Table of Contents I - INTRODUCTION ...... 3 Foreword ...... 3 A FOREWORD FROM THE RESIDENT REPRESENTATIVE ...... 3 The Oath of Office ...... 4 Workplace Harassment, Sexual Harassment and Abuse of Authority ...... 5 II - GENERAL COUNTRY INFORMATION ...... 6 Jamaica ...... 6 Jamaica – 14 Parishes ...... 6 FOOD ...... 6 POINTS OF INTEREST ...... 7 Weather Conditions ...... 8 SUMMER TIME ...... 8 WINTER MONTHS...... 8 RAINY SEASON ...... 9 HURRICANE SEASON ...... 9 Average Temperatures ...... 9 VISA Requirements ...... 10 Basic Requirements ...... 10 Documents Requirements ...... 10 III - UNITED NATIONS INFORMATION ...... 12 UN Mission ...... 12 UN AGENCIES ...... 13 Check List ...... 24 Support for other services ...... 25 IV - HOME AWAY FROM HOME ...... 27 Arrival Logistics, Temporary and Long-Term Housing ...... 27 On Arrival ...... 27 Schools ...... 28 Preparatory/Primary Schools ...... 29 High Schools ...... 30 Religion ...... 32
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Medical Services ...... 33 Hospitals ...... 33 TV, Internet and Mobile Phone ...... 36 Banking ...... 36 Airports and Harbors...... 37 Shopping and Supermarkets ...... 39 V - ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ...... 42 Acronyms ...... 42 VI - CONCLUSION ...... 45 Thank you...... 45
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The Oath of Office
OATH OF OFFICE I solemnly declare and promise to exercise in all loyalty, discretion and conscience the functions entrusted to me as an international civil servant of the United Nations, to discharge these functions and regulate my conduct with interests of the United Nations only in view, and not to seek or accept instructions in regard to the performance of my duties from any Government or other source external to the Organization.
I also solemnly declare and promise to respect the obligations incumbent upon me as set out in the Staff Regulations and Rules.
Once contracted to the United Nations, you are asked to sign the public oath of office We have included it in this handbook as a source of inspiration for you, we hope you enjoy it.
“I’m here to do a job, and self is not involved, because we’re dealing with much bigger issues, much more is at stake. To put my own ego or my own reputation at the center of it, I think, would be unconscionable, and would be a mistake.”
Kofi Annan, former UN Secretary General Interview with The New York Times, December 29, 1998
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Workplace Harassment, Sexual Harassment and Abuse of Authority
UNDP Jamaica Country office is guided by the corporate policy on Workplace Harassment, Sexual Harassment and Abuse of Authority Policy
UNDP does not tolerate harassment in any form.
As exemplified in the Charter of the United Nations, UNDP Jamaica sets high standards for the Organization concerning sexual harassment in the workforces. It promotes the observance of these standards throughout the world.
Such behavior or conduct is contrary to the Charter of the United Nations, the Staff Rules and to the Standards of Conduct for the International Civil Service. Staff Rule 101.2 (d) provides that:-
"Any form of discrimination or harassment, including sexual or gender harassment, as well as physical or verbal abuse at the workplace or in connection with work, is prohibited."
Staff members and non-staff personnel exhibiting such behavior or conduct may be subject to appropriate administrative, disciplinary or contractual measures as appropriate.
References: Interoffice – Memorandum dated June 15, 2016 UNDP HR User Guide Duties and Responsibilities Workplace Harassment & Abuse of Authority: http://www.undp.org/content/dam/undp/documents/about/transparencydocs/UNDP_Policy_on_ Workplace_Harassment_and_Abuse_of_Authority.May_2012.pdf
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II - GENERAL COUNTRY INFORMATION Jamaica
Jamaica – 14 Parishes
JAMAICA, is an island country situated in the Caribbean Sea, consisting of the third-largest island of the Greater Antilles. Wikipedia Capital and Largest City: Kingston Official Language: English Population: 2.721 million (2014 estimate). World Bank Currency: Jamaican Dollar
Jamaica, has a lush topography of mountains, rainforests and reef-lined beaches. Many of its all- inclusive resorts are clustered in vibrant Montego Bay, with its British colonial architecture, and Negril, renowned for diving and snorkeling. Jamaica is famed as the birthplace of reggae, and its capital Kingston is home to the Bob Marley Museum, dedicated to the city’s most famous son.
FOOD Jamaican cuisine has been adapted by African, Indian, British, French, Spanish and Chinese influences. Popular Jamaican dishes include curry goat, fried dumplings, ackee and saltfish (cod) – the national dish of Jamaica – fried plantain, "jerk", steamed cabbage and "rice and peas" (pigeon peas or kidney beans)
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POINTS OF INTEREST THE BLUE MOUNTAINS The Blue Mountains are the longest mountain range in Jamaica. They include the island's highest point, Blue Mountain Peak, at 2256 m. From the summit, accessible via a walking track, both the north and south coasts of the island can be seen. On a clear day, the outline of the island Cuba, 210 km (130mi) away, can also be seen. It spreads in 4 parishes: Portland, St. Thomas, St. Mary and St. Andrews.
