UN 2.0 Insights and Development Specialist, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago

General

Description of assignment title: UN 2.0 Insights and Development Specialist

Assignment country: Trinidad and Tobago

Duty stations: Port of Spain

Work location: On UN premises

Expected start date: 09/12/2026

Duration: 12 months(with possibility of extension)Long-term benefits and allowances

Sustainable Development Goal: 17. Partnerships for the goals

Host entity: UNRCO TTO

Modality: Onsite

Type: International

Volunteer category: Specialist UCoS from Apr2026

Work schedule: Full-time

Number of Assignments: 1

Details

Mission and objectives:

• The United Nations Multi-Country Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework in the Caribbean (MSDCF), which is aligned to the SDGs, identifies a single framework for the UN to partner with the region for joint Caribbean development. This document is a plan for UN development activities in the 22 countries within the English- and Dutch-speaking Caribbean for a five-year period. These activities support the achievement of the 2030 Agenda. The current MSDCF runs from 2022 to 2026. This particular plan specifically takes into account the need to 'Build Back Better' from the Covid-19 pandemic, and to address structural vulnerabilities unique to the Caribbean as a whole. All 17 Sustainable Development Goals are covered by this plan, but strategic priority was given to 73 of the total 169 SDG targets. Twenty-two UN Funds, programmes and agencies work together for the UN system. The UN partners with governments, public sector entities, regional institutions, private sector, civil society, the media, and other entities to achieve the objectives of the MSDCF. This MSDCF organises the UN's development work in the Caribbean around four major thematic areas: Shared Prosperity and Economic Resilience; Equality, Well-being and Leaving No One Behind; Resilience to Climate Change/Shocks and Sustainable Management of Natural Resources; Peace, Safety, Justice and the Rule of Law. To ensure the MSDCF is rolled out in Trinidad and Tobago in alignment with the country's national agenda for sustainable development, the UN Country Team partners with the Government of Trinidad and Tobago on a Country Implementation Plan (CIP). A CIP is drafted and implemented annually for the duration of the five-year MSDCF cycle, with the UN Country Team delivering annual reports to account for the work done in the previous year's CIP.

Context:

• The purpose of this assignment is to strengthen the capacity of the RCO to support the Resident Coordinator and the UNCT to deliver more efficient, coherent and results-oriented coordination across Trinidad and Tobago, Aruba, Curaçao and Saint Maarten, in line with the UNMSDCF 2022-2026 and its Country Implementation Plans.
• In 2026, the assignment will also contribute to enabling the RCO and UNCT to effectively support the transition from the current cooperation cycle to the next UNMSDCF 2027-2031, by strengthening coordination processes that help translate analytical findings and evaluation evidence into prioritized, actionable directions for joint work and structured engagement with governments and partners. This will strengthen delivery coherence across the four countries.
• Consistent with UN 2.0 and the evolving need for the RCO to embed behavioural science, anticipatory analysis and strategic use of AI, the assignment will contribute to improving how the RCO and UNCT use evidence and insights, to support faster learning, stronger decision-making, and more effective policy engagement, reinforcing the need for a robust RCO team to sustain these coordination functions.
• Overall, the assignment is intended to help the RCO and UNCT deliver a more coherent, timely and policy-relevant UN offer across four distinct national contexts through strengthened coordination practices and improved support to policy-facing engagement.

Task description:

• Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Head of Office or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:
• Contribute to strengthening the RCO's analytical function in close collaboration with the Economist by shifting from routine data compilation toward horizon scanning, strategic foresight and anticipatory analysis focused on megatrends, SDG themes and national priorities across the MCO countries.
• Prepare concise, decision-ready insight briefs on selected priority topics, highlighting trend signals, risks/opportunities, and implications for UNCT coordination, partnerships and policy engagement.
• Contribute to integrating foresight and behavioural science into coordination and planning by embedding scenario-thinking, anticipatory analysis and evidence-informed behavioral approaches into RCO/UNCT planning and stakeholder engagement processes to strengthen quality, inclusivity and effectiveness across the RCO.
• In close collaboration with the Data Management Officer and Communications and Advocacy Officer, translate analysis into clear narratives that strengthen the integrity, influence and visibility of UN results and the UN value proposition at country level.
• Support integrated data-communications products (e.g., simplified results narratives, storylines, and evidence packs) for leadership engagements and strategic moments, ensuring coherence between analysis and messaging.
• Support strengthening effectiveness and innovation of the Programme Management Team by embedding practical UN 2.0 approaches into PMT coordination and decision-making using digital collaboration practices, action tracking, and evidence-informed inputs to improve workplan monitoring, decision implementation and accountability.
• Contribute to building a forward-thinking culture within the RCO and UNCT through learning circles, brown-bag sessions and thematic events aligned with UN 2.0
• During the first month of the assignment, the UN Volunteer will work closely with his/her direct supervisor to finalize an agreed-upon work plan. The work plan should outline key objectives and activities and include regular check‑ins with the supervisor to review progress and receive performance

Eligibility criteria

Age: 18 - 80

Required experience: 3 years

Donor priorities:

• .

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

Additional eligibility criteria:

• This assignment is funded by the Government of Korea and therefore specific criteria apply:
• - Candidates must be Korean nationals. Fluency in Korean is required.
• - Candidates must be 27 years of age at the time of application.
• - Candidates who have already served as UN Volunteer Specialist funded by the Government of Korea are not eligible to apply (former UN University and UN Youth Volunteers are eligible).
• - Serving UN Volunteers will not be considered for other UN Volunteer assignments until they reach three (3) months before the end of contract date of their current UN Volunteer assignment. This provision applies equally to first and subsequent contracts.
• - Candidates may apply to a maximum of three assignments and indicate the order of preference in the 'Additional remarks' field when filling in the application form.
• - Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. The selection will be done by the UN Host Entity at the level of the country of assignment.
• APPLICATION DEADLINE: 19 July 2026
• +++ UN Volunteer entitlement calculator: https://app.unv.org/calculator +++

Assignment requirements

Relevant experience:

• 3 years

Languages:

• English, Level: Fluent, Required

Required education level:

• Master's degree in Public administration, international development, sustainable development, political science, social sciences, business administration, public policy, economics or a related field

Competencies and values:

• Adaptability and Flexibility
• Communication
• Creativity
• Ethics and Values
• Integrity
• Knowledge Sharing
• Planning and Organizing
• Professionalism
• Respect for Diversity
• Self-Management
• Technological Awareness
• Working in Teams

Skills and experience:

• Experience in:
• Development coordination, policy/strategic analysis, programme support, results reporting, strategic communications, data/insights, or related fields.
• Producing concise, decision-ready outputs such as insight briefs, analytical notes, risk/opportunity summaries, or policy/programme briefs for leadership or coordination forums.
• Experience contributing to anticipatory analysis, scenario thinking, trend scanning, or other forward-looking methods relevant to SDG acceleration and coordination.
• Skills
• Excellent analytical, research, and writing skills; ability to produce clear, concise, high-quality outputs under tight deadlines
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, SharePoint, and MS Teams; experience with AI tools and data analytics
• Strong organizational and project management skills; ability to manage multiple priorities and maintain accountability systems
• Experience working with data for decision-making and effective communications
• Ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries and work collaboratively in a multicultural environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations.

Area(s) of expertise:

• Development programmes, Economics and finance, Information technology

Driving license:

• -

Other information