Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Associate

Host entity: UNODC

Volunteer type: International

Areas of expertise: Community development, Education, Humanitarian affairs, protection

Application deadline: 24/11/2026

Mission and objectives

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), custodian of the conventions against transnational organized crime (UNTOC) and corruption (UNCAC), as well as the three international drug control conventions, was established to assist Member States in addressing the interrelated issues of illicit trafficking in and abuse of drugs, crime prevention and criminal justice, international terrorism, and corruption. UNODC's work is based on five normative areas of activity:
• strengthening the capacities of Member States to address threats from transnational organized crime;
• combating corruption and its impact on societies;
• strengthening crime prevention and building effective criminal justice systems;
• supporting Member States to implement a balanced, comprehensive, and evidence-based approach to the global drug problem, addressing both supply and demand;
• Combatting terrorism.
Since 1991, UNODC has been working in Brazil to support the Brazilian government in fulfilling its obligations under the UN Drug Control Conventions and the twelve multilateral instruments on terrorism. Brazil has ratified the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, its three Protocols (against Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants and against Arms Trafficking), and the UN Convention on Corruption

Assignment context

The Project Promotion of Information, Policy, and Education to Address Environmental Crime in the Legal Amazon (INPOED) was launched in 2026 with the objective of strengthening environmental governance, promoting sustainable territorial development, and enhancing the effective enforcement of national legislation. Supported by the Brazil–United Nations Fund for the Sustainable Development of the Amazon (Fundo Brasil–Nações Unidas para o Desenvolvimento Sustentável da Amazônia), the project aims to improve the quality of data produced and analyzed by public officials, while expanding the availability and dissemination of qualified data on environmental crimes and their impacts on vulnerable populations. These efforts will contribute to evidence-based policymaking by integrating gender-sensitive analyses and identifying differentiated impacts of environmental crimes on women and girls, including Indigenous women and women from river communities.

In addition, the project will support the development of an action plan to mitigate these impacts, strengthen the integration of a gender perspective into data production and government policies related to environmental crime, and build the capacity of policymakers and public officials to better understand and respond to the perspectives of women, girls, and Indigenous Peoples. These efforts will promote more inclusive and accountable governance, in line with the “Do No Harm” principle.

Task description

Within delegated authority and under the supervision of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) office in Brasília, the UN Associate will support the implementation of project activities at both national and state levels within the Amazon region, particularly in the target states of Pará, Amazonas, Mato Grosso, and Rondônia. The incumbent will contribute to inter-institutional coordination and partnership-building efforts aimed at strengthening environmental governance, with a special focus on promoting the effective participation of women, girls, and Indigenous peoples in the formulation and implementation of environmental public policies.

The UN Associate will support coordination with institutional stakeholders at state and national levels, helping to maintain dialogue and collaboration with government counterparts, civil society organizations, Indigenous peoples, and other relevant actors. Under supervision, the UN Volunteer Associate will contribute to developing and disseminating mechanisms that facilitate the participation of women, girls, and Indigenous peoples in environmental public policy processes, including supporting the drafting of stakeholder engagement plans and consultation strategies.

The UN Associate will assist in planning and implementing technical discussions, consultations, workshops, seminars, and multi-sectoral dialogue processes related to environmental governance and the impacts of environmental crimes on women, girls, and Indigenous peoples.

The incumbent will contribute to the development, validation, and dissemination of an action plan aimed at mitigating the impacts of environmental crimes on women, girls, and Indigenous peoples, based on evidence generated through project research and consultations. The UN Volunteer will also support the integration of gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) considerations into project activities, data collection and analysis processes, policy recommendations, and institutional strengthening efforts related to the impacts of environmental crimes on women, girls, and Indigenous peoples.

Skills and experience

· Experience in the area of Gender Equality and Social Inclusion.

· Demonstrated experience in the development and implementation of Gender Equality and Social Inclusion strategies, action plans, or mainstreaming frameworks within public sector, development, or community‑based programmes.
· Experience in designing and delivering Gender Equality and Social Inclusion focused training and capacity‑building activities for government officials, project teams, and diverse stakeholder groups, including women’s associations and Indigenous communities.
· Proven ability to navigate complex political and institutional environments, build strategic partnerships, and facilitate inter-agency cooperation.
· Experience working directly with vulnerable or under‑represented groups, such as Indigenous peoples, traditional communities, persons with disabilities, and youth, using participatory and culturally responsive approaches.
· Experience in the Amazon region or in similarly complex operational environments is desirable.
· Proven experience in project implementation and coordination, preferably within international organizations, development cooperation programmes, or public policy initiatives, is desirable.
· Experience supporting multi-stakeholder initiatives, including coordination with UN agencies, civil society organizations, Indigenous peoples' organizations, academia, and public institutions, is desirable.
· Experience preparing policy briefs, strategic analyses, official communications, or recommendations for senior government stakeholders is desirable.
· Master degree or equivalent Social Sciences, Public Policy, Development Studies, Sociology, Anthropology and Gender Studies is desirable.

Competencies and values

· Accountability
· Adaptability and flexibility
· Building Trust
· Client Orientation
· Commitment and Motivation
· Creativity
· Empowering others
· Ethics and Values
· Integrity
· Judgement and decision-making
· Planning and organising
· Professionalism
· Respect for Diversity
· Self-management
· Work in Teams

Living conditions

Brasília is the capital of Brazil and the country's political and administrative center, hosting federal government institutions, diplomatic missions, international organizations, and public agencies. The city has well-developed infrastructure, including telecommunications, healthcare, educational institutions, and transportation services. Brasília is well connected to other regions of the country through regular domestic flights and serves as an important gateway for travel to the Amazon region. The climate is characterized by a rainy season and a dry season, with low humidity levels typically occurring between May and September. The position may require regular travel to project areas in the Amazon region, including locations where infrastructure, transportation, and access to services may be more limited than in the capital.

As a tropical country, Brazil has a warm climate throughout the year. Brasília’s weather is characterized by a dry season (May to September) and a rainy season (October to April), with mild temperatures averaging between 15°C and 30°C.

As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging their own housing and other living essentials. National UN Volunteers are part of the malicious acts insurance plan. Brazil is security level 3 (moderate).

United Nations Department of Safety and Security UNDSS Brazil advises to exercise a high degree of caution in Brazil due to high levels of serious and violent crime, particularly in major cities. Violent crime such as muggings, armed robbery, kidnappings, and sexual assault, is very high. Avoid shanty towns (favelas) in the big cities and if you are attacked or robbed, do not resist. Demonstrations can occur at any time and may turn violent with little or no warning. All United Nations personnel must scrupulously comply with UNDSS procedures and recommendations during their assignment in Brazil. For missions in rural areas or indigenous reservations, special procedures may apply; UN personnel should consult with the local DSS office in advance.

Full eligibility requirements, conditions of service and application instructions are available on the official UNV platform.