DUNN’S RIVER FALLS Dunn’s River Falls is a famous waterfall near Ocho Rios, Jamaica and major Caribbean tourist attraction that receives thousands of visitors each year. At the bottom of the falls, a plaque, that states it was placed by the Jamaican Historical Society in 1967 reads: NEAR THIS SPOT WAS FOUGHT THE BATTLE OF LAS CHORRERAS IN 1657, WHEN THE ENGLISH DEFEATED THE SPANISH EXPEDITIONARY FORCE FROM CUBA.
BOB MARLEY MUSEUM The Bob Marley Museum is a museum in Kingston, Jamaica dedicated to the reggae musician Bob Marley. The museum is located at 56 Hope Road, Kingston 6, and is Bob Marley’s former place of residence. It was home to the Tuff Gong record label which was founded by The Wailers in 1970. In 1976, it was the site of a failed assassination attempt on Bob Marley.
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Weather Conditions
The weather in Jamaica is the main reason so many tourists flock to this beautiful island. Jamaica’s climate conditions is referred to as a tropical marine climate. The marine part comes from our sea, especially the wind. The mountains also contribute to the warm tropical Jamaican weather. You will find the mountainous area cooler than the lower lying land right throughout the year. For the most part, the average temperature in Jamaica is between 80 °F and 90 °F (27 °FCelsius-29 °Celsius).
SUMMER TIME The hottest months are the summer months of July and August. The average temperature for the summer is 88 °F. It’s also the best time in Jamaica to just relax on the beach, play beach volley ball, get a tan, or just go on a few excursions. You may experience a few rainy days, but for the most part, it’s the perfect outdoor climate for activities.
WINTER MONTHS The coolest times in Jamaica are the winter months of December to February. The average temperature at this time is 75 °F. Winter temperatures vary with the summer temperatures by 10 °F to 23 °F. Our climate is cool and not cold. That’s because Jamaica does not have a “cold” weather; in fact, our winter is relatively warm when compared to New York, Miami, England and Canada. Even though our winters are not that cold, you should note that in the daytime, it is slightly cool, but it gets much cooler at nights. So you might want to take a sweater or jacket with you. You will surely need a jacket if you venture in the mountainous areas. A good example is our famous Blue Mountain Peak.
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RAINY SEASON Jamaica, known for our sunny climate, does experience its fair share of rain. But who will complain? It has led to our green and beautiful surroundings .Jamaica experiences the most rain in May, June, October and November. On some occasions, the rain continues to December. Port Antonio, Kingston, Ochi Rios, Montego Bay and Negril are places that are known to receive quite a bit of relief rainfall from the mountains right throughout the year. Kingston and Port Antonio receives their rainfall from the Blue Mountains from time to time.
HURRICANE SEASON Jamaica's hurricane season begins on June 1st and ends on November 30th. The island is very weather friendly, and we have only had a few direct hurricane hits in the past ninety (90) years. Jamaica has felt the effects of direct hits by hurricanes, mainly in August (Gustav in 2008, Charley in 2004) and early September (Ivan in 2004 and Gilbert in 1988).
Average Temperatures
Avg. Daily High Avg. Daily Low Avg. Monthly Precip % Days With Month Temp (°F) Temp (°F) (inches) Rain January 82.3 74.2 2.7 36 February 82.3 74.3 1.8 34 March 83.7 75 2.3 29 April 85 76.4 2.5 31 May 86.5 78 5.9 42 June 88 78.7 5.5 40 July 88.4 78.2 2.9 30 August 88.5 78.3 5.2 35 September 87.9 77.9 6.1 47 October 86.7 77.6 7.4 47 November 84.9 77 5.5 45 December 83.1 75 3.6 39
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VISA Requirements
Basic Requirements All visitors are required to be in possession of a national passport or other acceptable travel document establishing nationality and identity, and bearing a photograph. The passport or other travel document must be valid for the period of intended stay in the island. Visitors are also required to show evidence of sufficient funds to support themselves during their stay and be in possession of a return or round trip ticket to another country to which they are admissible. Nationals of certain countries require, in addition to travel documents, an entry visa. This is normally issued, on application, by a Jamaican Consular office and should be attained prior to entry. The decision in respect of admission and length of stay in the country rests with the Immigration Officer at the port of entry in Jamaica. This applies whether or not a visa is a prerequisite for entry.
GENERAL CONDITIONS FOR ADMISSION
A person desirous of visiting Jamaica: Should be in possession of a valid visa unless exempted from this requirement under any of the prescribed regulations; Must be in a position to support himself/herself and accompanying dependents for the duration of stay; Should not be of unsound mind; Should not be the subject of a certificate submitted to the Immigration Officer by a health officer indicating that for medical reasons, permission to land is not desirable; Should not have been sentenced in a foreign country for any extraditable crime within the meaning of the Extradition Acts 1870 and 1906; Should not be the subject of a deportation order in force under the Aliens Law, Chapter 9; Should not be the subject of a landing prohibition order from the Minister of National Security;
Documents Requirements
TOURIST VISA
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