Governance, Youth Justice and Gender Empowerment Expert, Port of Spain

General

Description of assignment title

Governance, Youth Justice and Gender Empowerment Expert

Assignment country

Trinidad and Tobago

Duty stations

Port of Spain

Work location

On UN premises

Expected start date

10/01/2026

Expected end date

09/22/2027

Sustainable Development Goal

16. Peace, justice and strong institutions

Host entity

UNDP

Modality

Onsite

Type

International

Volunteer category

Expert UCoS from Apr2026

Work schedule

Full-time

Number of Assignments

1

Details

Mission and objectives

As the United Nations’ lead agency on international development, UNDP works in 170 coun-tries and territories to eradicate poverty and reduce inequality. We help countries develop pol-icies, leadership skills, partnership-building capacities, institutional capabilities, and resilience to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Our work is concentrated in three focus areas: sustainable development, democratic governance and peacebuilding, and climate and disaster resilience.

UNDP’s mandate is to end poverty, strengthen democratic governance, promote the rule of law, and support inclusive and accountable institutions. We advocate for transformative change and connect countries to knowledge, experience, innovation, and resources to help people build a better future. Through strategic partnerships, technical expertise, and capacity development, UNDP supports governments and communities in advancing human rights, gen-der equality, social inclusion, and sustainable development, ensuring that no one is left behind.

Context

The assignment will support the UNDP Trinidad and Tobago Multi-Country Office’s efforts to strengthen inclusive, people-centered justice systems, advance democratic governance, and promote gender equality across its programme portfolio. The Governance, Youth Justice and Gender Empowerment Expert will provide high-level technical expertise and strategic advisory support in the areas of governance, youth justice, gender equality, human rights, and social inclusion. The incumbent will contribute to the development of concepts, policies, programme strategies, and project documents; design and facilitate capacity-building initiatives; lead policy dialogues and stakeholder consultations; and strengthen partnerships with government insti-tutions, civil society organizations, regional bodies, and development partners.

The Expert will support evidence-based policy development, institutional strengthening, and the integration of gender-responsive and human rights-based approaches across UNDP inter-ventions. Through technical leadership, knowledge generation, and strategic engagement with key stakeholders, the assignment will contribute to advancing inclusive governance, equitable access to justice, youth empowerment, and sustainable development outcomes in Trinidad and Tobago and the wider Caribbean region, in line with UNDP’s mandate and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs

Task description

Under the direct supervision of the designated authority, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

• Provide high-level technical expertise and strategic advisory support in the areas of govern-ance, youth justice, gender equality, human rights, and social inclusion, contributing to the design and implementation of UNDP programmes and initiatives.
• Lead the development of concept notes, project documents, policy briefs, technical reports, and programme strategies that advance inclusive governance, equitable access to justice, youth empowerment, and gender-responsive programming.
• Design, facilitate, and oversee capacity-building initiatives, including training programmes, workshops, and knowledge-sharing activities on human rights, gender justice, gender-respon-sive governance, civic engagement, and inclusive policymaking.
• Lead policy dialogues, multi-stakeholder consultations, and strategic engagement processes involving government institutions, civil society organizations, youth networks, academia, and development partners to strengthen governance and justice outcomes.
• Provide technical guidance on the establishment of inclusive and sustainable mechanisms for youth participation in governance and justice processes, ensuring the integration of gen-der-responsive, rights-based, and intersectional approaches.
• Support institutional strengthening efforts through the development of frameworks, guide-lines, tools, and recommendations that enhance youth engagement, gender equality, and ac-cess to justice within national and regional contexts.
• Provide technical leadership and advisory support to civil society organizations, women's organizations, youth-led networks, and government counterparts through mentoring, coach-ing, and capacity development initiatives.
• Lead and contribute to monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) processes, including the development of results frameworks, indicators, data analysis methodologies, and evidence-based recommendations to inform programme effectiveness and policy development.
• Produce high-quality knowledge products, lessons learned, policy recommendations, ana-lytical reports, and advocacy materials to strengthen evidence-based decision-making and inform programme development.
• Facilitate strategic partnerships and coordination among government agencies, regional in-stitutions, civil society organizations, and development partners to promote alignment with national development priorities, justice-sector reform efforts, and regional gender equality commitments.
• Ensure the systematic integration of human rights-based, gender-responsive, and Leave No One Behind principles across programme interventions, promoting participation, accountabil-ity, non-discrimination, and inclusion in all aspects of project implementation.

