National Youth Ambassador Terms of Reference

1Overview

The National Youth Ambassadors Programme – Trinidad and Tobago (NYAPTTO) was established in 2014 by the Trinidad and Tobago Youth Ambassadors (TTYA) to promote youth advocacy and facilitate meaningful youth participation in decision-making processes.

NYAPTTO develops a cadre of informed, ethical and service-oriented young leaders who are prepared to contribute to national development and to represent youth issues and perspectives at community, national, Caribbean and international levels.

The Programme is delivered over a two-year cycle and combines structured learning, community action, national service, field engagement and approved representational opportunities. Curriculum content, exercises, assessment tools, templates, schedules and submission instructions are issued separately through the Participant Workbook, Programme Guide, Programme Calendar and other authorised Programme instruments.

2Eligibility and appointment profile

For the 2027 Cohort I intake, the Programme serves young people aged 14–25. Participants are selected through the approved national recruitment and assessment process and are placed within age-responsive pathways appropriate to their stage of development.

The revised entry age range applies to 2027 recruitment and does not retrospectively alter the eligibility, term or conditions of an existing appointment. The applicable cohort recruitment notice shall specify the date on which the entry age requirement is assessed.

A participant must demonstrate a genuine commitment to youth development, national service, learning and responsible representation, and must be able to undertake the obligations attached to the Programme cycle. Where the participant is a minor, participation remains subject to the applicable parent or guardian consent requirements.

Selection into NYAPTTO does not confer the title of National Youth Ambassador. A selected participant remains a Prospective National Youth Ambassador until the prescribed pre-installation requirements are completed and formal installation takes place.

3Role and job purpose

A National Youth Ambassador is a formally installed member of the National Youth Ambassadors Corps who serves as a youth representative, advocate and service leader within the mandate assigned by NYAPTTO. The role connects youth perspectives and community action with national institutions, civic participation, diplomacy, regional cooperation and global citizenship.

4National Youth Ambassador profile

National Youth Ambassadors shall remain informed on Trinidad and Tobago youth issues, national priorities and matters relevant to any approved assignment. They shall demonstrate integrity, sound judgement, professionalism, cultural sensitivity, adaptability and respect for differing views, and shall work constructively with young people, institutions, communities and other stakeholders.

An Ambassador shall be able to communicate effectively, undertake basic research, contribute to projects and service initiatives, work as part of a team, respond appropriately to feedback and remain composed when managing challenging or sensitive situations.

5Core competencies

National Youth Ambassadors shall develop and demonstrate competencies in the following areas:

• Knowledge of Trinidad and Tobago youth issues, national priorities and relevant youth policy frameworks.
• Leadership, ethical judgement, accountability and service to country.
• Diplomatic conduct, protocol, negotiation, consensus-building and professional communication.
• Civic and policy literacy, including an understanding of institutions and public decision-making.
• Youth advocacy, consultation, representation and responsible use of mandate.
• Strong oral and written communication, public speaking and active listening.
• Research, analytical thinking and the ability to formulate practical recommendations.
• Networking, stakeholder engagement and relationship-building.
• Project planning, implementation, teamwork and a results-and-impact orientation.
• Adaptability, intercultural sensitivity and professional conduct in physical and digital spaces.

6Duties and responsibilities

The duties of a National Youth Ambassador include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Represent youth perspectives at approved consultations, meetings, forums, projects, events and missions within the mandate assigned by the Programme.
• Consult with young people and youth-serving stakeholders and maintain constructive networks around assigned issues, communities or areas of work.
• Conduct research and submit practical observations, reports or recommendations on youth issues, policies or development matters where assigned.
• Plan, support or deliver approved youth-development, public-education, mentoring, advocacy and community-engagement initiatives.
• Contribute actively to Community Service Impact projects, national-service activities and other approved Corps or Programme initiatives.
• Disseminate verified Programme and youth-development information through authorised channels and support the positive promotion of youth achievement.
• Prepare for assignments, attend required briefings, complete agreed actions and submit reports and evidence within the prescribed timeframe.
• Maintain accurate records of service, project contribution, attendance, engagements and other assigned outputs.
• Work collaboratively with fellow Ambassadors, Programme officers and authorised partners and uphold the standards attached to the appointment.

7Attendance and participation

Attendance and active participation are conditions of progression and continued good standing. The minimum attendance threshold shall be 80% of required Programme activities, unless an authorised written adjustment or alternative arrangement applies.

Attendance includes punctual arrival, remaining for the full required period, completing required preparation and participating meaningfully. An Ambassador or Prospective Ambassador who is unable to attend a required activity shall notify the assigned Programme contact as early as reasonably possible and shall comply with any approved make-up or alternative requirement.

Repeated lateness, unexplained absence, failure to communicate or persistent disengagement may be treated as non-performance and may affect installation, continued participation, appointment status or Programme completion.

