Organization Mission

UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security.

Caribbean Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are located in some of the most disaster-prone regions in the world, and natural hazards and climate change severely affect the ability of the SIDS of the Caribbean to achieve sustainable development.

The UN Women MCO programme on Strengthening Gender-Responsive Disaster Resilience in the Caribbean provides a comprehensive package for gender-responsive resilience, which focuses on rendering prevention, preparedness and response systems, plans and tools gender-responsive. The programme also supports targeted action to enable women, girls and unemployed unattached young men to withstand natural hazards, recover fully from disasters and increase their resilience to future natural hazards.

Context

The Caribbean faces security challenges such as gun violence, gang activity, organized crime, and climate insecurity, all of which threaten development and social cohesion. The spread of small arms, linked to drug trafficking, heightens tensions, disproportionately impacting women and girls. High levels of gender-based violence further undermine stability, highlighting the need for gender-responsive, peacebuilding strategies to address the root causes of conflict.

Despite these challenges, the Caribbean region also possesses tremendous opportunities for fostering resilience and advancing the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda. The WPS agenda is anchored in international frameworks such as the UN Security Council Resolutions (UNSCRs) on WPS and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), particularly General Recommendation No. 30 (GR30). These frameworks emphasize the critical role of gender equality in conflict prevention, peacebuilding, and post-conflict recovery.

In addition, the UN Security Council, through UNSCR 1325 acknowledges the disproportionate impact of conflict on women and highlights their crucial role in peacebuilding, conflict resolution, and post-conflict reconstruction. It encourages women”s participation in peace processes, decision-making, and security efforts while emphasizing their protection from gender-based violence and the integration of gender perspectives in peacekeeping.

UN Women is committed to advancing the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Agenda, in line with UN Security Council Resolution 1325. As part of our ongoing efforts, we seek a qualified consultant to produce a comprehensive WPS policy report that will analyze key issues, assess progress, and provide recommendations for advancing gender-responsive peace and security in the Caribbean.

UN Women MCO-Caribbean (MCO) covers 22 English and Dutch speaking countries and territories in the Caribbean. The MCO was successful in launching the concept of Women, Peace and Security in the Caribbean region, beginning with Trinidad and Tobago, to address growing security concerns and to support women”s active participation in conflict prevention, peacebuilding and social cohesion. The Government of Trinidad and Tobago invited UN Women to join the special advisory group on WPS, to develop the first National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security, which was launched in March 2025. UN Women MCO – Caribbean has continued to advance the WPS Agenda in the Caribbean through a regional project including a regional NAP Academy in Port of Spain in May 2024, a regional virtual consultation on WPS in January 2025, a high-level event on Women, Peace and Security in New York at CSW69, and a WPS Experts Meeting in Guyana in March 2025.

The UNV Specialist will support the planning and implementation of programmes and initiatives which advance the Women, Peace and Security National Action Plan in Trinidad and Tobago and will support regional programmes and initiatives which advance the Women, Peace and Security Agenda in the Caribbean.

Key Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Planning and Coordination Specialist in Trinidad and Tobago, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

1. Provide support to the formulation and management of programmes on Women, Peace and Security

.Provide support in the preparation of programme work plans, budgets, and proposals, including tracking the delivery of funds;

.Provide support to the implementation of programmes and initiatives on Women, Peace and Security

.Provide support to partners on delivery and reporting of programme activities and finances;

.Identify sources and compile data and information for the preparation of documents, guidelines, speeches and position papers, in collaboration with the Programme lead.

2. Provide technical support and guidance to the development of strategic partnerships and resource mobilization efforts on Women, Peace and Security

.Support activities and programme events to engage bilateral and multilateral institutions/ donors, private sector and civil society to expand and/or sustain interest and resources for UN Women WPS programmes and joint UN system programmes.

.Provide support in forging and implementing strategic partnerships to increase outreach on UN Women’s work on WPS in Trinidad and Tobago, and across the Caribbean.

.Provide guidance and advice to development partners and national counterparts on implementation of key UN frameworks and conventions on WPS.

.Provide network and capacity development to partner Civil Society Organizations and other stakeholders.

3. Provide coordination support to programmes on Women, Peace and Security

.Support the planning and execution of meetings, workshops, events, and missions;

.Support the engagement of key stakeholders, donors and partners, during the implementation of programme activities.

.Support inter-agency and donor meetings and reporting, on Women, Peace and Security.

4. Facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing

.Assemble and lead on briefing materials and prepare power-point and other presentations, as required.

.Provide training for the MCO staff and partners on Women, Peace and Security topics.

.Manage the development and dissemination of good practices and lessons learned; ensure incorporation into programme planning.

Required Skills and Experience

Experience in gender equality and human rights issues

Experience in peace and security issues, conflict prevention, and/or humanitarian response is required

Experience in programme and project management, donor and stakeholder engagement is required

Experience writing policy documents and reports, and technical project documents is required

Experience working in the Caribbean or with Small Island Developing States is desirable

Core Competencies

​​​Accountability
​Adaptability and Flexibility
Communication
​​​Ethics and Values
​​​Integrity
​​​Knowledge Sharing
​​Planning and Organizing
Professionalism
​Respect for Diversity
​​​Working in Teams

Living Conditions

Trinidad and Tobago offers a unique and vibrant cultural experience shaped by its rich history, diverse population, and strong traditions in music, food, and festivals. The country is known for its warm, welcoming people and a relatively high standard of living compared to many other countries in the region. While the environment is generally comfortable, the assignment requires adaptability, cultural sensitivity, and a high level of professionalism. Urban areas can be fast paced, with traffic congestion and occasional safety concerns, while rural areas may offer fewer amenities and services. Flexibility, resilience, and a proactive approach to navigating both professional and personal life are essential for a rewarding experience in this dynamic setting.

Visa process:

Visa requests are now to be submitted via the eVisa portal. To obtain the Entry Visa, you must submit a request through the e-Visa Online Portal of the Immigration Division, which can be accessed at: https://nationalsecurity.gov.tt/divisions/immigrationdivision/evisa-online/. On the e-Visa Portal, you must complete the application and pay the necessary Visa fee using a Credit Card. On the platform, you can view the list of the supporting documents which must accompany the application. Ensure you have all your supporting documents readily available to upload on the Portal. Once your application is submitted, if there are any queries, the Immigration Division will contact you directly at the email address provided in the online application. The UNV can begin employment remotely before travelling to the duty station after an application for the Work Permit Certificate is prepared and submitted to the Government. The process can take between 1-2 months.