD).
• Ensure all program activities are implemented on time, within scope, and aligned with approved workplans, budgets, and technical standards.
• Maintain a clear and realistic implementation plan across all outputs, with adaptive management in response to evolving field conditions.
• Oversee quality assurance across CFS operations, capacity building activities, community outreach, and referral coordination.
• Lead rapid assessments, needs analyses, and program design processes, including the preparation of program amendments and extensions.
• Ensure all programs are implemented in accordance with IsraAID's programmatic standards, humanitarian principles, and international CP and MHPSS guidelines (CPiE standards, MHPSS Minimum Standards, IASC guidelines).

1. Partnership Coordination

• Serve as IsraAID's primary focal point and relationship manager for ADRA Jamaica, maintaining a structured and productive co-implementation partnership.
• Chair regular field-level coordination meetings and program review meetings with ADRA.
• Provide strategic guidance and programmatic support to ADRA Jamaica's program team, ensuring alignment with PD objectives and capacity-building goals.
• Maintain active coordination with UNICEF Jamaica, serving as the primary contact for program updates, reporting, and issue resolution.
• Represent IsraAID in coordination meetings with national and parish-level actors, including CPFSA, SDC, JCF, OCA, and other CP and MHPSS stakeholders.
• Support ADRA's preparation for integration into national and parish-level CP and MHPSS coordination mechanisms.

1. Staff Management and Technical Support

• Directly supervise, coach, and support the MHPSS & Child Protection Officer and the Operations Officer.
• Provide programmatic direction and ongoing technical oversight to ensure quality implementation at field level.
• Identify staffing needs and support recruitment processes in coordination with IsraAID HQ.
• Facilitate a positive team culture grounded in accountability, learning, and IsraAID's values.
• Conduct regular performance check-ins and contribute to formal performance reviews for direct reports.

1. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting

• Ensure robust monitoring and data collection systems are in place across all program sites, with data disaggregated by sex, age, and vulnerability.
• Consolidate and verify field data from ADRA and IsraAID teams for internal and donor reporting.
• Lead the preparation and timely submission of all UNICEF program reports (narrative and financial), ensuring accuracy, completeness, and compliance with donor requirements.
• Document lessons learned, challenges, and good practices to inform adaptive management and future program design.
• Facilitate the structured mid-implementation capacity assessment of ADRA and contribute to the design of Phase 2 capacity building.

1. Financial and Administrative Management

• Hold responsibility for budget oversight, monitoring expenditure against programmatic targets, and ensuring cost efficiency throughout implementation.
• Work closely with the Operations Officer and IsraAID's finance systems to ensure accurate financial projections, timely liquidations, and compliance with procurement and financial management procedures.
• Oversee ADRA's financial management support, ensuring documentation, reporting, and liquidation requirements are met.
• Ensure all procurement, administrative, and operational processes comply with UNICEF and IsraAID standards.

1. Compliance, Safeguarding, and Ethics

• Promote a culture of accountability, safeguarding, and ethical programming across all program activities and partnerships.
• Ensure all staff and partners adhere to IsraAID's codes of conduct, PSEA policies, GBV risk mitigation protocols, and child safeguarding standards.
• Ensure UNICEF's PD compliance requirements are met across all reporting periods and program activities.
• Uphold the principles of do-no-harm, non-discrimination, local ownership, and humanitarian impartiality in all program decisions.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, AND COMPETENCIES

Required skills & experience:

• Higher education degree in International Development, Social Sciences, Psychology, Social Work, or a related field. BA is required; MA is preferred.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in humanitarian response or international development, with at least 2 years in a program management or senior coordination role - required.
• Demonstrated experience managing programs in the Protection sector (CP, MHPSS, GBV, or related) - required.
• Experience managing programs funded by UN agencies, with UNICEF-funded program experience a strong advantage.
• Proven ability to manage multi-partner programs and maintain productive relationships with co-implementing partners.
• Strong budget management skills, including expenditure tracking and financial reporting.
• Experience in monitoring and evaluation, including data collection systems and donor report writing.
• Ability to directly supervise, mentor, and support field-based staff.
• Fluent in English, written and spoken - required.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, meet tight deadlines, and exercise sound independent judgment.

Advantage:

• Experience working in Jamaica or the Caribbean, or equivalent community-based MHPSS/CP experience in a post-disaster or resource-limited context.
• Candidates with a background in Jamaican social work, community mental health, or child protection services are strongly encouraged to apply, even without formal humanitarian sector experience.
• Familiarity with UNICEF-funded programs, eTools, or similar program management frameworks.
• Experience working within co-implementation or partnership structures

ETHICAL STANDARDS

IsraAID has a zero-tolerance policy towards any acts of misconduct and Sexual Exploitation and Abuse. The recruitment process will include all candidates’ declaration and reference checks focused on misconduct and SEA.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

IsraAID is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or disability status.