8Individual outputs and service requirements

Each National Youth Ambassador shall complete the individual service and accountability outputs prescribed below, in addition to any Programme learning requirements applicable to the participant:

1. Annual Work and Service Plan — prepare an annual plan identifying priority youth issues, proposed engagements, service activities and intended outputs for the year.
2. Youth Engagement and Intervention — complete at least six approved training, mentorship, advocacy, consultation or youth-development interventions during the two-year appointment, individually or as an assigned lead or co-lead.
3. National Service Practicum — for participants admitted through the 2027 intake, complete the minimum verified service requirement: 60 hours for participants aged 14–19 and 100 hours for participants aged 20–25, supported by the required verification. Existing appointees remain subject to the service requirements applicable to their appointment.
4. Community Service Impact — make a substantive individual contribution to an approved CSI Project and complete the evidence required for the participant’s role in that project.
5. Mission, Project and Assignment Reports — submit a written report within fourteen days of an approved mission, project or assignment where a report is required, unless the written brief states another deadline.
6. Annual Activity Report — submit an annual report summarising activities undertaken, outputs completed, youth or stakeholder engagement, lessons learned and priorities for the following year.
7. End-of-Term Debrief and Handover — participate in the required end-of-term review, debriefing and handover process and submit any outstanding records assigned to the Ambassador.

The Programme may prescribe the format, evidence standard, submission method and due date for these outputs through the Participant Workbook, Programme Guide, official calendar or written assignment brief. Such operational instructions do not require amendment of this TOR.

9Programme learning requirement

National Youth Ambassadors shall participate in the approved NYAPTTO learning and development programme, including Diplomacy Lab; Civic Leadership & National Service; Community Service Impact; Life Skills Development; Experiential Learning & Field Engagement; and the Professional Pathways Accelerator. Detailed curriculum content and learning deliverables are set out in the Participant Workbook and other approved Programme instruments.

10Special conditions associated with the appointment

• The appointment requires a continuing time commitment across the two-year Programme cycle.
• Duties may require travel within Trinidad and Tobago and, where selected and formally approved, travel overseas.
• Participation may include residential activities, field engagements, community assignments, online learning, consultations, public events and representational duties.
• Selection for travel, missions, delegations, speaking roles, external opportunities or special assignments is not automatic and shall be subject to Programme need, eligibility, readiness, conduct, availability, resources and any applicable partner requirements.
• The appointment is voluntary and does not create employment, diplomatic status or authority to enter into contracts or commitments on behalf of TTYA, NYAPTTO or the State.

11Representation and use of authority

A National Youth Ambassador shall represent NYAPTTO only where formally assigned or authorised. The Ambassador shall not claim to speak for all young people, TTYA, the Government of Trinidad and Tobago, a ministry, partner organisation or community beyond the mandate expressly given for the engagement.

The Ambassador shall distinguish personal views from an authorised Programme position and shall not independently make financial, contractual, sponsorship, partnership, travel or public commitments on behalf of TTYA or NYAPTTO.

12Management and supervision

NYAPTTO operates under the auspices of the Trinidad and Tobago Youth Ambassadors and is separately administered through the authorised Programme Management Team led by the Senior Programme Manager | Director. Day-to-day Programme management and participant supervision are distinct from the functions of the TTYA National Executive except where a governing instrument assigns a specific authority.

National Youth Ambassadors may be assigned a Youth Development Officer, project supervisor, service host, facilitator or other authorised Programme officer for defined aspects of their work. Such persons shall provide guidance, supervision, verification and follow-up within the scope of the assignment.

The Programme shall provide approved learning and service opportunities, official communication, reasonable participant support and opportunities for Ambassadors to meet, share experiences and contribute to national youth-development work.

13Compliance with Programme policies

National Youth Ambassadors shall comply with all applicable TTYA and NYAPTTO policies, codes, procedures and authorised instructions, including those governing conduct, safeguarding, confidentiality, communications, finance, travel, health and safety, and use of Programme identity. Detailed procedures are issued separately and do not form part of this TOR.

The full TOR is a controlled Programme document for authorised personnel, participants and parents or guardians where applicable. It shall be provided to participants for review before acceptance. Public communication shall use a separately approved Terms of Reference Public Summary. Internal curriculum, assessment instruments, implementation manuals and administrative procedures shall be circulated only for authorised Programme purposes. The public overview does not replace the full terms or the applicable Instrument of Appointment.

14Appointment, installation and term

A participant who has met the prescribed readiness requirements shall sign these Terms of Reference before formal installation. Signing records acceptance of the role and its conditions but does not, by itself, confer the title of National Youth Ambassador.

The appointment and membership in the National Youth Ambassadors Corps take effect only upon formal installation through the authorised Programme process and the issue or confirmation of the applicable Instrument of Appointment. Before installation, the participant shall use only the status or designation approved by the Programme.

The appointment continues from the date of formal installation until the end of the applicable cohort term stated in the Instrument of Appointment, unless it expires or ends earlier in accordance with this TOR. Installation is not graduation; Programme completion and certification remain subject to fulfilment of the applicable requirements.

15Non-performance and end of appointment

A National Youth Ambassador who fails to meet an attendance, service, reporting, conduct or other material obligation may be issued written notice and may be required to complete a corrective or completion action within a stated period. The Ambassador shall be given a reasonable opportunity to provide relevant information or respond, except where immediate action is required for safety, serious misconduct or protection of the Programme.

Repeated non-performance, serious misconduct, material breach of this TOR, failure to complete an approved corrective action, or conduct incompatible with continued appointment may result in suspension or termination of the appointment through the authorised Programme process.

The appointment may also end by expiry of the term, resignation, withdrawal from the Programme or another authorised decision made in accordance with applicable TTYA and NYAPTTO requirements. Upon the end of appointment, the individual shall cease using the active National Youth Ambassador title and shall complete any required handover.

16Acceptance of terms

By signing the TOR the participant confirms that these Terms of Reference have been read and understood and agrees to undertake the duties, outputs, participation requirements and conditions attached to appointment as a National Youth Ambassador.