Eligibility criteria

Age

18 - 80

Required experience

7 years

Donor priorities

.

Nationality

Candidate must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment.

Additional eligibility criteria

.

Assignment requirements

Relevant experience

7 years

Languages

English, Level: Fluent, Required

Required education level

Master's degree in Master's degree in Law, Human Rights, Gender Studies, International Development, Public Policy, or related field

Competencies and values

• Accountability
• Adaptability and Flexibility
• Building Trust
• Communication
• Creativity
• Ethics and Values
• Integrity
• Knowledge Sharing
• Professionalism
• Respect for Diversity
• Self-Management
• Working in Teams

Skills and experience

Providing technical expertise in governance, access to justice, youth empowerment, gender equality, human rights, or social inclusion programmes, preferably within international development, public sector, or multilateral settings.

• Designing, managing, and implementing projects and programmes related to youth justice, democratic governance, gender-responsive governance, human rights, and institutional strengthening.
• Developing and delivering capacity-building initiatives, training programmes, and knowledge products on governance, access to justice, gender equality, youth participation, and human rights-based approaches.
• Applying participatory, inclusive, and evidence-based methodologies to programme design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation.
• Facilitating high-level policy dialogues, multi-stakeholder consultations, intergenerational forums, and partnership-building initiatives involving government institutions, civil society organizations, academia, youth networks, and development partners.
• Advising and collaborating with government agencies, international organizations, and civil society stakeholders on the development of policies, strategies, and frameworks that strengthen youth engagement, access to justice, gender equality, and inclusive governance.
• Conducting research, policy analysis, and institutional assessments to identify challenges, opportunities, and recommendations for strengthening governance and justice systems.
• Leading or contributing to monitoring, evaluation, learning, and reporting processes, including data analysis, results measurement, and the development of evidence-based recommendations.

Skills in:

• Strong technical expertise in governance, youth justice, gender equality, human rights, and social inclusion programming.
• Advanced analytical, policy development, and strategic planning skills.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement, partnership-building, negotiation, and facilitation skills.
• Proven ability to develop high-quality technical reports, policy briefs, guidance notes, presentations, and knowledge products.
• Strong communication and presentation skills, including the ability to engage effectively with senior government officials, development partners, civil society organizations, and youth leaders.
• Demonstrated capacity to integrate gender equality, youth empowerment, and human rights principles across programme design and implementation.
• Ability to identify innovative and sustainable solutions that contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDGs 5, 10, 16, and 17

Area(s) of expertise

Administration, Governance, elections, Communication, advocacy, public information

Driving license

Other information

Volunteerism is understood as a wide range of activities undertaken of free will, for the general public good, for which monetary reward is not the principal motivating factor.

Living conditions and remarks

Trinidad and Tobago is a twin-island Caribbean nation characterized by a tropical climate, diverse culture, and a relatively high standard of living compared to many neighboring countries. The country offers a mix of urban and rural settings, with Port of Spain serving as the bustling capital that hosts many government institutions and international agencies. The cost of living can be moderate to high, particularly in urban areas, but basic goods and services are generally accessible. Public health facilities are available but may vary in quality, and private healthcare is recommended for those who can afford it. The country is known for its vibrant festivals, rich cuisine, and natural attractions, including beaches, rainforests, and bird sanctuaries. However, certain areas face challenges such as higher crime rates, especially in urban centers, requiring caution and adherence to safety guidelines. Reliable transportation and infrastructure exist, though traffic congestion can be an issue during peak hours.

Inclusivity statement

United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements

Selected candidates for certain occupational groups may be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) in line with the applicable host entity policy

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